Question from William: "Pro Contact"
Dear William:
This is an excellent question. Golf professionals
who succeed at making a living out of the game make a strong lateral
movement in the direction of the target with their lower body. This
lateral movement moves the center of mass to the left and causes
the hands to be to the left of their starting position when the ball
is struck. The effect of all of this is to deloft the club at impact,
create a descending pattern for the path through impact (with an
iron) and causes the bottom of the club to strike the ball just below
the equator.
All the above produces a shot that has
much more character than one struck by most amateurs. By character,
I mean that the ball comes off the face of the club faster and hotter
and with more backspin. This enables the professional player to go
for the pin on many occasions that the amateur player cannot even
facing a shot of the same or lesser distance. The professional action
also keeps the ball on line better because it is more lateral than
circular.
Most amateurs
employ their arms and wrists far too much and their legs far too
little and therefore make a lessor
lateral move. The result is that the amateurs "bottom of swing" is
further to the right than a professional's.
Because the professionals play as often
as they do and their work keeps them walking instead of sitting behind
a desk or riding, they are more flexible than the average amateur.
Occasionally I see this issue addressed in golf instruction articles
wherein the amateur is advised to swing around the body in a circular
path. The advice that should be given is to do some stretching exercises
and make the proper lateral motion through the swing.
The reason that the ball is placed further
to the left in the starting position for a drive is to avoid or at
least minimize striking the ball a descending blow with the driver
while in no way inhibiting the lateral move.
Golfingly Yours,
Bob Mann
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