The Finish Swivel

[Yoda]

Just back from our wonderful LBG Academy experience at Old Waverly Golf Club. Once again, the video camera revealed that few students have an adequate Finish Swivel to bridge the gap between the end of the Left Wrist Hinge Action from Impact to Follow-Through (Both Arms Straight and the Club about 45 degrees to the ground) and the Finish (any point beyond the Follow-Through).

Here's my version (taken from a revealing camera angle at our Woodmont school). After the Horizontal Hinge Action (Frames 7-9, Left Wrist remaining Vertical, or perpendicular, to the ground, i.e., the horizontal plane), the Left Wrist Swivels (Frames 10 and 11) -- actually twists, i.e., rotates to the left away from the Vertical -- until the Wrists are in their 'parallel to the Plane' alignment. With momentum, especially in the longer shots, the wrists may actually Swivel a bit further.

It is in this Swiveled condition that the Right Wrist loses its Bend. As the Stroke comes to its conclusion, the Right Wrist Bend is re-established and the Flying Wedge alignments are restored (Frame 12).

One good way to learn this Feel is to do the following simple drill:

1. From a normal standing posture, extend your Left Hand chest-high in front of your Body with the Left Palm facing the sky ("catching raindrops").

2. Lay your Right Wrist directly over your Left Wrist, letting the palm 'hang' facing the ground. Your palms will not be touching. Instead, your Left palm will extend from under your Right Wrist, and your Right Wrist will extend over the top of your Left.

3. Leaving your Feet planted, turn your Body to the left and then look at your Wrists and Arms. That's about how they should appear at the completion of your Finish Swivel -- the Right Wrist has 'crossed-over' the Left. This is how the Clubshaft completes its rotation around the Sweet Spot.

Can you believe it?

Of course, your Computer will not let you get there if you are approaching the Ball from above the Plane ("Outside-In"). Instead, it will actually rotate the Left Wrist in the opposite direction (clockwise) -- and usually throw in a good old-fashioned 'chicken wing' for good measure -- in order to STEER (the First Snare / 3-F-7-A) the Clubhead and Clubface (and Ball) back to the Target.

But that's another story...





Many thanks to 6bmike for both the Stroke Sequence and Video.

[ejhong]

Thanks Yoda - this is very helpful information and I think misunderstanding hinge action and finish swivel is a major problem of mine. There's danger in misunderstanding concepts - I had misapplied the concept of flat left wrist and a bent right wrist at impact and would try to "freeze" that position beyond impact by trying to keep the hands ahead of the clubhead after impact and the hands in a vertical line with a straight and rigid left arm. This results in severe arching and then ultimately flipping of the left wrist (the very thing I was trying not to do). So this overtaking by the clubhead of the hands via rolling during the hinging action is a great revelation to me. I think I am also now starting to understand the need for me to uncock and then roll in the release.

One other thing I have been trying is to keep my left elbow close to my left side right after impact so that the left elbow moves towards my rear as my shoulders and torso turn - this allows my hands to also "pass" the left elbow. With the old move, my shoulders wouldn't turn much right after impact as I tried to keep my left elbow in front of my hands. I also have now allowed my left elbow to be more supple and be prepared to bend soon after impact as it stays near the left side of my body. I hope these thoughts are headed in the right direction.

Now I need to figure out how to get to these alignments from the top at full speed (chipping has started to improve a lot).

[mb6606]

Another great clip and terrific slow motion of Yoda at impact making it look easy.
Thanks for posting!!!

[metallion]

V-E-R-Y important clip!

It took me a long time until I could finally (only this winter) grasp how crucial the swivel action was to improve my swing. Bascially my swivel was premature. Thus destroying my left arm flying wedge, straightening my right wrist, bending my plane line severely left, causing vicious hooks and what have you.

L@@K, L@@K, L@@K.

Wouldn't you say that over-swiveling (based on the false idea that it would smack the ball harder) is more common than under-swiveling?

[Yoda]

V-E-R-Y important clip!

Wouldn't you say that over-swiveling (based on the false idea that it would smack the ball harder) is more common than under-swiveling?

