Important Matter of Hand Action
To further explain w7hy this important matter of hand action was deferred until this time, let me state that in all fields of learning there is a certain sequence or procedure and in this respect a golf stroke is no exception. In golf the learning process is as follows: First, one learns the correct starting position; Next, one learns to handle one's weight; Then, one learns to use and establish the body as the medium of swinging the club; Finally, one learns to use the hands to put and keep the club in position as it is swung.
As important as it is, the matter of positioning the club in golf is a simple and positive procedure. It can be likened to the technique employed by the billiard player.
For example, the billiard player can make the cue ball travel forward after impact, through the simple process of tilting his cue up, so that the cue contacts the upper part of the cue ball. Such a contact will produce an over spin on the cue ball, a "follow run" or "follow English," so that the cue ball will travel forward after impact.
By reversing the position of the cue, by tilting the cue down so that it contacts the lower part of the ball, a reverse spin or "reverse English" is produced, and after impact the cue ball reverses itself or travels backwards. In a like manner, a golfer can produce similar results with a golf ball. Through the simple process of putting the club in an open position, the golfer can make the ball slice, or curve to the right.
By reversing the club position, putting the club in a closed position, the golfer can make the ball hook, or curve to the left. Obviously, by putting the club into a square position, the golfer can make the ball fly absolutely straight. And yet, on many occasions when I have made this simple explanation of how to hook and slice, I have had pupils throw their hands up in the air, as if in horror, and many have come forth with the same statement.
"I don't want to be a tournament player. I don't want to hook or slice. I just want to hit a straight ball."
Well, the truth of the situation is that in all games where a ball is used, the basis and the measure of control that is developed is the amount and type of spin or English applied to the ball. Of course, the object, the goal, the desire in golf is to drive the straight ball, but that perfect club position, the one that drives the ball straight, is the in-between position that is incapable of description, because it is neither open nor is it closed.
To express it another way, unless a player can distinguish between the open and the closed position he will never learn to steer that middle course, the square position. One more comment before going into the detail of how and when the hands work in a golf shot.
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