I know the book says starting from fix is acceptible for swinging and hitting, but it explicitly points out the compatibility with hitting. What are the cons for a swinger starting from fix?
If you are going to float load as a swinger, mid body is best, however you can also start from fix IF you use a forward press to get the 'momentum' of the swing started during takeaway (or should I say 'swing' away). A slight kicking in of the right knee toward the ball, in combination with that forward press can be very helpful, and also helps get a startup swivel in place. The danger is that having the hands that forward 'can' lead to an off plane move back (too inside). The opposite is true with mid-body hands, if there is a trend it is to be too far outside (although less likely with mid body, this can happen if the hands get 'too far' back).
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"Support the On Plane Swinging Force in Balance"
"we have no friends, we have no enemies, we have only teachers"
Simplicity buffs, see 5-0, 1-L, 2-0 A and B 10-2-B, 4-D, 6B-1D, 6-B-3-0-1, 6-C-1, 6-E-2
I usually start at Impact Hands regardless of whether I'm hitting or swinging. I simply detest the feeling of a bent left wrist. Just put it flat and keep it there.
I was having some success w/ hitting and decided to try starting from fix while swinging and it worked pretty well. It worked really well when I figured out why. One of my oldest and stickiest problems is that I get across the line at the end; when I started from fix it felt like I could just set everything in place, lift it to the top or end while tracing my plane line, and smash them right back down on the ball....no more across the line and I could use this same basic feel for hitting and swinging.
I haven't heard any serious issues with starting from fix for the swinger...things to watch out for, but nothing serious. I do, however, see how mid-body hands can really help get the club "swinging", improving rythm and probably lag and power. I'll continue to experiment with both, but right now the key for me is not messing with my hands and getting across the line at the top - starting from fix is the easiest way for me to do that right now.