Posterchild for Hitters - Stuart Appleby
 

Here is a sequence from the 1999 US Open at Pinehurst....

RFT...
Top Assembly Point...
Turned Shoulder Plane...
Angled Hinge Action...
etc...

Very Nice post!!
I really enjoyed this one. So am I correct in assuming that a hitter should still have wristcock and forearm rotation but it's just not as much as a swinger?

It seems to me that most pics I've seen of pure hitters like this also may indicate that hitters keep the right foot down after impact a slight bit longer?

Sorry for all the questions but I'm so confused about TGM right now.

THESE FREAKIN' ALIGNMENTS ARE STRONG LIKE OTIS DRUNK'S BREATH AFTER UNLOCKIN' CELL IN THE MORNING!!!

The Human Photo Gallery...
 

Hey Mr Annikan,

Thanks for all these pictures....keep em coming.

I'd call him a Hinger..HITTer with SWINGer characteristics.
When you see his MOTION, you should see a lot of the flow of
CF.
Hey Justin and everyone, Happy New Year.

Hey Billy and everyone, Happy New Year!:p

If you want to see Right Forearm Flying Wedge in action . . . this is it.

I have looked at his motion many times and could not discern whether it was hitting or swinging. I have always leaned towards swinging. It appears he uses horizontal hinging in his follow through. Or could he be swinging using an angled hinge. A swinger could assemble at the top also. I am still not sure. What else makes you think he is hitting, has he ever made a comment that he pushes? Sometimes it is hard to tell.:confused:

10-3-A - Punch Basic Stroke
 

In the fifth frame of the sequence it is readily apparent that his elbow is in a "down and at the side" position.

Yes, hinge action does not differentiate between hitting and swinging (10-19-0.

In frame 2 Backstroke 8-5, the face is in an angled hinge position.

In frame 4 Top 8-6, it is clear that angled hinging is employed.

Again, at Followthrough 8-11, one can see the angled hinge that is employed.

Also he is using a single wrist action per 10-18-C. The left wrist cocks due to the bending of the right elbow per 7-3, but there is no independent turning of the left wrist to the face of the plane as a true swinger would employ with his standard wrist action of 10-18-A and 4-D-0.

A hitter's alignments with the Rhythm of a swinger ;)

A truly 'solid' combination. Some of the absolute best motions are those which it is hard to tell if they are swingers or hitters.

He appears to me to be a hitter with a wonderful sense of 'smooth and heavy motion'.

To be a swinger, he would need a 'longer gear train' to get CF flowing. If he were to have the pivot motion of someone like VJ, he'd hook it every time, or have to hold off the clubface, because CF would take over.

The fact that his right foot is still fairly flat through impact is a good sign that CF is not the primary force at play, because to use CF you need more rotation than seen here IMO.

Thanks for such wonderful photos Annikan, this is one of the best 'models' for folks to study IMO. The smooth tempo of the swinger, and the alignments of the hitter.

Does anyone know if he is able to use a more square clubface at address? I would think the tempo he uses would be a good compensation for the fade tendency of the angled hinge which might allow a more square clubface at address.

I totally agree - this is what my untrained eye sees also. A powerful hitter with that sweet, swinger's tempo. In an earlier post, I mentioned that I thought that right foot had a lot to do with it. Also, like EdZ says - the backswing isn't complete enough for CF to really load like it should. He also appears to be square-square in the classic hitter's guide lines.

Rob

First Question:
Should a hitter have wristcock?
No, a hitter can have wrist cock, but that could destroy some of the radial motion of hitting. It is better to think of the right wrist as level throughout the backswing and into impact.

Should a hitter have right forearm rotation?
Yes, the difference from a swinger is that a hitter gradually rotates from address all the way to the top. The right forearm than gradualy squares up from top to impact.

You could say Appleby looks so good because his rate of rotation is so good as a hitter the forearm gradually rotates all the way through the stroke.

