Bobby Clampett 1983 Swing Sequence with analysis by Homer
Here is Homer Kelley's original analysis of Bobby Clampett's swing for the April 1983 edition of Golf Magazine. His commentary on each of the eleven photos in this swing sequence is presented unedited, exactly as Homer wrote it.
Address. Bobby's address is a three-step routine to set up the inclined plane for clubshaft guidance, the knee and waist bend needed to hold the head still, a palms together grip with the left wrist flat (not bent either way), level (neither cocked or uncocked), and vertical (to the ground, not rotated), and to rehearse all the selected relationships and alignments including a through the ball plane line (base edge of plane), and the waggle to establish clubhead feel against the first joint of the right forefinger. This is not a clubshaft "feel" but the sensing of the longitudinal center of gravity (sweet spot plane of rotation). That pressure point is used like the lens of a flashlight strapped to the right forearm to shine its light along the plane line during takeaway and release. The left hand is not held square to the target line but closes (like a door) for true rhythmic power generation.
Backstroke. After the address routine and a preliminary turn of the right hip, the right forearm takes the hands and clubhead back-up-and-in simultaneously and instantaneously and the shoulder turn is as flat as possible and independent of the takeaway action. The left knee flexes only enough to keep the head still and hold it in a strong solid position. Bobby's right elbow appears unusually high here which may be intentional and for a purpose. It appears to be a shoulder turn takeaway action. That always produces an automatic and unintentional shift from a flat first plane to a steeper plane at the top. That could lock a player into a pivot controlled hands procedure unless carefully realigned during the interval at the top. Then it can again be the Golfing Machine hands controlled pivot procedure.
The Top.The clubshaft parallel to the ground must also be parallel to the base line of the plane (plane line). When not parallel it must be pointing at it. All elements of the stroke must be adjusted and aligned during this particular interval in order to move precisely toward the plane line guided by the #3 pressure point (right forefinger clubhead feel). The shoulder turn function here is to place the right shoulder precisely on the inclined plane. Therefore it is mandatory that the steeper the plane the shorter the shoulder turn and foot and knee action must be no more than needed to accomplish those relationships.
Start Down. It is recommended that the hip turn be preceded by a hip slide parallel to the plane line so body power (the coiled left side) then can pull the butt of the clubshaft and the right shoulder toward the plane line before the pivot can turn itself too far inside the plane line and have to stretch unnecessarily to reach the ball. This also disrupts the pivot component release sequence necessary for this swinging procedure of longitudinal acceleration of the clubhead which duplicates the process of pulling an arrow from a quiver which motion is to be maintained until the release swiches ends with adjustable rapidity. The knees passing through the sit down position maintains the left side assignment of turning the body to generate centrifugal force. Power package muscle power (right triceps thrust) can make a miniscule contribution and only with great effort during a swing procedure.
Downstroke. Bobby is in a bit of a bind here because his left shoulder instead of his right shoulder moved downward. But he can and does recover in time for release. A common present-day misconception is surfacing here. That is, a partial, preliminary weight shift through knee motion instead of hip motion which disrupts the on plane start down shoulder turn essential to establishing the precise direction fo both the hands and the clubhead for cranking up the gyroscope of the circling clubhead. Maximum #2 accumulator power (the wristcock) is moving strongly down plane completely contained and retained for the snap release (maximum triggering delay) which is mandatory for developing the clubhead speed and power that Bobby is noted for.
Release Point.Monitoring (sensing and regulating) educated hands by means of the clubhead "feel" against the #3 pressure point (first joint of the right forefinger) provides the total control that can keep the clubshaft pointing precisely at the plane line (lower edge of the inclined plane) this close to the low point of their path without allowing the club to fly out prematurely. The hands have only a few inches to travel while the clubhead travel will be a matter of feet. This speed gives centrifugal force the power to pull clubshaft and clubhead in-line imparting a true horizontal hinging motion (like a swinging door) so there will be no clubface wobble during impact that lets the established compression leak away. Only this hinging can produce the consistent power of true rhythm.
Release Interval. The primary lever assembly (the left arm plus the clubshaft) is racing toward full extension where its full radius will produce a high clubhead speed (surface speed). The straightening right elbow is allowing the left wrist to uncock and is returning the left hand to its original "backhand slap" position (flat and vertical) imparting its swinging door motion and translating the lever extension velocity into a forward motion through the ball. The ideal #3 accumulator (the angle formed by the left arm and the clubshaft) application shown here is the true high velocity clubhead motion overtaking the left arm and is true rhythm, entirely different from and independent of pace.
