Mid body hands @ Set-up - Why?

[GaryRead]

Hi all,

I was just wondering what peoples own views were (especially mikes) on having the hands located mid body at setup with and if this applies to the majority of shots played, iron-driver etc.

It makes sense then that as the ball gets further forward than the centre, the shaft would lean away from the target.

IIRC Mr. Manzella recommeds this setup (perhaps only to those with faults that this can help address) and I read that if this setup is adpoted that the clubface should close ever so fractionally in proportion to the clabface when leant backwards as the clubface tends to open with forward lean, so it was a type of pre set position.

I only have an interest in this as i have recently adopted this in my swing and have seen mixed reseults. I used to have a forward leaning shaft with my irons as my hands were opposite my left thigh (right handed) and this gave me good results as it instilled the sense of a decending blow onto the ball that I do not get with mid body set up with irons.

Any views received with thanks.

Gary

P.s I will have a 'Decent' video of my swing up by this time next week for scrutiny - exciting!

[trickyric]

it helps you start the club back with your pivot which should create lag on the downswing.

[GaryRead]

Thanks for you reply TrickyRic,

I wonder if you or anyone else can go further to exaplain why mid body hands helps to start the club back with the pivot? Is it a case of sequencing and realtionship of parts in montion?

I wonder if mid body hands are also advantageous with shots that have little to no pivot - i.e pitch shots of 50 yards and in? in this case would impact hands at setup be more suitable?

[trickyric]

MJ has done some videos on this so search them out.
Having said that, on almost any shot using your pivot to move the club will result in solid contact and a pretty good shot.
I would also recommend that you get yourself an orange whip and maybe read a little about kinetic chain.

[Phana24JG]

Thanks for you reply TrickyRic,

I wonder if you or anyone else can go further to exaplain why mid body hands helps to start the club back with the pivot? Is it a case of sequencing and realtionship of parts in montion?

I wonder if mid body hands are also advantageous with shots that have little to no pivot - i.e pitch shots of 50 yards and in? in this case would impact hands at setup be more suitable?

Gary, a lot of the rules go out the window with less than full wedge shots. I have found I have the ball position, hands, weight, almost everything in different position based upon what I am trying to do, and how much bounce the wedge has, type of lie, etc. This part of the game is more like putting, yeah there are some basics, but you have to find what works for you.

With respect to full shots, if you have the hands forward and you try a pivot-initiated backswing, your brain tells you the hands are far behind, and I have found a tendency to pick the club up to "catch-up" and put a big twistaway on the backswing slamming the face shut. The next shot usually involves a chainsaw.

[Michael Jacobs]

Great question and great responses from the boys..

I have a sold out lesson day but I am going to do my best to do a quick office video on this subject as it is such a common question and would help so many

[GaryRead]

That would be great Mike,

looking forward to it.

[Michael Jacobs]

That would be great Mike,

looking forward to it.

Gary,

I gave a full answer in the latest office tip, which can be viewed in it's own thread or here:

Let me know if you have any more questions

[GaryRead]

Hi Mike,

Great video. If I had any further questions, it would be this,

You mentioned that all good strikers have their hands reach low point before the club head, and that the hands are going up and in whilst the club head is still traveling down and towards the ball, question is am I right in thinking that this is accomplished by or is a by - product of axis tilt.

As I stand here and try to get my hands to go up whilst the club head is still traveling down I find myself naturally tilting away from the target with my upper body, as my lower body moves target-ward. This tilt orientation seems to allow the hands and club-head to act as you explain?

Thanks

[trickyric]

dare I say revolutionary thinking?
I would really like to see this explained with a person actually hitting a ball.
I am intrigued.
ric