Aiming point for hitters?

[shortgamer]

Do hitters use aiming point the same as swingers. I seem to do best when just firing the hands to impact position. How do you guys do it?

[shortgamer]

I think I found the answer
http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=148

[12 piece bucket]

Do hitters use aiming point the same as swingers. I seem to do best when just firing the hands to impact position. How do you guys do it?

First we gotta distinguish something in your post . . . "firing the hands to impact position" ISN'T the same thing as Aiming Point. What you are talking about is the Impact Fix Hand Location procedure . . . which is certainly a viable method to achieve the desired Impact Alignments. Homer Kelley did say that the Impact Fix Hand Location as you have described works best with Non-Automatic Release types.

Now for the Aiming Point . . . Aiming Point is for controlling the physics involved in an Automatic Snap Release . . . You basically pick a point along the selected Delivery Line . . . look at it and drive your Thrust towards it. You are not driving the club at it necessarily . . . it is the point at which you are directing the Thrust.

A critical component to the above is understanding that the Aiming Point lies on your selected DELIVERY LINE. Therefore for the Hitter (getting to your question) there are TWO options for delivery of the Clubhead . . .

1. The Geometric Plane Line
2. The Angle of Approach (Out-to-Right Field) Plane Line

If you chose the Plane Line as your Delivery Line your Aiming Point would as a result be "On-Line" and with a Square-Square Stance it would also be on the Line of Flight (Target Line).

However, if you choose the Angle of Approach and as a result go Cross-Line Out-to-Right Field . . . then your Aiming Point when infront of the ball for the shorted shafted clubs would also be INFRONT OF THE BALL AND "OUT TO RIGHT FIELD."

Mr. Kelley said that the Aiming Point for your clubs can only be determined by experimentation . . . but he did say that typically the 5 iron (or some mid iron) would be the Ball. Those with shorter shafts would be infront of the ball and those with longer shafts would be behind the ball . . . and again . . . ON THE SELECTED DELIVERY LINE.

[shortgamer]

So if I chose the angle of approach method with a driver I would direct my thrust say a inch behind and SLIGHTLY inside the ball and with a wedge it would be in front of the ball and slightly outside?

[12 piece bucket]

So if I chose the angle of approach method with a driver I would direct my thrust say a inch behind and SLIGHTLY inside the ball and with a wedge it would be in front of the ball and slightly outside?

You got it . . .

[12 piece bucket]

Shortgamer. . . I owe you an apology . . . I told you that the Impact Hand Location procedure presented in 7-8 is for Non-Automatic Release Types. That is inaccurate based on the 7th Edition (maybe those before it but that's the one I got in front of me anyway). Actually the Impact Hand Location is what every Machine strives for regardless of Delivery Path, Delivery Line or Pulley Size per 6-E-2 . . . so the Hands covering the Left Toe with the Left Wrist Flat Level and Vertical is the Imperative . . . and it is for ALL STROKES.

The Aiming Point is simply a means of directing the Thrust to get you to that location . . . indirectly I guess.

Mike O was nice enough to consult me on this and I understand where he was coming from. Thank you Mikey . . . you crazy rash infested B@st@rd.

[shortgamer]

Thanks for the help. I tried aiming point last night with irons and it tends to make me steep. I'm sure I'm doing it wrong but how do you direct the heel against the thumb towards aiming point without throwing the club out? Although when I bump that hip and get the hands to impact life is sweet!