8-2 Impact Fix

[Yoda]

The Fix (7-8 ) ; Homer states, "If there is one mechanical imperative in the Golf Stroke, it is CORRECT IMPACT ALIGNMENTS. There is no advantage in leaving these to chance if they can be consciously defined and selected by a preliminary positioning."

How many tour players actually go to Fix (8-2) before adjusted address? It seem many ignore this vital alignment. Many tour players schooled in the ways of TGM seem to skip it as well? Am I missing something here? Are they just relying on intuition and habit?

The Fix as a studied, distinct Stroke Section (8-2) does not exist in today's Golf World. It does, however, exist to one degree or another in almost every good player and is brought to an art form with the great players.

For example, the #1 and #2 Impact Alignments are the Flat, Level and Vertical Left Wrist and its complement, the Bent, Level and Vertical Right Wrist. Rounding out the Big Three is the On Plane Right Forearm and Clubshaft. Do the great players assume these alignments in an Impact Fix? Maybe not. But, they know exactly what these alignments are and how they feel, and they often assume them at times you might least expect. The next time you see the Bobby Jones videos, look carefully as you see him standing around talking to the gang with his Hands and Club waist high. You will see his Left Wrist Flat, Level and Vertical; his Right Wrist Bent, Level and Vertical; and his Right Forearm and Clubshaft On Plane. Now, to be sure, it's on a horizontal plane -- not an inclined plane -- but the Impact Alignments are clearly in place and their Feel established. This is the sole purpose of Impact Fix, and when you've got it...you've got it. All that remains to be done is replicate that Feel on the Inclined Plane of Motion.

Watch Sam Snead as he lectures to the camera, and you will see the identical Impact Alignments in place. Chi Chi sets his Grip and Impact Alignments while behind the Ball and looking down the Target Line. Except for an over-the-Top-of-the Ball Waggle, they never change until the Club leaves the Back of the Ball. Watch any group of Tour players as they wait on a Tee. You'll see Flat Left Wrists and #3 Accumulator Rolls, Right Forearm Tracings and even Downstroke Waggles.

Lee Trevino's Address Routine is pure artistry. Away from the Ball, he rehearses the Total Motion with a Practice Swing. He then walks into the Ball with the Clubshaft in the Cup of the Right Hand and with the Shaft running up his On Plane Right Forearm. As his Feet settle in to their accustomed positions, he soles the Club with the Ball just off its toe. His Left Wrist joins the fun in its Flat, Level and Vertical Position (10-2-B Grip). His Flying Wedges align to the Ball and Line in a choreographed sequence worthy of a Fred Astair dance routine. He lasers in on the Plane Line. He Waggles. His lower body moves into its Impact Alignment as his Left Foot tap, tap, taps. At the last instant, he Turns his Left Hand on the Grip -- he just made it a 10-2-D -- Forward Presses and with his Right Forearm takes the Club immediately Up, In and Back on an Open-Open Plane Line. And then, almost always, he stripes it. This may not be the 'academic' version of Impact Fix, but it's Lee Trevino's, and a glance at the Record Book proves that it works. Big time.

No, the Tour players don't fit neatly into Section 8-2, Impact Fix. But you can bet your boots its function has been met:

They know Impact.

They Feel Impact.

They live for Impact.

It's what they do.

[Yoda]

Yoda, I spent much time at the range this weekend and started to finally get a strong feel for hitting. I'm trying to "obliterate" the line. My problem is that I'm a hitter who is employing left forearm roll, a bad combo that often creates a hook for me. I seem to have better luck avoiding the forearm roll when I start from impact position. Can you tell me if this is preferable or not?

Thank you for your help...

Starting from Fix Address Position (10-9-B) is a customization of the Hitter's Drive Loading Stroke Pattern (12-1-0). However, it offers definite advantages -- particularly that the Right Wrist remains Bent in its Fix condition and the Clubface Alignment therefore remains undisturbed. Experiment with both Address positions -- that seems to be what you are doing! -- and determine which works best for you.

