Weight transfer ?

[jambalaya]

Re: Weight transfer ?

When golfers get over the ball we are blinded by the Scientific method of a golf swing the mind is in overload.

Lets get down to basics here, how would you go about hitting a nail in the wall, would you think about a delayed wrist angle or just let it happen on its own!

I bet if you thought about the way you turn you hips and retain that wrist angle prior to impact/hitting the nail on the head you would miss that nail?

Go back one more step here. Let’s throw a ball to a target say 30 metres out in front of you, I think if you are allowed to just throw it you would come very close to the target. Now before you throw the next one think about hip turn and the dreaded wrist delay while you are throwing and see how close you get!

The game of golf is all about balance and control, if you can do that without the fuzzy head thoughts you are well on your way to play this game.

If swinging a golf club was like throwing a ball I would be playing in the pros right now. Seriously, I have always been good at throwing a ball, very accurate. I shift the feet, bring the arm back, step and plant the front foot, pivot and release. The two things are related but swinging a golf club is more complicated. I wish like hell I could do away with all those fuzzy thoughts but it ain't that simple.

[jambalaya]

Re: Weight transfer ?

I personally think the idea for *most people* of restricting hip turn brought about by the X-Factor primarily has put a lot of people back a long way in their golf swing. Trying to limit hip turn just leads to a lateral sway as for all the but most flexible its not possible. The key is turning the core section and maintaining width and if that means turning the hips then fair enough. The guy who turns his hips the most on tour is John Daly !

Through long experimentation, ive found the best hip movement is to just coil a "connected" straight left arm around the mid-section. The downswing is then a case of bumping that hip forward whilst keeping the head still and the upper body back to allow the arms connected to your upper torso to uncoil by itself through the ball. Very simple, no arms, no hands and you will hit it a mile

The main issue with weight transfer is balance, a person doesnt naturally want to make a coil and let the coil uncoil by itself via the lower body. We always feel like helping it by smashing it fast, and not allow the "Ernie Els" slow motion auto uncoil happen by itself. We try and add speed by throwing the shoulder, or right arm or spinning the hips and losing balance. Or by allowing an upper body dive where the head gets too far forward - so many things can go wrong ! But done right its very simple

Personally I try hard to keep my right foot planted (although I know it rools some), hip lateral shift, staying balanced trying to "sit on the bar stool" - let the upper body uncoil by itself

Could you explain this bit:

Through long experimentation, ive found the best hip movement is to just coil a "connected" straight left arm around the mid-section.

Exactly what it the left arm doing here? I can't imagine my left arm coiling around my mid-section. I think I need visuals.

This sounds familiar:

We try and add speed by throwing the shoulder, or right arm or spinning the hips and losing balance.

[jambalaya]

Re: Weight transfer ?

Many players old and young have trouble from time to time with balance/transfer of weight through impact . So you are not alone on this trust me on that.

My cure when I had that same fault was to build a platform to stand on that would show me my fault while I practice.

This platform is 30 inches wide x 20 inches deep. If you are right handed then set up the platform like this.

1st under the right edge place a dowel say ¼ inch diameter and tape/screw it down the right edge.

2nd under the centre of the platform screw another piece of dowel all the way down the centre.

As you stand on the platform (that needs to be ¾ inch thick so it won’t bend) you will transfer your weight to the right as with a normal swing but just prior to the down swing try and transfer you weight with a move back towards the target with your hips and back. In doing so you will feel the platform drop very slightly to the left and you will feel the MOVE that needs to be made to set you up for a great follow through the ball.

Practice the move then take your feelings to the range/course. Remember the MOVE is not excessive prior to and through impact and can be over accentuated (the old saying of swinging inside a drum comes to mind) would suit many a player.

This will work for you and anybody that has the wrong feeling at impact.

Use this on a firm surface like patio, due to the small amount of movement under the platform. If you would like to hear it move as well, screw a small hinge under the platform on the left side midway so when it touches down you will hear it close the hinge.

Regards Cliff

I was going to patent this product but never got round to it !

Actually this sounds kinda cool and it won't cost much to try.

[Cliff]

Re: Weight transfer ?

Misunderstanding is the downfall of most our problems on the golf course/practice range, even when put in such a way that all can understand.

You wrote (I have always been good at throwing a ball, very accurate. I shift the feet, bring the arm back, step and plant the front foot, pivot and release.)

Now before you throw the next one think about hip turn and the dreaded wrist delay while you are throwing and see how close you get!

Try and play golf with only one thought, like good follow through or retain the right knee bend while making the back swing.

I agree you need to practice, that’s good but only practice one thing at a time. (Old saying today’s cure will be tomorrows fault!) Over do the change and you need another change to put it right.