Impact. Evident here is the most important element of impact, a flat and vertical left wrist, without which power just evaporates. The primary lever assembly (left arm and clubshaft) has achieved the in-line condition it has been energetically seeking. The magical right forearm is again on plane assuring correct arm, club and ball relationships. The right wrist shows slightly more bend than at address. Therefore there is a deviation in left wrist flatness, though not visibly perceptible, that does not escape the ball computer which receives, analyzes and responds to all impact geometry. The ball does not dive into the lake because it is mad at you, but because it is law-abiding.
Follow-Through. The farther the shoulder turns after impact, the farther the hands must travel before both arms become straight for their follow-through alignments. Therefore, by reducing shoulder turn the hands can be automatically stopped at any selected point -- no more double impact putts -- by prepositioning the shoulders with the club at the desired limit point. Remember that every stroke must have a complete follow-through to prevent quitting and pecking at the ball. The follow-through can usually substitute for most of the less than full power stroke finishes and still protect against "chopping" at the ball. That is the first step away from hacking.
Transfer Power. The clubshaft must remain on plane after the hinging and follow-through. That can be accomplished only by swivelling the hands back to their on plane relationship, that is, flat to the plane surface. Swivelling is a true rotation of the hands -- not the closing motion of the flat and vertical left wrist performing the hinge action. Therefore, the right hand rolls over the top of the left wrist. This is normally quite rapid to accomodate the rhythm of the #3 accumulator "overtaking" action. The weak and timid slice tendency of the underswivel is more prevalent than overswivelling with its draw tendency. But the correct swivel is strong, complete, smooth and rhythmic and leads to full power. The actions leading into this situation are discussed uner the preceding heading of Release Interval.
The Finish. Bobby's complete finish immediately removes him from a hacker classification by every beholder. Why? Hackers have both an inadequate follow-through and an artificial finish. The finish has the rank of a station in the Star System Triad for simplified golfing but impact does not. Endowing impact with improper importance and attention has caused players to "chop" at the ball and has been producing hackers for centuries. This finish is therefore a major contribution to Bobby's yardage and to the elevation of his procedures to a sought after model. After the follow-through, this is the second great step out of Hackerville.
Bobby Clampett 1983 Swing Sequence with analysis by Homer GM#31
Originally Posted by Fl-John
Yoda:
You mention in the "Start Down" analysis of Bobby's swing about a common misconception that knee action vs hip action is starting the downswing. Could you elaborate if possible. I am thinking that people are assuming their knee action vs a true hip slide is starting the downswing, which also sounds wrong!
Thanks in advance!
FL-John
You hear less about 'leg drive' today than you did in the '70s and '80s. But when these pictures were taken, leg drive was The Way to create Power -- on the PGA Tour and on the public links.
Despite The Way's popularity, The Truth was -- and is -- as Homer's analysis suggests: Most 'leg drivers' begin their Start Down by shuttling their knees forward in an exaggerated fashion. This causes the Knees to Bend beyond their Impact Fix degree of Bend, lowering the Head and with it, the Left Shoulder Center of the Stroke. This faulty move is Bobbing, the Third Snare (3-F-7-C), and unless there is a compensation by Impact, the disruption in the Left Shoulder-to-Ball Radius will produce disastrous results.
In my schools at that time, I illustrated these concepts using swing sequences of Jerry Pate , the Poster Child for the exaggerated Downstroke Knee Bend and its resultant lowered Head position. The necessary compensations (2-J-1) to shorten the suddenly too-long Radius (Left Arm and Club) -- namely, the bending of the Left Arm and the pulling back of the Left Shoulder at Impact -- were in full flower. I don't believe it coincidental that Jerry's career was cut much too short by injury -- specifically, Left Shoulder injury.
In a Pivot Stroke, the geometrically correct Start Down is led by the Left Hip Slide. This tilts the Axis of the Stroke (the Spine), and allows the Right Shoulder to deliver the Loaded Power Package correctly Downplane into Impact. The Knees serve as Anchors (7-16) during this process, stabilizing The Machine by maintaing its Pivot Center, the Stationary Head.
What I wouldn't give to have known then what I know now...
Bobby Clampett 1983 Swing Sequence with analysis by Homer GM#32
Originally Posted by Range Rat
Yoda,
It's a shame that most golfers have a problem with the left hip slide with the swinging procedure! If they only knew that it could be achieved automatically by using their right forearm to start the downswing!!!
Range Rat
RR,
The correctly programmed (1-J and 3-B) Pivot will react instantly to the demands of Educated Hands (9-1 and 5-0) and their sense of Clubhead Lag Pressure (both its Aiming and Thrust). Hence, there are no Pivot Components listed in the Mechanical Checklist For All Strokes (12-3-0).
