If you were to ask me what my greatest breakthrough was in studying and analyzing golf swings (and building swing models), I would have to point to the day I figured out Ben Hogan’s pivot action.
Hogan himself stated that the proper pivot was a whole-body motion and didn’t separate the upper and lower bodies.
You can actually see the proof of it in the pivot demonstration I posted about on the weekend – you only have to look at two things to see it.
In fact, I show the viewer what to watch before I begin my pivot – I tap my right shoulder with one hand, and my right knee with the other:
If you watch that shoulder and knee during the pivot, you can see how they are connected – when the shoulder moves, the knee is moving with it, or vice versa, the knee moves, and the shoulder moves with it.
It is not one part moving the other, which is why I say “moves with it.”
They move together.
The next point is obvious to be embarrassing that I have to state it – if the right shoulder and knee are connected in the whole-body pivot, then the left shoulder and knee are connected in the same manner.
This is why you get the most leverage with a whole-body swing.
Just as with a judo throw, you’re using the whole body:
The entire body and its mass are involved in the down swing and the leverage is there without having to do anything more than shift one’s weight to the leading foot to begin the down swing, as Jack Nicklaus so ably demonstrated with his left shoulder and knee:
When the weight transfers to the leading foot and the leading knee and shoulder swing back toward the target, what comes along with them?
The trailing knee and shoulder! You can see it as well in Jack’s down swing to impact.
Awesome, effortless leverage that is accomplished by simply transferring the weight at the start of the transition from the top.
That’s how I could swing a Momentus Heavy Driver and generate over 160 mph ball speed without hurting my back – because I was swinging with my whole body:
Now, think of the effort and bother it takes to intentionally disconnect this whole-body unit, and the damage this does to the swinger’s body and ask yourself – why?
I’m still trying to answer question that without using the words “fraud” or “malpractice.”
WAX Golf 
It’s the only way to be
No need to reinvent the wheel.
Hey DJ; you were asking about examples of ppl who use the classic swing: I give you Steve Pratt (you may have already come across him) Cheers!
Unleash EXPLOSIVE Speed With This 1 Simple Move!
Yup, I know Steve Pratt and he is definitely a Classic Golf Swing proponent. He’s from the Mike Austin school of swing.
Quick question regarding the trail foot at impact, just to confirm or disprove my golf swing knowledge: If the trail foot is low to flat at impact, does that make the release the same or close to the same every time?
Not sure I understand the question, MMJ – one can have a consistent foot position in every impact position and still be doing other things incorrectly.
A low trailing foot at impact is just that. If one is not set up square to the target line, the grip changing, club path into the ball – there are numerous factors at impact that will affect consistency.
I need to study this post!
Question on the downswing. I know there are some old-timers like Bobby Jones who advocate for the lower body to fire first in the downswing while leaving the club at the top which creates a whipping motion.
What are your thoughts on this?
Similar to the backswing connection, are you moving everything (hips, arms, shoulders) down at the same time?
Cheers,
Scott
Hey Scott,
I wouldn’t swing exactly like Bobby Jones – he learned to swing and played in the hickory shafts era and they were very whippy, so while the pivot mechanics were basically the same, the swings themselves were very different.
The down swing IS initiated with the lower body because you’re supported by it. But think of throwing a ball – you rear back and then step into the throw – you don’t start the throw while still going back.
As far as swing advice, I wouldn’t listen to anyone specifically who was outside the Hogan to Tom Watson era. These guys were the greats.
If you’re going to take any swinger’s advice on swinging, why not the G.O.A.T.?
Aside from the Hogan pivot action, I would listen to Nicklaus before anyone else. 👍🏼