BTW if you want to hit the ball further, at the top of the backswing hold the position while you move your weight back to target (my platform helps you feel the move) Keep the small of your back facing the target while you reach the point of balance 50/50 then start the downswing the gap between the right shoulder and the hands will increase, just let your coiled body uncoil at it's own pace, retain wrist angle but allow the hands to deliver the club back to square at impact. Due to the momentum of your weight transfer combined with the powerful strike you are set for a great follow through.

Now to remember all that you are not going to hit the ball!

But taken one step at a time you will get there, good luck!

[jambalaya]

Re: Weight transfer ?

Misunderstanding is the downfall of most our problems on the golf course/practice range, even when put in such a way that all can understand.

You wrote (I have always been good at throwing a ball, very accurate. I shift the feet, bring the arm back, step and plant the front foot, pivot and release.)

Now before you throw the next one think about hip turn and the dreaded wrist delay while you are throwing and see how close you get!

Try and play golf with only one thought, like good follow through or retain the right knee bend while making the back swing.

I agree you need to practice, that’s good but only practice one thing at a time. (Old saying today’s cure will be tomorrows fault!) over do the change and you need another change to put it right.

All true. Yeah, I try to practice with only one thought at a time these days. It gets easier to do that when you get a decent swing going. I've had so many cures that became faults I lost count.

[Cliff]

Re: Weight transfer ?

What I find so annoying as you get older the less you remember! It will happen to you all lol

But with a great website like this we still have a chance to re-learn the ways of the force.

[BrianW]

Re: Weight transfer ?

What I find so annoying as you get older the less you remember! It will happen to you all lol

But with a great website like this we still have a chance to re-learn the ways of the force.

Cliff,

There are two problems with getting older:

1) Your memory gets worse

2) I cant remember the other one

[pnearn]

Re: Weight transfer ?

Could you explain this bit:

Through long experimentation, ive found the best hip movement is to just coil a "connected" straight left arm around the mid-section.

Exactly what it the left arm doing here? I can't imagine my left arm coiling around my mid-section. I think I need visuals.

This sounds familiar:

We try and add speed by throwing the shoulder, or right arm or spinning the hips and losing balance.

What Im trying to say (badly!) is if you set up in good posture with your left arm straight, upper arm connected to chest then you want to coil the mid section of your body (chest primarily but hips will come too depending on flexibilty). Then turn that connected 'triangle' as far as you can without breaking down. That shoud leave a wide swing, with a straight left arm where it still connected to the chest. Left arm will be on or slightly under the shoulder plane. Use the turn to move the arms. Never use the arms or hands to turn the body - I dont think its possible to sequence them right or at least very difficult

Does that make sense?

As for the familiar bit I think were all in that boat

[BrianW]

Re: Weight transfer ?

What Im trying to say (badly!) is if you set up in good posture with your left arm straight, upper arm connected to chest then you want to coil the mid section of your body (chest primarily but hips will come too depending on flexibilty). Then turn that connected 'triangle' as far as you can without breaking down. That shoud leave a wide swing, with a straight left arm where it still connected to the chest. Left arm will be on or slightly under the shoulder plane. Use the turn to move the arms. Never use the arms or hands to turn the body - I dont think its possible to sequence them right or at least very difficult

Does that make sense?

As for the familiar bit I think were all in that boat

Hi Paul, Long time no hear. I hope you are well?

I don't follow this X factor stuff. I believe the lower body does little in generating club head speed (Little, not nothing) I think the chest, shoulders, arms and wrists are the prime speed generators and the lower body mainly stabilises the forces produced.

As to weight transfer we can get a little over complicated with this, all it needs is a gentle transfer of weight to the lead leg at the top of the backswing, nothing too violent.

[jambalaya]

Re: Weight transfer ?

What Im trying to say (badly!) is if you set up in good posture with your left arm straight, upper arm connected to chest then you want to coil the mid section of your body (chest primarily but hips will come too depending on flexibilty). Then turn that connected 'triangle' as far as you can without breaking down. That shoud leave a wide swing, with a straight left arm where it still connected to the chest. Left arm will be on or slightly under the shoulder plane. Use the turn to move the arms. Never use the arms or hands to turn the body - I dont think its possible to sequence them right or at least very difficult

Does that make sense?

As for the familiar bit I think were all in that boat

Good. I gotcha now. But this is a good opportunity for me to ask some other questions: What is a connected left arm? Is that the ol' squeeze a head cover in the left arm pit and don't let it fall out ('til impact?) thing? Is that applicable to one and two plane swings? When do you lift your arms in your swing? In my example, won't the head cover fall out if I lift my arms? In my set up and swing I wouldn't be able to keep a head cover in either arm pit I think. Is it a flaw that should be fixed? Maybe I wouldn't be so armsy and handsy if I did that.