For the many who may not have seen it, I have posted as a new topic in this Forum Mr. Kelley's original, unedited Bobby Clampett Swing Analysis. If we are going to debate this analysis, then we should debate what Homer Kelley actually wrote, not the heavily (and poorly) edited version that appeared in Golf Magazine.
1)"Bobby's address is a three-step routine to set up the inclined plane
for clubshaft guidance, the knee and waist bend needed to hold the head
still,"
The head should lower in the downswing. Get a clip of Hogan and put your
finger on his head and you'll see this quite clearly. Ditto for TW and other
greats. Moe Norman tries to lower his head as much as possible, as many other
great ball strikers do. It is a feature of their swing. At any rate, BC does
not hold his head still.
2) "the shoulder turn is as flat as possible"
The shoulder turn should NOT be as flat as possible. Hogan's wasn't despite
the misinformed opinion his swing was as exceedingly flat. And certainly BC's
shoulder turn is not as flat as possible. His shoulder turn is on plane and
his plane is not particularly flat.
3) "The clubshaft parallel to the ground must also be parallel to the
base line of the plane (plane line). When not parallel it must be pointing at
it."
False. The clubshaft can validly point elsewhere. E.g. at the top of the
finish.
4) "it is mandatory that the steeper the plane the shorter the shoulder
turn and foot and knee action must be no more than needed to accomplish those
relationships."
False, many golfing greats have steep planes and do not necessarily have
short shoulder turns, etc. It is clearly not "mandatory".
5) "Power package muscle power (right triceps thrust) can make a
miniscule contribution and only with great effort during a swing procedure.
"
This is a false generalization. I can hit the ball 300 yds. primarily using a
right triceps thrust.
6) "Bobby is in a bit of a bind here because his left shoulder instead
of his right shoulder moved downward. But he can and does recover in time for
release."
My goodness. That is the best part of BC's swing and is vital to his delayed
hit.
7) "Monitoring (sensing and regulating) educated hands by means of the
clubhead "feel" against the #3 pressure point (first joint of the
right forefinger) provides the total control..."
BC's uses passive hands that react to the correct downswing forces. They are
not regulating.
His finish supports this point, although it is not 100% proof. Even if I am
wrong with regard to BC, certainly many great ball strikers do not use
regulating hands.
"The hands have only a few inches to travel while the clubhead travel
will be a matter of feet. This speed gives centrifugal force the power to
pull clubshaft and clubhead in-line imparting a true horizontal hinging
motion (like a swinging door)"
Centrifugal force is non existent. True, it is a shorthand expression for
what happens, but I would have expected an engineer to be a little more
accurate. Perhaps this was not widely known at the time the book was written.
9) "Only this hinging can produce the consistent power of true
rhythm."
HK might have modified this if he had met Moe Norman.
10) "Remember that every stroke must have a complete follow-through to
prevent quitting and pecking at the ball."
Watch Tiger Wood's power knock down shots (even with driver) and tell me this
is true for "every" stroke.
11) "The finish has the rank of a station in the Star System Triad for
simplified golfing but impact does not."
A correct downswing gives a good impact and a complete finish (except in
certain specialty shots such as knock downs, sand trap swings, etc.). I know
what HK is trying to say (don't quit on the shot and then manufacture a
finish), but this is not a good explanation at all.
OK, fire away...
David Alford
My comments are in bold:
1)"Bobby's address is a three-step routine to set up the inclined plane
for clubshaft guidance, the knee and waist bend needed to hold the head
still,"
The head should lower in the downswing. Get a clip of Hogan and put your
finger on his head and you'll see this quite clearly. Ditto for TW and other
greats. Moe Norman tries to lower his head as much as possible, as many other
great ball strikers do. It is a feature of their swing. At any rate, BC does
not hold his head still.
The Stationary Head position is established at Impact Fix (or the
Champion's sense of same). If the Adjusted Address Head position is higher,
then the Head must Bob. So be it.
2) "the shoulder turn is as flat as possible"
The shoulder turn should NOT be as flat as possible. Hogan's wasn't despite
the misinformed opinion his swing was as exceedingly flat. And certainly BC's
shoulder turn is not as flat as possible. His shoulder turn is on plane and
his plane is not particularly flat.
The 'natural' Shoulder Turn is the Rotated Shoulder Turn (at 90 degrees to
its Axis). If the Spine Angle is maintained, the desired Shoulder Motion is
Flatter than Rotated. But, it can only be 'so Flat.' And as directly back
as possible is how Flat the Turned Shoulder Plane should be. As Hogan's
was. And for the record, the ideal Turned Shoulder Plane is 'not particularly
flat.'
