The Golfing Machine: Hitting vs. Swinging

[@josefernandotijerinaacosta8708]

Finally I know how to explain this subject, I hope you can give us some more like this on other subjects like the use of hands for example.

[@light1531]

Top man. That is a great explanation of the difference between hitting and swinging and also how easy it is easy that high handicapper might switch between the two methods and get very inconsistent results shot to shot, game to game. It also explains how trying for the extra yards by hitting ends in disaster!

[@dougguillaume]

Push or pull. It's all a matter of timing. Every shot is different with its own requirements.

[@bibhulenka8135]

Thanks for explaining so nicely. Lot many amateur golfers have ambiguities on this aspect. You explained it with great examples 👏🏻👏🏻

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

Glad you enjoyed it, thanks.

[@stavrosavraam]

@@Augustagolfinstruction hello, thank you for the video. Would you say a good training aid to train the body the swinging method is that with the rope? Thank again 🙂

[@climbtraditional]

great explanation! Just began studying Golf Machine and you did an excellent job showing the differences.

[@artsmith7918]

Hi, BJ Art Smith here. I just found that someone posted an entire series featuring Tom Tomasello. I spent five days at his school (90% on theory and using G.O.L.F. Machine principles) more than thirty years ago. He was a big proponent of swinging, too. I think that I should swing, but don’t think that I do it well. Unfortunately, I am not built to be a hitter. I am left side dominant, seventy-five years old, and not built like Arnold Palmer or Jon Rahm. One of the things T T emphasized at the school was that the left arm just hung like a rope (also a tenant of Mike Austin), and was straightened by “extensor action” using the right arm. My question (I knew I’d get to it eventually) is, if I want to power the ball by a swinging motion, doesn’t the left arm have to be active and pull the club around (something a rope-like arm could not do). How complicated can a darn golf swing be, anyway?! I should come in and you can help me decide. I think that I have told you that I am a life-long fully accredited “Swing-of-the-month club” member.

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

Hi Art, basically a passive feel in the arms is swinging with the body doing the pulling.

[@pete3953]

How can you say Tomasello was a big proponent of swinging? As you say in your post he made it clear that the left arm "hung like a rope" and the power was generated by the extensor or "punching" action of the right elbow/arm. So he was very much advocating hitting.

[@TeddyCavachon]

There is a third way Hogan discovered how to use - waggle the club head down into the ball like an axe to a log with radial-to-ulnar deviation. It’s the same bio-mechanical action in the trail hand of the golf swing which makes the tip of a bull whip snap around the hands. The ‘snap’ is the tip of the whip accelerating past the sound barrier. Waggling the club down with a snapping wrist action as the hand bring it down with shaft horizontal with ground and parallel to target line whips it both down and forward in 90° arcs very quickly if a golfer grips the club as Hogan suggested to be able to freely waggle it up to and down in the hands. Just try keeping hands still and waggling a club up and back down forcefully to the point the wrists lock. Arrange the face of the club so it is square to the target when wrists lock and put a ball in the way behind that point and you will observe ball after ball fly dead straight 20+ yards with little physical effort. Add that energy to the conventional swing and it becomes more powerful and accurate, even more so if the lead arm pulling the club down it is allowed to fly freely off the chest like the pulled back lever of a catapult dragging club head behind like the projectile in the sling of a dual-lever trebuchet with shaft acting like the sling.

[@oPICKLEz]

The golfing machine specifies a flat left wrist as an imperitive of the golf swing. Radial and ulnar deviations are not included in the golfing machine.

[@TeddyCavachon]

@@oPICKLEz That doesn’t mean they don’t work… It really depends on how much range of extension the golfer has it the trail wrist. The goal is swinging the club head mass up to the top and back down on a well balanced path, not using a fixed set the wrists irregardless of where it guides the club head. That’s the problem with “DO IT THIS WAY IT WORKS FOR ME” instruction without understanding the underlying goal of the action and the cause and effect.

