[YodasLuke]

[quote=tls2351][quote=YodasLuke]

What are your recommendations for taking the next step in developing my hitting stroke? I'm conscious of the difficulty with (and my temptation to) changing too many components at once and after reading this thought I'd pick your brain regarding what aspects of the hit I should work on after getting a handle on the basic motion (also, the role of the wrist cock in the hitting stroke is not entirely clear to me so). Thanks!

I'll tell you something that always helps me return to great ball striking. Sometimes I don't play golf or practice for 7 or more days. I have a five month old that takes a lot of time, but I wouldn't trade that time for anything.
The thing that gets me back on track immediately is going to total motion (stopping at top) and taking about five seconds to execute the stroke. It's the epitome of DELIBERATE (3-F-6). Going at that speed, you can monitor everything. Also, it gives you a great feel for release. I try to make the downstroke last as long as possible, but still hit the ball with some force. The shorter you want to hit it, the lighter the club feels. The longer you want to hit it, the heavier it feels. You'll get to where you can hit a total motion, 20 yard floater. Keep making it bigger until you have the distance you want. Over acceleration is the killer.
As far as wrist cock goes, 7-3 says "Bending and Straightening of the Right Elbow will RAISE AND LOWER the Left Arm and/or COCK AND UNCOCK the Left Wrist, without Bending, Flattening, or Cocking the right wrist." The amount of wrist cock that you need will occur if the right arm bends and the right wrist doesn't cock. As a hitter, we have the luxury of simultaneous release, all of which occurs from the proper use of the right elbow. Don't sweat wrist cock.