The Swing Surgeon

[lagster]

I met a pro a few years ago that has a swing technique that is supposed to be back friendly. It seems to defy much of the geometry that we view as very important in TGM, and really in most golf instruction.

The backswing shoulder turn should go no more than 70 degrees. The idea of the plane is different also. The flashlight would point to the line the feet are on, with backswing and downswing. He wants a vertical pick up of the arms on the backswing. He does want a Flat Left Wrist.

At the finish... there is an up move, similar to the Stack and Tilters.

The club obviously does get on plane eventually, or it would not strike the ball.

He has produced numerous good players... including his son D.J. Trahan on the P.G.A. Tour.

This would be a Class "X", but what do you make of this?

[Yoda]

I met a pro a few years ago that has a swing technique that is supposed to be back friendly. It seems to defy much of the geometry that we view as very important in TGM, and really in most golf instruction.

The backswing shoulder turn should go no more than 70 degrees. The idea of the plane is different also. The flashlight would point to the line the feet are on, with backswing and downswing. He wants a vertical pick up of the arms on the backswing. He does want a Flat Left Wrist.

At the finish... there is an up move, similar to the Stack and Tilters.

The club obviously does get on plane eventually, or it would not strike the ball.

He has produced numerous good players... including his son D.J. Trahan on the P.G.A. Tour.

This would be a Class "X", but what do you make of this?

[Bold emphasis by Yoda.]

I'm not sure this would be an "X Classification" Variation, Lagster. In fact, it appears to be merely the Turning Shoulder Plane (10-6-D), and probably the Left Arm Swing Plane version -- as opposed to the Vertical Wristcock version.

Here, the Arms produce the vertical element of the Stroke and point a line inside (but parallel to) the Plane Line. [This would be Mr. Trahan's "foot line".] As the Arms simply lift and lower the Club -- the "vertical pick up" -- the Pivot takes the Hands directly to a Squared Shoulder Plane at the Top. This steep Backstroke brings the Club into its Loaded condition on a Vertical Plane at the Top (and not on the Inclined Plane). And Single Wrist Action (10-18-C-#3) produces Hands that are "well under" the Club (and thus not 'Palms aligned to Plane').

This "straight back" Backstroke is mirrored by a "straight down" Downstroke. The "upward thrust" you mention would be the Pivot's 'equal and opposite' reaction to the Arms and their vertical force.

It is not surprising that Mr. Trahan has produced champions with this Stroke Pattern. Quoting Homer Kelley: "It is extremely effective and dynamically correct."

[lagster]

I'm not sure this would be an "X Classification" Variation, Lagster. In fact, it appears to be merely the Turning Shoulder Plane (10-6-D), and probably the Left Arm Swing Plane version -- as opposed to the Vertical Wristcock version.

Here, the Arms produce the vertical element of the Stroke and point a line inside (but parallel to) the Plane Line. [This would be Mr. Trahan's "foot line".] As the Arms simply lift and lower the Club -- the "vertical pick up" -- the Pivot takes the Hands directly to a Squared Shoulder Plane at the Top. This steep Backstroke brings the Club into its Loaded condition on a Vertical Plane at the Top (and not on the Inclined Plane). And Single Wrist Action (10-18-C-#3) produces Hands that are "well under" the Club (and thus not 'Palms aligned to Plane').

This "straight back" Backstroke is mirrored by a "straight down" Downstroke. The "upward thrust" you mention would be the Pivot's 'equal and opposite' reaction to the Arms and their vertical force.

It is not surprising that Mr. Trahan has produced champions with this Stroke Pattern. Quoting Homer Kelley: "It is extremely effective and dynamically correct."

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Another excellent analysis Mr. Yoda!!!! This may be another Hall of Fame Post!! Mr. Yoda just showed how TGM can be used for stroke analysis of various procedures.

Some good points can be gleaned from this study. 1. The flashlight, or laser does not point to the Plane Line for all procedures. In fact trying to do so may disrupt some procedures. 2. Mr. Kelley does say these Turning Shoulder procedures can be very effective. Now that I think about this, a player like Johnny Miller looks to be close to one of these, maybe the Vertical Wristcock version.

[EdZ]

Ultimately it is the hands that matter, and their plane.

This pattern (toe line trace) being the most verticle 'hand plane' (not in the TGM definition).

A very accurate way to play.

In my view, tracing 'the plane' - of the hands - is always inside the ball to target line, unless you have zero #3 accumulator. Only then would the ball be on 'the line'.

The amount of #3 accumulator alters how verticle the plane is from this perspective - 'low hands', lots of #3, trace line more towards toes, very steep plane.

'high hands', no/little #3, trace line more towards/on ball to target line.

Part of the reason that zero #3 accumulator can be a very accurate pattern, with the trade off being power (Moe Norman). You are more truly 'on plane'.

Trace the line your hands point to on the ground at address.

[Yoda]

Some good points can be gleaned from this study. 1. The flashlight, or laser does not point to the Plane Line for all procedures. In fact trying to do so may disrupt some procedures.

In my view, tracing 'the plane' - of the hands - is always inside the ball to target line, unless you have zero #3 accumulator. Only then would the ball be on 'the line'.

The amount of #3 accumulator alters how verticle the plane is from this perspective - 'low hands', lots of #3, trace line more towards toes, very steep plane.

Trace the line your hands point to on the ground at address.

Two great points made by Lagster and EdZ. Amplifying these insights:

1. The Turning Shoulder Plane produces an Off Plane (vertical) Loading Action. Nevertheless, as previously noted, this 'lifting (Arms) while turning (Body)' procedure takes the Hands directly to a Squared Shoulder Inclined Plane location. Hence, "an Inclined Plane with a vertical force."

2. At all times, as with all other Delivery Line procedures -- On Line or Cross Line -- the player senses his Motion as parallel to the selected Line.

[lagster]

Two great points made by Lagster and EdZ. Amplifying these insights:

1. The Turning Shoulder Plane produces an Off Plane (vertical) Loading Action. Nevertheless, as previously noted, this 'lifting (Arms) while turning (Body)' procedure takes the Hands directly to a Squared Shoulder Inclined Plane location. Hence, "an Inclined Plane with a vertical force."

2. At all times, as with all other Delivery Line procedures -- On Line or Cross Line -- the player senses his Motion as parallel to the selected Line.

Thanks Mr. Yoda and Mr. Ed Z!!!

Any more discussion on this? The flashlight and laser aids have been around for a while now, and probably most use them according to the TGM teaching of "pointing to or parallel to the Base Line", as the way to use them.

This may be worth looking more in to. What do you think?