Hinge Action Primer II GM#99
 

Ray,

I applaud your original thinking on the subject of the golf swing. Unfortunately, we have -- to put it mildly -- 'irreconcilable differences.' Nevertheless, I have assigned numbers to the text of your post and have reprinted them below with my comments in bold.


1. Your answer to my first post ever on this Forum really sailed over my head, which explains the delay to my response.

Yes, it is a mind-bender, but it is also fun once understood. It helps to articulate the words according to the way I have bolded and italicized the typeface.

2. Not that I expect to change your mind on this subject, but I think both you and Homer are mistaken on this point.

You are right on the first point and entitled to your opinion on the second.

3. The vertical hinge pin in 1-L is a hinge pin that controls both the raising and lowering of the arms (primary lever) and the club (secondary lever).

Agreed (but only one arm, not arms). This is the vertical hinge pin -- a pin mounted vertically to a vertical plane -- of the Angled Hinge.

4. What Homer missed about the horizontal hinge is that it comes in two different forms, one that allows the clubhead to move futher away (outward) or cause it to move closer (inward) to the golfer's center of gravity.

There is only one form of a horizontal hinge. It is a standard hinge whose blade is mounted vertically (perpendicularly) to a horizontal plane. In its G.O.L.F. application, this horizontal hinge causes the Clubface to Close Only through the Impact Interval. The action of all hinges are identical on a given associated plane (horizontal, vertical or angled): The blade of a hinge moves in a circle about its pin. The radius of that circle is fixed by the length of the blade. Accordingly, a Clubhead attached to the end of the blade traces the circumference of that circle, and therefore moves no further and no closer to the hinge pin. The center of gravity of the body (Zone #1) has no bearing on Hinge Action (Zone #3).

5. Every golfer has the option of combining either an inward or outward primary lever along with an opposing secondary lever. Both swing methods are equally effective at producing effortless power and accuracy.

:oops:

6. This fact allows the vertical hinge to stay vertical (in line with the force of gravity) throughout these two distinctly different swing methods.

We have a new player: the vertical hinge. :oops:Is this in addition to the two horizontal hinges? :oops:

7. I contend that Homer explained his two methods (hitting and swinging) based on his own experience a golfer, in which his preference was for an outward primary lever and an inward secondary lever.

Homer explained the 'two methods' (Hitting and Swinging) based on physics, not his personal experience as a golfer. The Ball is hit with a Lever, specifically, a Golf Club. To put that Club in motion, a force must be applied to it. That force is defined by physics as either a push or a pull. In G.O.L.F., pushing is defined as Hitting, and pulling is defined as Swinging.

8. He likely felt the effortless power of the other swing method, which reverses the direction of the two levers, and tried to explain it with geometry that involved refering to a vertical hinge pin as an angled hinge pin.

Power is a Clubhead function. Hinge Action is a Clubface function. And in any event, the pin you are referring to is the vertical hinge pin (of an Angled Hinge), not an Angled hinge pin.

9. In my opinion, angled hinging can only be used effectively in partial golf shots. I see it as a means of combining horizontal and vertical hinging into a single movement.

Please do not tell this to Arnold Palmer, Craig Stadler or Lee Trevino. :oops:

10. However, in order to have a full four barrel swing, you must use a combination of pure horizontal and vertical hinging throughout both swing methods.

Two Swings using two -- no, make that three -- Hinge Actions. Also, four Power Sources that enable the golfer to simultaneously both pull and push the club through Impact. The good news is...you understand this!

11. Believe me, I have the highest regard for Homer's genious and believe TGM to be a monumental contribution to the science of the golf swing(s).

Me, too, Ray!

Hinge Action Primer II GM#101
 

Short Answer:

The pin you are referring to in Sketch 1-L is the one that attaches the 'Club' (Primary Lever Assembly) to the Horizontal Hinge. Though this pin is, in fact, mounted vertical (perpendicular) to a vertical plane, it is not the Hinge Pin of a Vertical Hinge. In other words, it is not a Vertical Hinge Pin. Instead, it is the Hinge Pin of an Angled Hinge. And in Sketch 1-L, that Angled Hinge Pin is mounted vertical (perpendicular) to a vertical plane. :oops:

Got that? :oops:Didn't think so. Let's have another go at it. :oops:

Long Answer:

In the normal Dual Horizontal Hinge arrangement (10-10-D), two hinges are required: (1) The primary Horizontal Hinge (with its pin mounted vertically to a Horizontal Plane) to permit Horizontal (Closing) Clubface Motion only; and (2) a secondary Angled Hinge (with its pin mounted vertically to a vertical Plane) to permit the Clubshaft to be lowered onto the face of the Inclined Plane.

