Which arm controls and powers the swing?

[leftsider]

I have asked myself this question so many times that you would think I would eventually get the right answer. But....I have never got the answer. I have also searched the web, asked other players and still haven't satisfied my curiosity. Then again, it may just be a stupid question. Anyone out there have an explanation to this question that keeps nagging me?

[shootin4par]

Re: Which arm controls and powers the swing?

go hit tennis balls on your forehand, hit them one handed with your right and left, see what side gives you the most power and you have your answer Good luck in the search
neil

[leftsider]

Re: Which arm controls and powers the swing?

Another reason I am looking for the answer to this question is because my dominant arm is the leading arm. I am a lefty that has a dominant right arm. Many times when I swing, it seems that the arms are battling against each other. Maybe the right answer is just to quit worrying about the swing and just hit the ball. Still.....the nagging continues. Thanks.

[shootin4par]

Re: Which arm controls and powers the swing?

some people will tell you left, some will tell you right so you must figure out a way to find out for yourself which one you believe. do experiments, learn how to hit a ball with your left arm only and then your right arm only, for me right now I hit left arm six irons just short of 100 yards when I hit it good, right arms around 150, but you have to find for yourself. Enjoy the experience and have fun with it

[leftsider]

Re: Which arm controls and powers the swing?

Thanks for the info. I will consider each response.

[BrianW]

Re: Which arm controls and powers the swing?

What is funny?

They become the 1st 3 letters of ASSume.

The Bunny is here, Bye!

EDIT: Cmays. I have removed my knee jerk reaction. What I would rather say is please let your posts and assistance stand on their own merits, you do not need to get into unworthy rubbishing of others that either have a contrary opinion to you or may just be doing their best to help others.

Of course I expect some kind of further insulting replies for challenging your insults to members, but just maybe you could consider for a moment that they too should be able to state their views without these insults. Or is that asking too much from you?

[BrianW]

Re: Which arm controls and powers the swing?

In reply to the original post: There is no correct answer to the question as it depends on what the individual is comfortable with and what suits their personal swing.

My personal way is to use the left side to bring and align the club to the release position then in the last stages hit through hard with the right side but not forgetting to use the left hand as well. Ben Hogan said in his book Five Lessons on page 99 "YOU MUST HIT AS HARD WITH THE LEFT AS WITH THE RIGHT"

So to answer your question: My left arm controls and my right (with help from my left) powers the swing.

[GolfJunkieSr]

Re: Which arm controls and powers the swing?

I'd like to throw this into this discussion. But first I agree that there is no real, correct answer. I am a puller, since I like more control, than distance.

Now to add to the discussion. Does anyone think that there are more right handed wrist/elbow injuries for the right handed player who pushes with the right side through impact, and does not pull with the left side? Here is my reasoning.

The leading edge of a iron is designed to cut into, and through what ever surface the ball might be resting on. (except concrete obviously) Dirt, or grass will give. It is my belief that those who push the club through impact with their trailing hand will suffer more harmful impact pressure to their hand, and arm joints than those who pull through impact with their front, target side. Over time those who push their club, at some point are going to develope some physical problems in their joints. If you pull the club through impact your left, lead hand is already in position to bend backwards, more so than a pushing right, trailing hand. Of course if you are lucky. and good enough player to play off premium, soft fairways all the time, it probably make little difference. GJS

[shootin4par]

Re: Which arm controls and powers the swing?

EDIT: Cmays. I have removed my knee jerk reaction. What I would rather say is please let your posts and assistance stand on their own merits, you do not need to get into unworthy rubbishing of others that either have a contrary opinion to you or may just be doing their best to help others.

Of course I expect some kind of further insulting replies for challenging your insults to members, but just maybe you could consider for a moment that they too should be able to state their views without these insults. Or is that asking too much from you?

brian, in your first paragraph here look at how it is written, no attacking and from it you might get a positive outcome. and then in the second paragraph you attack his character, and attacking others is what you ask him not to do.

[edshaw]

Re: Which arm controls and powers the swing?

I have always been told that the
left side is most controlling in the
backswing, in particular, the last
three fingers of the left hand, which
are considered the weakest link
in the chain. Then as downswing
starts, the challenge is to restrain
the natural tendency of the right
side to dominate until the hands
approach the hitting area, at which
time theright side is turned loose.
Anyone else ever heard this?

[BrianW]

Re: Which arm controls and powers the swing?

