[Mike O]

You mean my right forearm isn’t really magic – it was all smoke and mirrors???

Your point about the right elbow (and its implications for the right forearm) seems massive to me. I had thought that the right forearm was to trace the baseline of the plane back and through, but if the right elbow is only on plane at impact, this is impossible! Instead the right forearm must trace an outside path (outside going back, out to in coming through the ball). At least with a zero shift...

Is the ‘magic’ of the right forearm then, only that it shows from impact fix the exact up and down motion the hands/clubhead need to take – that is, is it merely a good visual analogue of the plane and the delivery path of the hands?

Chris

Chris, A few thoughts:
First, It's never been my approach in posting in regards to the golfing machine- to point out my personal differences of opinion or my uncertainty regarding some of the concepts. My approach has been to share what I know - to help others better understand this great piece of work- The Golfing Machine. So, I "recklessly" posted my personal hunch on this right forearm on plane issue- when I would have preferred to leave it alone. If others would be interested in posting some photo's and bantering this topic- I'd be interested to see what they have to say- but I'd be more interested in listening to their comments than picking or proving one particular side.

Secondily, Let's say that the right forearm is only on plane at impact (not saying that it isn't or couldn't be on plane earlier or later) but as you noted - if it is on-plane only at impact then while tracing the plane line with the forearm may not be a requirement or a useful tool - nothing much else besides the tracing right forearm necessarily changes. For example if you read 7-3 (Magic Right Forearm) not one issue would change.

Finally, I think to determine in what manner the right forearm works through the release period- that it would be helpful to look at other sports such as tennis and javelin and including golf- to determine the proper right forearm movement through the release period and impact(tennis) and the letting go point with the javelin, in comparison to the plane of motion of each movement.

In Summary I don't think it's that big of a loss of innocence IF the right forearm didn't trace the plane line, BUT I understand your emotion- I've been there many times with this book.

Mike O.