I have decided to start this thread because I thought that it may interest forum members to understand why some golfers may choose to use a reactive pivot rather than an active pivot in their golf swing. I will present my opinions on this issue, and you are free to agree, or disagree with my opinions.
I will start off by discussing the active pivot swing.
The active pivot swing is best exemplified by Ben Hogan in this swing video.
The pivot starts from the bottom-up - with a shift-rotation movement of the pelvis.
. . .
My personal approach is to use a reactive pivot action, and not an active pivot action.
I start my downswing by pulling (throwing) my hands straight down-and-out onto the plane in the direction of the ball (aiming point) before my torso moves reactively.
Jeff,
I sincerely wish I could interpret the excerpts from your post above as follows . . .
"Active" Pivot = Pivot-Controlled Hands.
"Reactive" Pivot = Hands-Controlled Pivot.
In both cases, the Pivot -- its Motion (7-12) and Action (7-15) -- is the same. The only difference is control.
Unfortunately, I don't think that was your intent. From your post, you clearly meant:
"Active" Pivot = Pivot leading Hands
"Reactive" Pivot = Hands leading Pivot
All of which begs the purpose of the Pivot itself:
Does the Pivot set up the circular motion of the stroke, and, coincidentally, Transport the Power Package . . . or does it not?
Does the rotor of a ceiling fan or heliocopter spin the blades . . . or does it not?
Does the body of the ice skater spin the arms . . . or does it not?
This argument has nothing to do with Power versus Accuracy. It has everything to do with Sequencing. And once the Body has entered the equation, its Components (Feet, Knees, Hips and Shoulders) must be sequenced within the overall Motion.
And that motion is sequenced Body-Arms-Hands -- Zones One-Two-Three -- NOTHands-Arms-Body (Zones Three-Two-One).
Yoda - yes. I definitely meant that the hands lead the pivot when I refer to a reactive pivot swing action.
I know that you strongly believe that the pivot must be the source of the energy/force that secondarily causes the arms to move in a circular motion and that the pivot represents the central torque generator which causes the kinetic sequence to operate in a set sequence - first lower body, then upper body and then the arms (like a figure skater spinning on the ice).
That's an active pivot swing, which is the best choice for flexible golfers.
However, I still believe that the reactive pivot swing is a viable option for elderly inflexible golfers. Jim Hardy uses the reactive pivot model in his Hardy 2PS model and Leslie King also uses this reactive pivot model in his arm swing model. It has many disadvantages, but it also has many advantages for golfers who cannot pivot correctly due to biomechanical limitations.
. . . I still believe that the reactive pivot swing is a viable option for elderly inflexible golfers. Jim Hardy uses the reactive pivot model in his Hardy 2PS model and Leslie King also uses this reactive pivot model in his arm swing model. It has many disadvantages, but it also has many advantages for golfers who cannot pivot correctly due to biomechanical limitations.
Sorry, Jeff . . . I don't buy it.
However inflexible, infirm, elderly or whatever . . .
The Body still 'sets' -- at the very least -- and the Arms and Hands 'Deliver'.
The dancer performing the horizontal eight dance certainly has hula hula flexibility.
What drill would you recommend for a golfer who has had spinal fusion surgery where all the lumbar vertebra were fused together preventing any rotary movement at the level of each lumbar vertebra? How can that golfer perform an active pivot golf swing that requires a moderate level of hula hula flexibility?
The dancer performing the horizontal eight dance certainly has hula hula flexibility.
What drill would you recommend for a golfer who has had spinal fusion surgery where all the lumbar vertebra were fused together preventing any rotary movement at the level of each lumbar vertebra?
I would recommend a seat directly opposite the dancer, a stiff drink -- just say "no" to the little umbrellas -- and an active #1 Accumulator (bending and straightening right elbow).
"The Body still 'sets' -- at the very least -- and the Arms and Hands
'Deliver'."
I don't know what you are implying.
Also, look at Shawn Clement swinging his arms back-and-forth in this sequence.
Do you think that the pivot is causing the arms to move, or does he simply swing his arms back-and-forth while his body reacts to the motion of the swinging club?
Also, look at Shawn Clement swinging his arms back-and-forth in this sequence.
Do you think that the pivot is causing the arms to move, or does he simply swing his arms back-and-forth while his body reacts to the motion of the swinging club?
Regarding Swing #1: For all the talk about "gravity", Shawn's Pivot is clearly delivering his unexpended Power Package into Release. Both in his prep and in the actual Stroke itself. All this with his 'Right Heel Down' homage to Moe Norman. Hey, Shawn's a Canadian, and I appreciate it. Looks good!
Regarding Swing #2: The prep for this swing shows exactly what an 'Arms and Hands leading, Body lagging' Stroke looks like. Powerless Throwaway. Ugh!
it.
Regarding Swing #3: Beware blind golfers. Especially those who want to play for big money . . . on their own course . . . at midnight!
Jeff . . . . look at this motion . . . it's won major smackers and a couple of majors . . . doesn't get his arm way in or up on the backstroke . . . Can probably beat all but 1% or maybe even 1/10% of the members on this website.
notice where his hands are at his top . . . just in of his torso . . . but he really releases #4 and he doesn't do much rotating at all . . . just kinda dippy slides it thru there . . . keeps it pretty much on the elbow plane the whole swing. You can get to his top . . . just take your arms in as much as you can without the left arm breaking down . . . AND TURN YOUR HIPS. Short arm swing = gooooooood. All that elbow releasing stuff is tough to return to the same spot every time.
__________________
Aloha Mr. Hand
Behold my hands; reach hither thy hand
Last edited by 12 piece bucket : 12-04-2008 at 10:32 PM.
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