I have always been told that the
left side is most controlling in the
backswing, in particular, the last
three fingers of the left hand, which
are considered the weakest link
in the chain. Then as downswing
starts, the challenge is to restrain
the natural tendency of the right
side to dominate until the hands
approach the hitting area, at which
time theright side is turned loose.
Anyone else ever heard this?

Yes Ed, that's what I was suggesting as well.

[BrianW]

Re: Which arm controls and powers the swing?

brian, in your first paragraph here look at how it is written, no attacking and from it you might get a positive outcome. and then in the second paragraph you attack his character, and attacking others is what you ask him not to do.

No Neil, I am not doing what he is. I have never attacked his golfing abilities and would never be so crass as to call those that give different opinions than me an Ass. I have appealed to him a number of times not to use this method of rubbishing people as it is not worthy of his abilities, this is generally met with further personal attacks. Just look at his post "Oh Brian" was that really necessary or called for?

I know you admire him and that's fine, maybe I should just stand back and be less sensitive about it but my nature is to challenge rudeness and arrogance. If I was criticised by some of the others on this site that I have great respect for then I would seriously contemplate my usefulness and relevance to this site.

[shootin4par]

Re: Which arm controls and powers the swing?

brian, I like his golfing abilities, I am also aware that some people may come off harsh. My post to you on this topic was not meant to defend him, not at all. And the posts on OH BRIAN, well I ask you how I got involved on that one, did I make the post but yet you lumped me with him.
the two comments I am reffering to on this are
"Of course I expect some kind of further insulting replies"
what does that comment imply, that you think he lacks character?
and the comment
"Or is that asking too much from you?"
implies that he does not have the ability to change his ways of communication or maybe that you dont think he possesses the intelectual capabilites to try and understand your point?
question what people do and ask them if maybe they should change. telll them what you dont like about how they act towards you and try to have them acknowledge that. The moment you attack character, and what you may see is character flaws, is the moment that all points become lost except for the defending of character. I dont know if that makes sense, points can be hard to make in typed word. take care man
Neil

[takinitdeep]

Re: Which arm controls and powers the swing?

No Neil, I am not doing what he is. I have never attacked his golfing abilities and would never be so crass as to call those that give different opinions than me an Ass. I have appealed to him a number of times not to use this method of rubbishing people as it is not worthy of his abilities, this is generally met with further personal attacks. Just look at his post "Oh Brian" was that really necessary or called for?

I know you admire him and that's fine, maybe I should just stand back and be less sensitive about it but my nature is to challenge rudeness and arrogance. If I was criticised by some of the others on this site that I have great respect for then I would seriously contemplate my usefulness and relevance to this site.

Brian:
I did not see the post before something was deleted/edited; however, I have taken a look at my crotchiness and intolerance both with my students and with this particular site and have taken a different tact to a more patient and considerate approach.
I can't imagine you ever being worthy of an attack; your posts are very good and you obviously know your stuff. I guess where I personally went wrong was in reacting to those who "demand" respect and have a "my way or the highway" approach.
We are all brothers in the love of the game and since none of us are on the tour(s), we should accept that there are different ways to play and teach. What works for one will not necessarily work for another but for any of us to attack someone for their opinion is just wrong.

[BrianW]

Re: Which arm controls and powers the swing?

brian, I like his golfing abilities, I am also aware that some people may come off harsh. My post to you on this topic was not meant to defend him, not at all. And the posts on OH BRIAN, well I ask you how I got involved on that one, did I make the post but yet you lumped me with him.
the two comments I am referring to on this are
"Of course I expect some kind of further insulting replies"
what does that comment imply, that you think he lacks character?
and the comment
"Or is that asking too much from you?"
implies that he does not have the ability to change his ways of communication or maybe that you dont think he possesses the intelectual capabilites to try and understand your point?
question what people do and ask them if maybe they should change. telll them what you dont like about how they act towards you and try to have them acknowledge that. The moment you attack character, and what you may see is character flaws, is the moment that all points become lost except for the defending of character. I dont know if that makes sense, points can be hard to make in typed word. take care man
Neil

Neil, I only mentioned you in relation to the comments in "Oh Brian" as you and I had previously discussed some ideas on the use of the right and left side and he was using that, it was not meant to be critical of you.

I take your points but was not suggesting anything relating to his intellectual capabilities, it's just that whenever I have asked him to refrain from rudeness It has been met with personal attacks. I have absolutely no wish to get into a fight with anyone.