A friend asked me to write down what I am doing with my practice. This is what I came up with. Any comments or suggestions would be appreciated.
From an angle behind the ball, with my chest facing about 60 degrees to the right of target.
I am thinking of the right fore-arm flying wedge at this time. I aim clubface a little left of target with a forward leaning shaft.
I then step into stance with left foot, then right foot.
I take my left hand grip with flat left wrist in line with the club-face. I maintain this impact alignment.
Using extensor action, I waggle slowly feeling a slight left forearm swivel back, up, and in, and the right hand moving on plane. The feeling should be Slow, Deliberate and Heavy.
No body movement at all, feels like right arm is doing all the work. Right elbow folds, and then it straightens out.
Hi Rick,
Thanks for taking time to describe your procedure. You have asked for comments and suggestions. I have extracted the quotes above from your post and follow with my observations.
1. From an angle behind the ball, with my chest facing about 60 degrees to the right of target.
Assuming a Square Stance and Square Plane Line (toward the Target), the Shoulders (and Chest) should likewise be 'Comparatively Squared-Away' (10-8-A). This alignment will not prevent Educated Hands from making their mandatory Inside-Out, On Plane Impact (2-J-2 per 5-0).
2. I aim clubface a little left of target...
Absent the desire for special effects, the Clubface should be aligned Square to the Target on Short Shots, regardless of Hinge Action. This advice, given by Homer Kelley himself, conflicts with the normal Impact Alignments of 2-J-1. The reason is that the Ball is on the Face of the Club for a shorter distance in these Strokes, and thus there is no material difference between the Impact and Separation alignments.
3. Then step into stance with left foot, then right foot.
There is no 'right or wrong' here, but I would recommend stepping in with your Right Foot first. It opens you up to the Target and promotes the essential, On Plane 'Underhand Pitch Motion and Feel' (2-N-0).
4. I take my left hand grip with flat left wrist in line with the club-face. I maintain this impact alignment.
Considering your 'aimed left' Clubface, that would mean that your Left Wrist is now aimed left of the Target. Instead, the Flat Left Wrist -- and the Right Forefinger Clubhead Lag Pressure Point -- should be aligned to the right, down the Angle of Approach (7-2). The further back in your Stance you locate the Ball, the more the Clubface will be Closed to these Angle of Approach Alignments (7-11).
5. The feeling should be Slow, Deliberate and Heavy.
The Mantra of Execution is "Deliberate, Positive and Heavy" (3-F-6). I would caution against the thought "Slow". Instead, think "lighter" Lag Pressure (6-C-0-3). Lighter Pressure will automatically result in a slower Stroke, without the everpresent danger of Daintiness (6-C-2-D). Similarly, for increased Power, think "heavier" (increased Lag Pressure) not "faster" (2-M-2-1).
6. No body movement at all, feels like right arm is doing all the work. Right elbow folds, and then it straightens out.
Sounds like a nice little Hitting Stroke. You have described the Physics of the Action -- Right Elbow Bend and Straighten -- but don't forget to give that Stroke its essential Geometry -- Trace the Plane Line. And know that once the Stroke gets any longer than the two-feet Back-and-Through Basic Motion, the Body should begin its participation (between "Zero and Full" per 7-12 and, even with Zero Pivot, "partial, relative or total" per 3-F-5). First with the Shoulders, then the Hips. Always supported -- and stabilized -- by the Action of the Feet and Knees. Just when should this participation begin? According to Homer Kelley, "As soon as it becomes useful." Remember, even Hitters (with their driving Right Triceps) are not exempt from the requirements of the Pivot.
Hybrid Mode
