Byron Nelson turned into the primary golfer to discern out the key to what we call the present day swing -- this is, a swing that changed into able to loading the stiffer metal shafts sufficient to permit a participant get a ways with the membership. Nelson wasn't a particularly lengthy hitter, he became higher acknowledged for his accuracy. But the way he began his downswing -- which is the important thing to loading that steel shaft -- could be harnessed via long hitters like Sam Snead and Arnold Palmer with spectacular consequences.
Here's a very slo-mo video of Nelson's swing. We're going to cognizance at the legwork here as it's different from the manner Hogan did it (and significantly less complicated at the back) however it's a completely effective manner to get distance with accuracy.
First, be aware that Nelson units up with more of his weight on his lead foot, even though he is hitting a driver right here. I suspect this is why Nelson failed to hit it as far as other gamers. This setup makes him hit down at the ball, even off a tee. (As you've got no doubt heard till you may repeat it for your sleep, you need to hit upward on the ball with a driving force.)
When Nelson takes the club back, he moves behind the ball BUT his hips never move past the inside of his trail foot. This isn't a sway; his trail knee is well-braced as he makes his backswing.
But I also want you to note that his trail knee straightens quite a bit as he moves back. This is a move common to power hitters like Snead and Palmer. How does this create power? It's because it sets up his downswing move. And what is that downswing move? He keeps his trail knee relatively straight as he starts his downswing -- that's why the gap between his trail and lead knees seems to widen on the way down -- then lets the trail knee bend as his lead knee takes the force of his weight shift.
You might imagine that Hogan does the same component, however he does not. Hogan shoves his lead hip forward so his top body leans backward barely. (At least, it is "barely" if it's done efficaciously.) This additionally causes his lead knee to straighten dramatically.
By comparison, Nelson is moving his entire body forward so his upper body remains more upright. Yes, his hips move forward but he's not DRIVING them forward; it's more like he's FALLING toward the target and he lands on his lead foot. Because he's "landing" on his lead foot, the lead knee remains bent and his upper body doesn't tilt backward as much or as soon during his downswing. (That's part of the reason he, as well as other players using his technique, was more accurate and didn't stress his back as much.)
Many of you, when you try to use Hogan's move, do exactly the opposite of Nelson: You bend your trailing knee as you start back and then straighten it as you start your downswing. That's why a lot of you come over-the-top. Nelson's move is a bit more natural, helps you stay on plane, and also helps you hit down on the ball without trying to do anything special. After all, this move gets you moving down from the very start of your backswing!
Now if you make a decision to try this, you ought to recognise that at impact you CAN straighten your lead knee and push upward; Snead and Palmer made the same move as Nelson but pushed up at effect, and they each created loads of energy. There are lots of Snead films on YouTube that you could watch and research the timing from.
But I can let you know this from enjoy: This downward move to begin the downswing is a good deal less difficult to copy than Hogan's forward drive, and plenty of you could discover it solves numerous of your swing issues unexpectedly.
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