Center of Golf Swing Orbit: Left Shoulder or Spine?

Why is the Left Shoulder considered the center of the Golf Swing orbit and not the spine?

Since our upper body rotates around the spine, I would think that it plays a larger role in the low point of the swing (as opposed to the left shoulder socket).

I'm a newbie to the TGM and have only just started to learn its fundamentals. I'm sure this question has already been answered and is likely already addressed in Homer's book. References would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

Two quick reasons. First, the low point in the swing is under the left shoulder-this point in a circle would be vertical of the center. Also, what if there is no pivot (short shot or no pivot swing), then the bottom has to be under the shoulder.

Ok, I can understand this in the second case (short swing with no pivot). The left shoulder joint is much more static.

In the case of a full swing (where one turns about his spine), however, it seems much more complicated since the left shoulder joint is constantly changing (I.e. Orbiting around the spine).

Chris,
Lowpoint can vary depending on the swing. On a practical perspective you'll probably find it close to opposite the left shoulder. Although you could hit some balls and find the lowest point of the clubhead path for your swing and it may be somewhat different.

If you were to perform a putt, chip or other swing where the arms, hands and club were "frozen" and you just rotated your spine - then the lowpoint is opposite the one moving center - your spine.

In the golf swing you have multiple moving centers, so depending on the sequence and timing of each center's (shoulder, wrist, etc) lowest point the actually lowpoint of the clubhead will/could vary slightly from player to player, or swing to swing.

Originally Posted by ckniker References would be greatly appreciated.

Chris,

Welcome aboard! Reference 1-F and 2-H.

Thanks. This is what I was looking for.

I had just watched the DVD with Lynn and VJ and was questioning VJ's blanket statement that the "Low Point of the swing is underneath the left shoulder socket" (or similar wording). Seemed a little too simplistic.

Other than that, the DVD is a gold mine.

Originally Posted by ckniker Thanks. This is what I was looking for.

I had just watched the DVD with Lynn and VJ and was questioning VJ's blanket statement that the "Low Point of the swing is underneath the left shoulder socket" (or similar wording). Seemed a little too simplistic.

Other than that, the DVD is a gold mine.

Welcome!
It IS more complicated than that you're right.......but VJ knows that, trust me. DVD was per TGM, and it is a great one.

Originally Posted by ckniker Why is the Left Shoulder considered the center of the Golf Swing orbit and not the spine?

Since our upper body rotates around the spine, I would think that it plays a larger role in the low point of the swing (as opposed to the left shoulder socket).

I'm a newbie to the TGM and have only just started to learn its fundamentals. I'm sure this question has already been answered and is likely already addressed in Homer's book. References would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Chris

Good question. I think those illustrations are misleading and I don't agree that the right shoulder is the swing center unless you have a pivot stall before impact and just let the arms and club fly past.

IMO, these illustrations also tend to create confusion with regards to the role of the left shoulder as a power source through impact. The left shoulder is forward of the swing center so any pulling from it will also produce a forward force, and not just a centripetal force.

Originally Posted by Mike O
If you were to perform a putt, chip or other swing where the arms, hands and club were "frozen" and you just rotated your spine - then the lowpoint is opposite the one moving center - your spine.

In the golf swing you have multiple moving centers, so depending on the sequence and timing of each center's (shoulder, wrist, etc) lowest point the actually lowpoint of the clubhead will/could vary slightly from player to player, or swing to swing.

Book literalist! Dont need a book when you got it memorized, digitized and prob'ly sanforized. Im watching you Mikey.

Originally Posted by Yoda The Left Shoulder is the Center of the Arm Swing (Zone #2). The Head (or, as may be preferered, the 'point between the shoulders') is the Center of the Body Pivot (Zone #1).

They are different.

Yep, I understand those points. I should have rephrased the title "Is the low point of the Golf Swing opposite the left arm socket...Always?". Questioning that blanket statement from the DVD was the sole reason I posted the thread.

Thanks to all for the helpful responses.