Is extensor action at address ok?
 

Is it correct to apply extensor action at addresss before the club is taken away?

Oh yes
 

That's the trick. It may feel awkward at first, but after a while you'll do it automatically & never leave home without it.

The "checklist for all shots" section towards the end of the book has Extensor Action all over it. For a reason.

What is Extensor action at address
 

By this do you mean stretching out of the left arm towards the ground.?

Is this what Tom Tomasello describes in the drill on his video (chapter 2 ARMS) when takes the left wrist in the right hand and first stretches it towards the ground?

I think it makes my "power package" more stable when I have extensor action at address. I think I'll make it part of my pre-shot routine

Exactly. If you think of the left arm as a piece of rope; the right hand keeps the "rope" taut using extensor action via PP#1.

To make it less dramatical, extensor action is a general medical/anatomical term - sort of. An extensor muscle is a muscle that has has the purpose to open a joint, increasing the angle between the limbs attached. So extersor muscles are used to straighten fingers and straighten legs. In TGM Extensor Action refers to the (deliberate) action performed to increase the angle between the right forearm and upper arm - thus using extensor muscles.

So where does the resulting force end up?

When Hitting the pressure is applied through PP#1 and down the shaft. When Swinging the pressure is applied through PP#3 and down the shaft. In both cases the effect will be the left arm (the primary lever) being extended to straight.

I am not the right person to list all the benefits of EA, but maybe the most obvious ones are:
- Creating width
- Presetting alignments at Impact Fix and make sure we keep the alignments during the swing.

Again in Homers checklist he wants you to make sure about EA in some 9-10 places during the swing.

If there is no Extensor Action we - for example - need hand-eye coordination and manipulation to hit the ball solidly. But if we apply it at setup - and keep it - we "know" we will hit the ball solidly, since the left arm will want to extend at impact anyway.

A few extensor muscles shown here:

Extensor Action -- Stroke 'Glue'
 

There are 45 items in the Mechanical Checklist for all Strokes (12-3). In all but three Sections of the Stroke -- Preliminary Address, Adjusted Address and the Finish -- Extensor Action is listed as a 'check' item. In other words, Extensor Action is present from Start Up to the end of the Follow Through. Including Impact Fix, that would be nine Sections, or 20 percent of the 45-item Checklist.

[Extensor Action also may be present in Adjusted Address, but it is not listed as a check item. That is because Extensor Action fully-applied would Flatten the Left Wrist. This is acceptable for Hitters using Impact Address (10-9-B) but not for Swingers using Standard Address (10-9-A).]

Bottom line: If you integrate Extensor Action into your Total Motion, you are well on your way to a sound Golf Stroke.

Just when i thought i was getting it the fog descends
 

Hi metallion,

I must admit your post has confused me. I'm a swinger and have been applying extensor action through PP#1, is this wrong? I also don't understand how extensor action could be applied by using PP#3 as it is behind the shaft?

Cheers,

Danny

Greenjeans . . .

Could you speak a bit more about the Swinger beginning from Adjusted Address and apply EA during Start Up? Also, how does EA Flatten the Wrist?

Thanks!

BBBBBBBBBBBuuuuuuuucccccccccckkkkkkkkkeeeeeettttt

Yes but the stretch off pp3/1 is not in any old direction towards the ground - its towards the impact point plane line.

The Direction Of Extensor Action Stretch
 

Except with Zero #3 Accumulator, the stretch (Non-Accelerating Thrust) of Extensor Action -- whether executed by Pressure Point #3 or #1 or both -- is not On Plane, i.e., toward the Impact Plane Line. Instead, it is Below Plane -- in the direction the Left Arm is pointing.

Extensor Action Takeaway
 

I've got a post out there somewhere on this.

Bottom line is that, immediately during Start Up, the Right Thumb and Forefinger simply pulls the Clubshaft into line with the Left Arm (thereby Flattening the Left Wrist). This action can be all the Backstroke necessary for Putts, Chips and short Pitch Shots beginning from a Classic Adjusted Address (Bent Left Wrist).

In longer Strokes, the Extensor Action Takeaway can be executed with enough authority to 'throw' the Club all the way to the Top.

