start down waggle
 

I did a thread search on "start down waggle" but came up empty. I have heard this term before, but don't recall it being discussed at Old Waverly. And although I have read the book, somehow this is a point I have missed. Is this important, and why? John and/or Lynn--please expand.:study:

Going down?
 

3-F-5, last paragraph :study: .

Getting Through the Start Down
 

Hi David,

I know I've written on this subject, but not sure where. Maybe someone could help us here. I did demonstrate the Start Down Waggle (3-F-5) from the front of the Lesson Tee at Old Waverly and used it repeatedly with various students during the class. However, with the emphasis on the action itself, I'm not surprised the terminology slipped by.

The Start Down Waggle is a deliberate rehearsal of the Lag Loading Action from the Top and the ultimate cure for Downstroke Blackout and Clubhead Throwaway (6-D-0). Use the Pivot to Pull the Butt of the Club toward the Plane Line (until the Hands are well into their Downstroke 'Slot') and then return to the Top. Repeat several times in a pumping motion. Unless the Waggle is taken through the Release, the Power Package will remain fully Assembled, i.e., the Left Wrist will remained Cocked and the Right Elbow will remain Bent. Extensor Action is mandatory throughout the Motion.

A real key here is to make sure that the Right Shoulder remains back (On Plane) and turns directly toward the Ball. This will provide the On Plane Transportation the Hands need to do their work. Remember the words of Homer Kelley (3-B):

"Those who work constantly -- and fruitlessly -- on Address, Body and Impact actually lack Educated Hands to get them through Start Down -- invariably."

I don't get that quote Lynn....?

I guess he's referring to a pure Pivot Controlled type golfer? All "flail" w/ no concern even as to what the hands are doing?

Educated Hands Rule In the Start Down
 

What Homer is saying is that the Hands must remain On Plane during the Start Down, and they must dictate that alignment to the Pivot. Their relationship is with the Plane Line, not with the Body.

If the Right Shoulder comes off the Plane during the Start Down, it takes the Hands with it. And this is what happens with most golfers. The Hips and Shoulders turn back to the Ball together, the Right Shoulder Turns Off Plane -- it does not stay 'back' -- and the Hands follow. The player must learn to turn his Hips independent of his Shoulders -- Hula Hula flexibility (7-13) -- and thus avoid Roundhousing and its inevitable Clubhead Throwaway. Then and only then will the Hands be able to travel down their Delivery Path toward Impact.

Thanks Lynn. I will review this section and work on this. I know that one of my struggles ON THE COURSE is to avoid "downstroke blackout" while maintaining a nonmechanical "unconcious competence" target/shot awareness. I think Homer's term downstroke blackout is so right on, because in a nutshell it is why my game on the course is NOT my game on the range (at least with regards to ballstriking!). Does anyone else experience this? I would be interested to hear how a tour pro approaches this--John?:think:

Master Yoda,

It's Bagger hanging out with Mozart in Vienna.

There is a wonderful picture of you and Hogan on the Gallery homepage demonstrating your respective start down and release sequences.
Can you touch on the "sag" element of Hogans start down and how extensor action is applied during this motion?
It would be music to mine ears.

Danke Shun,

Bagger

Downstroke Sag
 

Guten Tag, Herr Bagger!

There is a letter floating around the Internet (of doubtful authenticity) in which Ben Hogan describes the 'sag' of the Left Side as the Club moves away from the Ball and the Head remains still. I don't disagree with that description, but again, I would not attribute it to Hogan without further investigation.

So, the 'sag' attributed to Hogan is Backstroke 'sag'.

And then there was an imminent figure in golf in the 1920s and '30s named Seymour Dunn. And Seymour -- I wonder what his buddies called him! :) -- was a major advocate of Downstroke 'sag', the increased Wrist Cocking of Accumulator Lag during the Start Down.

It is to Seymour's sag that you refer, and it is that I will address. In my next post...

'Cuz dinner is ready, and I've got to go get it!

BTW, Paul Bertholy called Downstroke Loading -- Seymour's 'sag' -- the Master Move.

And as I wrote earlier today, Homer Kelley said the average guy is hopeless because he lacks Educated Hands to get through the Start Down.

It's all the same thing. :)

Later!

Look forward to it.
I've seen your extensive library of golf instruction books and articles.
That pigeon hole that some would like to put you in might have a mirror inside.
:rolleyes:

Bagger

Search Engine Not Working?
 

I did a search on "pivot" by YodasLuke and got nothing. There must be an issue with the Search Engine