Tripod Center Vote

[Yoda]

The Pivot is a two-way street -- back and through. What is the big deal of keeping the head in the center with very little axis tilt to the Top if you're just going to have to add a lot more axis tilt and move the head to the right on the way back to the ball, as Casper obviously does in the sequence on page 124 - 125. His head is almost over the inside of his right foot in the bottom left photo on p. 125. [Bold by Yoda]

In the Billy Casper Long-Iron sequence of post #27 above, did his Head Sway? Or did his Right Foot Slide?

For the answer, compare the Stance Width in the Release photo (the first at the top of page 125) with the Follow-Through and Finish photos at the bottom.

Long-time followers know that Billy's Full Stroke is characterized by a pronounced slide of his Right Foot during Release. That pronounced slide of the Foot (as motivated by the Hip Slide) may have been motivated by Billy's extremely Turned Left Hand in the Grip. Or it might simply be the result of personal preference. In any event, the "parallel to the Delivery Line" slide of both Hip and Foot is extremely compatible with his Turned Left Hand and "shut" Clubface technique.

For an example of a Head Pivot Center without the excessive Hip Slide and accordingly, without the excessive Foot Slide, see the Hogan sequence in post #26. With his neutral Grip and Vertical-to-the-ground Flat Left Wrist during the Follow-Through, Ben's Head is Centered both at the Top and at Impact.

Or, check out Casper's Pitch Shot sequence, where the momentum of the shorter Stroke is not sufficient to generate the excessive Hip and Foot Slides of his Full Stroke.

The bottom line is that the Head Pivot Center does not require that the Head move well back toward the Right Foot in order for the Hip Slide to effect Axis Tilt. In fact, by definition, it prohibits it.

Remember, TGM does not mandate a fixed Pivot Center. However. if you forgo its advantage, you will, in the words of Homer Kelley, "have to pay the price." For those who would utilize a Pivot Center, all that is required is that "some point on the body be kept stationary throughout the Stroke to limit the motion." He gave us specifically two options: the Head (including its Pivot-on-the-neck capability per 1-L #2) and the point-between-the-shoulders. He recommended the Head Center but in no way mandated it (2-H). So, pick whichever Center you want, and then...

Keep it as still as your own humanity and golfing skill allows.