Extensor tension
 

Thanks for the replies.

In my quest to go from pivot controlled hands to hands controlled pivot Im working on extensor action.

The trouble I have though is that extensor action creates tension in my arms and hands and I lose the bend in my right wrist and cannot get any lag. I'm using PP#1 and having a feeling of stretching the left thumb down the shaft, picking the right forearm up the plane and then driving it down through impact.

Is this just something I need to work on more until I can do it without tension or am I doing it wrong? Has anyone else experienced this?

Learning Extensor Action
 

Daz,

Though you will have to 'think about it' at first -- there is no other way -- Extensor Action soon should become an 'imbedded' Feel (and not something you consciously strive to achieve).

Do this for me:

Without a Club, simply grasp your Left Wrist with your Right Thumb and Forefinger. Your Right Arm will be well-bent at the Elbow. Now, use that Right Thumb and Forefinger (via Right Triceps Extensor Action) to 'stretch out' your Left Arm. Don't overdo it; simply tug gently on your Left Arm.

That is the Feel of Extensor Action.

No more.

No less.

Now, use your Right Forearm and Elbow Action to take your Hands -- and with them, your stretched Left Arm -- to the Top. Don't 'work' your Body hard to do this...it should be relatively passive. Simply use your Right Arm to swing the Left Arm across the chest and your Hands to your Right Shoulder.

Maintain the 'tug' on your Left Arm throughout the Motion.

Then, swing down from the Top to the end of the Follow-Through (Both Arms Straight position). Hold your Follow-Through for a few seconds and again, maintain the Left Arm 'tug'.

Close your eyes and repeat the Motion. Feel the Active Right Arm. Feel it 'stretch' the Left.

Soon, these Feels will become integral to your Golf Stroke.

Just as does a computer Operating System, your Extensor Action will run silently but efficiently in the background of your Total Motion.

And life will be good...

:)

I didn't know this - way cool :)

Extensor Action and Accumulator #1
 

Exactly.

When I first learnt about this, I thought 'cool, but how's this going to be useful for my own swing'.

After a bit more incubation, I realised that that's one of the ways you can differentiate between an Active Right Arm Thrust and Extensor Action. You can feel the Right Arm Thrust going directly at the Ball, whereas the stretch of Extensor Action is clearly below Plane. Learn to feel the difference! It’s very useful especially if you’re Swinger because you don't want to be inadvertently activating that Fourth Barrel (Accumulator #1)!

extensor action PP#3
 

Can anyone tell me how you can execute extensor action with Pressure Point #3? I just can't understand how it works as Pressure Point #3 is behind the shaft.

Thanks,

Danny

Pressure Point #3 and Extensor Action
 

Pull your Left Arm straight by using your Right Forefinger and Thumb. That's the Pressure Point #3 application of Extensor Action. It pulls the whole of your Primary Lever Assembly (the Left Arm and Club) taut, which may inhibit Left Wrist Cock.

Many thanks
 

Lynn this is great thank you. Thats my weekend practise planned.!

Can Extensor Action Trigger Takeaway?
 

(Bold by Sean)

Can extensor action be used to trigger the takeaway?

If so is it a good procedure?

Extensor Action At the Top And During Start Down
 

Tongzilla is correct in his response regarding the use of Pressure Point #3 to create Extensor Action, especially his comment regarding inhibiting the Left Wrist Cock.

Personally, except for Extensor Action Takewaway, I find it much easier to create (and teach) Extensor Action using Pressure Point #1 (the heel of the Right Hand pushing against the Left Hand thumb).

It is particularly effective to feel this 'Right Arm Pushaway / Left Arm Stretch' at the Top. Practice daily the Start Down Waggle while applying Extensor Action 'Push / Stretch'. The combination of the two is the first Check Item at the Top in the Mechanical Checklist For All Strokes (12-3 / Section 6).

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////

Could it be that HITTERS ARE BETTER STRETCHING THE ARM WITH #1, AND SWINGERS WITH #3, OR IS THIS JUST A PREFERENCE? HOW ABOUT A COMBINATION OF 1 AND 3?

