Chickens, Eggs and Head Movement
 

OK why do people move their Heads? Is it a "cause" in itself or an "effect?"

Mike O . . . Could you chime in here? I know you are an expert on the human head . . . . oh wait not ones that are attached to bodies.

Why do the head move?

Because it's attached to something that is moving.

If the top of the spine moves side to side or up and down, the head is probably going along for the ride. Most people refer to this as "moving the head", because the head is no longer occupying the same "space" it did at Address.

The head can also rotate sideways and up and down without the spine moving. However, this rotary movement isn't generally considered a swing "fault", because it can be done with the head more or less occupying the same "space" -- it just turns within that space.

One thing is certain: no one in the history of golf has kept their head perfectly within the same "space" from Address to Finish.

The Head -- Set It At Fix And Leave It There
 

Homer Kelley maintained that, after setting the Head location at Impact Fix -- few golfers do this, by the way -- it should be kept as Stationary as possible. He knew that some movement would take place, but also that most golfers could reduce their own undisciplined movement considerably. As with the posed photos in the book (9-1-1/12 per 2-R), he advocated:

"...as close to 'zero tolerance' as possible. 'Close' is important but relative in both horseshoes and on the golf course but must be minimal in a text book. Each picture is intended to present the ideal for its subject whether or not anyone on earth has ever achieved it. They are a goal and not necessarily any individual or universal common practice." [Bold by Yoda.]

Head
 

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Good question!!!

Good answers were given.

Backswing BOB-- head going up-- is no good, and can cause disruptions in PLANE, RADIUS, etc..

Downswing BOB-- head drops-- is not as bad-- Tiger, Faxon, Adam Scott-- some say this is due to a RADIUS ADJUSTMENT for big time MAXIMIM TRIGGER DELAY guys, others say it is due to Address Head Position being too UP.

Backswing Swivel of Head-- many good players do this some-- head rotates slightly, but does not move laterally(much)-- Have heard this to be considered the final part of the backswing "COIL".

Backswing Head Sway-- Minimal amount seems to be OK for many. Curtis Strange used to move his nearly a foot... and was leading $ winner, but I would not recommend this much.

Downswing Head Sway-- Some do, and some don't-- can definintely be over done, and if done, must be done at the proper time.
Most players heads move FORWARD over their left leg... at the FINISH.
Maybe Mr. Skywalker will comment on this one?

Factors-- OPTICS, FLEXIBILITY, CONCEPT, POOR TECHNIQUE

EXAMPLE OF CONCEPT-- Tell a child to "keep his head down, and eye glued to the ball," and you may have a child end up with some very strange positions.

Would you guys say that the goal of having every student to maintain a ‘zero tolerance’ Stationary Head will actually limit their potential to play their best?

The Stationary Head -- Truly An Essential?
 

No, to the contrary, I teach that the 'Zero Tolerance' Stationary Head is a worthy goal to which every Student should strive. And when I watch Ted Fort smash a drive past the 280-yard marker with a water bottle balanced on his head, I am reminded of what is, in fact, possible for Students who apply themselves to Principle, not Opinion.

But that doesn't mean the Student should think about keeping his Head Stationary on every Stroke. That way lies restrictive sorrow. Instead, he should learn the Stationary Head the same way he learns every other sound Stroke Mechanic: Translating Mechanic to Feel first in Drill, then on the Practice Tee and finally on the Course itself. This is 'learning to tie your shoelaces.' Once the technique has been ingrained, it is accomplished without conscious thought. This is simply 'tying your shoelaces.'

The golfer's goal should be to deliberately program sound Stroke Mechanics and then delegate their execution to the subconscious mind. Then, the more precise those Mechanics, the more precise the Golf Stroke.

Wow, that's pretty cool. We want video, we want video \\:D/ !

Water Boy
 

The camera has already rolled. The video -- Ted driving with the water bottle atop his Head -- will be up soon. Stay tuned!

Dr. Flatnoggin
 

Was he dropped as a baby or something?

For Bucket. What came first, "The Chicken or the Egg". Should we keep our heads still and learn the motions of the components, or learn the motions of the components well enough until the head stays still? :eyes: