impact bag and left thumb placement?

[landshark]

when doing the impact bag drills (and regular swings for that matter), in the grip, where should my left thumb be placed? normally i'm just right of on top, but from the impact video, it seems as if he says to have it in back of the shaft. can you clarify this? thanks.

[12 piece bucket]

when doing the impact bag drills (and regular swings for that matter), in the grip, where should my left thumb be placed? normally i'm just right of on top, but from the impact video, it seems as if he says to have it in back of the shaft. can you clarify this? thanks.

Try this. Hit the bag. Flat left wrist at impact. Hold everything there. Take off your right hand. Put pressure down into the bag. Now change positions of your Left Thumb. At what thumb placement do you get the MOST STABLE SUPPORT?

Report back . . .

[landshark]

still unsure. seems my left thumb sits roughly 45 degrees from center to the right. actually i feel a more powerful strike with the base of my left hand to impact. yikes...
guess i need to work more of a downward action of the left hand?

[12 piece bucket]

still unsure. seems my left thumb sits roughly 45 degrees from center to the right. actually i feel a more powerful strike with the base of my left hand to impact. yikes...
guess i need to work more of a downward action of the left hand?

Your figuring it out. The Golfing Machine prescribes a Left Thumb that is on the aft side of the shaft, not on top and not underneath. Take your club press it into a door frame. See what left thumb placement allows you to get the most bend in the shaft. The aft placement is recommended to get the most support through impact.

[phillygolf]

Your figuring it out. The Golfing Machine prescribes a Left Thumb that is on the aft side of the shaft, not on top and not underneath. Take your club press it into a door frame. See what left thumb placement allows you to get the most bend in the shaft. The aft placement is recommended to get the most support through impact.

Great post 12!!!!

[12 piece bucket]

Great post 12!!!!

Thanks! Can't take credit for this one though. This was part of a great post by Mike O on another forum. His post is even better for a "Pressure Point Fitting Session." Check this out . . .

What you want is to have the pressure points on the aft side of the shaft- including pressure point #4 on the aft side of the upper arm. In regards to your grip- and impact fix- I would recommend taking a 5 iron- put the clubhead against a solid post or edge of a wall- now push/pull forward towards the target- bending the shaft as much as possible. Can you change something to more fully support impact and bend the shaft more? Left thumb pad on aft side? I don't care what change it is- adjust your hands and body so that you find the most support and easiest position to bend the shaft- that's impact support. Then before each shot - practice bend the shaft- it will verify your pressure points for impact.

Personally, if you've got lag and are hitting down- I wouldn't worry about "the wedges" etc- should take care of itself. Although, you definitely should not hold back the right wrist- You should have the amount of weight that you loaded on the pressure points- maintained past impact- via constant acceleration - dictated by your awareness of that constant weight.
MIKE O

Good stuff by Mike O.