Sketch 1-L represents the absolute economy of this dual hinge arrangement in that there is no (apparent) Angled Hinge! There is only an Angled Hinge Pin! The function of the Angled Hinge is served by the angled Club. And the pin of that Angled Club/Hinge -- the Angled Club/Hinge Pin -- is mounted 'vertical to a vertical plane,' thus enabling the Club to be lowered (in a vertical plane) onto the face of the Inclined Plane.

So, the Vertical Hinge Pin you refer to is, in fact, an Angled Hinge Pin.

And not a Vertical Hinge Pin.

:oops:

Have a nice day!

:oops:

Swivel vs. left wrist action GM#178
 

The difference between action and motion is the difference between cause and effect.

Mechanically, Hinge Action refers to the physical function of a Hinge, i.e., the blade rotates around its axis (hinge pin) and remains perpendicular to its plane of motion. For golfers, it refers to the function of the Flat Left Wrist through Impact and its ability to duplicate the action of the blade of a hinge.

Hinge Motion, on the other hand, refers to the predictable motion imparted to the Clubface by the Hinge Action. In fact, the Hinge Actions are classified according to the Planes of Motion they impart:

1. Horizontal Hinge Action -- Closing Clubface Motion only;

2. Vertical Hinge Action -- Layback Clubface Motion only;

3. Angled Hinge Action -- simultaneous Closing and Layback Clubface Motion.

Swivel vs. left wrist action GM#181
 

The brilliance of The Golfing Machine -- and its challenge -- is its brevity. In turn, much of that brevity is enabled by the 'telegraphing' nature of its painstakingly originated and applied terminology.

As Homer said, "You could write three pages. But, one line is all it takes."

He left it for us to flesh it out.

Thanks, Homer. :oops:

And thanks, Mike O., for being one of the best at doing exactly that!

Golfing Machine Confusion GM#191
 

DG is exactly right.

As an example, Homer Kelley felt it was necessary to learn all three Hinge Actions in order to be able to differentiate them. However, he had 'no love' of Vertical Hinging because of its required deliberate mechanical manipulation. [Swinging automatically produces Horizontal Hinging and Hitting automatically produces Angled Hinging but neither automatically produces Vertical Hinging.]

Again, he was adamant that Vertical Hinging should be learned and even used in actual play during the learning process. But...once learned, he much preferred as a substitute Angled Hinging combined with a Hitting procedure on a steep Plane. This combination approaches Vertical Hinging but requires no deliberate manipulation of the Clubface.

Golfing Machine Confusion GM#203
 

Hinge Action is a Left Hand Motion through Impact that controls the Clubface by maintinaing the Flat Left Wrist Vertical to one of the Three Planes of Motion. As such, though it may have the appearance and Feel of a 'Roll,' it is not a true Rotation. Study 2-G and Sketch 2-K #5.

In contrast, the Swivel is Left Wrist Action that on the Backstroke, Snap Turns the Vertical Left Wrist On Plane, or on the Downstroke, Snap Rolls the Turned Left Wrist Vertical for Impact or the Vertical Left Wrist back On Plane for the Finish. As such, it is a trrue Rotation. Study 2-G and Sketch 2-K #4.

The Swinger's Total Motion has three Swivels: The Start Up Swivel; the Release Swivel (that mirrors the Start Up Swivel); and the Finish Swivel (out of the Follow Through Interval). The Hitter's Total Motion has only the Finish Swivel.

Golfing Machine Confusion GM#205
 

Homer Kelley clearly differentiated Hinge Action during the Impact Interval from Swivel Action into and out of the Impact Interval. Again, Hinge Action -- Horizontal, Vertical or Angled -- is not a 'true' Rotation of the Hands. Swivel Action is. Hence, at no time should a Swivel Action replace a Hinge Action during Impact.

This is true even when using a Snap Release, during which the Impact Interval is so short -- almost instantaneous -- as to 'Feel' like a Swivel. Remember, even if the Hinge Action lasts only a couple of inches, that's all you need.

