What Jackie Burke Jr. Said.........

[tradekid]

.....in his new book, It's Only A Game: Words and Wisdom From a Lifetime in Golf, which is excerpted in the latest issue of Golf Digest.

1) At no time in the backswing should the back of the left hand face the ground

2) Late in the downswing try to extend your arms. They should feel like they're straining to leave the shoulder sockets.

3) Pretend the ball is divided into four quadrants. Hammer a nail into the quadrant nearest your right foot.

Sounds familiar.

He also talks about how Hogan always played from a constant ball position which was a few inches inside his left heel. He once asked Hogan why he didn't move the ball around and Hogan said "I'm not good or smart enough to do that." According to Burke, Hogan altered his ball flight by varying how far his hands were ahead of the ball at address and impact.

He also has a disdain for instructors on The Golf Channel who take calls from viewers and tries to correct their problems.

Looks like an interesting read.

[Irish Maverick]

nice one TK - I like the bit about Hogan and ball position - this would eliminate another variable if I could stick with it - does it fit in with TGM? Thanks.

[tradekid]

nice one TK - I like the bit about Hogan and ball position - this would eliminate another variable if I could stick with it - does it fit in with TGM? Thanks.

Low point in the swing is opposite the left shoulder as projected on the ground. So Hogan's one ball position complies. What makes the ball position "appear" to move is the location of the right foot. (We're talking right handed golfers) Widen the stance makes the ball position "appear" more forward in the stance. Narrow the stance it makes the ball position "appear" more into the center of the stance. In reality, the ball position in relation to the left shoulder has not changed.

My thinking has always been to not think of where the ball is in relation to your feet. Think of ball position in relation to your lead shoulder.

As an aside. I see your writing from Dublin. 23 years ago I took a trip commonly called a "honeymoon" to Ireland. Didn't take my clubs as I should have. Wished I had. Took the airplane ride into London. Then a train to the coast of Wales. Hopped a ferry across the Irish Sea to Dublin. Rented a car and drove on the wrong side of the road up the coast, then west to County Mayo. Then south to Cork. Then back to Dublin. Since then, I have vowed to make the trip again, but this time it will be with the clubs and without the "baggage".

P.S. the baggage I had 23 years ago has been jettisoned. My current loving wife is fully golf compliant.

[Irish Maverick]

Rented a car and drove on the wrong side of the road up the coast

... aha ... so that was you ...

[Theodan]

(snip)... Think of ball position in relation to your lead shoulder....(snip)

That's one for the memorable file. Economy of expression.

[redan]

In general, any animal that keeps its head down is going to get eaten.

[Yoda]

In reality, the ball position in relation to the left shoulder has not changed.

Loved your post, tradekid. The 'between the lines' not-so-sentimental journey was just too much!

On the technical side, with the Ball Position constant in relation to the Left Heel, you are absolutely right that the movement of the Right Foot determines the ultimate Ball Location. However, with the the Head remaining Centered between the Feet, then, as the Stance widens, the Ball Position will change markedly in relation to the Left Shoulder. Step 'wide right' and let your Head (and Left Shoulder) go with you, and you will see exactly what I mean.

So...

With Head centered between the Feet (or nearly so), the closer the Right Foot is to the Left Heel -- narrow Stance -- the more the Left Shoulder is positioned 'forward' (and therefore, the more the Ball is positioned 'back'). And vice versa: As the Right Foot moves away from the Left Heel --wider Stance -- the Centered Head and Left Shoulder also move 'back,' effectively positioning the Ball further 'forward.'

[vj]

Yoda,

There must be a huge application of ball position and its effects on plane line and plane angle shifts. Meaning, the further back the ball is played the more up-plane it is, so the clubhead will move Down and OUT more to low point. OVER TIME (maybe a long time) wouldn't a ball position well back of low point shift possibly a turned shoulder plane angle to more of an elbow plane angle. Closer to low point would do the opposite.

[Rhythm]

Thats an interesting thought.