[innercityteacher]

Training the Uppercut

Originally posted by Yoda


Good question.

In The Golfing Machine, the Three Stations are the Address (8-01/2/3), the Top (8-6) and the Finish (8-12) The goal is to be as preparedas possible before Start-Up, as precise as possible through the Topand as smooth and complete as possible through Impact to the properposition at the Finish.

Note that Impact (8-10) does not enjoy the rank of a Station. It simply"gets in the way" of your Delivered Clubhead. And you use theThree Zones (Chapter 9) to train your Machine to operate without interferencefrom either Club or Ball. In Zone #1 (Body / 9-1), for example, youlearn your Pivot motion without the Arms and Club to avoid awkward"hitches." In Zones #2 (Arms / 9-2) and #3 (Hands / 9-3) you learnto make their Motions without a Ball to avoid Throwaway (4-D-1) andSteering(3-F-7-A). So, once you've established your Impact Fix alignments(2-J-1) -- this is where you nail that inside-aft quadrant! -- the Ball becomesirrelevant. It could be there. Or not be there. Practice Stroke (3-F-5-1)or for real (12-5-3).

Once you've determined your Fix alignments, the Aiming Point (6-E-2)replaces the Ball. You now direct the Lag Loading (7-19) of the #3 PressurePoint at the Aiming Point as if it were the Ball. This Aiming Pointcan only be determined by experience (Practice!) only. And you will need tolearn how to direct your Thrust precisely at that point once you've learnedwhere it is.

The way to do that is explained in 6-E-2-1. At the Top, you mentally constructa line from the first joint of your Right Forefinger (#3 Pressure Point /6-C-1-3) to the Aiming Point. This becomes your Delivery Path (10-23-A or10-23-C). Practicing in slow motion -- first without a Club; then with a Clubbut no Ball -- you let a careful Downstroke Pivot (On-Plane Right Shoulder /10-13-D) deliver the Lag Pressure Loading (7-19) strongly down the StraightLine Delivery Path (of the Hands). In real time, the Club is driven stronglydownward, smashing through the Ball, through the Aiming Pointto the Low Point to the Both Arms Straight Position(Follow-Through / 8-11) from which you Swivel into your Finish.

The big idea -- if you haven't noticed! -- is "Down." StraightDown through the Aiming Point. Straight Down to the LowPoint of the Stroke. Only then, per 1-L 13/14/15, does the Club begin theUpward portion of its Orbit, and even then the Thrust continues Down Planeuntil the end of the Follow-Through (8-11).

Homer told me one time that very few golfers actually go all the way down.Almost all reach the Ball and begin their upward Motion before the LowPoint is reached. "Even Tour players," he said.

"They almost all come up, and I'm really kind of surprised when I seethem still take a divot."

I asked him for the name of a player who did go all the way down.

"Trevino," he said with a lowered voice and a growl.

"I like that guy. He hits a wedge, and you've got to help himget the club out of the ground!"

I am loving the simplicity of the "upper cut" Elbow Plane Hit. As I have become comfortable with it, I can minimize my swing to below or right at the shoulder and "C-Smack" the heck out of it.

Now that I am enjoying this Power and Predictability, Precision and Aim are needed.

With Irons, the "push-draw" looks like a straight shot and is very satisfying with an Angle Hinge. By sliding the ball forward and carrying my stride deeper, I can get a pretty satisfying 10 yard draw. I recognize that that is still too much of a draw given smaller greens and bunkers and such so I'm not likely to play anything but a push-fade.

The bigger issue is the very high floating 220 yards of carry driver I get by hitting up on the ball. I can see the temptation to get a 20 degree driver of "Biblical proportions," and with Spring winds and July-August ground hardening, simply hit down on the driver to create a more boring shot. I'm waiting 'till after Cuscowilla to make a driver purchase.

I read with great interest this note from Mr. Clarence Williams sent to Mr. Blake

Lynn,

I just wanted to give you some feedback on how I have been progressing since our practice session on Feb 17th in Marietta.

I practiced the fundamentals on the evening of the 17th and played 9 holes the next day. I shot a 2 over par and hit all 7 fairways. I am at least 2 clubs longer now.

I practiced the next week and played 9 holes on Feb 25.I shot a 3 over and only missed one fairway.

I played on Feb 27th at course where I have not broken 94 in over 2 years and shot an 83 hitting 10 fairways and 6 greens. I am hitting it as long as the college guys now and still have more to go.

Thanks so very much for helping me get back on track.

I will contact you later this week to set up another practice session when I get a better feel for my schedule.

Clarence

I'm sure many of my concepts will be clarified during my April visit with Lynn and will try to note the precise changes Lynn makes and their beneficial effects.

ICT