Thursday, November 7, 2013

Conservation of angular momentum

Byron Nelson always said "You can't stand too close to the ball."  There is a physics explanation for why that works.  To put it simply, there are 2 circles in a golf swing.  The first is the arm swing and the second circle is the body turn.  The body turn is where the zip comes from.  It is called conservation of angular momentum.  Ice skaters use it to spin fast.  By pulling their arms in close they allow the center to spin faster just like a shorter pendulum will go faster than a long one.  By keeping your hands close to your body you can turn your body faster. 

I know a lot of people make a big fuss over "width" in a swing.  Width is a constant.  It runs from your lead shoulder down to the club head.  It ain't getting any longer than it already is, period.  Any attempt to "reach" to create width is just plan silly and leads to changing the path.  You arm isn't getting any longer nor is the club shaft.  So it is a stupid idea to think you can make it longer.  Most "experts" just aren't.  They repeat "the world is flat" and figure that will suffice.

Stand close as is comfortable.  On the back swing turn you butt to the target.  Keep your body soft with no tension.  Humans aren't rubber bands and never will be.  So turn you butt to the target then turn your belly button to it.  It should feel soft and smooth like a dance move.