I think you have said that when actually making a golf swing, the hinge is actually in the left hand, not in the left shoulder.
Where is the second pin located, that changes things from Horizontal Hinging or Vertical Hinging, to Dual Horizontal or Vertical Hinging, respectively?
Is the second pin just the left shoulder at our bent-over address position?
......
There is no hinge pin in the Left Wrist for Clubface control per 2-G. There is a hinge pin in the Left Wrist for Clubhead velocity control per 2-K.
What I said about the Left Wrist and Hinge Action is that, while the Hinge and its Pin are located in the Left Shoulder, the player's control is in the Motion that his Flat Left Wrist makes through Impact and the Follow-Through. Here the educated Flat Left Wrist reproduces the desired Clubface Motion --Close Only, Lay Back Only or Simultaneously Close and Lay Back -- by remaining Vertical to the Associated Plane of Motion.
The second pin you mention -- the one that attaches the 'Shaft' of the model Club to the Hinge in the Hinge Apparatus you built -- is there solely for the purpose of lowering the Clubshaft onto the Inclined Plane and then maintaining it there throughout the Impact Interval. Hence, it should be considered a secondary hinge controlling the Clubshaft and not the Primary Hinge controlling the Clubface.
This Pin can also be visualized at the Shoulder as illustrated in the two pictures (10-10-D and 10-10-E) on page 167 (6th edition). Note the double-headed arrow located on the Left Forearm in each illustration. The arrowheads indicate the Vertical motion of the Arm that allows it to lower from the Shoulder and thus postion the Clubshaft On Plane.
Also note that it is the large middle "dot" in the middle of the blade of the Primary Hinge that attaches the Angled Hinge and permits its Vertical motion toward the Plane. That "dot" is a vertical (to a wall) pin that permits the Angled Hinge (the Left Arm and Clubshaft) to belowered vertically to the Angled Plane.
The other two dots on the blades of both the 10-10-D and 10-10-E hinges are somewhat misleading as they are not 'fixed' and hence they do not restrict the Vertical motion of the Angled Hinge. This is in contrast to the three small dots on the blade of the two Hinges of 10-10-A/B that are 'fixed'and that therefore do not permit the Vertical motion of the secondary Angled Hinge that is necessary to produce the On Plane Clubshaft of the Dual Horizontal and Dual Vertical Hinges. Note that the pins are similarly fixed' in the Angled Hinge of 10-10-C. However, the Clubshaft is positioned On Plane none the less because the Angled Hinge Pin itself is positioned Vertically to the Angled Plane.
I know this must sound very confusing, but it just can't be written any clearer than I have done it. We'll be covering these ideas in the thread, and as your understanding evolves, come back to this post and try again.
I plan on getting Lesson Four posted tomorrow, and we should move along pretty quickly from there.
. I looked through 2 dictionaries and an online dictionary to confirm my original understanding. Their definition isnt what Homers was, or the one you posted.
However, that being the case, in my little yellow book, there is a definition that is readily availably for us to use, as you stated. And I suggest we use that (as you also stated). In fact, I now suggest that EVERYONE use glossary definitions before consulting with the dictionary - why? Because dictionary definitions are revised over time, and apparantly, the definition Homer used has fallen off the dictionary I have (and no less then 2 others, since they pm'd me saying my definition was exactly what they had).
-Patrick
....
Thanks for the post, Patrick. All this adds to our understanding, and that is The Big Deal.
All I can say is that I had great geometry classes in high school and am a Ramblin' Wreck from you know where, so this whole concept of being 'vertical to any plane' is as natural as breathing to me. [It does get more complicated when you are learning to execute each of the Three Planes of Motion on one Inclined Plane, but that is for this next week or two!]
Still, if you shoot an arrow directly into a book, and then turn the book horizontal to the ground, the arrow is vertical to the book. It you tilt the book at an angle, the arrow is still vertical to the book. If you position the book vertical, the arrow is still vertical to the book. Once you understand that we are talking about vertical to the book, then the meaning is clear. We are not talking about vertical in relation to anything else, just the book!
