How one bends to the ball... can greatly influence their golf swing(stroke). The Bend from the HIPS, or this is sometimes called WAIST BEND, the Bend of the KNEES(how much flex), and the Bend from the NECK.
Let's discuss exactly how one should bend to the ball. Tom Tomasello used to teach to bend with the knees locked, then unlock the knees, then "sit a little." He liked the back fairly straight, and the head UP. That was part of the routine. This is one way. I know there are others. Include in the discussion... variables, such as PELVIS DIFFERENCES, FLEXIBILITY, LENGTH OF LIMBS, ETC.
How one bends to the ball... can greatly influence their golf swing(stroke). The Bend from the HIPS, or this is sometimes called WAIST BEND, the Bend of the KNEES(how much flex), and the Bend from the NECK.
Let's discuss exactly how one should bend to the ball. Tom Tomasello used to teach to bend with the knees locked, then unlock the knees, then "sit a little." He liked the back fairly straight, and the head UP. That was part of the routine. This is one way. I know there are others. Include in the discussion... variables, such as PELVIS DIFFERENCES, FLEXIBILITY, LENGTH OF LIMBS, ETC.
i like the idea of sitting on a bar stool (even at the tee box )- it gives a very Ernie Els like look.
I was taught to set my address bend to my Flying Wedges alignments. The back is less straight or ridged as most instruction is given. More convex- straight from tailbone to the shoulder blades- then curved from shoulders to head. The head is lowered to see the ball directly. Less Silver Back Gorilla looking. Look at Adam Scott and do the opposite.
Check out how Brian Gay addresses the ball. “Just set up perfectly each time” as Lynn says.
I don't know much else about Pelvis, Flexibility or arm length. I think that whatever you want the Flying Wedges to do, set up around that.
I see bending forward as the big problem for most beginners. It is better to push your butt away from the ball to counter-balance the upper body forward bend. Kinda like an oriental bow. This really helps to keep the back, from tail bone to shoulder blades, straight. Bending forward without this counter-balance can cause the back to curve.
With correct bent from the hip; knees and neck, how about arms hang?
Tiger almost has vertical arms hang, while flying wedges at impact alignment told me that my arms must be more outward.
How come is that?
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If you cannot take the shoulder down the clubshaft plane, you must take along some other path and add compensations - now, instead of one motion to remember, you wind up with at least two!
With correct bent from the hip; knees and neck, how about arms hang?
Tiger almost has vertical arms hang, while flying wedges at impact alignment told me that my arms must be more outward.
How come is that?
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Very good point KOC!!
Arm hang is a Variation, one of the many possible in G.O.L.F.. They go from the Hands Only Basic Plane, where the hands are close to a vertical hang, to the other extreme of the Squared Shoulder Basic Plane, which is very steep.
Jim Furyk, Mac O'Grady, Jodie Mudd, Tiger Woods, have close to a vertical arm hang. Moe Norman... would be on the other extreme.
Maybe some others interested in this will chime in!!!
Arm hang is a Variation, one of the many possible in G.O.L.F.. They go from the Hands Only Basic Plane, where the hands are close to a vertical hang, to the other extreme of the Squared Shoulder Basic Plane, which is very steep.
Jim Furyk, Mac O'Grady, Jodie Mudd, Tiger Woods, have close to a vertical arm hang. Moe Norman... would be on the other extreme.
Maybe some others interested in this will chime in!!!
Lagster,
I love the way you jump start new topics in these forums. Thanks!
FYI to newbies...Lagster, a.k.a. Frank Moore, PGA, GSEM, is a veteran PGA teaching professional who has trained under some of the biggest names in TGM (including Tom Tomasello). More than once, he has come to The Swamp to pick my brain. I usually pick his as much as he picks mine.
Frank is one of the few who holds the GSEM designation -- Golfing Machine Engineering Master -- awarded by The Golfing Machine, LLC. He knows his TGM and, moreover, he knows golf. He teaches both every day.