I have learned the above from my time spent with Yodasluke and Annikan Skywalker. As for your second question I will leave that for them to answer.

Hopefully this helps clear the fog.

Sorting through the circuit player's handbook.

B-Ray

Accumulator
 

So a hitter should strive for only a double barrel accumlator 1st & 3rd?

I thought it was triple barrel including wristcock per 12-1-0

Thankyou Rob!!!
 

Thanks Rob,

You helped me learn something today!!

I had to call Yodasluke to clear myself up on your reply.

A hitter does have left wrist cock, however the focus is not on cocking the left wrist. The focus is on maintaining the right forearm flying wedge to Top. The left wrist cock occurs at Top because of the load of the shaft and the folding of the right elbow.

So....The hitter that needs a swing thought, may want to think of the stroke in more of a double barrel manner. Focusing on the right arm flying wedge and proper use of the right elbow, folding and unfolding.

Sorting through the Instructor's Textbook.

B-Ray

Oh yea and Thanks Ted!! You are the MAN!

The Case Of The Missing Pressure Point
 

In the Hitter's Basic Stroke Pattern (12-1-0), three Accumulators -- #1 (Right Elbow), #2 (Left Wrist) and #3 (Left Hand) -- are driven through only two Pressure Points -- #1 (the heel of the Right Hand against the Left Hand thumb) and #3 (the meaty part of the right forefinger where it contacts the back of the Clubshaft).

During the Start Down, Hitters use the Pivot in conjunction with the Hands resisting the change of direction at the Top to Drive Load (10-19-A) the entire Primary Lever Assembly (the Left Arm and Club) against Pressure Points #1 and #3. Since the Right Elbow is directly behind and supporting this Assembly (6-B-3-0-1), it is likewise Loaded (6-H-0-E #5). This Loaded Lag Pressure with the full support of the Right Forearm and Elbow is then Delivered Down Plane with absolutely no change whatever in the Pressure.

During the Downstroke and Release, the Right Arm drives the Left Arm through Pressure Point #1 (10-11-0-1). Simultaneously, the Right Arm also drives the Clubshaft through Pressure Point #3 (6-C-2-C). Thus, the active drive of the Uncocking Right Elbow (7-1 and 6-B-3-A) against the #3 Pressure Point (10-11-0-3) both Uncocks the Left Wrist (7-3) and Rolls the Left Hand (6-B-3-0). Because Pressure Point #2 (the last three fingers of the Left Hand) is not used to actuate the Left Wrist, its function is reduced to merely holding the Club.

Swingers, however, utilize three Pressure Points when using a Three Accumulator Stroke. Power Accumulator #4 (the Left Arm) is Loaded by the Pivot against Pressure Point #4 (where the Left Arm contacts the side), and this Drag Loading Action (10-19-C) Loads the Secondary Lever Assembly (the Clubshaft only) via the Left Wrist (6-H-0-F #5) through Pressure Point #2. However, this does not result in an active drive of the Clubshaft because Centrifugal Force alone powers the Club (10-11-0). This 'Passive Clubhead Lag' (10-11-0-2) -- the Clubshaft being Pulled lengthwise directly toward the Plane Line (6-C-2-A) -- sets up the Centrifugal chain reaction (6-M-1) that ultimately pulls the Clubhead into its In Line condition (6-C-0-4) of Full Extension (2-P).

In a Maximum Power Pivot Stroke, the Hitter also will use the Pivot to load Pressure Point #4 (as opposed to a Three Accumulator Stroke wherein the Right Shoulder simply provides motion in the Start Down and then acts as the backstop for the driving Right Arm in Release). In which case, there will be a Four Accumulator Stroke. However, the Swinger is best advised to use a Three Accumulator maximum because any attempt to use the Right Arm -- other than to Trace with the Clubhead Lag Pressure and for Extensor Action and its support (through Pressure Point #1) of the Left Arm's Pull of the Clubshaft (not a Powering of the Clubshaft itself) -- will conflict with the Stroke's Centrifugal drive and actually result in a Power Loss, not a Power Gain.