3) "The clubshaft parallel to the ground must also be parallel to the
base line of the plane (plane line). When not parallel it must be pointing at
it."
False. The clubshaft can validly point elsewhere. E.g. at the top of the
finish.
To the extent that condition occurs, the Clubshaft is Off Plane.
4) "it is mandatory that the steeper the plane the shorter the shoulder
turn and foot and knee action must be no more than needed to accomplish those
relationships."
False, many golfing greats have steep planes and do not necessarily have
short shoulder turns, etc. It is clearly not "mandatory".
It is mandatory only for those who utilize the ideal Turned Shoulder Plane.
As you have stated, 'many golfing greats' -- past and present -- employ Plane Angles
that require compensating alignments. This should fill the hearts of future
Turned Shoulder Plane champions with an ebullient sense of Competitive Advantage.
5) "Power package muscle power (right triceps thrust) can make a
miniscule contribution and only with great effort during a swing procedure.
"
This is a false generalization. I can hit the ball 300 yds. primarily using a
right triceps thrust.
As you said, "I can Hit the ball 300 yards…" Exactly: You
do not Swing…you Hit. And as a Hitter, you can -- and should --
use all the Right Triceps Thrust you can muster.
6) "Bobby is in a bit of a bind here because his left shoulder instead
of his right shoulder moved downward. But he can and does recover in time for
release."
My goodness. That is the best part of BC's swing and is vital to his delayed
hit.
'Swaying Knees' (the Zone 1 Pivot aberration that caused the
Dipping Left Shoulder) have nothing to do with the Delayed Hit (the
sophisticated application of Zone 2 Power). To the extent possible,
the Head and Knees remain Stationary during the Stroke. Between these two
extremes -- the Stationary Head and the Stationary Knees and Feet -- the
Shoulders Turn, the Hips Turn and Shift and the Spine Tilts. If you "Sway"
the Knees, you Sway the Stroke. Or Bob the Stroke. Or both. Not a good thing.
7) "Monitoring (sensing and regulating) educated hands by means of the
clubhead "feel" against the #3 pressure point (first joint of the
right forefinger) provides the total control..."
BC's uses passive hands that react to the correct downswing forces. They are
not regulating. His finish supports this point, although it is not 100%
proof. Even if I am wrong with regard to BC, certainly many great ball
strikers do not use regulating hands.
Of course they do. Even 'average' players can take a sand wedge and hit it
80 yards. And then hit it 50 yards. And then hit it 90 yards. And, they can
and do Putt the Ball different distances all day long! Yesterday, into
a little breeze and absent a 5-wood or 'rescue' Club in my bag, I hit a
less-than-full 3-wood just 210 yards, but pin high. On a par 5 second shot
earlier in the round, I had hit a little punch-cut fade from under
branches about 180 yards into prime position with the same Club!
All this distance control from an 'average' ball striker, not a 'great' ball
striker. Bottom line: If you can deliberately and consistently hit any club
in your bag shorter or longer than 'normal,' -- 'great ball striker' or not
-- then you have that sense of 'total control' known only to those who
regulate Clubhead Lag Pressure. Which basically includes anybody who can play
a lick.
"The hands have only a few inches to travel while the clubhead travel
will be a matter of feet. This speed gives centrifugal force the power to
pull clubshaft and clubhead in-line imparting a true horizontal hinging
motion (like a swinging door)"
Centrifugal force is non existent. True, it is a shorthand expression for
what happens, but I would have expected an engineer to be a little more
accurate. Perhaps this was not widely known at the time the book was written. Homer Kelley understood full well the 'artificial' concept of Centrifugal
Force. In fact, you might be interested to know that the physics major (and
female amateur champion golfer) who reviewed Homer's initial drafts stated,
"We were never taught anything about this. No one should be allowed to
critique your book unless they understand your concept." And so,
ultimately Homer defined his concept of Centrifugal Force in the Glossary.
Read it. No, on second thought, just 'Pull' the club from the Top and Feel
it. Meanwhile, please don't tell our orbiting astronauts that there is no centripetal
force at work, because without it -- that 'artificial,' non-existent centrifugal force -- will fly them out into Deep S…pace.
9) "Only this hinging can produce the consistent power of true
rhythm."
HK might have modified this if he had met Moe Norman.
Not a chance. In fact, you just picked the Poster Boy for Horizontal Hinging.
