Technical analysis is a major part of the golf swing. By using physics and other science of golf techniques, professionals have developed teaching methods that appeal to the analytical mind. Thinking of the golf swing as a lever process is no different. Golfers try to stay on plane throughout the swing, and the two-lever method is a proven technique for muscle movement and swing consistency.
Lever Basics in Golf
According to studies done by Science and Golf, physics has always modeled the golf swing off two-lever action. This could be visualized as a pendulum swinging back and forth. One lever is formed by the rotation of the forearms, shoulders and upper chest in the top of the golf swing. The other level is working against the first as the club rotates through with the wrists hinging and unhinging to square the club face. The key to this swing is to coordinate the timing for consistent golf shots.
Four Part Series
With the visual of a lever in mind, the swing actually consists of four parts where the levers are working together: the back swing, downswing, impact, and follow-through. In the back swing, the top lever is working backwards away from the ball while the second lever follows in sync. The levers reach the pendulum motion at the top of the back swing, then work together again back towards the ball. Without added body motion or wrist action, this action alone creates positive golf shots.
Impact Zone
The moment of truth in golf is when the ball strikes the club face, otherwise called the impact zone. It is the motion right before impact that is the most difficult to coordinate as a golfer, and produces shots that either stay straight or move left and right. As a lever coming into impact, the hips and trunk of the golfer move both levers through the beginning of the down swing. The wrists turn over towards the target as the second lever works with the upper body, or first lever.
Breaking Down the Wrists
At this point, seconds before impact, the wrist action becomes complicated. When working with levers, the upper lever is moving towards the ball, but the wrists have created lag and are trying to delay the hit as long as possible. As the body is turning towards the ball, the wrists are bringing the shoulders, arms and hands lever on an axis closer to the ball. Forces act in parallel direction to assist in the golfer generating club head speed and maximizing the use of levers to actually hit the golf ball.
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