[@myleschilton3473]

Very useful. There is a stratospheric amount of positively damaging golf instruction from people who should know better but this is good stuff.

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

Glad you found it helpful, thanks for watching.

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

Glad you found it helpful, thanks for watching.

[@TeddyCavachon]

The pushing action in the trail arm is a misconception which doesn’t take into account how momentum acts on the mass of the lead arm in the downswing. In the backswing the lead arm gets pinned and loaded like the lever arm of a catapult across the chest with the connection with rib cage a few inches below the armpit acting like a fulcrum. Initiating the downswing with lateral and rotational hip movement causes lead arm to be pulled even tighter across the chest until the hips react 45° open and are arrested because the back foot is still grounded, creating a sensation like banging the hips laterally into a solid wall. As that occurs the lagging shoulders return back to parallel and the combination of the momentum and the abrupt slowing of the hips causes the mass of the lead arm to fly off the chest which adds a huge amount of acceleration to the hand and club the hands are pulling. But the lead arm can only fly off the chest if the golfer allows the the force to pull the bent trail arm straight. It might seem like the trail hand is pushing but it is actually the mass of the lead arm accelerating off the chest that is pulling. The fact the club head mass at that point is being pulled forward by momentum and down by gravity also acts to propel the lead arm off the chest. The action of the club head whipping down around the hands while also being dragged by the primary lever of the “catapulting” lead arm creates dual lever action very similar to a Trebuchet with club shaft acting like the sling and the club head mass the projectile in it which gets crashed into the back of the golf ball instead of tossed out of the sling at much higher velocity than can be achieve with a single lever catapult. It is possible to allow the club head to fully whip down around the hands to the point they are pulled into ulnar deviation and lock up before impact, any flipping of the club is prevented by timing the release of the back foot with impact of the ball to keep release hips and shoulders. The sequence is one of keeping the foot down triggering the hips to stop rotating just long enough to make the lead arm mass fly off the abruptly slowed chest as it turns parallel to swing line as at address then releasing the back foot so hips and shoulders can turn which allows the trail arm to extend directly at the target which pulls the club head force vector straight down the line into the ball. It is how Hogan, Moe Norman and Harry Frankenburg (Count Yogi) hit the ball straight and long so consistently.

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

@hptpcl1 It really depends on your intent at the transition and getting your swing on film with a swing coach which we can do for you if you send us your swing. Generally a swing will function better with a driver, hope this helps.

[@pogisalahat]

Thanks for a clear demonstration. I will try and practice more on the swinging method.

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

Thank you for watching and glad you enjoyed it!

[@jonaxfordgolf2209]

Great video! Very simply explained. Would I be right in thinking that a hitter should play with a squarer or more open club face to stop left shots, ie toe up at p2 and p6? Were a swinger would be better with the club face slightly toe down at p2 and p6? Thanks for your time and uploading this video.

[@Mr10Baht]

Great video and good explanation. One thing i am struggling with is that according to the golfing machine the left arm should be passive and inactive and controlled by the right arm motion? If that is the case and we feel we pull down through the shot to keep the handle in front then surely that pulling motion is coming from the left arm feeling active? Thanks

[@adudetalkingaboutfilm8077]

I love this video. If I am doing more of a swinging action do I let the club roll over at the bottom or do I hold the club face and just "drag" the handle through?

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

Unless you have a really strong grip the handle cannot drag too far without squaring the face with some shaft twist.

[@adudetalkingaboutfilm8077]

@@Augustagolfinstruction Thank You. I’ll watch again. I have the 7th edition golf ⛳️ machine book. If you can cite some reference numbers I’ll check out. I’ve always set up open and pulled with left leaving a slice. I’m trying to square more at setup and swing in an arc as opposed to a straight line.

[@paulward8501]

As a kid growing up I was 100 percent swinger but these days I am unable to make the huge shoulder turn and cannot clear my hips switch the same fluidity - hitting much easier for me as a senior

[@rogerdodger0000]

I enjoy your instruction and would do so even more if I was able to see the ball in your video?

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

Think of swinging a golf club with a shaft made of rope, you would have to use a pulling force to strike the ball (swinging).

[@davidlahiff1034]

Sounds like good advice to prevent using the right arm and hand too early at the start of the downswing. This is line with Hogan's Modern Fundamentals that the hands do nothing until the arms have moved to hip level on the downswing at which point Hogan advocated hitting as hard as you can with the upper body, arms and hands and at impact the right arm is still bent and does'nt straighten until just beyond impact. Should we consciously think about hitting with the hands at the last minute or simply let centrifugal force uncock the wrists at impact when swinging?

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

+David Lahiff Studies have shown, along with research at TPI, that any effort from the hands to attempt to move the club faster actually slows down the club head. The real key is in the sequencing, when the inside moves the outside the speed is automatically applied at the correct time and place.

[@riffmaster]

David Lahiff

[@whetedge]

Your whole body is pulling the club, overcoming the back and up momentum. "Lag" is the club mass _behind_ the hands. You can't push from ahead; only from behind. You are confusing right/left side dominant with "push/pull". It may feel as if you are pushing with the trail side, especially at the bottom, but you are pulling all the way into impact, then the club momentum pulls you.

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

He should practice easy swings with an impact bag and also left arm only irons shots with the ball on a short tee feeling that the club head stays behind the hands.

[@spraggo0007]

thanks it makes perfect sense but might be hard for me to do because im so right hand dominant but will give it a go ,,,,,i have the back swing better than its ever been so now if i can learn to swing it would smooth things out ,,I have been flipping thanks again ,,very good presentation ,,,easy to understand Cheers

[@joefiore3732]

I reakky like the video. I am having a difficult time breaking a habit of using my right hand just prior to impact causing a bent left wrist with my right palm facing the sky. Can you suggest any drills to help me. My handle is in line with my belt buckle one frame earlier than where it should be on video. Thanks

[@lifeordeath3288]

A couple questions..I like the rope it seems like a great way to figure out what your doing. I know for a fact that I am hitting at the ball based on you video. Do you know what more of the pros use. Are they hitters or swingers. Is there any advantage to hitting versus swinging or vice versa?

[@tonyparrish5366]

What accumulator's does a hitter use other than 1? Thanks and great video.

[@topman6727]

For me Hitting is rotating hard from the top and lashing it mainly with the right arm and swinging is more of a pulling down of the left arm from the top and turning through, that's my understanding

[@patking1966]

Keep the handle moving is very smart,

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

Joe, try short chip shots with right hand only holding the right wrist bent back. Go slow at first and you can learn to do it well.

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

It's perfectly acceptable to feel that in your left arm as well, even Mr. Kelly said there is no one perfect swing.

[@bongocajonwithlee5203]

Hi I want to return to a left arm dominant swing Is the pivot a lateral and opening up of the left hip to bring the left side down?

[@Hangsengfutures]

Gravity always play and affect to the swing,as of the clubhead weight. The centripetal reaction will happened, with or without the gravity.

[@kennethm.380]

So we have a golf instruction video here, explaining how to hit a golf ball, and the bottom of the video is cut off so you can't actually see what he's instructing. LOL. Ignore that. The instruction is excellent. Great discussion.

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

Many years ago, many mistakes made in filming and editing. Thanks for watching.

[@cej1987]

Thanks! this is good! I play to 18 with a swinging stroke. But I always have to switch from driver to hybrid 3 for my tee off due to inconsistency. Now I have switched to a hitting stroke (I am a big sized fella) and doing quite well. However could you share what is the best way to play a driver with a hitting stroke? thanks again.

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

+cheah eu jin the driver swing should be the same, just adjust the ball position forward and right shoulder slightly lower than left at address.

[@ron2117]

Having trouble with my swing. What I gather you are saying is to pull with the left hand while the the right remains cupped

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

The pivot creates the pull of the arms.

