Ben Hogan : The Diagonal Stance

Mr.Hogan's stance allows to locate the downswing vertical axis of rotation in the same place towards the lead ankle joint; the rear foot moves back the longer the club is, makes it finding the bottom of the arc earlier.
The diagonal stance gives a much better base for a human body weight. The bigger surface the base has the easier is to be in balance through the motion and, what is even more important, the easier is to use the ground shear forces comparing to when all body parts are in line with each other. Human feet are very small in relation to the entire body mass that they must keep in balance, especially during such a dynamic motion as the golf swing is.
Observe how Mr.Hogan seeks for a stable stance that would guarantee the most effective usage of the ground forces. A closed toe line, open hips and square shoulders (in relation to each other), a flared lead while a squared rear foot plus different pressure points for both feet - these are the real keys.

Learn more at: http://biokineticgolfswing.blogspot.com

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• Ben
• Hogan
• BGST
• biokinetic
• swing
• golf
• diagonal
• stance

[steviecom]

My favorite Mr. Hogan quote, when ask about muscle memory, ''muscles ain't got no memory they do what I tell them to do.'' Swinging a golf club is not like walking, or seeing, or heartbeats, but Mr. Hogan believed the golf swing to be a unnatural act. People don't think automatically also like a heart beats, the mind untrained is out of control and gives in to the whims of the moment, illusions, emotions, the mind is blank in most people. I really think Mr. Hogan was conscious of every position.

[h1e2x3]

@steviecom Yes, that's why partial automatism can be obtained only thanks to hard structure of the body. Hence, the theory of natural limitations comes into force. Another great comment, Stevie.

[steviecom]

So Mr. Hogan had the weight on his left heel at address and on his right ball of his foot with the rest of the clubs, do I understand that right? That's how he got his right knee in that position at address, I never noticed that before, the weight distribution. That puts the right leg in a much stronger position.

[h1e2x3]

@steviecom Yes, although I meant not only weight per se but also the dynamic pressure. As Mr.Burke says, Hogan set up often with the rear heel slightly off the ground (or without any pressure). It is a very important component of the diagonal stance concept.

And yes again, strong rear side built from the ground up is crucial to create automatism of passing from backswing to downswing phase. I recommend to you to watch the SPC concept video. All LEGO pieces matches ideally.

[steviecom]

@h1e2x3 ....In 5 Fundamentals Mr. Hogan says the weight should be towards the heels at address but with his heel off the ground of his right foot the weight received from the turn will accept as much as it can throughout the whole foot, putting the right leg in a much stronger position. If weight is on heels at beginning it's much less inconsistent, weaker, and not as dynamic.Some driver swings look like the left leg is very slightly bent or even stiff putting the weight towards his heel.

[h1e2x3]

@steviecom Yes, a very good point. Great observations.

[h1e2x3]

@SimpleAz Yes, he did. I presume you ask because in the diagonal stance feet line is closed (like the conventional instruction says when someone asks what to do to draw the ball) - well, the truth is that we should never think that feet are to aim. One should aim with shoulders. Hogan's feet were closed but his hips were open. The allocation of his feetused his feet was the best way to ensure effective usage of ground forces and balance. Try it and you'll never return back.

[h1e2x3]

@wagaiznogoud Only the original stance diagramme. The rest of info goes out both of Gardner Dickinson's comments on Hogan's stance as well as my researches on biokinetics. The diagonal stance is the most logic one.

[1DCCX]

His swing changed over time, including his set-up and post-accident. It's hard to pick a swing, with the terrible 'off-line' camera angles too, as a 'datum', or a 'base-line'. We also don't know what he intended to do with the shape of the ball-flight on any of these shots, nor where he was aiming, nor if he mis-hit it. He wasn't infallible, and much has been written on the basis he was. Much of the footage, if not all, is too out of focus and doesn't follow the result of the shot to analyse it.

[thetruthaboutgolf]

science proves this is a bad move / concept. The longer clubs path comes MORE inside to out which in turn will put more spin on the ball and make it harder for consistent flight. FACT.

[emjeyzee]

@finster869 IMO There are 2 ways to fade the ball. 1 Aim left of the target (feet and shoulders) and open the clubface by rotating the shaft clckwise (this will increase the rel loft of the c.f. and point the c.f. to the right..probably at the actual target.) Swing on the target line your feet are aimed at. 2 Aim your feet to the target. Aim your shlders lft of the target which should push the grip end of the club fwd (and open the face). Swing on shoulder line keeping hands forward of ball

[h1e2x3]

@TadRapidly Yup; too bad that current golf instruction is so stupid not to notice such crucial issues for a human motion.