1-L Machine Concept #9, #10, #11 and the Uppercut Punch debate

[Yoda]

Tiger uses the uppercut image in his book as well. His book, and Anselmo's,
have some very good images/drills, especially Anselmo's basket drills, which
I happen to agree with quite a bit.

Sorry guys, but I don't buy it.


The "Uppercut" image mandates an upward Thrust, and there ain't no
such animal in the Golf Stroke.

[Yoda]

That may be the impression you get Yoda, but in fact it's rotational. The
shoulders rotate to generate the uppercut. This same rotation occurs in the
golf swing on an angled plane. This makes both motions similar but with
slightly varying extensions and alignments of the arm. The behavior of the
upper body is however similar. 2-H and 7-13 shows us that the shoulders have
"crucial On Plane Functions".

My problem with this uppercut image is not that Clubhead Force and Motion is
Rotational and On Plane. This is exactly correct per 1-L #9 and #11. My
problem is that an uppercut punch -- no matter how explained -- still
involves an Upward Thrust. And this is not how the Golf Stroke works.

What actually happens is that the Club is Driven through Impact by an On
Plane Force moving toward the Plane Line (1-L #10). That On Plane
Force is the Right Forearm (itself Driven by either Muscular Thrust or
Centrifugal Force). And that Right Forearm Drives Down Plane directly at
the Plane Line until the Bent Right Arm has become Straight. This Full
Extension does not occur until the end of the Follow-Through (6-A-4), and
this is after the Clubhead has passed Low Point and is already
on its way back Up and In. Therefore, it is crucial that the Player
continue to direct his On Plane Thrust strongly Downward (and also
Outward) directly at the Plane Line -- which is on the Ground and not
"up" in the air somewhere -- even though the Ball has long gone
and the Club has already begun its Upward journey toward the Finish (1-L
#15).

At the end of the Follow-Through, both Arms are Straight, the Left Wrist has
Rolled (or, far less desirably, Bent) and the Flail (the Left Arm and Club)
has entered its Deceleration Phase (2-K #3). Thus, only Momentum is available
to carry the Club to the Finish.

Again, at no time is there an Upward Thrust. There is only a Downward
and Outward Thrust. I promise you that 100 percent of the golfers who are
told to employ an "Uppercut Punch" will misinterpret the advice. In
other words, they will not Drive the Right Forearm Down and Out
directly toward the Plane Line (on the Ground) until the Right Elbow has
fully-Straightened and the Right Arm Thrust has been exhausted.


And if they don't do that, they're toast.