Collards,

The Hands resisting the change of direction at the Top . . . is this "leaving the hands at the Top?" And the Pivot thus supplies the initial Load to #1, #3 and the Right Elbow?

Thanks!

B

I think it means that you need to push against the lag pressure that's accumulated on PP3. The hands want to continue moving up the plane, but you instead start pushing them back downplane - which is drive loading. It's when I'm Swinging that I feel more of a "leaving the hands at the top" sensation. I let PP3 load and then start rotating downplane while letting the clubhead almost feel like it's staying put up there.

Another line from Yoda - "This Loaded Lag Pressure with the full support of the Right Forearm and Elbow is then Delivered Down Plane with absolutely no change whatever in the Pressure" - also stands out at me. I remember him telling me exactly this when I was working on my Hitting stroke. It had never really occurred to me before, but it makes sense. When you reach the Top, don't try to exert more load onto PP3. Whatever you reach the Top with is what you're going to start downplane with. I was always trying to load it some more at the Top and all sorts of problems come from that.

Ahh! So with Swinging it is the Spinning of the Flywheel that loads #3. The rotation throws the Load on #3. Where as with Hitting #3 is already loaded at the Top and not loaded or further loaded at Start Down via Pivot?

Good post!

Loading Actions -- Gettin' Fine Now
 

1. No, "leaving the hands at the Top" refers to the Lower Body leading the Start Down from the Top. "Resisting the change of direction" refers to the Hands deliberately stopping their travel during the last stage of the Backstroke, thus causing the momentum of the Club to load the Pressure Points.

2. Unless the Pivot itself -- specifically the Right Shoulder Turn Thrust -- is actively used to take up the Clubhead's Angular Inertia (the Clubhead Lag / 10-19-A), it supplies only leading motion and thus cannot be considered a Power Source.

Stop Drop and Roll or Paddle Wheel
 

Learning . . .

Cool! You can see this in your motion very definitely!

Is the "Resisting the change of direction" stopping the hands travel limited to Hitters? Or is this used by Swingers not going to End as well?


Thanks you sir!

B

address/impact
 

Amen, brother.... keep preaching!
I like looking at the pictures this way:
address, impact, address, impact, address, impact, address, impact, address, impact, address, impact. Kinda cool.

Luke . . . I have heard most agree that Stuart A. is a Hitter. Is there anything that should tip us off in this sequence? To be honest I don't see anything that is conclusive . . . but that could be ignorance on my part.

I can tell you for certain that his Right Forearm and Clubshaft seem to be precisely in the same plane throughout this sequence. The entire assembly moves perfectly back up and in and down out and forward along the Inclined Plane. Awesome!

I would love to see how he got from 7 to 8. I am trying to figure out how long you keep the right wrist bent. Any chance you have more photos?

ask him. here's his number, 867-5309 ;)
 

Sometimes you have to ask. The differentiation is whether he's pulling or pushing. But, as you can see, I'd give him kudos on a ton of things. Many of these would suggest hitting. The better question would be: what the heck do you change? I'd like to see the front view to get a better look at the hands and the hinge action. I REALLY like his total motion.

poster child for great information:
 

Poster child for great information: Annikan Skywalker

My vote too
 

I second that. Annikan always has the most informative pics on his posts. Kudos Annikan. I still can't like you completely though because you took the name I would've chosen:D

Rob

Jenny Jenny you're the girl for me!
 

Did you get that number off the wall? I'm not sure there's a better Right Forearm Flying Wedge on Tour and it's there at set up to boot.

The only thing he needs to change are those mutton chops coming out of his ears. Yikes! His Stroke may not need Collards, but his cheeks sure do.

