[Yoda]

I have in my mind a question for a long time regarding the RFT. In "The Address Routine video", Yoda and Jeff Hull and Ted all together talking about the takeaway. It is easy to understand that Hitter pick the thing up and drive it down...for swinger, hands are leading both ways... should we pick the rope handle? Or do RFT compatible to swinging procedure?

This whole idea of the Right Arm Takeaway is so much simpler than most people want to make it.

As the Body Turns (and thus provides the circular motion necessary for the Stroke), both Hitters and Swingers use an active Right Arm and Elbow to lift the Left Arm and Club to the Top. Since one arm or the other (or both) must ultimately lift the Club -- really, how else will you get it off the ground? -- then the only alternative to Right Arm Lift is Left Arm Lift (or some combination of the two). The motion is not at all complicated. It is the same used when you wind up to throw a ball (only the plane of motion is different).

But getting the Club off the ground is only half the story. You must also guide it in its precise On Plane Path, and here the Right Arm reigns supreme. As the player lifts the Club, he simultaneously uses the Right Forearm and Clubshaft (ideally the Forearm's In-Line Extension) to direct the Sweetspot Up Plane. As the Elbow Action lifts, the Right Forearm guides. What could be simpler?

Sure, you can lift the Club with your Left Arm -- if you are strong enough -- but since the Left Arm points below Plane, its guidance function is suspect. One thing is for sure: You cannot lift the Club with the Body. Unaided by the Arm's Lift, the Turning Body will simply drag the Club back along the ground and sharply to the inside. So, sooner or later, the Arms must lift. 'Sooner' puts the Club On Plane. 'Later' puts it Under Plane.

Now, directly to your question and the manner in which the Right Arm Takeaway differs between Hitters and Swingers:

The Hitter must set up a Carry Back Motion (of the entire Left Arm-Clubshaft unit) that Loads the Right Elbow (for Muscular Drive-Out Action). In contrast, the Swinger must set up a Swing Back Motion (of the Club itself) that Loads the Left Wrist (for Centrifugal Throw-Out Action). Hence, the Swinger will sense and visually exhibit more of a Drag Back than will the Hitter.

As a final appeal to those who would understand the nature of Right Arm Participation in the Backstroke, let me close with a real-life story. In 1972, then 42-year-old Gene "The Machine" Littler was diagnosed with cancer of the lymph system. The recommended surgical procedure to remove the cancerous lymph node in the upper left chest was radical: Node, glands (also in the upper left arm) and surrounding muscle would be cut out. Told he must choose between what would be left of his professional golf career and saving his life, Gene chose life, and the surgery was done.

But this story has a happy ending. The following year, while still in recovery and before he could lift his left arm above his waist, he won again on the PGA TOUR. On the Backstroke, his strong Right Arm swung the Club Up, Back and In -- On Plane. From the Top, his wonderful Pivot, specifically the Right Shoulder (and not his disabled Left Shoulder), drove his virtually useless Left Arm into Release. Centrifugal Force powered his Swinging Club, and his Right Forearm provided its On Plane guidance through Impact.

Asked about the victory in spite of his disability, Gene said simply:

"I never knew the right arm was so important."

He would go on to win four more PGA TOUR events, earn a berth on the 1975 Ryder Cup team and, in the sunset of his career, win eight times on the Senior Tour.

The message is clear...

You have a Pivot.

And a Right Arm.

Use both.