Base of the Neck vs. Through the Head "centers"
 

Ok.....

Let's assume that we KNOW that there should be no SWAY of the 'pivot center.'

So, you can use the "through the head" center or the "base of the neck" center.

Which one has the BEST stroke pattern performance.

I will define this 'performance' in the following way:

A. Best able to create and sustain lag pressue
B. Best able to 'draw' a straight plane line
C. Best able to control hinge action

Got it?

Ok.

Here is my OPINION:

I think creating and sustaining lag pressue is easier with the base of the neck.

I think staying or getting 'on top' (or behind, if you prefer) of the sweetspot with your #3 pressure point—as in Horizontal Hinging—is easier with the base of the neck.

I think performing ANGLED hinge action or vertical hinge action to be easier with the "through the head" center.

If you bend you plane line too much to the left as a rule, you will find it easier to NOT bend it left with the "base of the neck" center.

If you bend the plane line to the right as a rule, , you will find it easier to NOT bend it right with the "through the head" center.

What do ya'll think?

;)

Memorable Advice
 

Too complicated for me, Brian.

I'll just keep doing what Homer told me to do:

"Keep your Head still, pick it up with your Right Forearm and slam it as hard as you want."

Great answer, Lynn.

Simple is always better.

If you do not want to respond to the strengths and weaknessness of these two perfectly 1-L compliant procedures, I completely understand.

But, maybe some of the others will comment.

Is it a 100-0 victory for one method oevr the other? or is there possible advantages to one over the other.

Let's keep this on topic, if possible.:)

Angels Night Out
 

For all but the most adroit, we are into the specious argument of 'how many angels can dance on the head of a pin."

www.bartleby.com/59/4/howmanyangel.html

Keep your Head steady.

It is the First Essential of The Golfing Machine®.

Or, assuming you can tell a difference, keep the 'base of your neck' steady.

Your Body is a Rotor. Your Arms and Club are the Blades. No matter how it is driven, the Left Arm and Club always moves in a circle.

Do what Vardon, Jones, Palmer and Nicklaus were told to do:

"Stand still, and as you take the Club away, let your Body Turn, not Sway."

If you do that, you've got a chance to play this Game well.

If you don't, you better bring a lot of talent and a ton of time to the table.

Because you're doing it the hard way.

Another great answer, Lynn!

But, in case anyone else would like to answer, here is a couple of points to consider about my answer:

If you use the "through the head" pivot center, your swing center—the left shoulder—travels—in a shorter arc on the backstroke.

Also, if you use the "through the head" pivot center, the possiblity for a circle delivery path, becomes far greater than the "base of the neck center."

But, the "through the head" picot center nearly assures the better player that the shoulder turn won't be too flat.

As far as the angles on the pin, I choose to only comment on the thesis of this thread: Is one PERFECTLY still pivot center, TECHNICALLY superior to the other...

...and why?

Inexorably, the adroit betwixt our midst, shall endeavor to formulate a response. :D

Golf's One Unarguable, Universal Fundamental
 

Ch-6 Golf My Way - "Golf's One Unarguable, Universal Fundamental"

Who wrote this - only the greatest player that ever played the game ! The winner of 18 Majors !

He's only the greatest player that ever lived....

Wonderful response Mathew!

I was looking for something a bit more—how do you say—geometric or scientific, than Jack Nicklaus quotes.

But, I LOVE Jack Nicklaus, so should I start listening to all his advice in all 10 of his instruction books?

I thought maybe, Mathew, that you couyld draw one of those little illustrations of yours that will show the superiority of one of the "pivot center" methods.

Not being the roundest ball in the golf bag, I will add the following...

If the base of the neck is the stationary point, why would you want or allow a 20 lb plus object (the head) above that center point to have movement?

From the base of the neck (cv7?) is about 4 to 5 inches away from the center point of the head (cv1/2).

Rotation of the head around the spine (you stationary base neck point) does not cause the either center point to move.

Swaying and bobbing would appear to be acceptable product of base of the neck stationary center point UNLESS it is said to be otherwise.

The definition of swaying would be head movement to either side (toward the target or away). I will admit I am having some difficulty with swaying and a stationary neck base center point becuase of the short distance apart, it is more that head leans over with the ear touching the shoulder.

The definition of bobbing would be the up and down motion of the head.

It seems that either of these movements will be disruptive to the golf stroke, be it just impacting balance or causing unnecessary movements to compensate for the location of this 20 plus lb object that is now dancing around.

So is it really acceptable to having the head swaying and bobbing with the base of the neck being the stationary center?

It seems to me that the if the head is only allowed to rotate and is identified as the stationary point, the base of the neck would remain stationary as well. It would just not be the end or top of the rotational axis.

This all assumes the understanding is that if the base of the neck is choosen as the stationary point, then it can not move per-se. But if it can move then in that case it would not comply with 1-L-1/2.

Good points, Marty!

Try this experiment:

Have a pal hold your head dead still.

Have another hold a finger BARELY above the base of the 'neck bone.'

Make a backstroke.

What happens?

The 'neck bone' moves WAY forward.

What is that, reverse swaying?

I don't know what it is exactly, but it is NOT rotation about a fixed point...

'cause the point is MOVING.