Moe Norman had one of the best strokes in terms of precision. When asked what was the most important thing he said "full extension back and through". When you think about it the extension is the extensor action and tracing of this point is back and through but there is another part of this where he says "full". The plane is infinate and the plane line is infinate also.... You should be trying to trace back along that line to infinity also....this way your hands will never be "out of bounds".

Tiger Woods talked alot about width when he was winning alot in 2000. I remember watching him drive a 330+ yard drive over the green to what to me looked like a super short backstroke (and woods has no flexability troubles...lol).

Jack Nicklaus said he took it straight back with plenty of width. Again this is the same thing.

I also think most people try to overload accumulator no.2 IMO. Leadbetter and other pop instructors from the golf channel have bought into this idea you need to set the wrists to a 90 degree angle yet if it wasn't for the front perspective distorting what you see, I bet you would see alot less than a 90 degree angle (more like 70ish) in historys best ballstrikers or they have a way to really stretch from the top to the end and load that accumulator to the maximum. What you are looking for is the purity of the clubhead orbit being onplane, not setting accumulators to the max. If the impact fix degree of flat and wristcock motion that is completely vertical is rigidly maintained during the entire stroke (1 of 2 ways I can see it being done) then the wristcock is also got to comply co-ordinately with no.3 with that plane because the left arm is above plane and the left flying wedge goes into the plane at an angle.... just like if you set that flail in 2k on the floor with a full wristcock and tilted it up - that clubshaft can't uncock into the floor.

Could the incorrect directional application of extensor action (i.e. directing it toward the plane line rather than below plane) cause the club to get too flat from start down into release? Although I'm able to go from start up to top staying nicely on plane, I've always fought a tendency to have the club move under-plane from start down to release (a Sergio like motion). I just grabbed a club trying to feel proper extensor action, and I can see that my natural tendency is to direct that stretching direction toward the plane line. :think:

CG

Trace your toe line with your extensor action and monitor where your HANDS are for plane angle. You will notice this will get your plane angle closer to where it should be and not as flat as you describe.

Interesting note - I was watching Lori Kane yesterday on the range at Kingsmill and noted that she was basically having this exact issue (too flat of plane) - and this lead to a small amount of 'round housing' - the only shot she could hit well was a blocked out slight fade or a 'very' solid and strong pull draw.

And all she needed was to get her plane angle up a bit.

What her caddy was showing her was making the problem worse (horizontal swings, very 'round' motion)

Forget about the club - the HANDS are what should be monitored per 5-0.

Other Way
 

//////////////////////////////////////////////
EdZ, and others,
What do you do for the MANY players that come down the other way... TOO STEEP?

Wow. Great point. Never realized that before. Seems PP1 Extensor Action is the way to go.

Good suggestion Ed. I just tried that sensation out and it looks like it has potential. I still haven't gotten myself to totally trust "monitoring my hands", even though I know better.

Thanks,

CG

I haven't been reading this too much...odd things....but someone reminded me of this...

Ever notice that you can Extensor Action-ize your left arm with the right hand off the club?

I don't doubt that the right hand stretches too...hell- it definately does...you can feel it....

But I can EXTENSORIZE my left arm by itself.

...

The only thing that comes to mind is that this could inhibit your looseness.

Depends on the cause, be it:

setup (high right forearm)
underplane/over roll backswing
bad Rhythm ("starting to hit")

Generally, drills which focus on the 'out' of "down, out and forward" or the 'down' while keeping the shoulders from opening too quickly.

Pump drill etc.
Left hand only or right hand off through impact.

Clearing the right hip going back, or even an 'exaggerated' FULL ROLL, which gets them to hit solid pulls, and then add the 'out to first base' or Wally Armstrong's "Kicking a soccer ball" images to get them hitting the inside of the ball and sweep hooks.

Lots of potential variables and solutions depending on the student and their specific trends.

But that doesn't create rigidity in the entire Power Package.

I have to agree. I've said before to use the #3 pressure point and right hand thumb, but the harsh reality is that the direction of stretch is more or less On Plane. The #1 pressure point directs the extensor action below plane where it belongs and is unwavering during the Takeaway and Backswing. The direction of pull seems always down the left arm (wherever the left arm is pointing) and, there is less confusion in the duties of the #3 Pressure Point.