In most cases, there is NO Finish Swivel. And that is a chief reason why so many play so poorly.

However, once the player begins in earnest to incorporate into his Stroke this missing element, then, as you have said, it is easy to make the mistake of executing Impact as a Swivel Action (and not as a Hinge Action). I should know, because before The Golfing Machine, I did it for years. You must Hinge first, and only then Swivel. Or else expect a mass exodus of the left rough field mice every time you step to the Tee.

Bobby Jones once wrote:

"There is no virtue that cannot be exaggerated into a fault."

Certainly, that truth applies to the Finish Swivel.

[Yoda]

Here are three enlargements of the Finish Swivel.

The first illustrates the exit from the Follow-Through (Both Arms Straight Position). The Wrists have begun their rotation from their 'Vertical (perpendicular) to the ground' alignment during the Impact Hinge Action into their 'parallel to the Plane' alignment during the Finish Swivel. The Hands are waist-high, and the Clubshaft is parallel to the ground (and also to the Plane Line).

The second and third photos show the momentum-induced move past 'parallel to the plane' to almost horizontal. This occurs only as the Hands approach chest-high and the Clubshaft points skyward (and also to the Plane Line). Many make the serious mistake of executing this Action through Impact. This is Clubhead Throwaway: An Over-Roll that puts the Clubshaft out of line with the Left Arm -- loss of Rhythm (RPM) -- just as surely as does a Bent Left Wrist. Avoid both.

Note that the Left Wrist has remained Flat. Also, the Right Arm has straightened through Impact and has remained that way deep into the Finish. That is possible only with Extensor Action.

The Ball was well-compressed and went dead straight.

I was not born with these mechanics. Far from it. But, I did learn them, and you can, too.

By the way, the figure in the background is Ben Doyle, the first Authorized Instructor of The Golfing Machine. He has taught the Finish Swivel for almost fifty years, and I think he would give this one 'two thumbs up.'

[tongzilla]

Regarding the Finish Swivel, I couldn't quite remember what Ben taught at Canton, but was it something like this?

http://homepage.mac.com/brianmanzell...endoyle-fi.mov

[annikan skywalker]

Lynn truly outstanding work...yes Hinge action and Finish swivel very different indeed...

However very important points to consider...

#1) Finish Swivel is parallel to the Selected Plane Angle...I see so many over swivel to the finish ...both off plane with the Hands and the sweetspot and shaft planes....Reulting in the dreaded "Count Dracula" Finish...

#2) Many argue here that the left wrist must still be "Flat" but I beg to differ using the Grip Type variation as the ever present "Trump Card"

#3) Although I respect my elders in TGM..just like there is Perverted Pitch Elbow, Perverted Axis Tilt...I am now proclaiming that there can be a Perverted Finish Swivel...I don't really care how many years someone has taught something it can be misrepresented...For Example the Flying Wedges?


Lesson I've learned the most in life and G.O.L.F.:...Don't be perverted!!!....Bucket?


I thought your demonstration of Finish Swivel was more accurate and concise at Pine Needles than what has been demonstrated after your Canton experience with the Grand Pooh Bah.

But point is well made and very well demonstrated...


Don't execute Impact as a Swivel...

But in reality there is a Hinge Action between Release Swivel and Finish Swivel for the Swinger...



Annikan

[Mathew]

That was cool

[Daryl]

Yoda,

Thank you for spending so much time on this at the "Old Waverly" seminar. The finish swivel concept became clear with the help of three learning experiences.

The time line was:

First. V.J.’s computer illustrating low point and the #3 pressure point that Must continue on-plane after impact. Impact is further down plane than I thought.

Second. Ted using the Hula Hoop and a rod to demonstrate low point, divot depth, ball position and the #3 pressure point that must continue on-plane after impact. Impact is further down plane than I thought.

Third. Yoda, taking my hands, shoulders and arms, moving them through the motion over and over until I could see and feel how far down-out-and-forward-on-plane the hinging motion travels (rhythm) before the finish swivel. Impact is further down plane than I thought.

This is "The Golfing Machine". Hinging and the finish swivel and EXTENSOR action. I never could or would have learned this on my own and it’s the difference between hackers and golfers.