Effects of Posture and Joint Articulation

[rwh]

After reading that great series of posts by Mike O. about the effects of joint articulation on the golf swing, I started examining just exactly what was going on in my putting stroke.

At address, I noticed that my shoulders were very high and rounded -- pulled upward and forward. I don't think I ever noticed this or even thought about it before. I visualized Tiger's putting stance; his shoulders are "back and down".

So, I changed the position of my shoulders from high and forward to low and back. Result: Immediate improvement in keeping the putter on plane and the ball on my intended line.

My purpose is not to advocate any particular stance or position. I know that Jack Nicklaus was a great putter and he was all hunched up with rounded shoulders. My point only is that you might find something that really helps your stroke just be analyzing your posture and joint movements.

A big thanks to Mike O. for getting me to think about this.

[Bagger Lance]

RWH and I have shared a couple of emails, so let's go public!

Me -
I've been experimenting with body position related to putting.

This far I've settled on the right grip, accumulator use, and a combo pick/paw motion.
In terms of body position, the on-plane right forearm (in my case forearms) help determine body position.
But the amount of on-plane elbow bend can create a wide variance upper body bend from the hips.
That's where an assist from extensor action can help determine elbow location in putting.
I don't vary spine angle (straight or curved) much because I like to turn around a straight rod.

Homer discusses shoulder position in 2-M-3 under (Generators).

So I try to keep mine forward with a slight assist or check from the pecs just to get the position right.
Not hunched, but the shoulder blades are separated and relaxed.

RHW - Is that the Ted Fort method of putting?

Me - I have no idea.

Bagger

[YodasLuke]

I'll do my best to explain my feelings, but understand that I was not TGM trained in putting. Many of my feelings have just been substantiated by Homer and Lynn. Putting has always been a 'natural' thing for me to do, as it's always been my greatest asset.

From what I gather in reading rwh’s post, it’s about finding a “place without wobble” (Ted’s words). The head of the humerus has the ability to move in many directions and is at the discretion of the surrounding muscle groups. In our strokes, we have the ability to remove wobble with extensor action. In my stroke, I have the equivalent of extensor action, which is arms frozen and bent (paw). The angles in my elbows and wrists never change, and both forearms are on plane. But, my shoulders are protracted with the help of the pectorals, removing wobble. I guess retraction is also possible, but the shoulders would be in the opposite direction compared to ‘normal’.

I posted something similar in the 9-1-5 posts, and as a small aside:

"The second is the ability for the head of the humerus (the top of the upper arm bone) to protract (to extend forward or the feeling of making your shoulders touch in front of your sternum). The shoulder is also on a concentric circle with the head or spine as the axis, which would be measurably further than the nose or face from the center of rotation. A common myth in golf instruction is that the shoulders turn as if they are a steel bar across the spine. It is NOT the case. Simply measuring an angle created by the movement (turning) of the left shoulder includes no portion for range of motion (protraction) created through extensor action.”

I use a “shoulders only” stroke once these alignments are set, and it’s the exception to all strokes going to both arms straight. If I was using an “arms only” stroke, extensor action would be irreplaceable. My stroke is controlled steering with the clubhead covering the plane line and the clubface remaining square to it. It’s pure vertical hinging.

I think an additional case could be made that poor posture (additional curvature) could make the shoulder motion operate on a more vertical plane (about the top of the axis).

[Bagger Lance]

It's a beautiful thing.

The paw is a body "rocking" procedure. I don't sense any "turn" per se. That is, no participation of the hips in the turn. Shoulder girdle only. In order to keep the right shoulder and power package on plane, you kinda hafta rock from the waist up.

It produces angled hinging which can be seen in long strokes.
Try it and report back!

Now, I'm coming to see you in a few weeks and let's put it under the lens.
Bringing my camera to post you in the Gallery!

Bagger

[rwh]

Thanks Bagger & Ted for your posts. There is much to incubate.