What's the point of having "dual" hinge action? GM#222
 

Hinge Action is Hinge Action and the Inclined Plane is the Inclined Plane. Their independent identities must be kept separate. You can execute any Hinge Action on any Inclined Plane Angle. Or, if you like, also on a Vertical Plane. And that is exactly why you must have available the optional Hinge Actions of Horizontal (only) and Vertical (only).

Explaining a bit further, when you 'cover' the Plane Line with your Clubface -- instead of merely 'point at' it -- you are executing a Vertical Plane of Clubhead Motion. This would normally be done only with Putting or short Chips. In this instance, you still must control the Clubface Plane of Motion by applying either Horizontal (only) or Vertcial (only) Hinging through Impact.

On the other hand, if you choose to 'point at' the Line, then you are operating on an Inclined Plane. This requires a primary hinge for Clubface control and a secondary hinge for the On Plane Clubshaft control. Hence, you are executing a Dual Hinge Motion, either Horizontal or Vertical. Since this is the most common application, it is common practive to use the terms Horizontal and Vertical Hinge Action interchangeably with their 'dual' counterparts.

Of course, there is no 'Dual' Angled Hinge Action because it is, by definition, executed on an Angled Plane of Motion.

Hinge Action Primer GM#245
 

Quote:

Originally posted by Mathew




This will give you an idea of the left shoulder hinge assembly....

Now heres 12 pages with yoda's thread on hinging... lots of good stuff.. [:oops:]

http://www.thegolfingmachine.com/for...?t=387&start=0



Mathew,

Sensational! Truly a Hall of Fame post.

Your graphic does far more than bring out the basic idea of the Hinge Action Concept. Properly used, it holds the key to several of the most important ideas in The Golfing Machine:

1. Hinge Location and Mounting. The governing Hinge Pin and Blade are located in the Left Shoulder and can be positioned perpendicular (Vertical) to each of the three basic Planes of Motion, i.e., Horizontal, Vertical and Angled.

2. Hinge Attachment. When the Primary Lever Assembly -- the Left Arm, Flat Left Wrist and Club -- is attached to that Hinge Blade, it moves in a Circle around the Pin (1-L-#9). Further, its Motion through Impact is controlled by (and is identical to) the Plane of Motion of the Hinge (1-L-#4).

3. Plane of Motion of the Left Arm Flying Wedge. Thus, the Hinge Mounting governs the Motion of the entire Left Arm Flying Wedge (6-B-3-0-1). Here the Left Arm, the Flat Left Wrist and the Club all lie against the same plane through Impact, i.e., the Plane of the Hinge Blade. If one mentally extends the Hinge Blade in your wonderful illustration to incorporate this entire Left Arm-Club unit, you can 'see' how that unit must move to comply with each of the distinctly different Hinge Mountings. And also, in so moving, how the all-important Clubface is caused to Close Only, Lay Back Only, or simultaneously Close and Lay Back. Then, by holding the Flat Left Wrist in the Feel of the selected Plane of Motion, you gain total control of the Clubface through Impact (2-G).

4. Rhythm. Finally, in order to maintain the Left Arm Flying Wedge against the Blade of the Hinge, the Clubhead must have the same RPM around the Hinge Pin as does the Blade (2-G and 6-B-3-0). Therefore, each of the three distinctly different Pin Mountings will produce a distinctly different Rhythm, i.e., RPM or 'Clubhead travel distance' around the Pin. The 'Closing Door' of Horizontal Hinging produces the longest Clubhead Travel, and the 'Opening Trap Door' of Vertical Hinging produces the shortest.

Congratulations again, Mathew. Homer would be proud!

Hinge Action - A Primer GM#254
 

Quote:

Originally posted by ThomGN
When is vertical hinging being used? Putting (Pelz/PILS), chipping, cuts?


Due to its Power limitations, Vertical Hinging is best used only in the Short Shots.

Homer Kelley was no fan of Vertical Hinging. He thought it was important to learn in order to be able to differentiate the three Hinge Actions, but on the Golf Course, he strongly preferred Angled Hinging. The reason was that, on the steep Plane of the shorter Shots, Angled Hinging approaches the Layback Only characteristic of Vertical Hinging. However, it does so without the deliberate mechanical manipulation -- the 'Reverse Roll' Feel -- that is always required for Vertical Hinging.