Let Release Happen or Force it: A question of balance

[mvmac]

mvmac, thanks for your reponses.

so now that we have the "release happens" philosophy on the table, and you posted a picture of lining up your arm with the club (with a slight shaft lean I might add), this suggests to me that when you turn your torso and shoulders on the down swing, the closer you get to impact, the higher you have to get your left shoulder (for a right golfer).  In this case, for someone who is not used to this position, it will most likely feel like you are literally swinging under the ball?

Yes, lining up the shaft with the lead arm at or just after impact means there is shaft lean. Commonality of all good players.

I don't think the feeling of swinging "under the ball" is generally a good thing, could be disastrous IMO Most golfers already swing under the ball which is why they hit it fat and thin.

So the combination of twisting the hips and torso, and causing that last minute elevation of the left shoulder (for right handed golfers) will automatically cause proper lag to release?  I need to video tape my front view swings.

Nothing is "last minute". The shoulder doesn't just pop up, it is gradually working it's way forward, around and up. Basically the torso and hips are rotating on a tilted angle.

The left shoulder is elevating because the weight is forward at impact with a steady head. Causes what we call axis tilt (black line). This is a good thing.

Note the red dot on the left hip in the left pic. From the top of the backswing to impact, the hips have turned and transferred forward.

[zenbudda]

very insightful response mvmac.  thanks!