I just sent this now 'not-so-private' PM to Aussie Bomber:
Originally Posted by Yoda
I've not forgotten this thread, Aussie.
But, my time (and web access) has been extremely limited the past two weeks. I'm just back from the PGA National Championship and other commitments that have precluded engaging in a 'power' discussion (no pun intended). In fact, my posts of late have been painfully produced 'texting' from my handheld Blackberry!
I had hoped your thread would take off with my introductory post, but apparently everybody is laying in wait. Meanwhile, it's off tomorrow before dawn and the Buick Open in Grand Blanc, Michigan.
Just know that I'll be there when I can.
Thanks.
C' mon, guys: Weigh in with your thoughts. There is the Mechanics of Power (Chapter 6); Body Power (Rotor Power/Swingers or Launching Pad/Hitters per 2-M-4); and also, strength (the sparsely populated 2-M-3 / Muscles).
Obviously, Aussie is doing the right things right. Otherwise, he could not achieve his prodigious distances. What can he do to ascend to his next level . . . a level none of us and, in fact, few in golf's history, have ever achieved? Don't be shy. Remember: Homer Kelley, golf's ultimate mechanic, never claimed a club championship, much less a long drive championship.
I will assist everyone by providing a link to the swing video I took this week. Unfortunately I could only get a front on view as the weather here has been woeful and the down the line image did not work as the day I was filming was stormy!!
I will rectify this in the coming weeks!
I am personally unhappy with the "look" of the swing on video. Yes it is effective in producing speed and distance, but I feel I am nowhere near functioning at full capacity and would value everyone's insight into imporving this.
AB - thanks for posting your swing. What is it that you don't like about your swing?
My comments - taken as they should be - with a healthy dose of scepticism!
You are a swinger, really big rotor, so foreget about right triceps power. Ignore 4 barrel swinging until a few more TGM concepts are ingrained in your swing.
You have a few features that are different to Tiger but are arguably "intersting/helpful" for distance swingers. eg. head movement, bent left arm.
Head moves alot in the backswing but re-centres with your weight transfer in transition... some say TGM centred head is great for accuracy but less good for distance...almost all long hitters have a near-stationary head through release and impact...that bit is crucial...so it begs the question....is there a dynamic power reason to sacrifice stationary head in the rest of the swing ?...to get extra distance....i don't know the answer...
Bent left arm is something Jorgensen tinkered with in his book and suggested it can lead to extra distance...like Vardon...
I imagine that "people" may talk about weight shift...ball position ...driver loft...low point....extensor action...what are your thoughts on these topics? I would be slightly worried that incorporating all of these may inhibit your dynamic motion and give short term negative results...so you need really good advice...incorporating all of TGM into your motion is move away from the LD herd and what they do, trying something radically different...
Do you use low loft driver because you hit on the upswing....do you hit on the upswing because you use low loft driver? Do you fall back at mpact and follow through because you aim to hit so much on the upswing?
CHicken or egg...low loft MAKES you swing up...makes you fall back....
or
You have always swayed back at impact... so the only way you can get the ball on good trajectory is to use low loft..
If you moved to a 9 degree driver...how would you have to swing in order to get the same result as you get now - i suspect almost have to swing level at impact and not upwards...more TGM style swing rather than LD.
What is the best distance launch angle for a guy with your speed? that is probably the place to start...then work backwards from there...say it is 11-12 degrees at 130+mph... how can you get that launch angle... is it to swing on upswing with 6 degree driver...or swing at low point (level) with more loft....?? I don't know the answer but that is the way to solve the problem IMO... launching on upswing...does that keep your ball spin down? that is the other key factor? If guys know this stuff then that is cornestone to build your machine around.
Would you sacrifice clubhead speed at impact by swinging level rather than on the upswing? have you measured your clubhead speed at low point left shoulder...versus your clubhead speed at you current ball teed up height?
Homer said that if you hit on the upswing in a centred/uncompensated stroke then you are also hitting with a clubface that is closed beyond square and closing still further...so you need compensations... is your clubhead open at address or do you hold off on forearm rotation (accumultor 3)....??
see what the others have to say... but if you want to build a LDGM (Long Drive Golfing Machine) then you are going to have to select the right components....strip away the faulty ones and bolt on the right ones...but keep that massive rotor...that is literally your core! There are only 24 components...shouldn't take more than a week or two!!
Last edited by golfbulldog : 06-22-2008 at 05:49 AM.
1-F ...The Right Arm can contribute Hand Acceleration to the Downstroke and support all elements of "Resistance to Deceleration".
Based on your swing video, I think you probably have plenty of Hand Acceleration.
Study 2-K and beef up those golf muscles and supporting tendons through fast twitch/explosive exercises and supplements if needed. Take the time to pay close attention to each muscle group involved in your swing from the Inner Quads, Hip Flexors, Glutes, to the Abs, Intercostals, Teres Minor and Major, Lats, Romboids, Triceps, forearms, etc. Concentrate on "tendon pull" but not to the extent you injure yourself.
