BIO  SERVO  CONTROL I

Golf, we most likely do agree, is not the easiest of sports. Yet it could have been virtually impossible to play without the help of inertial forces, these enigmatic entities around everywhere and frequently hardly considered to be real forces.

Let’ s have a look at the fact that when we are wheeling that big driver we manage to obtain in most swings quite readily very similar impact conditions for the club face. If you don’ t think this to be rather surprising than this post is not meant for you.

If we look at Figs 1, 2 and 3 there are very different angles at the top of the back swing, yet there is one striking similarity - the near identical positions of inner and outer segments at impact.

The initial angle is resp. 120, 90 and 60 deg. These angles remain constant for a short while do to a dead stop (green) till inertial torque starts opening the arm/shaft angle - from there on there is free hinging. Same constant torque applied at the center, for all three cases, throughout the whole swing.

It is as if nature was geared for golf and dislikes any deviation from correct impact conditions. However to be really effective, not too much manipulation of the club with active wrists/hands. It seems to play into the hands of those referring to ‘centrifugal swinging’ in their teaching methods.

Figs 1a, 2a, and 3a give an idea why this occurs. Notice, for instance, that for swing 3 there is a larger positive torque operating  for a longer time. It could be taken as if there was a bio servo control at work with the near optimal impact conditions built in as the equilibrium condition for the loop.

I realize that we don’ t have an exact model of a real swing but it should nevertheless give some weight to the admonishment used through many centuries to let the club do the work.

It really seems that you don’t have to necessarily manipulate the club head to obtain consistent impact conditions. However not doing what comes naturally is not easy for many.


mandrin