Question:
Was this before or after he proposed the no takeaway swing? 
Pete Z
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Uh….this thread is about the takeaway. Ledbetter frequently says that first moves in the takeway are the most critical, especially in terms of rythym and timing. My experience agrees with him. Is there a link, page in a book, anything visual that explains the proper position of the hands, clubhead, during the first move of the takeway? -Greg
Response:
I don’t want to tick off the golf gods, but my last few sessions of ball striking have been my best, ever, both in terms of distance, consistency, and accuracy. When in a groove, I often wondered why I was in one….and why I fell out of one. It’s usually attributed to one small element of a golf swing wrong, like grip, etc. My one small elements had to do with the first six inches, i.e too early of a wrist cock. To correct it, I’ve been using the SLAP model as indicated on page 80. Starting with a very straight left elbow, keeping the clubhead low, maintaining a triangle, until my hands pass my right pocket. In my swing, this enables a very wide arc, which correlates to my build….(I have orangutan arms). It also helps me stay behind the ball, preventing an overswing. It’s funny how critical the first move is…..when I feel it done correctly, I know before I hit the ball that it’s going to be a good one. Now if only I can do something about my 36 putts/round. -Greg
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Uh….this thread is about the takeaway. Ledbetter frequently says that first moves in the takeway are the most critical, especially in terms of rythym and timing. My experience agrees with him. Is there a link, page in a book, anything visual that explains the proper position of the hands, clubhead, during the first move of the takeway? -Greg
Response:
Uh….this thread is about the takeaway. Ledbetter frequently says that first moves in the takeway are the most critical, especially in terms of rythym and timing. My experience agrees with him. Is there a link, page in a book, anything visual that explains the proper position of the hands, clubhead, during the first move of the takeway? -Greg
Response:
Uh….this thread is about the takeaway. Ledbetter frequently says that first moves in the takeway are the most critical, especially in terms of rythym and timing. My experience agrees with him. Is there a link, page in a book, anything visual that explains the proper position of the hands, clubhead, during the first move of the takeway?
I am very interested in the responses as well. Not just the direction/height/position of the takeaway move but also how one initiates the first move. I noticed on tape that the ‘forward press’ of my hands that I subconsciously use to initiate the takeaway has become much more pronounced and am wondering if this might be problematic in any way. Bill-OB
Response:
I am very interested in the responses as well. Not just the direction/height/position of the takeaway move but also how one initiates the first move. I noticed on tape that the ‘forward press’ of my hands that I subconsciously use to initiate the takeaway has become much more pronounced and am wondering if this might be problematic in any way.
Let me give you some anecdotal evidence regarding 2 of my friends. Joe is big and strong in the hands and arms. He has a forward press and lifts the club backward and upwards on the takeaway, with some early wristcock. Dave is small. He does the opposite on the takeaway. He starts his hands back, allowing the club to lag behind. Sometimes he literally drags the club slightly. You might say there is *negative* wrist cock at the very beginning. Joe is set up with tension in his hands and his usual move is throwing and casting the club on the downswing, and slicing the ball. Dave has soft, relaxed arms and wrists. He flings the clubhead, which releases naturally, and hits a draw. Neither one are picture perfect, but it should be obvious which move of the 2 is preferred.
Response:
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Let me give you some anecdotal evidence regarding 2 of my friends. Joe is big and strong in the hands and arms. He has a forward press and lifts the club backward and upwards on the takeaway, with some early wristcock. Dave is small. He does the opposite on the takeaway. He starts his hands back, allowing the club to lag behind. Sometimes he literally drags the club slightly. You might say there is *negative* wrist cock at the very beginning. Joe is set up with tension in his hands and his usual move is throwing and casting the club on the downswing, and slicing the ball. Dave has soft, relaxed arms and wrists. He flings the clubhead, which releases naturally, and hits a draw. Neither one are picture perfect, but it should be obvious which move of the 2 is preferred.
Thanks. I don’t know that I have ever seen a ‘reverse press’/ drag move like that executed by any of the modern pros but I try to keep in mind that many of the initial movements are subtle and not exclusively related to the hands. They also involve other, often imperceptible (to me) motions/contractions as well. Daves fluidity sounds very Bobby Jonesish. In fact, the clip of Jones on golfswing.com shows a similar move. Sadly, I cannot yet achieve that level of relaxation and combine it with consistency. Bill-OB
Response:
I knew it……groan! ;
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – …and Lorena went snip….. What if you only have 6 inches? ;^) Rob — Service is the rent we pay for being RSG Masters 2002 ( http://home.att.net/~janellenrob/RSG-MS_02.html ) RSG Masters 2003 ( http://home.att.net/~janellenrob/RSG-MS-03P.html )
Response:
I had one of those moments during a round on Monday when you pin point something that is like a revelation…I concentrated on getting the 1st 6 inches of my driver takeaway smooth with an even tempo..then I just switched off and the rest of the swing was automatic…this happened on the 11 tee and I split every fairway for the rest of the round with drives equal to any I’ve ever hit. Boy when something like that happens it really puts a spring in your step. Can’t wait to get back out there. Tony
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Uh….this thread is about the takeaway. Ledbetter frequently says that first moves in the takeway are the most critical, especially in terms of rythym and timing. My experience agrees with him. Is there a link, page in a book, anything visual that explains the proper position of the hands, clubhead, during the first move of the takeway? -Greg
Response:
…and Lorena went snip….. What if you only have 6 inches? ;^) Rob — Service is the rent we pay for being RSG Masters 2002 ( http://home.att.net/~janellenrob/RSG-MS_02.html ) RSG Masters 2003 ( http://home.att.net/~janellenrob/RSG-MS-03P.html )
Response:
If we’re really talking about the first six inches .. I don’t think there is hardly any movement other than a rotation of your upper body to start the take away. You’ve got to be totally connected, so there are no wrists or arms yet – that will come after six inches. I think the emphasis on this comes from the fact that most people make the mistake of other movements in this portion of the swing. Btw … I wouldn’t reference great golfers of the past on stuff like this. Heck, its only been 10 years since the focus went from weight shift to rotation! Ever watch the old guys putt??? Yikes! You can bet that if Bobby Jones were around today, that excess movement would be gone … and he’d still be the best!
Response:
Greg its more of a reaction than action!
Response:
THe first move is clearly in the left shoulder(for a righty!)
Response:
Thanks. I don’t know that I have ever seen a ‘reverse press’/ drag move like that executed by any of the modern pros …Daves fluidity sounds very Bobby Jonesish. In fact, the clip of Jones on golfswing.com shows a similar move.
I don’t think I’ve seen any modern pros do it either, now that you mention it, but I think I recall Jones doing it, now that you mention it.