Medinah Observations

I was at Medinah for the PGA Thursday for the first round.I camped out for a while on #8 tee box,the 204 yard par 3.
I could see most of the players using either a 4,5,6 iron but 5 iron was the club of choice.
Purpose of the post is I was surprised by the forward ball position and the open clubface at address from a majority of players.This equalled a high draw.Even Vijay who I thought exclusively cut the ball drew it on this hole.
The players I saw with this set up were Tom Lehman,Ernie Els,Robert Gamez,David Howell,John Daly,Vijay,Jeff Sluman and Freddy Couples.
So,this had to be the horizontal hinge action.
Originally Posted by mp33 I was at Medinah for the PGA Thursday for the first round.I camped out for a while on #8 tee box,the 204 yard par 3.
I could see most of the players using either a 4,5,6 iron but 5 iron was the club of choice.
Purpose of the post is I was surprised by the forward ball position and the open clubface at address from a majority of players.This equalled a high draw.Even Vijay who I thought exclusively cut the ball drew it on this hole.
The players I saw with this set up were Tom Lehman,Ernie Els,Robert Gamez,David Howell,John Daly,Vijay,Jeff Sluman and Freddy Couples.
So,this had to be the horizontal hinge action.
Sounds like a "high fade" with an "angled hinge" to me.
Originally Posted by bts Sounds like a "high fade" with an "angled hinge" to me.
That is what I thought too but it was a draw.What really struck me was the open clubface.I don't go to these events very often and I really watched closely to ball position,clubface angle, and ballflight when possible.
Stuart Applebly's preshot routine is horizontal hinge basic motion before every shot.On this paticular par3 ,while waiting for the green the to clear, Appleby grabs his SW and works on the HH basic motion.A few years ago I wouldn't have recognized this action.
Believe it or not but the majority of pros that play draws do so with some throwaway.

So to avoid an all out hook they will open the face a bit to allow for the "throw."
Originally Posted by jim_0068 Believe it or not but the majority of pros that play draws do so with some throwaway.

So to avoid an all out hook they will open the face a bit to allow for the "throw."
Might be off topic but just hit me when I read it.

Would you say that with maybe single digit or better players the main cause for the 'all out hook' would be throwaway?

I hit several of these all-outers last night.
Originally Posted by Millrat Might be off topic but just hit me when I read it.

Would you say that with maybe single digit or better players the main cause for the 'all out hook' would be throwaway?

I hit several of these all-outers last night.

Assuming reasonable grip and setup alignments, yep. Generally includes a right forearm/shoulder that comes into impact too high.