[Yoda]

Yoda:

You mention in the "Start Down" analysis of Bobby's swing about a common misconception that knee action vs hip action is starting the downswing. Could you elaborate if possible. I am thinking that people are assuming their knee action vs a true hip slide is starting the downswing, which also sounds wrong!

Thanks in advance!

FL-John

You hear less about 'leg drive' today than you did in the '70s and '80s. But when these pictures were taken, leg drive was The Way to create Power -- on the PGA Tour and on the public links.

Despite The Way's popularity, The Truth was -- and is -- as Homer's analysis suggests: Most 'leg drivers' begin their Start Down by shuttling their knees forward in an exaggerated fashion. This causes the Knees to Bend beyond their Impact Fix degree of Bend, lowering the Head and with it, the Left Shoulder Center of the Stroke. This faulty move is Bobbing, the Third Snare (3-F-7-C), and unless there is a compensation by Impact, the disruption in the Left Shoulder-to-Ball Radius will produce disastrous results.

In my schools at that time, I illustrated these concepts using swing sequences of Jerry Pate , the Poster Child for the exaggerated Downstroke Knee Bend and its resultant lowered Head position. The necessary compensations (2-J-1) to shorten the suddenly too-long Radius (Left Arm and Club) -- namely, the bending of the Left Arm and the pulling back of the Left Shoulder at Impact -- were in full flower. I don't believe it coincidental that Jerry's career was cut much too short by injury -- specifically, Left Shoulder injury.

In a Pivot Stroke, the geometrically correct Start Down is led by the Left Hip Slide. This tilts the Axis of the Stroke (the Spine), and allows the Right Shoulder to deliver the Loaded Power Package correctly Downplane into Impact. The Knees serve as Anchors (7-16) during this process, stabilizing The Machine by maintaing its Pivot Center, the Stationary Head.

What I wouldn't give to have known then what I know now...