Homer Kelley disagreed, in fact Yoda said in 2006,

Homer Kelley told me:

"You can 'clown' the Backstroke," i.e., take it back however you want (and from whatever position you want), but at the end of the day, per 1-L #20:

"For any given Line of Compression, every Machine must produce identical Impact Alignments."

I think Homer was much less concerned with the backswing than people here today, and much more concerned with getting to the Top/End with enough physics potential to deliver those Impact Alignments with as much clubhead speed as possible.

Very interesting observations. I am finding working hard on the basic geometry with my students, and my own swing is paying off faster than anything I've ever taught or studied. My students, however, are not nearly as advanced as you and Justin...

Kevin

Send in the Clowns
 

You can indeed "clown the backswing" if you can re-Align yourself at Station 2, the Top (12-3-0), but why make it more difficult than it needs to be. The problem is that a poorly executed Backstroke can indeed affect the Top and Start Down Alignments. Clowning around is only for the golfers that understand how to rediscover their Hands at the Top. Hogan knew how to do it. He started with a shoulder turn takeaway, but re-aligned himself. For us mere mortal, the longer we can keep the club on Plane the better.

Include me under the "mere mortal" section...:)

I believe for less talent beginners expecially those who pick up golf very late, backswing is most important. There is no way for them to return to a correct impact alignment with a off plane top/end such as too inside.

Re-alignment isn't necessary if the left shoulder swings the left flying wedge up on plane while the turning the shoulders flat. It isn't hard to do at all. In fact, it's a much easier assignment for educated hands than directing a great big right shoulder to drive a dime-sized sweetspot to one dimple inside aft. My definition of a clown BS would be one which didn't maximize the range of shoulder motion and core torque.

Lost me there MJ. How does a left shoulder swing the FWedge up with a Flat Shoulder turn? Image does not compute into a visual. I'm sure you have this down pat but my brain is trying to work out the hands/arms lifting role connected to the left shoulder swinging up/around. Any chance of posting a quick vid?

Left arm lifts up under direction from the hands and gets a "boost" from the left shoulder. Left arm up, shoulders around. Remember we're using hand control here. This gives us lots of #4, a deep right shoulder, and a nice torgue of the lats. You trace the plane line with the butt end as #2 loads. And, by the way, with proper hip action this can all be done with a rock steady tripod. I don't feel like a clown when I do this and don't think I look like one either, and I'm also sure anyone can do it.

Just got my new Casio EX-FC150 last night! I've gotta get it out of the box and get familiar, so it won't be quick.

I like that image, MJ

AHA, there's another around here who "cranks it up" ! :nono: