The late Bobby Jones claimed that he always felt as though his swing was freewheeling through the impact area. I tried this as a swing thought today and definitely hit better shots. Any views on this?
Freewheeling through impact?
- Thread starter delc
- Start date
HawkeyeMS
Ryder Cup Winner
What does that mean exactly?
JohnnyDee
Tour Winner
What did he mean by that? I'm assuming "loose, relaxed and fluid"?
It makes sense I'd say, as my biggest fault when going through the horrors is gripping the club like I'm trying to throttle the life out of it. Inevitably this leads to a swing more like setting concrete through the hitting area.
It makes sense I'd say, as my biggest fault when going through the horrors is gripping the club like I'm trying to throttle the life out of it. Inevitably this leads to a swing more like setting concrete through the hitting area.
ManinBlack
Tour Winner
Here is a scientist who likens the swing to the working of a trebuchet https://www.tutelman.com/golf/design/swing1.php
It is a scientific fact that, as the hands approach the hitting area, they slow down and that the momentum released is fed to the clubhead. This is what happens when a ballet dancer pirouettes & draws her hands in & rotates faster. Especially in a swing where the arms & shoulders swing in the same plane the upper body & shoulders drive the arms, which, in turn drives the shaft & clubhead. The most efficient way of transferring the momentum of the arms / shoulders to the clubhead would be to have the wrists completely flexible, 100% friction free, like Iron Byron. I think this is what is meant by "freewheeling". The scientist quoted likens the club shaft to the rope on the trebuchet, saying that there is no force pushing on the rope & that any attempt to speed up the clubhead with the hands will actually slow down the clubhead. Very interesting.
Nicklaus once said he tried to hit a soft 3 iron by keeping his hands quiet & hit it so sweetly that it carried the green by 20 yards.
It is a scientific fact that, as the hands approach the hitting area, they slow down and that the momentum released is fed to the clubhead. This is what happens when a ballet dancer pirouettes & draws her hands in & rotates faster. Especially in a swing where the arms & shoulders swing in the same plane the upper body & shoulders drive the arms, which, in turn drives the shaft & clubhead. The most efficient way of transferring the momentum of the arms / shoulders to the clubhead would be to have the wrists completely flexible, 100% friction free, like Iron Byron. I think this is what is meant by "freewheeling". The scientist quoted likens the club shaft to the rope on the trebuchet, saying that there is no force pushing on the rope & that any attempt to speed up the clubhead with the hands will actually slow down the clubhead. Very interesting.
Nicklaus once said he tried to hit a soft 3 iron by keeping his hands quiet & hit it so sweetly that it carried the green by 20 yards.
One Planer
Global Moderator
I just make sure I keep rotating through the shot.
Not sure if this is what you mean Del?
Not sure if this is what you mean Del?
Foxholer
Blackballed
I'm almost certain that there are 2 reasons why this worked!
1. As MiB posted, the science behind it is sound!
2. Thinking that single, positive thought removes many destructive ones!
Just remember to have solid/braced wrists at impact, so that maximum energy is transferred to the ball, as opposed to lots being absorbed through the arms!
cliveb
Head Pro
If the golf swing is basically a double pendulum, that explains why it is so unreliable - the double pendulum is a classic example in physics of a chaotic system.
Noooo Gareth, get out quick, you shouldnt be in threads like this!
Absolutely, this is why people yearn for "timing". Its not just about the body turn, without the hands getting through and uncocking at the right time, it all goes to hell.If the golf swing is basically a double pendulum, that explains why it is so unreliable - the double pendulum is a classic example in physics of a chaotic system.
Parsaregood
Head Pro
It's clearly a 'feel' which is different for everybody. It's just a thought that helped him turn through the ball, that same thought won't work for everyone. It might though, you just have to find your 'feel'
