Right forearm at address
 

Do you ever recommend not setting up with the right forearm on plane at address? For example a player who needs to keep the clubhead more outside the hands, with more up and less in on the backswing.

Having the hands lower does not mean you won't take it too far inside. Rather than worrying about on on-plane right forearm at address, work on the right forearm takeaway. Do a search on that subject here and you will get some great stuff and eliminate the too far inside move.

Thanks Dodger. I've read a great deal about the RF takeaway and do try and incorporate it in my swing. Don't really take it too inside but occasionally a little underplane after hip high. Seems like swing is best when clubhead stays outside hands as long as possible. Doesn't set-up with low hands help with this?

I have played with low hands in the address, thinking the same thing. Here is the problem, the lower the hands at address, the more likely it is for the right wrist to cock, which you do not want. If you set your spine properly, and tilt your head properly, your right wrist should be right where it needs to be. If you go low hands, ie Hubert Green and Fuzzy Zoeller, there can be a tendency to rise up through impact so you don't stick the club in the ground. In your right forearm takeaway, halfway back do not let your right elbow go behind you, make it stay on the same plane it started at to the top of the swing. This should prevent the too inside move, at least it works for me.

Great stuff Dodger!

I really enjoy trying to get my right forearm on plane at address, but I think even more importantly, getting my left wrist level. That is HUGE for my consistency.

Kevin

Appreciate the replies. I certainly understand the advantages of starting with the right forearm on plane at address. My original question is a little different though. Are there ever any circumstances where you would not recommend this setup?

Certainly. The only things I recommend for everybody are the 3 imperatives, and I encourage the 3 essentials. Everything else is fair game and player preference...

In my opinion, the closer you get to Lynn Blakes interpretation of TGM, the fewer compensations you need to make. As Yoda says, you CAN do it, but why? :-)

Kevin

Hi Kevin. What does "level" mean for the left wrist? Is it "unbroken?" "Not sagging?" "Not wrinkled?" "Level with my belly button or hips?"

I stared at the diagrams of the circle last night in your notes and I realized that the club will get to the ball sooner or later despite my physical and emotional imbalances. So, let's do it efficiently! Make friends! And, let's have fun!

Patrick

Patrick,

Please grab your book and look at the pictures in 4-B. There is cocked, level, and uncocked. Perpendicular wrist positions as opposed to the rotational and horizontal positions.

Level at address. Cocked in the backstroke. Level again at impact. Uncocked at follow through... for the pattern we are discussing...

Kevin

I think the point is that the right forearm on plane at address is not an imperative or an essential. Kevin makes great points as usual. If you set your left wrist level at address, your right forearm will tend to be on plane. Anatomic issues and grip differences can affect this position which is why it is not an imperative. Right forearm on plane is to me like trying to avoid plane shifts. What counts is impact. Is your left wrist flat and right bent? Go to impact fix and work back. How is it easier for you as a golfer to get into that impact position? Just because your right forearm is on plane at address does not guarantee it will be on plane at impact. If you are underplane at impact, you may need to feel as if the right forearm is higher than at address. I have used that thought at times to help me hit down on the ball. Use impact fix,keep the left wrist level at address work on the flying wedges, especially the right one and you will find that you can move the right forearm all over the place at address and still get good results.