Well I think the variety of great tournament players shows there a lot of ways to skin that cat. Usually though... (generalizations can be dangerous but I'll do it anywho) they end up on their toes left shoulder way high and back (axis tilt). Take a look at any "natural golfer...i.e. one whose figured it out with out having been "model fit"... someone like Jamie Saldawlski, Bubba Watson or even little Alexis Thomson
They do what they can to pull UP and BACK.. Jamie even is weightless momentarily as he rotates in the air! Incredible. All geared towards getting hands onto the optimal path required to generate maximum club head speed.
NMG,
What's the optimum path of the hands? Also how much power is there in the shoulders rotating vs. the axis tilt you describe abover?
I was working with Brian Nash in 2001, when he had his best finish in the Remax World Long Drive Championship. He finished 3rd that year. I was most proud when the commentator at the event introduced Brian and said (approximately), "this guy has the best golf swing out of all of these guys."
The interesting thing was that Jason Zuback, who has won multiple times, didn't make it to the finals that year. I think the grid is 40 yards wide, and he never hit inside the grid. He barely kept the five balls in Nevada. I think Brian hit every ball in the grid in the finals. With the reckless abandon that these guys have to use, it's amazing that they can hit the grid at all.
The thing that wins the event is the 1 longest ball. So, they're not very concerned with accuracy. It's a TOTALLY different sport than playing golf. They don't have to play their misses.
"Wow, there's something in those trees". I'm surprised everyone isn't jumping all over this one - more clubhead speed.
I often wonder how some of the smaller LPGA ladies can hit a ball so far with their smaller frames. There's got to be a secret other than the obvious (tempo, timing, and hitting the sweet spot).
I was looking online for any video of women golfers with any characteristics pertaining to this subject. I did run across Juli Inksters:
She definately does a back heel lift at impact. I wonder if she does this for a particular reason or is it just a quirk in her swing. I just can't believe it isn't for some value.
Yes! So does Bubba Watson who can get upwards of 5 degrees angle of attack (when he's really trying to launch one) according to trackman newsletter (forget which one). So does Alexis Thompson http://www.alexis-thompson.com/ who was youngest to qualify for the US open in 2007 (13 yo)
I think i hit my best shots with 2 things. aggresive throw of my hip , and braking at around impact fix to release the energy at the right time...
I'm not a believer in that. I consider it nonsense. Watch Jamie Sald. or Jason Z or any long hitter and you won't see them "braking" as it does not transfer momentum. To each their own though.
"Braking" is not in the book. Yoda asked Homer about it. I recall a Yoda post where he mentioned this and said he would get back to us and reveal what Homer said in response.
Dont know if Yoda ever went public with this or not. It didnt make its way into the seventh edition, so you can draw your own conclusions.
Linear Mode
