I turned on the Golf Channel on Sunday and caught Larry Nelson "hitting" his approach on the 18'th. The camera angle was from behind, and I couldn't help but notice his crossline shaft at the top and his crossline thrust on the downswing. Pretty awesome stuff for a "hitter" because his tempo is smooth and slow enough to actually see what's going on.
Right, JG33!
Hitters and Swingers are differentiated by their respective Pushing or PullingActions. Their Stroke Patterns differ primarily in Left Wrist Action,Loading Action, Downstroke Acceleration and Delivery Line.
Loading Action. The Hitter typically goes to the Top of theBackstroke (10-21-A) where he uses the Hands and #3 Pressure Point to resistthe Backstroke Motion (10-19-2), The 'High' Clubshaft usually still pointsskyward and the inertia of the Club resisting the change in direction)is allowed to Load against the #3 Pressure Point. Again, there has been nochange in the Impact Fix Wrist Alignments or Pressure Point Location, norwill there be until the end of The Follow-Through (Both Arms Straight).
The Swinger typically goes to the End of the Backstroke (10-21-C) withthe Clubshaft parallel to the ground or below. Here he 'Snap' Loads theClubhead Lag against the Lag Pressure Point. Although the there has been noactual change in contact point between the #3 Pressure Point and Club, inFull Pivot Strokes that Pressure Point will have been felt to rotate from Aftof the Shaft to the Top of the Shaft per 10-11-0-3 (as the Club Loads downby gravity against the First Knuckle.
Left Wrist Action. The Hitter uses the Single Wrist Action ofAngled Hinge Motion (10-18-B-2) to bring the Hands to the Top with ZeroDeviation in their Impact Fix Alignments. The same Action is used toDeliver the Club Down Plane and through the Release and Impact. A constant,Rhythmic Rolling from the Top that continues through Impact for ClubfaceControl.
The Swinger uses the Turned Left Wrist of 10-18-A on the Backstroke andthen again to Deliver the Club Down Plane until Release, i.e., the Left Hand'Karate Chop' to the Ball. Then, the Turned Wrist Swivels into Impact withthe #3 Pressure Point again directly behind the Shaft in preparation forthe Dual Horizontal Hinge Action for Clubface Control through Impact to the Endof the Follow-Through.
Acceleration. From the Top, the Hitter Drives Slow per 10-19-Aand then accelerates the Clubshaft Radially -- Pushing against the Clubshaft asif it were an Axe Handle --until Release. Then, he uses a strong RightTriceps Thrust approaching the Rigidity of the Bent Right Wrist to uncock boththe Left Wrist and the Right Elbow and Drive the Loaded Lag Pressure (andClub!) through Impact per 7-1. The Swinger cranks up the Gyroscope of theCircling Club by using a quick Start Down that accelerates the Club Longitudinallyand Pulls the Shaft down Longitudinally like a piece of string, anout-and-out Pull from the Top.
Delivery Line. The Hitter uses the Cross-Line Angle of Approach Procedure(2-J-3-B) and the Shorter Shoulder Turn consistent with the Steeper 10-5-EClosed Plane Line associated with that Procedure. The Swinger uses the On Line Arcof Approach Procedure (2-J-3-A) and the Full Shoulder Turn consistent withthe Straight Plane Line of 10-5-A.
It's fun to watch the good players. Especially when you know what they'redoing!
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