In fact, until I saw Martee's pictures with the now infamous "horizontal" hinge pin perpendicular to the vertical plane, I could not fathom where the conflict in perception was. But when I did, it helped me immensely to understand why ALMOST NOBODY I HAVE MET IN THE PAST 20 YEARS, INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE GOLFING MACHINE REALLY UNDERSTANDS THE HINGE ACTION CONCEPT. And yet, it is one of most important concepts in the Game. Again, with it, you learn the Scientific, Mechanical, and Feel basis to control the Clubface for the rest or your life. How important is that?
As far as dictionary defintions go, remember folks, Homer never just stopped at the first one. His position was that as long as ONE definition fit the criteria he needed to define his concept, that was good enough. I remember him saying:
"If there were seven definitions, and if number seven worked, that was good enough for me!'
So, in your research -- and, make no mistake, it is research -- look at all the definitions and then choose the one you feel fits best.
In this case, at least in my Webster (New World, 2nd College Edition), it is the 2 (b) definition. Now Yoda is no spring whatever -he - is, and this one is copyrighted 1970, so maybe things have changed. But I don't think so! Certainly, either the first or second definitions in www.Dictionary.com work. But for us, even if the definition has changed, it makes no difference. Because Vertical to the Three Planes of Motion is what it is all about in The Golfing Machine and The First Imperative. If you can't get this, you can never get The Golfing Machine. Never in a million years. It's as simple as that.
Now, this really isn't difficult. If I install a hinge (with its pin vertical)into a book and then turn the book every which a way, I haven't changed either the pin or the action of the hinge. All I have changed is the plane of motion. And applied to G.O.L.F., this concept will allow you to reproduce each of the Three Basic Planes of motion with your Clubface, while remaining on the same Inclined Plane of Motion. And that...Junior Jedi..is exactly what we're going to educate your Flat Left Wrist to do in the coming days.
Meanwhile, please don't tell all those people living on the Equator of this great round globe we call Earth -- who think they are vertical to a Horizontal Plane -- that they are really vertical to a vertical plane! Let's hear it for gravity!
Now, that's a small wrench of the concepts, isn't it!
I'm going to put these first lessons out in a 'bite-sized' format so you can get started immediately. While you're fiddling around with Hinges 'n Things, I can be writing the next lesson in the series.
First, get your T-Hinge (only). Leave everything else wherever it is. [Doug, you can take your stuff off the kitchen table if you need to ease the pressure!]
Notice that the hinge has three parts. From left to right we have:
(1) The hinge mount;
(2) The hinge pin; and
(3) The hinge blade.
Now, holding the hinge at about chest level, grasp the mount of the hinge with the thumb and four fingers of your left hand and the blade in your thumb and forefinger of your right. Got it? See, I told you this wouldn't be hard!
Now lets learn how the hinge works. Hold the hinge with its pin mounted vertically (at a right angle) to a horizontal plane --let's use the floor or a table top as a guide! -- and using your right hand, rotate the blade about its hinge. Back and forth and back and forth. Take the blade to its limit in both directions. Physically position the pin vertically to a horizontal surface, e.g., a table top or desk, if that helps. The blade is making the same horizontal motion as that made by a swinging door,right?
Notice three things:
(1) The blade always moves in a perfect circle around its pin;
(2) The blade always rotates at right angles (perpendicular) to its pin; and therefore...
(3) The blade is always vertical to its Plane of Rotation.
Holding the mount stationary, move the blade in a straight line. Trick instruction! Can't happen, right? Bummer!
Now try to move the blade in any way other than at right angles to its pin. Can't do that either, can you?
Now try to position the blade any way other than vertical to its plane of rotation. Sorry!
So, we now know how a hinge works when its pin is mounted vertical (perpendicular) to a horizontal plane (in our example reference, the floor or a table top).
Now let's see how a hinge works when we mount its pinvertical (perpendicular) to a vertical plane (for example, a wall). Still holding the mount and the blade as described, position the pin vertical to avertical plane. Physically put the pin vertical to the vertical physical surface of a wall if that helps.
Anyway, you now holding the hinge in such a way that it spin is no longer vertical to the horizontal plane (the floor) but is now vertical (perpendicular) to a vertical plane (a wall).
Now rotate the blade about the pin. Back and forth and back and forth. It is the same vertical motion a child makes on a swingset, right?
Notice three things:
(1) The blade always moves in a perfect circle around its pin;
(2) The blade always rotates at right angles (perpendicular) to its pin; and therefore...
(3) The blade is always vertical to its plane of rotation.
Holding the mount stationary, move the blade in astraight line. Trick instruction! Can't happen, right? Bummer!
Now try to move the blade in any way other than at right angles to its pin. Can't do that either, can you?
Now try to position the blade any way other than vertical to its plane of rotation. Sorry!
Does any of this sound familiar!
So, we now know how a hinge works when its pin is mounted vertically to a vertical plane (in our example reference, a wall).
Now let's see how a hinge works when we mount its pin vertical (perpendicular) to an angled plane (for example, a pitched roof or aloading ramp, but it could be any plane between horizontal (the floor) and vertical (a wall). You see, there is only one horizontal plane, and there is only one vertical plane. But...there are an infinite number of angled planes! For purposes of our experiment, choose the angle you like the best!
Still holding the mount and the blade as described, position the pin vertically to the angled plane of your choice. [Let the jury note that Yoda is not a The Way angled hinge rotator.] Physically put the pin vertical to some physical angled plane if that helps. For example, I just propped my thin yellow book The Golfing Machine up against my thick red dictionary. Looks like a yellow loading ramp and makes a very nice angled plane indeed. And I just positioned the pin of my hinge vertical to the little yellow book and can see clearly that the pin is vertical to an angled plane.
So, you now holding the hinge in such a way that its pin is no longer vertical to the horizontal plane (the floor) nor is it vertical to a vertical plane (a wall). Instead, the pin is vertical to an angled plane .
Now let's see how a hinge works when we mount its pin vertical (perpendicular) to an angled plane (for example, a pitched roof or a yellow book propped on a dictionary). Still holding the mount and the blade as described, position the pin vertical to the angled plane. Physically put the pin vertical to an angled plane surface if that helps. You are now holding the hinge in such a way that its pin is no longer vertical to the horizontal plane(the floor) and no longer vertical to a vertical plane (a wall). The pin is now vertical to an angled plane.
Now rotate the blade about the pin. Back and forth andback and forth. It is the same angled motion a paddle wheel would make if it were tilted from its normal vertical position, right?
Notice three things:
(1) The blade always moves in a perfect circle around its pin;
(2) The blade always rotates at right angles (perpendicular) to its pin; and therefore...
(3) The blade is always vertical to its Plane of Rotation.
Holding the mount stationary, move the blade in a straight line. Trick instruction! Can't happen, right? Bummer!
Now try to move the blade in any way other than at right angles to its pin. Can't do that either, can you?
Now try to position the blade any way other than vertical to its Plane of Rotation. Sorry!
Does any of this sound familiar!
So, now we know how a hinge works when:
(1) Its pin is mounted vertical (perpendicular) to a horizontal plane (the floor or table top);
(2) Its pin is mounted vertical (perpendicular) to a vertical plane (a wall); and
(3) Its pin is mounted vertical (perpendicular) to an angled plane (a pitched roof or ramp).
In other words, we have learned that "the blade of a hinge is always vertical to its Plane of Rotation" (Glossary /Hinge), no matter which of the Three Planes of Motion that happens to be.
Allright, guys. Mrs. Yoda has just informed me that we have dinner reservations with friends in thirty minutes. After a moment or two of questioning her priorities -- and her mine -- I have decided to pen this short note to get you started. I'll get back ASAP.
Hats off to Martee for providing the photographs in this post. He's done another excellent job and is contributing mightily to this study. Thank you, Martee!
Okay, get all your 'other' hinge stuff -- Doug, do you remember where you put yours? -- and let's get started. Here's what we'redoing.
First, we will assemble your 'model' Club. That is what the mending plates are for. Now, as you'll see in the picture below, Martee has some world-class plates. My own are a fraction of that size -- not quite an inch in width. So, if your's don't look like his, you are not alone!
Actually, other than being a bit less portable -- I like to keep mine in my Golf Bag for the 911 calls I get on the range -- they're great for our purposes. A nice big fat model Club. No missing this one and thePlane of Motion it will describe!
So, put your two mending plates together using your thumbscrews or wing nuts. Use the washers, too, because in Lesson Three, we're going to be adjusting the assembly some what, and we need to be able to stabilize the assembly in any configuration. Once you've got the two pieces bolted together, hold the 'Clubface' level to the ground and angle the "Shaft" somewhat to fit the Inclined Plane of your choice.
