Newton was not, to my knowledge, an AI but that is what he would have said - or something similar, involving forces (downward, in this case) generating equal and opposing (upward) reaction forces.

Positioning To Hammer the Ball Into the Ground
 

Mathew is right on here. In my own case, unless I consciously monitor the situation -- which I rarely do -- I am totally unaware of the degree of Hip Slide. However, at one time I worked pretty hard on that Component and still do emphasize its 'parallel to the Plane Line' motion when I practice my Lag Loading via Downstroke Waggles. And here, there is enough lateral motion to transfer the Weight to the left side as the Body begins to Pull the Arms and Hands toward their Impact Locations.

What I am very aware of during the Stroke is being in position -- Centered and perfectly Balanced -- so that when I Drag my 'Wet Mop' down from the Top, the natural swinging DOWN of the Arms will (1) automatically put my Hands well in front of the Ball before Impact, and (2) automatically cause a definite Forward Lean of the Clubshaft all the way through Impact and well into the Follow-Through. I feel as though I am literally hammering the Ball into the ground. And I continue this Down Plane Thrust until both Arms are straight. Obviously, with the longer Clubs the Ball is located nearer Low Point, so the Down element is less dramatic, but it is still there.

All this includes the distinct sensation of my Lower Body and Left Shoulder returning to their Impact Fix alignments. During Start Down and into the Downstroke, I have a very strong awareness that I have moved into a rock-solid position from which I can "drive the Ball into the ground, not into the air" (6-E-2). Not just once in a while, but time after time. In fact, the feeling is that I really can't do anything else! From the Top, all I have to do is swing Down and through the Ball (and Plane Line!) until both Arms are straight, all the time dragging my Wet Mop -- the Clubhead Lag and its Pressure in my Hands -- along behind me.

I have worked diligently on this -- achieving automatically and without effort the Flat Left Wrist and 'Impact Hands' -- since my 'return' to golf two years ago and am happy to report that I am hitting the Ball better now -- by far -- than at any other time in my life.

And that's a good thing. :)

Wow.
 

How good is this post? Amazing!

Enchiladas Verde, not to threadjack. But if one is to go to the Gallery of this here fine website, one will find some pictures of some decent players at Impact or Follow Through: Hogan, Nelson, Player, Buck, Mr. Kelley and a Lil' Green Man.

As you have so clearly stated above "the natural swinging DOWN of the Arms will (1) automatically put my Hands well in front of the Ball before Impact, and (2) automatically cause a definite Forward Lean of the Clubshaft all the way through Impact and well into the Follow-Through." Why are ball strikers of this superior quality in this "forward lean" position so DEEP into Follow-Through vs. some equally good players interms of resume who are more "in-line" at the same point in the Stroke?

Thanks for a super post.

Because they have very educated hands and no urge to flip.

Great answer from Yoda in differentiating Cause from Effect.

I have been practicing this concept the last couple of days after reading posts elsewhere and seeing my swing during my lesson with Lee. I think I'm hitting the ball much better now, but it's a vastly different feeling for me than before. I now swing with the image/feeling that I am stuck in concrete, which forces me to balance my weight 50-50. But then, after impact, I let everything carry me through. It's a much tighter swing, and I feel much more wound and compact. I have no feeling of swaying or purposefully shifting my weight.

with vandals post, i would tend to believe it is the GD version of the X factor without the bull, and i love it. The X factor theory has it all wrong...they think its physics powering the swing where in reality, it seems to be the geometry. any thoughts?

Physics is geometry, geometry is physics.

Their difference is perspective.

Time, space, and motion - they are connected. It is useful to categorize and describe, but one must not forget the relationships that exist define a 'whole'.

Learning to 'see' with each lens, new perspectives, can only be helpful in the long run.

The physics of the golf stroke is useless unless it is precisely aligned and thats why the golfing machine rocks so much :). Physics is of force and motion, so in essence physics is what powers the stroke whether it be pivot or muscular thrust, but the geometry aligns the physics. The geometry is of the circle and the physics is of rotation.

The X-factor concept is a half truth. The real concept is that every leading component puts a drag on the next to creat maximum pivot lag, explained by Homer Kelley and similiarly described by Ben Hogan in 5 lessons.

Where the x-factor is false is due to the idea of resisting the hip turn to 'coil more' when this simply isn't the case. You cannot have more than maximum pivot lag - all this serves to do is stop the leading component. Actually this effect can be very useful - ie you can preturn your hips to halt the backstroke at a designated point or use a right anchor and flat left variation to limit the hip turn....etc

Superb post.