Make it a point to isolate the feel of each active golf muscle in your swing, then work on strengthing, stretching, and feeding them to maximize their strength and flexibility - Especially the tendons to avoid injury, because they take more time to strengthen than muscle. As you practice, focus on one muscle group at a time and learn its function. Then work the heck out of it.
You are already doing this, so I'm preaching to the choir but other folks seeking distance would benefit.
2-K "Muscle Tendons pulling the Body, the Arms, and/or the Wrists around their centers."
To maximize Pivot Lag, allow the muscles and tendons to stretch and then pull the skeletal system via the tendons from the ground up, through each swing center to your hands. As one muscle group in the chain activates and pulls its succeeding swing center, you'll feel like you are leaving the clubhead at the top. Once you've reached your release point deep into the swing, do what you need to do with your hands to pull through impact.
Maximum Distance is achieved via Accumulator Lag through each swing center with a late release of each firing successively as 4,1,2,3. You have many key components snapping in line, but some accumulators appear to be released early such as #4 and #2, but its hard to tell from the video.
#4 is your Master Accumulator and its essence is pivot lag. Since your procedure is swinging, I think you would benefit from a lot of focus on pivot lag.
Clubhead Lag is a passive feel to your system. As you work on Pivot and Accumulator Lag all you have to do is make sure you don't turn passive clubhead lag feel into an active (driving) feel which quickly turns into throw away.
My 2 cents
__________________
Bagger
1-H "Because of questions of all kinds, reams of additional detail must be made available - but separately, and probably endlessly." Homer Kelly
Okay lots of great information here, thank you for taking the time for providing it. As is my style I will reply to everyone, so brace yourselves this could be a long post!!
Golfbulldog
Thanks for your great kick off post, you have certainly raised some great stuff.
What don't I like about my swing?
The things that I took out of seeing the video was:
- The pause at the top, I think my rhythm, timing and power could improve if I transitioned smoothly and allowed the motion to be free flowing rather than stop/start.
- I will be interested in people's take on the "bent left arm". I personally feel I am robbing myself of extensor action and by shortening my swing radius I am short changing myself on the power that I could have.
- Falling backwards: This is a tough one, I have a feeling that my left foot is driving "back" rather than "down". I also think that I am not making use of my full 210 lb frame by having it "going away" rather than "coming through".
- Stance width is possibly a little too wide resulting in lateral motion rather than a full rotary motion.
I am my own toughest critic and expect a lot from myself. Until I am at the top I won't be satisfied!
Optimal launch angles for LDers are 10-14 deg, low loft and hitting up comes from the theory of lowering spin rates below 2800 rpm. It has been found through LM testing that a ball with a spin rate of below 2800 will release to its maximum on landing. Less backspin, lower launch = more run.
I look forward to hearing the answers to the questions you have posted, thank you for your detailed contribution it is much appreciated.
HG:
Thanks for putting it into pics for me, no doubt it will be of great assistance to analysing my swing. Greatly appreciated.
Bagger Lance:
Thanks for your post, I couldn't agree more. I have actually been fortunate enough to be given access to a new fitness tool that has great applications for physical golf development. I will be certainly focussing on getting faster, more "elastic" and stronger to assist with my development.
Even though I am doing it, things can always be more optimal so having your contribution puts it in concrete for me! Thank you.
Developing Pivot Lag is definitely a concept I want to become more efficient in, I totally agree that aspects are releasing earlier than I would like. Are there any drills you could recommend?
I will read 2K again today and start applying what I can this week. Thank you once again for your contribution.
Hey guys I don't know how many of you are familiar with Long Drive so I thought I would give you some examples of the Long Drivers I admire and aspire towards.
1. Jason Zuback
Golf Zilla is the 5 time world long drive champion. He is a very powerful man and has been a dominant force in Long Drive for many years. Whilst I think his swing is one of a kind, I think there are many possible things I could learn in technique.
2. Mike Dobbyn
Current World Champion. Mike is huge... 6"8, 300lbs but has a very classic and efficient golf swing. He holds the longest recorded drive in the world.. 551 yards!!
3. Jamie Sadlowski
20 years old. 6'1, 180lbs. Jamie is not a big guy but man can he get it out there! 2 time World Junior Champion and 3rd in his first year in the open, Jamie is touted as the future of Long Drive. He is hitting great form currently with a reported ball speed of 217 mph in the recent Desert Duel.
Would appreciate "expert eyes" taking a look at these.
Optimal launch angles for LDers are 10-14 deg, low loft and hitting up comes from the theory of lowering spin rates below 2800 rpm. It has been found through LM testing that a ball with a spin rate of below 2800 will release to its maximum on landing. Less backspin, lower launch = more run.
Worth noting that less loft and hitting on the upswing will also make for a more efficient transfer of power from clubhead to ball than a level swing with more loft...I think Wishon has proven that out, not 100% on who it was though.
Hybrid Mode