Once you built your model 'Club,' attach it to the Horizontal Hinge as shown in the photo. Use your thumb screw or wing nut for anice firm attachment. Once in this configuration, there should be no 'wobble' in the assembly.
Okay...get to work, and make yours look like this:
Now, keeping the integrity of the Horizontal Hinge and its Horizontal Plane of Motion -- in other words, keeping the Horizontal Hinge Pin VERTICAL to the ground...
Just mess with it.
Swing the little 'Club' back and forth from its Horizontal Hinge. Watch it move in a circle. Most of all...
WATCH THE CLUBFACE OPEN AND CLOSE.
No actual "Turning or Rolling" of anything, just the pure rotation of a Blade about its Hinge. And because the Clubface is now attached to the Hinge, it describes the same motion. The Clubface merely Opens and Closes. It does not lay back! Not in the slightest. And it won't. Why?
Because it is attached to the blade of a Horizontal Hinge. And a Horizontal Hinge blade stays vertical (perpendicular) to its own Plane of Rotation.
"I'm coming! Be right there! I know we're late! I've got responsibilities, for cryin' out loud!"
Gotta run. I'll post homework when I get back. See you soon.
Yoda,
You are "the Man"!!!!! I don't think i've never seen or met someone
that can explain the planes of motion like you can and i had geometry
classes myself. Keep up the good work.
rangerover
...
Thanks, Rangerover,
You asked for it! Tonight we're going to learn about Vertical Hinging and Clubface Layback.
For now, though, here is a mini-homework assignment for Lesson Two:
1. Write the following sentence five times. Then, repeat it from memory:
1-L #4 -- The Hinge Assembly controls the Clubface alignment.
2. Repeat Lesson One's term, example and definition from memory:
Hinge Action
The blade of a hinge is always vertical to its Plane of Rotation.
First, another Golfing Machine 'Hats off!' to Martee for his fine photos. Working only with Yoda's fax doodlings and telephone descriptions, he is making it possible for us to all be on the same page. Thank you, Martee!
Now down to business:
The Clubface can make only three motions through Impact -- Hood, Close and Layback (2-G). Hooding the Clubface means to reduce its normal loft angle, and since that effect can be achieved merely by selecting a lower Club number -- a six iron, for example, instead of a seven --it normally has limited usefulness. Except, of course for 'bragging rights' in the Men's Grill about that (Hooded) eight iron you muscled 170 yards into the 18th, instead of smoothing a six (with its true loft). Or, for true usefulness, to produce an above center Impact with the Putter and thus produce an Overspin (2-C-4 #2) as opposed to a No Spin (2-C-4 #1) or a Backspin(2-C-4 #3).
That leaves us with the two basic Clubface motions of Close Only and Layback Only. We have already discussed the Close Only motion that is produced by the Horizontal Hinge with its hinge pin and blade positioned vertical to the horizontal plane. Now we will discuss the Layback Only Motion of the Vertical Hinge.
The Vertical Hinge
Clubface Layback is produced when you position the hinge pin vertical to any plane other than the Horizontal. However, there is only one Plane of Motion in which there is only Layback, i.e., zero Closing. And that Plane of Motion is the Vertical Plane. To produce that purely Vertical Motion, you need only to install the pin vertical to the Vertical Plane. Then, the Hinge Blade and its Motion will remain Vertical to the Vertical Plane.
Just as there is only one Horizontal Hinge -- hey, we're getting pretty comfortable with the terminology here, aren't we! -- there is only one Vertical Hinge. As illustrated below, this Hinge produces an unmistakable 'Layback Only' Motion of the Clubface. Just as the Horizontal Hinge had zero Layback, the Vertical Hinge has zero Closing. Position the pin of your hinge apparatus vertical to a Vertical Plane and watch the Clubface only Lay Back as you rotate your model Club through 'Impact.'
Vertical Hinge Assembly
Hinge Pin Vertical to a Vertical Plane
Vertical Hinge
Top
Vertical Hinge
Impact Motion: Square to Square
Vertical Hinge
Follow-Through
The Angled Hinge
The Angled Hinge has its pin positioned vertical to any Plane lying between the two absolutes of the Horizontal and the Vertical. Therefore, it can be considered a hybrid whose Motion reflects the characteristics of both the Horizontal and the Vertical Hinge Motions, i.e., a composite Motion of simultaneous Close and Layback. Position the pin of your hinge apparatus vertical to an Angled Plane, and watch the Clubface simultaneously 'Close and Lay Back' as you rotate your model club through 'Impact.'
