The Feel

[Big Sheesh]

Do you guys feel that when you come down on the downswing, it's like you're chopping a tree with a sideways-downward motion? It's not completely down but there's a bit of a sideways motion too, kinda like hitting a baseball but not as flat. I find that by doing this, I get a really natural flipping of the hands.

[TeachingPro]

Re: The Feel

A stupid answer I know but yes and no.

It's a good reference point and the anolgy has been for ages. In my humble opinion, the golf swing doesn't quite work that way. The golf swing is a vertical motion, not a horizontal one so you do lose something in the translation between a horizontal chop and vertical sweep.

But, to feel an acceleration and co-ordinated move into impact is a good reference point.

[LowPost42]

Re: The Feel

The best thing I ever did for my iron play was to try to 'mash' the ball into the ground - this promoted the steepest angles my swing has ever had. (Now, just to put this into context, until recently, my swing never, ever, took a divot).

The feeling is certainly one of trying to flatten the ball into the earth... but what a lovely, lovely trajectory... tour, I believe.

[prowlsta]

Re: The Feel

I found the analogy of trying to skim a flat stone across water useful- anyone agree?

[gord962]

Re: The Feel

If you are looking for some good analogies, my favourite is comparing your hands to that of striking a nail with a hammer. You hand is ALWAYS infront of the head of the hammer until you strike the nail.

Another one is compared to fishing. What happens if you release your hands too fast when casting your lure? The exact same thing that happens in golf when you release your hands too early in the downswing - lack of distance and direction. Esentially, uncontrolable results, and 99% of the time the rusults are unfavourable.

[TeachingPro]

Re: The Feel

The best "analogy" is to swing the club like you're moving a hoolahoop around your body in a vertical plane. I know it's quite an analogy but develops a great feeling.

Try it ... get a hoolahoop, grip the inside like it was a club (the hoolahoop should be around you in the slightly vertical plane) and swing it. I learnt this from Robert Baker and Grant Hepburn of Logical Golf.

[LowPost42]

Re: The Feel

What a great concept.

What's that?

My, uh, kid wants a hula hoop... I guess I better go buy one.

A lot cheaper than the perfect plane or the vector or whatever...

[dale47]

Re: The Feel

The best thing I ever did for my iron play was to try to 'mash' the ball into the ground - this promoted the steepest angles my swing has ever had. (Now, just to put this into context, until recently, my swing never, ever, took a divot).

The feeling is certainly one of trying to flatten the ball into the earth... but what a lovely, lovely trajectory... tour, I believe.

Thats a great way of doing it......mash that thing. Is it a slightly lower ball flight now ?

[LowPost42]

Re: The Feel

Yes - lower, longer, and teardrop shaped.

[dale47]

Re: The Feel

I noticed you are using synchron hybrids...do you like them. I'm getting to old for long irons and am going to look into some hybrids.

[Mr_Change]

Re: The Feel

In one of my lessons the golf pro put a hooler hoop around me and got me to slowly swing my club around it.

[LowPost42]

Re: The Feel

I noticed you are using synchron hybrids...do you like them.

I do like them, yes. My only complaint is that they're very offset.

I've only swept with them - I haven't tried hitting down (although I don't think I will)

My 22* replaced my 5w(21*), and my irons start with my 26*.