[coophitter]

Unfortunately, I think that this is a debate that can go around in circles, because there is no differentiation between the actual sequence of events, and the intent of the individual. In other words, many quality athletic motions, including the golf swing, start from the ground up, sequencing through the knees, hips, trunk, shoulders, arms, and hands. However, even though the swing is starting from the ground up, the intent of the golfer may be to move the hands/right shoulder/right forearm/left arm/whatever first, you know? In which case, both sides of the argument could be argued, with no resolution, because one is talking about feel, and one is talking about real, the irony being that both are right (in the proper context). Does that make sense?

Fortunately there is no debate that all earthly human movements are precipitated by a ground reaction force. However, this doesn't mean that a golf downstroke is started by the lower body. The downstroke may be described as a harnessing and redirection of a ground reaction force via muscularly driven levers which doesn't begin until the clubhead changes direction. The final muscularly driven lever that ultimately changes the direction of the club can be both hands working together as a force couplet. Of course there are many fine methods of beginning the downstroke wherein the hands are not the ultimate levers or lever to musculary cause the clubhead to change direction, I don't think there is any method whereby ground reaction force alone could cause the clubhead to change direction.

Looking at things your way Delaware is okay by me. I prefer to see the legs pushing into earth as the means to stop the backswing and create the necessary groundforce to facilitate rather than cause the downswing. Once that ground reaction force is created, a golfer can avoid, overpower, or harness it. You can always check your swing after you push into the earth. Using the hands as levers to iniate the change of direction of the clubhead is a superlative way to finalize the harnessing and redirection of the previously created ground reaction force. So start your downswing with your hands and you may do quite well. You may do well to change the direction of the clubhead with your right forearm or your pivot but even those forces must slow down and transfer their force into the hands before impact and even the hands must slow to transfer groundforce into the clubhead before a good impact can happen.

Delaware, you've done a fine job of trying to explain what words will never adequately explain. The human kinetic chain is a beautiful thing that really has no beginning or end until you are no longer able to move. Keep moving your ball the way TT said you could and you'll do better than most for many years to come. Hit it before it moves. Get that groundforce out of your body and into your ball as soon and as efficiently as you can. Be a muscular conduit. Thanks for courage and conviction.