"The Clubshaft is stressed by the weight of the Clubhead resisting a change in its direction or velocity – which is Acceleration. Acceleration bends the Clubshaft during Radial Acceleration (10-19-A). Change of direction bends it during Longitudinal Acceleration (10-19-C) which may be, or just include, the Clubhead Lag Pressure Point in addition to its main function of Acceleration Control."
In a 1981 GSEM Class discussion, Homer Kelley referred to two types of Clubshaft Bend for Swingers. The first -- "Acceleration Bend" -- stresses the top of the Shaft during the Start Down. During the second -- "Release Bend" -- the stress is opposite the Acceleration Bend as the toe of the Club attempts to get in line with the #3 Pressure Point.
The Hitter's stress is at the back of the Shaft and does not vary.
Thanks Lynn! Great addition to this thread!
Just for my curiosity can you or someone else reference where he says the "wallop of centrifugal force" in the book- I believe it's there but am blanking out where to look.
Actually, never mind- I found it in 6-F-1 "Right" Timing...."Acceleration ceases when the speed it has produced equals that of the Thrust, and though the thrust is still present and able to maintain Velocity, it loses the flexed, stressed Clubshaft (Hitters) and the wallop of the Centrifugal Force (Swingers)."
Love it when you post these little gems, but why the "toe" of the Club, and not the Sweet Spot?
I used the phrase "Toe of the Club" because that is exactly the phrase Homer Kelley used. I wondered the same thing as I wrote the post and here would be my answer (not his):
Remember, during Release, both the Clubshaft and the Toe of the Club are rotating around the Sweetspot. And the Toe of the Swinger's Club is rotating counter-clockwise trying desperately to get 'in line' with the Sweet Spot and #3 Pressure Point for Horizontal Hinging through Impact. Hence, Homer's reference to the Toe causing the Release Bend.
Interesting sidelight:
That's why those old-timey wooden golf clubs were made with such long Toes. They were virtually impossible to Angled Hinge!
If it is only the stress of the clubshaft (which stiffens the shaft) that helps to resist impact deceleration, why does it matter in which direction it is stressed?
If it is only the stress of the clubshaft (which stiffens the shaft) that helps to resist impact deceleration, why does it matter in which direction it is stressed?
Centrifugal Force stiffens the Swinger's Clubshaft, and that Thrust (and Loading) is Longitudinal. And Body Momentum Transfer (via the Pivot) offers resistance to Impact Deceleration.
Muscular Thrust stiffens the Hitter's Clubshaft, and that Thrust (and Loading) is Radial. And Body Momentum Transfer is not available. Hence, only Pre-Stress (via the Right Triceps Muscle Power) offers resistance to Impact Deceleration.
Centrifugal Force stiffens the Swinger's Clubshaft, and that Thrust (and Loading) is Longitudinal. And Body Momentum Transfer (via the Pivot) offers resistance to Impact Deceleration.
Muscular Thrust stiffens the Hitter's Clubshaft, and that Thrust (and Loading) is Radial. And Body Momentum Transfer is not available. Hence, only Pre-Stress (via the Right Triceps Muscle Power) offers resistance to Impact Deceleration.
Would Body Momentum Transfer be available for the Four Barrel Hitter?
Would Body Momentum Transfer be available for the Four Barrel Hitter?
No, the Hitter forfeits Body Momentum and its CentrifugalLeft Arm Flying Wedge Throw-Out Action. Instead, he uses his Right Shoulder as a backstop for his MuscularRight Forearm Flying WedgeDrive-Out Action.
Nonetheless, he is not exempt from executing the Pivot in Full Strokes. Hitting or Swinging, the Golf Stroke is a Gyroscopic, Rotational Motion. And the rotation of the Pivot is necessary to Transport the Power Package from the Top to the Finish and to maintain its essential Alignments.
In a 1981 GSEM Class discussion, Homer Kelley referred to two types of Clubshaft Bend for Swingers. The first -- "Acceleration Bend" -- stresses the top of the Shaft during the Start Down. During the second -- "Release Bend" -- the stress is opposite the Acceleration Bend as the toe of the Club attempts to get in line with the #3 Pressure Point.
The Hitter's stress is at the back of the Shaft and does not vary.
It's interesting that he mentioned both of these bending features because some of the guys doing advanced shaft fitting take into account the bending characteristics at different points (zones) in the shaft. Specifically, the swing tempo may be considered for "Acceleration Bend" (using your terminology) and release quality for "Release Bend".
As I mentioned earlier the "Release Bend" is generally toward the target for almost all golfers (for full swings) and is caused by the centrifugal force due to the clubhead speed pulling outward on the shaft through it's center of gravity - thus, CoG wants to line up with the shaft axis bending the shaft forward. That's why offset heads tend to hit the ball higher and could slightly correct a fade because the CofG is further behind the shaft and the shaft will tend to bend more forward with these heads. Ok - maybe too much information there.
Still a little dubious on the impact deceleration concept - but it may be a "real vs feel" thing in that it helps to think about accelerating through impact to avoid quitting, throwaway, etc.
It's interesting that he mentioned both of these bending features because some of the guys doing advanced shaft fitting take into account the bending characteristics at different points (zones) in the shaft. Specifically, the swing tempo may be considered for "Acceleration Bend" (using your terminology) and release quality for "Release Bend".
As I mentioned earlier the "Release Bend" is generally toward the target for almost all golfers (for full swings) and is caused by the centrifugal force due to the clubhead speed pulling outward on the shaft through it's center of gravity - thus, CoG wants to line up with the shaft axis bending the shaft forward.
"'Release Bend' is generally toward the target for almost all golfers."
It's interesting that he mentioned both of these bending features because some of the guys doing advanced shaft fitting take into account the bending characteristics at different points (zones) in the shaft. Specifically, the swing tempo may be considered for "Acceleration Bend" (using your terminology) and release quality for "Release Bend".
As I mentioned earlier the "Release Bend" is generally toward the target for almost all golfers (for full swings) and is caused by the centrifugal force due to the clubhead speed pulling outward on the shaft through it's center of gravity - thus, CoG wants to line up with the shaft axis bending the shaft forward. That's why offset heads tend to hit the ball higher and could slightly correct a fade because the CofG is further behind the shaft and the shaft will tend to bend more forward with these heads. Ok - maybe too much information there.
Still a little dubious on the impact deceleration concept - but it may be a "real vs feel" thing in that it helps to think about accelerating through impact to avoid quitting, throwaway, etc.
/////////////////////////////////////////////
Some pictures showing these bends would be nice... or are they too subtle to see?
Linear Mode
