11 June 2012
Dustin Johnson, away from the tour for 2+ months with an injury, came back fully rested and well focused. Once again showing us the promise of talent that he possesses. Hitting it long and straight and holing just enough putts, a BIG CONGRATS TO JUSTIN JOHNSON on his trip to the winners circle.
Dustin, never short on talent, has that supinated left wrist position at the top of his backswing. While strange to see it at the top, it is the left wrist position that Ben Hogan taught us to hold through the region of impact. The problem with putting the left wrist in that position at the top of the backswing is that the club gets out of balance. So Dustin is sacrificing swing feel for a mechanically sound position at impact. The result to date is that Dustin does not have a good touch or feel for precise distances with his wedge game.
The question is: should Justin try to make the changes to a flat left wrist, square-face, balanced club position at the top – in order to improve his short game feel, or stick with what he knows and play the best he can with that lack of feel he is sacrificing. Were these alternatives properly presented to Justin, what choice do you think he should make?
I look forward to responses. Leave a comment!
Our CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR AWARD this week goes to Rory McIlroy. Rory apparently found a swing key of feel that has been missing these past weeks when he failed to make the cut three weeks running. He played well, and lead the tournament most of the way. He’ll need to be a little sharper all around next week to defend as U.S. Open Champion.
Rory altered his schedule to play the St Jude, so that he could get in some competitive rounds going into the US Open next week at the Olympic Club in San Francisco. Rory is a big supporter of St. Jude’s Childrens’ Hospital, so the sponsor was more than happy to have Rory turn out.
Rory tends to break down his left wrist too soon after impact, causing him to turn the ball left on occasion. If he would keep it supinated well into his delivery from ball to target, he could play his go to shot – a baby draw coming down the stretch instead of having to go to the controlled fade, which is not a natural shot for Rory. This little change, I think, is the final adjustment Rory needs in his swing to command the # 1 ranking! Emotional self-control is the self management he yet needs to consistently take full advantage of the level of his talent.
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