Working the ball

Posted: Wed 19:52, 01 Jun 2011

Dariusz,

Howdy, from La Grange. Texas.

I know from your previous response that working the ball is a microscale motion, however, would you tell me how your work the ball.? I do not have a clue on how to work the ball, and would like to try your method.

Thanks,
Mike

Posted: Wed 21:08, 01 Jun 2011

mppowell@gmail.com wrote:

Dariusz,

Howdy, from La Grange. Texas.

I know from your previous response that working the ball is a microscale motion, however, would you tell me how your work the ball.? I do not have a clue on how to work the ball, and would like to try your method.

Thanks,
Mike

Hi Mike and welcome to our small forum.

Yes, it is a microscale issue that I do not deal with, however, there are situations on a golf course that require something more than just mid-trajectory straightish shot. My method is very simple and based on correct ball flight laws:
- to draw the ball - I just ensure that the arc is shifted a bit to the right (which settles a in-to-out path) through diminishing the diagonality of the stance by closing the shoulder line (matching the feet line which is always closed in relation to the target line);
- to fade the ball - I ensure quite a reverse thing which means in practice increasing diagonality of the whole stance by opening the shoulder line and matching more hips line (which is open in relation to the target line always);
- to hit the ball low - just move the ball back a bit and adjust the stance also a bit to avoid unnecessarily bigger push inclination;
- to hit the ball higher - to move the ball forward a bit and adjust the stance also a bit to avoid unnecessarily bigger pull inclination.

Cheers

Posted: Thu 2:31, 09 Jun 2011

Dariusz,

In the post addressing "Ground Forces, Feet and Pressure Points", the paragraph describing the Mid Backswing, you state,"During the backswing phase, the pressure point of the rear foot gradually moves to the heel as the rear leg straightens and the rear hip joint goes up and back".

Would you elaborate on the rear leg straightening and the rear hip joint going up and back? I am having difficulty understanding and visualizing this movement?

Also, if the rear leg straightens on the backswing, what does it do during the downswing?
Thanks,
Mike

Posted: Thu 10:14, 09 Jun 2011

Mike,

It is pure mechanics. If one stands straight and turns the level of hips and shoulders remains the same during the motion. However, a golfer stands bent in the coronal plane which dictates a different plane of the turning motion. Therefore, the whole rear side must go not only back but also up which movement cause the rear leg to straighten during the backswing no matter we are swinging best from the ground up.
During the downswing, the opposite scenario happens, however, it is somehow more difficult to notice/feel it because of the necessary linear shift for a bipedal.

Hope this explanation helps - let me know if it is clear what I wrote in my English.

Cheers

Posted: Thu 19:56, 09 Jun 2011

Dariusz,

Do I have to consciously raise my rear hip and straighten the rear leg during the backswing? Or does it happen automatically? During the downswing, do I consciously think about it or let it happen automatically?

Your English is fine.
Mike

Posted: Thu 21:05, 09 Jun 2011

Not a single action (except of the trigger compression) should be conscious during the swing motion. Your rear leg will have no choice but to straighten during the backswing phase and your rear hip to raise if it is being executed biokinetically correctly, i.e. via rear side (that gains energy from the trigger compression phase). The rear hip can turn level despite the core bend only in case of swaying the pelvis back - which is excluded because of the correct setup presets.
Study the SPC concept for the details.

What is important - your rear leg should never straighten fully; it is possible if the ankle/knee are loose and not preset at setup. Presetting the joints making the rear side firm before the whole motion starts prevent it from happening.

Cheers