As far as the Left Forearm Roll problem goes, practice diligently the Paddle Wheel Action and the Plane Line Tracing of the Right Forearm Flying Wedge through the Impact Interval. Done properly, this will cause the Flat Left Wrist to be Driven Out automatically into the Hitter's correct Angled Hinge Action.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by jerry1967

what position should the left wrist be at address? why couldn't i start with a flat wrist at address.

You have options here.

1) Start from Impact Fix hand location - flat/level/vertical left wrist, bent/level/vertical right wrist, clubface slightly open to the target line. This is especially useful for Hitting, but isn't mandatory. [This bold by Yoda.]

2) Start from Adjusted Address - bent/level/vertical left wrist, flat/level/vertical right wrist. A mid-body hands position versus the "hands ahead" position of Impact Fix hand location. Especially compatible with a Swinger's backstroke motion.

If you choose to use #1, your Flying Wedges are set at address. Simply maintain those important alignments throughout the stroke. If you choose to start from #2, set those Wedges as soon as possible after Startup. Then maintain the alignments throughout the stroke.

Good stuff, R2D2. Soon you will join the Jedi!

To eliminate any confusion, jerry1967, remember that the Fix position Open Clubface is only for Swingers and their Horizontal Hinging. Hitters prepare for their Angled Hinging by setting the Clubface slightly Closed. Hitters and Swingers prepare for Vertical Hinging by setting the Clubface Square.

Topic:flat wrist at address

ok i am confused- explain the difference between a swinger and a hitter please.

Swingers use the Pull of Centrifugal Force to Throw the Club Out into Release. Hitters use the Push of Muscular Thrust to Drive the Club Out into Release.

[Yoda]

Yoda... In the part where you described "taking the 'wobble' out of
the shoulders"... does this pectoral action actually keep the arms more
away from the chest? Will the back be straight, or will there be a slight
rounding?

At Impact Fix:

(1) Given a specific Golf Club length and Ball Location on the
Plane, e.g., on a tee or on the ground;

(2) With the Left Wrist Flat, Level -- remember, this is a 'High
Hands' partially Uncocked Condition per 4-B-1 -- and Vertical;

(3) With Extensor Action applied to the Left Arm and Clubshaft through
the #3 Pressure Point establishing the Flying Wedge Alignments; and with...

(4) The Stationary Head Position established by the desired Knee
Flex and Waist Bend (standing to the Ball 'in halves' with as
straight a Spine -- the body's backbone that does not include the Neck (that
joins the Head and Body)-- as possible;

Then...


There is only one place you can stand. And that will determine how far
the Arms are away from the Chest. Study 9-2-1-#2,
9-2-2-#2 and 9-2-3-#1.

[Yoda]

[quote="ldeit"]

The place to program this move is at Impact Fix (8-2 and 7-8 ). By pre-positioning your Right Shoulder 'down On Plane,' say almost directly opposite the Ball -- probably much lower than your presently feel -- you will be able to extend through the Ball much further until you reach the Both Arms Straight Position at the end of the Follow-Through (8-11). When you return to Adjusted Address from this position you will notice that you have a 'lot of right arm' -- it is quite bent, even with applied extensor action -- and that means that as your Right Shoulder turns through the Ball in this much farther way -- "chasing it" as Nick Price likes to say -- then the Left Arm with its Flat Left Wrist can fly through Impact unimpeded by the 'chain' of the Straightened Right Arm caused by the too high Right Shoulder.

Ideit,

You have asked what I meant by the bolded quote, and here is the answer:

The Shoulder has simply continued its circular rotation about the Spine (with the Head serving as the Stationary Axis of the Pivot). This advanced degree of Shoulder Turn has been 'fixed' in the Impact 'Picture' and accomodated through this particular Shot.