[DOCW3]

I wish it were as simple as this...

in theory.....

BUT... in application it does not and cannot....

Ever been to a Kinematics Lab?

For instance if the Pencil/Stick was in a Forward Bend of say 20 degrees and the Side Bend to the Right of 10 degrees the spine angle would stay the same....The head would've moved to the outside of the right foot and also moved up away from the golf ball....

Here at Campbell University we have several golf swings loaded in a 3D APAS Motion Analysis System which alllows us to view the golf stroke from any percpective of 360 degrees and gives us data in the X,Y,Z and 3D ....similar to that of TaylorMades MATT System...If I can figure out how to get one of the files to embedd here I will try to do so....

Annikan~

My one reference to the MATT System is a Golf Illustrated article by Tom Stickney III (at one time a GSED). It was claimed in the article that MATT proved a shoulder turn perpendicular to the axis of the spine in route to the top resulted in a much simpler and consistent transitional motion into the downswing. The thrust of the article was how setup adjustments would help in making what he termed a “level” shoulder turn . He established a connection to TGM in mentioning HK’s “level“ shoulder turn as one where the shoulders turn at right angles to the spine. As this description is in 10-13-C, Rotated, I assume it was his reference and his “level” is Mr. Kelley’s “normal.” Of course, until the seventh addition the Shoulder Turn for the two patterns was Flat.

What does this have to do with this thread? The “shoulder blade” advocates seem to be taking issue with a “centered” pivot because of an association with a reversed weight shift.

In another earlier article Tom Stickney reported professionals tested as having a 0 to 7 degree bend toward the target at the top with the “average” amateur at 20. The cause of the position was the shoulders not being “level” or more specifically the right shoulder planed higher. His solution for the amateur included a 2-4 inch lateral tilt at address. Other sources mention 10 degrees. The spine position description in your post suggest this setup, maybe without intending any significance.

Nick Price from his book has left me with the impression that turning the shoulders perpendicular to the spine is an important concept for many tour players (Sergio and Adam Scott may be other examples) and it is included as a fundamental in different teaching , Hardy and Haney being examples.

Do you have an opinion about the relationship between Homer Kelley’s preference for a head centered pivot and his preference (third addition) for a Flat Shoulder Turn?

DRW