Angled Hinge Assembly
Hinge Pin Vertical to an Angled Plane
Angled Hinge
Top
Angled Hinge
Impact Motion: Simultaneous 'Close and Layback'
Angled Hinge
Follow-Through
One Motion on Three Planes
Now that we've got a handle on the Three Types of Hinge Action and the Motion each produces, let us reflect a bit.
No matter which Plane defines the Motion, the Action of the Hinge -- the Hinge Action -- remains identical. Recall from Lesson One:
1. The Hinge Pin is Vertical to the PlaneSurface.
2. The Blade moves in a circle around its Pin.
3. The Blade remains Vertical to its Plane of Motion.
So, the only thing that differentiates one Hinge Action from another is the Plane of Motion.
Read that sentence again.
Thank you.
And, we now know that we control that Plane of Motion by positioning the Hinge Pin vertical to one of Three Basic Planes. In so doing, we automatically produce a corresponding Clubface Motion:
1. Horizontal Hinge and Plane of Motion(Closing Clubface Only).
2. Vertical Hinge and Plane of Motion (Laying Back Clubface Only).
3. Angled Hinge and Plane of Motion (Simultaneous Closing and Laying Back Clubface).
You now know the scientific and mechanical basis of precision Clubface Impact Alignments. The concepts you have learned do not exist outside the privileged world that is The Golfing Machine. And because you now know the precise mechanics, it will be possible to Translate them into describable sensations (1-J) -- Feels that are describable to and by the individual player. And that player, my friend … is You!
Our next step is to learn how to use your Flat and Vertical Left Wrist to replicate the Mechanical Motion of each of the Three Hinge Actions.
The goal is to convert our carefully developed G.O.L.F. Engineering System into your eagerly awaiting G.O.L.F. Feel System. When that happens, you will have gained total control of the Clubface for the rest of your life.
I was showing a friend some of the dowel drills you have mentioned in past posts. The drills have helped immensely in checking alignments and the setup of the flying wedges.
When my friend tried using the dowels it was readily apparent that his accumulators are releasing too soon. Due to the length of the dowels and his premature release, he was striking the ground with the dowels.
This additional benefit of using dowels didn't occur to me until I saw the problem my friend had. He was releasing accumulator #4 from the top of his downswing. After showing him what he needs to do, he went to the range and called me excitedly mentioning he wasn't hitting fat shots and getting increased distance.
....
First time I've heard that one, Ed. You never can tell where the next 'dowel idea' will come from. I find new drills and miscellaneous teaching applications for them all the time!
That said, readers often ask for 'the basics' of the training. Or, in the words of my good friend drewitgolf, how to "do well with the do-wels." Here is a primer that will help.
Start with two dowels (5/8" X 48"), and take one in each Hand. Grip down 8-10 inches on each, with the Left Arm Dowel under the Left Hand heel and the Right Forearm Dowel in the Right Hand cup (lifeline). Holding the dowel in the cup of the Right Hand will feel a bit awkward at first, but you'll soon get used to it.
1. Align the Left Arm Dowel so that it passes directly under the Flat Left Wrist and Forearm. Thus, both the Left Arm and the dowel will lie in the same Vertical Plane -- the Plane of the Left Wristcock Motion. Maintain this alignment throughout the exercises. [Remember, Cocking and Uncocking the Left Wrist are Vertical Motions, even when executed on an Inclined Plane.] Note that the Left Arm clearly is not on the same Inclined Plane with the dowel at Address. Instead, because the dowel is gripped under the heel of the Hand, the Left Arm points well below the plane of the dowel.
2. Align the Right Forearm Dowel so that it is On Plane with the Right Forearm. Bend the Right Wrist -- but do not cock it! -- so that the top of the dowel points well to the left of the Right Forearm. [Remember, Bending and Flattening are Horizontal Motions whereas Cocking and Uncocking are Vertical Motions.] Maintain this alignment throughout the exercises. Note that the Upper Right Arm clearly is not on the same Inclined Plane as the dowel. Because the Right Arm is Bent at the Elbow, the Upper Right Arm points well below the plane of the dowel.
