Hands Controlled Pivot vs. Pivot Controlled Hands

I've been getting some questions on hands controlled pivot versus pivot controlled hands, both are terms coined by Homer Kelley in 'The Golfing Machine.'

Homer Kelley would never say what he prefers in the golf swing since that is the overriding, heavily emphasized and diligent them of 'The Golfing Machine', there is no one way to swing a golf club and hit the ball effectively...but there is a best way for the individual golfer. Just finding out what is the best way for each individual golfer is the mystery we all try to solve.

With that, Homer stated that hands controlled pivot allows for more precise alignments throughout the golf stroke than pivot controlled hands and that 'the Right Forearm and #3 Pressure Point you are going to want to insure them for a Million Dollars.'

PIVOT CONTROLLED HANDS

The main misconception that golfers have when talking about the two methods is that it's a method in the TAKEAWAY and not the downswing.

Simply put, in the pivot controlled hands method, the golfer starts the backswing with their body pivoting and the pivot dragging the hands around. Greg McHatton is a good example of 'Pivot Controlled Hands' as he uses a lagging clubhead takeaway.



Pivot Controlled Hands is primarily used by the 'swinger' and thus primarily used on the PGA Tour where lagging clubhead takeaways and getting lots of width on the backswing are quite popular. Nicklaus is a prime example of pivot controlled hands.

HANDS CONTROLLED PIVOT

Conversely, the hands controlled pivot has the hands directing the pivot. Typically the hands move first and then the pivot follows, but they can move simultaneously, just the hands have to control the pivot and its alignments.

Of course, the right forearm takeaway is the primary component of the hands controlled pivot. 'Hitters' almost always use a hands controlled pivot. I believe Hogan used 'hands controlled pivot' and probably Moe Norman as well. But currently Brian Gay is the prototype hands controlled pivot golfer.



For more information on the right forearm takeaway, check out John Furze's article here. Also check out my video on the right forearm takeaway.





3JACK