Retaining tension between abs/hips and shoulder

[jl923]

Is this important? I don't see much mention of this anywhere and was wondering if anyone had any thoughts on the matter. Was at the range today and couldnt hit the 5 wood. But by retaining the torque, the power felt effortless and promoted a in to out swing path.

[tshapiro]

I wouldn't exactly use the word tension as tension generally kills your ability to load up properly in the backswing and it also prevents you from properly extending in the downswing.

But, regardless of what you call it, you are on to something and that is the use of your body. Here is how I view the concept:

The left side of your body is the engine, the right side is basically the framework that supports the work being done by the left side. When I say support, I mean it in the literal sense. The right leg is used to maintain the proper pelvic and sternum angles, the right arm helps track the swing path - mostly on the way down. The key thought, in my thinking anyway, is that from the top, it must be the left side that pulls on the club. And that pull must start with the LOWER part of your body. Some people such as Ben Hogan say it feels as if your left hip initiates the motion. Others, such as Nick Faldo say it's the left knee. I find the left hip works best for me because the left hip actually pulls forward, back, and around the pivot created by your left leg and to me that is the heart of the golf swing action.

Getting to your point here... For all of this to work, the backswing must happen in a way that allows the muscles in your left side to get pulled taught as you approach the top. In other words for your lower left side to pull on the muscles that go from your left leg, around your hips, through your abdomen and back, attaching to your left shoulder and left arm, they must be taught. You can't pull something with a rope if the rope has got slack in it.

Some of the key thoughts here are to not let your right side muscles lift the club in the backswing. This only puts slack in your left side muscles. Also, complete your backswing, if you don't the left side is not pulled taught and it makes it difficult to initiate the action with your lower left side (the body, the hips, etc.). And, you must pull with the lower left side so that your hands and arms can stay relaxed. If your lower body is not doing the work than your hands will want to take over to try and save the shot. But, it is necessary that your hands and arms stay relaxed to get a good thud at impact - in other words to allow the energy being built up by the swing motion to flow into the ball.

So when you say maintain the tension between the hips, abdomen, and shoulders, I think you are stumbing onto the allusive concept of using your body which is what I tried to describe above.

[The Recreational Golfer]

I want to feel a little bit of stretching in my right shoulder to make sure I got it back all the way, and a little tug on the side of my right hip to make sure I didn't sway or straighten the leg. That's as wound up as I want to feel.

[jl923]

Bad idea to take the backswing past the initial tension? More power?

[Easy]

As long as you don't bend the left arm or your right elbow moving to far off the chest, I don't see why not. But I'm not too sure.