July 16, 2018
P-3 Lead arm parallel to the ground in backswing
(P-3) Lead arm parallel to the ground in backswing
The lead shoulder rotates even lower and the trail shoulder stretches higher up, in and behind the neck line. The lead arm is now extended across the chest and parallel to the ground. At this point the wrists are about 85%-90% hinged. The lower body has become more involved in SUPPORTING the upper body’s rotation. The lead hip and knee have rotated on an inclined axis (flex of knees begin to change very slightly). We stress this incline because too many swing tips or players believe this rotation is LEVEL. The body does rotate more evenly relative to the bending forward at address. BUT definitely not level to the ground. The shoulders, hips and knees are rotating on an inclined axis relative to the inclines and bends established by address posture. Something to pay attention to here is the action of the knees. The knees definitely change flex during the backswing. The lead knee rotates inward and the trail knee begins to straighten and reduces SOME OF ITS FLEX established at address. When your knees work correctly, it allows your hips to correctly turn on the proper inclines. If most player’s knees remain in the same flex at address their hips will be too restricted which will then not allow the player to make a complete shoulder turn and finish their backswings. The secret is to learn how stabilize the knees against too much lateral sliding and use them as pumps to push against the ground.