Factors that Impact the Dowswing Path: Zoom Session July 29, 2024
Copyright, Wright Balance® 2024
This Quiz is from the July 29, 2024 Zoom Session
Note: This session explores how Justin Rose's and Billy Horschel's routines set them up for errant shots during the 2024, British Open. It also reviews many of the balance issues that will adversely impact the downswing path.
This is a link to a video of the July 29, 2024 Zoom session:
After watching this video, you should be able to answer the following questions.
1. Question
During the 2024 British Open, what one thing did Justin Rose and Billy Horschel need to do to change their downswing path?
A. Stand more squarely behind the ball
B. Start the club back more on plane from address
C. Remove their trail hand from the grip and replace it once they are in their full set up to the ball
D. Call their teaching professional for a tune up
Answer
C. Remove their trail hand from the grip and immediately replace it once they are in their full set up to the ball. Their routines set the Upper Kinetic Chain before the Lower Kinetic Chain. The foundation must be completely built (posture, stance width, grip, grip pressure, sequencing of motion and a square hip line) before the Upper Kinetic Chain is complete.
2. Question
The fingers, wrists, arms, elbows, shoulders and cervical (neck) and thoracic (middle) spine make up what is referred to as the:
A. Upper Kinetic Chain
B. The Chain of Wright Balance®
C. The Neurological Pathway
D. None of the above
Answer
Upper Kinetic Chain
3. Question
The following illustrations represent:
Answer
Variations of two of the three possible downswing paths
4. Question
The following illustrations
will result from:
A. Engaging the Upper Core (Upper Kinetic Cain) before the lower Core (Lower Kinetic Chain)
B. A Sequencing Motion that does not match your dominant Core Zone
C. Gripping with Power Spots that don't match your dominant Core Zone
D. Setting up to the ball with your hands on the club before you set your posture
E. All of the above
Answer
E. All of the above
5. Question
True or False
When the Upper Kinetic Chain is set before the Lower Kinetic Chain, there is a disruption of the Core creating a rotation of the pelvis and a potential for injury. This process is easily checked with a golf, baseball, softball or cricket swing. Simply swing the golf club to the top or from the setup or swing position at the top for bat and ball sports. Once you are at a point of transition for the downswing, STOP. Stand tall and check your hip line. If the hip line is square, your routine, grip, sequencing of motion and posture are good,. If not, your hips are rotated left or right of the target line and your downswing path will follow that hip line most of the time.
Answer
True
6. Question
When was the observation of the downswing path being the same as the line of force first observed and then subsequently used to observe the position of the hips at the top of the swing?
Answer
During the research by Drs. Wright, Mellman, Smith, Jobe & Watkins in early 2000s. It was revived by Dr. Wright in 2023 after he isolated the hips so the hips were square at address 100 percent of the time.
7. Question
True or False
The Lower Spine to your toes is your Lower Kinetic Chain & from your Thoracic Spine to your head makes up the Upper Kinetic Chain.
Answer
True
8. Question
What impact does routine, grip, posture and sequencing of motion have on the downswing path?
Answer
Those are a few of several setup and motion variables that will either open, close or keep the hips square when tested at the top of the swing.
9. Question
In order to test the downswing path, the hips must be:
A. Set square to the target / stance line
B. Open to the target / stance line
C. Closed to the target / stance line
D. None of the above
Answer
A. Set square to the target / stance line. A square hip line at address is necessary as a reference when looking at the downswing path at the top of the swing.
10. Question
When testing the downswing at the top of the swing and you note that your hips are square, this means what?
Answer
A square hip line at the top of the swing or at the point of the backstroke with a putter, is the best indicator of the downswing path. It means that your grip, posture, power spots, grip pressure were correctly set at address and your sequencing of motion to the top of the swing matched your Core Zone.
Notes for You
Upper & Lower Kinetic Chain Defined
The major joints or foundation of the Upper Kinetic Chain are fingers, wrists, forearms, elbows, shoulders, and cervical & thoracic spine. These bone structures are supported by muscles, tendons and fascia. This soft tissue also comprise parts of the Upper Kinetic Chain
The major joints or foundation of the Lower Kinetic Chain are the toes, feet, ankles, knees, hips, pelvis, and lumbar spine. These bone structures are supported by muscles, tendons and fascia that also comprise parts of the Lower Kinetic Chain
I received an email following the Zoom session asking if I had any documentation on the early research in Dr. Jobe's biomechanics lab. I found these videos describing the research protocol in my archives from early 2000.