How should I trace?

Many times in the book, in various posts here and most of all in the flying wedges clip there are references to tracing the plane line. It seems both an important and useful concept.
Problem is I'm not quite sure how to use this information...

For a straight shot: am I supposed to 'follow' the plane line, parallell to the stance line, on the ground with the first joint of my right index finger?
If yes- what does follow mean? My hand will obviously move backward, inward and upward.. What is my visual reference?

Imagine your right forearm is replaced with a flashlight:



All you do is point this beam of light on the plane line. This is known as "Tracing the Straight Plane Line". Your clubhead will move in an arc even though you're guided by a straight line. Regarding visual cues, this will come by experience. So...

Go buy a flashlight and start tracing!

Hee...

Alright then! Thanks!

Ahahahaha.....nice touch with the flashlight pic Tong.

For the visual learner eh?

...I like it.

Originally Posted by birdie_man Ahahahaha.....nice touch with the flashlight pic Tong.

For the visual learner eh?

...I like it.

I actually thought someone would say, "do you think I'm an idiot?" when I posted that picture...but what the heck!

Originally Posted by tongzilla I actually thought someone would say, "do you think I'm an idiot?" when I posted that picture...but what the heck!

What the . . . do you think I'm an IDIOT?

Originally Posted by tongzilla I actually thought someone would say, "do you think I'm an idiot?" when I posted that picture...but what the heck!

Then I am twice the idiot because my flashlights are joined end to end, with the lights facing away from each other.

Held like a golf club, this contraption allows me to trace the plane line on take away with the downward pointing light at address (i.e clubhead light). I can then check that I am on plane going to the top of the backswing, and that I am parallel to the target line at the top, with the light that was facing upward at address (i.e butt end of the shaft light). From there I can then trace the plane line coming down, again with the butt end light.

At parallel to the ground on the down stroke the lights face the target (butt end) and point directly in line away from the target (clubhead) - the opposite, obviously, having applied on the backstroke.

From that point on the clubhead light traces the plane through the impact area and follow through to the finish.

A very valuable training aid.

I aasume that this is the Monica Lewinsky version flashlight??

Are batteries included??

Originally Posted by SwingNorthtoSouth I aasume that this is the Monica Lewinsky version flashlight??

No you didn't!!!!

Are we calling the straight plane line, the same as tracing the target line?

Thanks

Originally Posted by Ironman_110us Are we calling the straight plane line, the same as tracing the target line?

Thanks

You trace your Plane Line, which can be the target line (normally), but does not have to be.

If you trace the plane line, for the same club (say, driver), you will always end up on the same plane - the TSP? Since you are tracing, there is only one same movement to the top.

Originally Posted by Andretti Many times in the book, in various posts here and most of all in the flying wedges clip there are references to tracing the plane line. It seems both an important and useful concept.
Problem is I'm not quite sure how to use this information...

For a straight shot: am I supposed to 'follow' the plane line, parallell to the stance line, on the ground with the first joint of my right index finger?
If yes- what does follow mean? My hand will obviously move backward, inward and upward.. What is my visual reference?

Per 5-0 "...This is done as though a flashlight were lashed to the Right Forearm with the #3 Pressure Point as the lens..."

Originally Posted by comdpa Per 5-0 "...This is done as though a flashlight were lashed to the Right Forearm with the #3 Pressure Point as the lens..."

How about that now?

Well I HAVE been restrictive with posts since I started studying the book. And that was for a reason- no need for stupid questions (RTFM). Problem is- when you're alternating between book and forum/videos you get sort of ahead of yourself. Even though it's evident that this isn't the fastest way to proper learning it's sometimes hard to pull the reigns...

Well. No more of that now. Need to finish the book- I AM well under way.

Thanks for your patience with posts such as that above.

[austrian accent of your choosing] "I'll be back"

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