Watch Moe's video. With the Clubshaft at 45 degrees to the ground past
Impact, the Toe of the Clubhead is right down the Line. A better Horizontal
Hinge you'll never see.
10) "Remember that every stroke must have a complete follow-through to
prevent quitting and pecking at the ball."
Watch Tiger Wood's power knock down shots (even with driver) and tell me this
is true for "every" stroke.
Uhhh…I do believe Tiger's 'Stinger' goes to Both Arms Straight past
Impact. That is the definition of the Follow-Through. And if that is as 'fur
as she goes,' it is a. k. a. the Finish.
11) "The finish has the rank of a station in the Star System Triad for
simplified golfing but impact does not."
A correct downswing gives a good impact and a complete finish (except in
certain specialty shots such as knock downs, sand trap swings, etc.). I know
what HK is trying to say (don't quit on the shot and then manufacture a
finish), but this is not a good explanation at all.
Can you 'Pause' -- and realign -- at The Address (Station 1)? Can
you 'Pause' -- and realign -- at The Top (Station 2)? Can you 'Pause'
-- and realign (as the aforementioned Moe does every time) -- at The Finish
(Station 3)? Now, can you 'Pause' -- and realign -- at Impact?
Not so fast! HK's EXACT words were "the shoulder turn is as flat as
possible". True?
Well, if your shoulder turn is as flat as possible, it is an absolute
horizontal turn. True?
And if your shoulder turn is absolute horizontal turn, you will not be on
plane. True?
Therefore, can we not conclude HK's statements were inaccurate? Say
"True" one more time.
David Alford
My comments are in bold:
Not so fast! HK's EXACT words were "the shoulder turn is as flat as
possible". True?
True.
Well, if your shoulder turn is as flat as possible, it is an absolute
horizontal turn. True?
True.
And if your shoulder turn is absolute horizontal turn, you will not be on
plane. True?
Not true. The Shoulder Turn is a Zone 1 Component and, as
such, is independent of Plane (a Zone 3 Component). Assuming you
remained on a Turned Shoulder Plane -- TGM also defines alternate
non-Shoulder Planes -- you would be on the Plane of the (Horizontally) Turned
Right Shoulder. And this, in fact, would be the ideal, for geometrical
reasons beyond the scope of this post.
Unfortunately, we humans have a Waist Bend and Spine Angle to contend with, and a purely horizontal
Shoulder Turn could -- but might not necessarily -- produce an
awkward and un-golflike Motion. To the extent this is the case, it is by
definition improper Execution per 3-F-6. Homer therefore advises that
the ideal Horizontal Shoulder Turn be executed only as Flat as possible.
Therefore, can we not conclude HK's statements were inaccurate? Say
"True" one more time.
Sorry, SuperDave. The only inaccurate statement above is your own.
John and Yoda, one of my main points in this debate is that the reader
should not have to reference TGM to understand "where HK is coming
from" in comments intended for the readership of a golf magazine -
unless, UNLESS he gave a footnote to TGM with the comment, "you'll have
to go here to see what I really mean".
In plain English the public will intrepret "as flat as possible" to
be an absolutely horizonal turn. Turn the shoulders as flat as possible and
you'll have close to a baseball batter's plane. For a golfer you most certainly
will not be on plane. I'm sure HK got it right in TGM, but again, his article
or comments for the article in the given context are inaccurate and
misleading to say the least. My point remains valid.
David Alford
"As flat as possible" means exactly what you have cleverly
deduced...horizontal. If you can do it. If you cannot...then
turn the Shoulder as instructed, i.e., "as flat as possible."
Just what part of "as flat as possible" don't you get?
Understanding this phrase does not require a knowledge of TGM; it
requires only the ability to read and comprehend. Only my
explanation of your misinterpretation required a knowledge of TGM.
Unfortunately, SuperDave, you understood Homer Kelley all too well. When he
said "as flat as possible" -- ideally horizontal -- he meant it.
The problem is with you and your mistaken notion that the Plane of the
Shoulder Turn dictates the Plane of the Clubhead Orbit. And that, my friend,
is simply not the case. On the Backstroke, the Shoulders and the Clubhead
Rotate in two distinctly different Planes. Always have. Always will.
Beyond that, to say that a horizontal Shoulder Turn would produce a baseball
batter's Plane reveals just how fragmented your concepts really are. It is
not even a good comparison, much less proof that your "point remains
valid." Remember, we're talking about the horizontal Shoulder Turn in
the Backstroke, and you are obviously referring to the batter's
horizontal shoulder turn in the Downstroke.
"The hands have only a few inches to travel while the clubhead travel
Hybrid Mode