[Cliff]

Re: Weight transfer ?

The head cover drill is used for timing and rhythm only; it connects the arms to the body.

BUT must only be used for ½ swing not full swing modes. Basically on a full swing you will get separation from the right arm and the head cover will drop out. If it stays in then I would go and see a Chiropractors before your back gets to bad!

On the way down you reconnect again on the right side and reach impact while the left side starts to separate about half way to the follow through to a full swing. I hope by the mid way position half way to the follow through the head cover has dropped out or it could cost you double $$

[pnearn]

Re: Weight transfer ?

Good. I gotcha now. But this is a good opportunity for me to ask some other questions: What is a connected left arm? Is that the ol' squeeze a head cover in the left arm pit and don't let it fall out ('til impact?) thing? Is that applicable to one and two plane swings? When do you lift your arms in your swing? In my example, won't the head cover fall out if I lift my arms? In my set up and swing I wouldn't be able to keep a head cover in either arm pit I think. Is it a flaw that should be fixed? Maybe I wouldn't be so armsy and handsy if I did that.

Personally I dont lift my arms and hands at all because I dont have the traditional '2 plane' swing. I just turn my torso keeping my left arm connected to the chest. Head cover stays attached for all of my backswing as I try and keep it short and wide - indeed if it doesnt it means im actovely lifting the arms which I dont want to do

IF I do this and I ensure that I turn my torso between my feet I will be on or just below the shoulder plane and then I can just bump and turn through aggresively and it all works. My big problem was swaying - this is where I think this stack and tilt thing has been good but mis-understood. If you watch the pros who supposedly do this (Zach Johnson, Baddely etc) they all just make sure they keep more weight on the front leg as they turn to ensure the right hip turns behind them, the weoght stays on the inside of the right foot, the head is still and and they stay centered or over the ball at the top- there is defintely no spine tilt toward the target. Im finding my right leg straightens a little to allow this but im fine with that. The weight transfer is then really easy - just a bump and the arms come down into the ball without me needing to do anything (i.e. no active release, flip etc)

[Cliff]

Re: Weight transfer ?

Pnearn do you suffer with a bad back! Or do you only ¾ swing. I don’t know any golfer that uses the towel or head cover under the arm pit practice routine swing more than ½ to ¾ without it falling away. Do you use the head cover under both arms or just the left? I think you will find the concept was to be used under both left and right.

I would be very interested to see your swing in action maybe you could post a photo/video so I can see how you do it.

Regards Cliff

[pnearn]

Re: Weight transfer ?

I don’t know any golfer that uses the towel or head cover under the arm pit practice routine swing more than ½ to ¾ without it falling away.

Vijay does and he's not bad!

Personally I try and strive for what a lot of people would call a 3/4 swing - wide and connected - I find i hit all clubs further that way than a full backswing where my left arm lifts off my chest and I have to time/sequence returning it to my body on the DS

I want my left arm to ride upward but stay attached to the top of my chest on the BS.
On the DS I try keeping my lead arm tucked in front of the leading hip and along the thigh at impact. This causes my trailing forearm to rotate over the leading one at impact without any conscious effort on my part. My aim when I started this was to stop an 'active' release. I wanted effortless and easy and the least amount of moving parts. My bad shots are when I try and use my hands (flip) and I hook or hold on too tight, dont trust the natural turnover and push. Its about practice and trust but its a very simple swing (just like me)

[jambalaya]

Re: Weight transfer ?

Personally I dont lift my arms and hands at all because I dont have the traditional '2 plane' swing. I just turn my torso keeping my left arm connected to the chest. Head cover stays attached for all of my backswing as I try and keep it short and wide - indeed if it doesnt it means im actovely lifting the arms which I dont want to do

IF I do this and I ensure that I turn my torso between my feet I will be on or just below the shoulder plane and then I can just bump and turn through aggresively and it all works. My big problem was swaying - this is where I think this stack and tilt thing has been good but mis-understood. If you watch the pros who supposedly do this (Zach Johnson, Baddely etc) they all just make sure they keep more weight on the front leg as they turn to ensure the right hip turns behind them, the weoght stays on the inside of the right foot, the head is still and and they stay centered or over the ball at the top- there is defintely no spine tilt toward the target. Im finding my right leg straightens a little to allow this but im fine with that. The weight transfer is then really easy - just a bump and the arms come down into the ball without me needing to do anything (i.e. no active release, flip etc)

Explain something further for me. Saying that you "keep your left arm connected to your chest" implies that your "triangle" basically wraps around your body. Or at least your left arm. Is that what happens in the one plane swing?