[@josephshuster4904]

I’ve been a hitter for 40 years,,,my wrists can’t take me hitting down at the ball,,saw your KZbin video,,,do you think I shouldn’t use my righthand /right arm through the swing ,,just Pull the club Thru?????? Thanks for your time,,Ah old Veteran but still in good shape,,,,,,

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

Thanks for watching. Without seeing your swing we can't advise on that one.

[@klausklaus9112]

which way would you say its easier on the body... lower back and wrists... especially when one passes the age of 50... ? personally i found the driver to be longer swinging but wedges and short irons more precise hitting... but practicing both ways seems very time consuming...

[@Rd-bi7vr]

I feel as if my hands are not used at all but purely following the movement of my core which mives the hips legs and finally the hands carch up with the club hewd lagging. Does this makes sense?

[@paulward8501]

Gifted teacher, thx a million

[@norrisberry8423]

Quite informative

[@sonicdeviant]

Are golfers purely one or the other? I pull with PP4 but keep PP3 firmly in place; I don't push with the right elbow, however.

[@hptpcl1]

How do I know if I am swinger or hitter? what about driver? Swinging better for driver?

[@johnwilson6319]

Isn't it a combination of both where you are pulling (swinging) then throwing that right arm down the line a too hand hitter in baseball cannot just hit around the ball he has to get into a lag position that is pulling getting behind the ball brings in right side but in golf or baseball you really need to look at how your hands and wrists work

[@PaulGPhotography]

Great vid, was Ben Hogan a swinger or hitter ?

[@kennethm.380]

I was wondering the same. And also Dustin Johnson. I "think" both were hitters.

[@Midway47]

He was a hitter, as was Moe Norman.

[@ST-nh2of]

What thickness rope would u recommend to become a swinger.

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

1/2"-1" thick.

[@Dentistmentalust]

What was Jack Nicklaus please?

[@HowToBuyGoldCoins]

Very nice video

[@dry509]

But Homer Kelly advocated hitting. Sounds like you are changing his approach. I find swinging more difficult.

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

It was said Homer advocated hitting because it was more challenging to him personally. Thanks for watching.

[@johncolgin4674]

When you swing you use your whole body what starts the downswing in a true swinger

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

The kinematic sequence is pelvis, trunk, arms, hands.

[@robmccance]

@@Augustagolfinstruction Thats cool and all but knowing the kinematic sequence does nobody any good. Either your body knows it and does it, or it doesn't. This is one of the many differences between an athlete and a librarian. :) Thanks for sharing the videos though, much appreciated.

[@NEKSIRRAH]

I'm ambidextrous , I can perform each swing, one fades the other draws, clubhead speed driver 117, irons 90-105 (depending on club)... Could I get more speed if I tried doing both at the same time. Is that even possible? Or do they contradict?

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

fairly difficult to push and pull at the same time!

[@lee-nf2ui]

Thankyou

[@shemikakenise]

Good show

[@poophead69able]

Tiger woods - a hitter. Ernie els - a swinger

[@davidmcnamara3243]

Don't push, don't pull. THROW the clubhead around the circle!!!!

[@TheNYgolfer]

Can you please comment on this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5TPl2qJpbGalbs Homer talks about being a "right arm swinger". As a "swinger" aren't the arms and hands passive?

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

Think of swinging in the sense of pulling, the arms can pull or push the golf club.

[@beegee22]

Having the club head and ball cut out of the bottom of the frame detracts from the value of this video as a training tool. Golf is about the ball, isn't it?

[@bicklesby1]

i think annika was more of a hitter she uses a lot of right arm

[@pb12661]

all the current top players seem to be hitters. I take Sam Snead over the current "Modern" swing.

[@Augustagolfinstruction]

Most pro's are swingers, easier to control!

[@pureimpact24-7]

Hitting for me is easier, straight bullets..

[@paulward8501]

As I get older I find the " hitting' motion is easier on my old joints.

[@kennethm.380]

Hm. I would say the exact opposite is true. To each his own.

[@CaptainAndrewWiggins]

hi thx for the video. but i still didn't understand the difference between swinging vs hitting