[Mathew]

I'll start off

Note: Feel free to offer suggestions on improvement for the article.... I plan to go over it again and edit it later anyhows...

Perhaps one of the most important concepts in the golfing machine is that of maintaining a 'stationary head'. Homer Kelley defines it as one of the three essentials to a precision golf stroke.

Lynn in one of his posts explained that there were many words that could of been used in its place if it was Homer Kelleys intention such as 'steady'..etc but he chose the word stationary which per the dictionary definition describes "fixed in space, not moving".

The principle underlying the reason why maintaining a stationary head is so good for your golf is 'centered arc'. Have a look at this strobe picture of Bobby Jones.



Notice how when the head remains pretty much stationary, it stabilises the motion of the left shoulder. The left shoulder is what could be described as a 'moving center' of the clubhead of which the left arm and clubshaft would form a radius of the stroke.

Because of the concept of centered arc, Homer Kelley said that there has to be some point at the top of the spine that must be kept stationary to stabilise the motion of the left shoulder and that can be either be a)the head or b) the point between the shoulders, but that the head was superior because of the advantages of visually being able to monitor.

Your perspective should never change during your stroke. You can use your eyes during the stroke to check. Like a camera that just moved, you can see it when it happens....

In order to be able to maintain a stationary head, it must be in its impact location to begin with. The idea is to go to impact fix (ill let someone else write on this) and maintain your head position throughout the stroke.

Historically most of the greatest players of all time used the word 'stationary' in their literature. Such names as Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, Harry Vardon, Jack Nicklaus and many many more, instantly come to mind. Jack Nicklaus the winner of 18 majors called it "golfs unarguable fundamental" and felt it was so 'obvious' that he felt foolish having to write a chapter about it. Growing up his teacher used to grab his hair to drive this principle home to him.

However the head can move after impact once both arms are fully straight as it is healthier to the spine.