Lag Loading And Assembly Points -- Hitting And Swinging
 

"Resisting the Backstroke motion" (7-19-1) is the Hitter's method of Loading the Right Elbow to Drive (10-19-A) the entire Primary Lever Assembly (Left Arm and Club) from the Top (10-21-A). Should he choose to go to the End (10-21-C), he must resist the formidable tendency to then Accelerate the Clubshaft (only) Longitudinally (Pull it lengthwise as if a piece of string) rather than the entire Assembly Radially (Push it from behind as if an Axe Handle). Study 2-K and 7-23.

"Throwing the Club against the Lag Pressure Point" (7-19-3) with the Pivot is the Swinger's method of Loading the Left Wrist to Drag (10-19-C) the Secondary Lever Assembly (the Clubshaft only) from the Top or End (10-21-A/C).

For Full Strokes, Hitters may alternatively use a Downstroke Side Assembly Point (10-21-E). Or, a Downstroke Top Assembly Point (10-21-D) if the inclination toward Longitudinal Acceleration is properly Compensated. Swingers may alternatively use either procedure without concern for an improper Loading due to the chosen Assembly Point.

For Short Strokes, both Hitters and Swingers use the Side Assembly Point (10-21-B).

the #
 

I thouhgt if anyone on the site would appreciate the number, you would. By the way, I thought 2006 was the year of the 13 piece bucket. ;)

hitter to end
 

I resembled that remark!

I got it! I got it! I got the number off the wall . . .
 

Back when pagers were the rave. We had a buddy that we would page with ole Jenny's number. That idiot never figured it out . . . "Dude somebody keeps blowing up my pager. Who the hell is 867-5309???" We had about half of the people in the bar in on it.

But Luke . . . man you can't get no 13 pieces of chicken in a bucket . . . unless you have an in at the drive thru. I'd have to be 10 piece box plus a three wing snack to get to 13. Doesn't have quite the same ring to it. Did somebody say ring? Who in the world is calling me from 867-5309???

When that song came out, this poor woman in Saratoga, CA had to have her number changed because kids were dialing 867-5309 around the clock.

I'm not sure there's a better Right Forearm Flying Wedge on Tour and it's there at set up to boot.


This is impressive
http://redgoat.smugmug.com/gallery/79853

Indeed - the 'model' swinger IMO - nice contrast to Appleby

I like this ..I post a pic...and you guys go to town on the great discussion...this is a win - win.......Yoda ..don't you dare go back to sleep...keep vomiting this great stuff!!! "Green Vomit" euuuuuuh!!!

AS

Indeed - the 'model' swinger IMO - nice contrast to Appleby

Now if he would only get his left arm flying wedge(lefty swing) more in line at setup.....................

EXACTLY! Appleby has "pure" alignments.

The Left Hander's Flying Wedges
 

For the 'lefty' that would be the Left Forearm Flying Wedge. :)

Remember, the Left Hander's entire Right Arm lies within the plane of the perpendicular Right Wristcock Motion. Hence, the Right Arm Flying Wedge. However, only the Left Forearm -- not the upper Left Arm -- lies in the plane of the Clubshaft / Sweetspot. Hence, the Left Forearm Flying Wedge.

"Precision is recognizing and reconciling minute differentiations."

-- Homer Kelley

And there you have an interesting observation.

For Wier, who is a true swinger, there is not really a 'significant' issue with the trail arm wedge not being set properly at address, because he, like a good true swinger, does not 'add' through impact. Meaining he is all 'lead wedge' (in his case, right wedge).

This, in contrast to Tiger, who despite his attempts at becoming a true swinger, still has the urge of the hitter, to add right (trail) arm at impact - hence the fact that his trail arm wedge is off at address IS a big problem.

If anyone has access to shot link patterns for Weir, I'd suspect that his misses, especially under pressure, are to the left.


In either case, yes, both of them would, in the long run, be best served by correcting this issue at address.

EdZ,
Weir does not set up as with the left forearm in line with the shaft. At impact it is inline. Does he not have to make some sort of club face manipulation to be correct at impact?