4 barrel swing/hit??

[Delaware Golf]

Well, it's nearing the end of the season here in Chicago and the grass ranges are closing up by sunday []. So i usually take this last week i have on the turf and try to experiment and tinker a bit.

Well i have been fascinated with the 4 barrel swing/hit lately as i don't know a lot about it and just know that you are utilizing all 4 accumulators and whether you can actually "4 barrel swing" isn't a concern to me but what i was doing tonight was.

Usually with the driver i'm a 3 barrel swinger. I have i believe standard wrist action (where the left wrist turns gradually to the plane) and i take it to the end. Then i have a slight hip bump and i pull very hard with my left (some right) arms into into impact and i let centrifugal force throw the club out. Works very well. I feel strong sensations in pressure points #2, #3, and #4.

Well i said to myself, "what if around release point i give it some right arm. Let's see what that will do." Well let me tell you it did PLENTY. Higher and DEFINATELY longer. I'm here asking why and what exactly i was doing. I'll describe what i feel as happening below:

During the downstroke as i'm pulling with both arms into impact and loading my #3pp and spinning that flywheel, right as my hands get around hip high (in my mind's eye/feel) i feel like i "put on the brakes" and then i thrust with my arm heavily. As Tommy T would say, "hit out down the line!"

The results were much faster swing speeds, much noted higher pitch coming off the driver (which leads me to believe higher ball speeds) and longer distances. I also decided to try this with irons and although this type of motion would take some time to get used to, it has a benefit if i want to hit an iron high and/or with extra spin and/or distance. Not something i'd do all the time though.

So is there a TGM explanation for this? The thing is that i was feeling the strong sensations of ALL 4pp this time and not just the 3.

Thoughts? Questions?

Thanks!

Jim,

It sounds like your 3 barrel swing is really a four barrel swing...with the comment(some right....in reference to the arms).

See Tomasello's latest video series for the motion of the right arm, I think it we help you eliminate the problem of "putting on the brakes"....you want to LET the left hip rotate at release, if you put the brakes on the left hip you will create what is called "Quitting" which will generate a condition of clubhead throwaway.

The three full stroke patterns that I believe you should use with all of your clubs (Primary Stroke Pattern, consult an AI for the best pattern)... which I believe will create the desired results your looking for are (accuracy and distance):

3 Barrel Swing
Right Arm Swing
4 Barrel Hit.

Alternate full stroke patterns for special situations

3 Barrel Hit
4 Barrel Swing

I use the Right Arm swing (Primary) and 3 barrel hit (Secondary stroke pattern) for all shots. I combine them with all three hinge actions.

DG