3. When the Left Arm Dowel and the Right Forearm Dowel are brought together, the Left Wrist remains Flat (and the dowel continues to be In-Line with the Left Forearm) and the Right Wrist remains Bent (and the dowel continues to be On Plane with the Right Forearm). Accordingly, at Address, your Right Elbow will be Bent and your Right Forearm will be below your Left.
Static Exercises. Grip both dowels in the manner described for 3-5 minutes each day for the next three weeks. Look at each independent of the other. Study them -- in front of you waist high in the Horizontal Plane and also on the Angled Plane of the Stroke. Position them one-against-the-other in an Impact Fix. Position them one-against-the-other at the Top. Position them one-against-the-other at the Finish. Look, Look LOOK and make sure you are maintaining their respective alignments.
Dynamic Exercise. Hold your Left Arm dowel in its Impact Location and take your Right Forearm dowel (and its Frozen, Bent Right Wrist) in a 'direct path' -- on the Plane established by the Right Forearm -- to the Top (of the Straight Line Delivery Path [10-23-A]). Make sure that your Right Forearm Turns and Fans and that the Right Wrist maintains only its Right Wrist Bend (and does not Cock). Then return it on the same 'direct path' to its Impact Location touching the Left Arm dowel. Keep your Head still. Watch yourself make this move in a mirror (front and down-the-line view). Repeat this move -- your new Basic Motion -- over and over until it becomes second nature.
Your game will change.
Promise.
Below The Belt
Regarding the Lower Body's participation in this fundamental Motion...
First, remember that the correct Pivot demands a Fixed Point on Both ends. So, the Head will remain Stationary and, to a large degree, so will the Feet. Both Feet will remain Flat on the Ground, and even Rolling should be only enough to maintain your Balance.
On the Backstroke, your Weight will Shift, the Right Hip will Clear (straight back), and your Left Knee will accomodate that Motion by rotating slightly inward and forward. On the Downstroke, the Weight will once again Shift as the Hips Slide and Turn slightly. These motions should not be exaggerated, and thus the Body will remain 'comparatively Squared Away.
Both Knees will remain Bent throughout (Right Anchor per 10-16-C) and will rotate slightly as you enter the 'Sit Down' position. The angle of the Right Leg (to the ground) will remain constant on the Backstroke and shift slightly forward on the Downstroke to accomodate the Hip Slide.
In short, your Feet and Knees -- collectively the Legs -- support the Motion. The Right Hip Clears a path for the Hands to be taken Up Plane by the Bending Right Elbow and Foream.
How about a loaded question to kick off this board!!!
Can you describe Hogans swing? His swing is probably the most studied golfswing in the world. I would appreciate your take on it.
Bagger
A description of Ben Hogan's Swing?
In one word: Powerful.
In another word: Accurate.
In an all-inclusive third: Efficient.
But it wasn't always that way. At first long and loose, his Total Motion became a Darwinian case study in the Evolution of a Golf Stroke. By the end of his career, all unnecessary frills had been stripped away. Unless something had to move, it didn't. Ben Hogan sought Golfing Perfection, and in that pursuit there was only utility. Form followed Function. Or was jettisoned.
His Hands, which early on traveled to an End Top behind his Head, ultimately found their Top at Right Shoulder High and On Plane. His Lower Body, formerly dominated by extremely active Feet and Knees, became a stable Platform from which to mount the powerful assault of his Arms and Upper Body upon the Ball. His Grip evolved from a Turned Left Wrist and its Double Wristcock Action (Cock and Bend) to a Vertical Left Wrist and a Single Action (Wristcock Only).
In short, without the benefit of today's Swing coaches, psychologists and trainers, Ben Hogan realized his dream: Driven by a burning desire and working only with his own God-given gifts and The Dirt, he became a Golfing Machine. And in so doing, he lit the lamps along Golf's Pathway for future generations to follow.
That torch has now been passed, and the mission of Lynn Blake Golf is to continue the pursuit of Golfing Perfection. Most of all, we are dedicated to helping you find its application to your Game. Armed with our own burning desire and the practical, working knowledge of Homer Kelley's magnificent work The Golfing Machine, we boldly set forth on this uncharted journey.
Linear Mode
