Ducking the left shoulder (Joe Dante)

In reading "The Four Magic Moves" by Joe Dante, a very good book in it's own rite, I ran across a very unclear expression that I am hoping someone can clarify for me.

He states "One of the worst things that can happen is for the left shoulder to duck. When this occurs the club goes off the plane it should follow." He also states "Many players, we find in teaching, will duck the left shoulder and think they are turning it. They substitute the duck for the turn."

Never does he clearly define what a "duck" is. Is he talking about dropping it or what??

Can someone please clarify this?

Thanks,

Chessbum....

Thanks, Golfone. I appreciate the reply.

After reading and re-reading your reply, I am still not sure what the difference is.

When you say "the inside of the shoulder coming under the chin" are you implying that what is happening is an incomplete turn? In other words, which is the correct position? Is the correct position with the should seam to be under your chin and the belly-button pointing away from the target?

Thanks in advance for your patience. I just want to get it right. I hope that you will have the time to respond and clarify it for me.

Much appreciated,

Chessbum...

This is what he meant:




Fig. 17A. The completed break, with hands approximately waist high. The "left shoulder has turned and not ducked, the club face is square.









Fig 17B. A common fault in executing the break. The left shoulder has ducked, the player substituting the duck for the correct turning action.

ducking the left shoulder is dropping the shoulder down rather than turning the left shoulder with an above the waist core pivot. If you think of the belly button lifting up and the left shoulder dropping down-that is ducking and it produces ugly thinned weak shots to the right.
When one stays centered over the ball-depending on ball position-and turns the left shoulder LEVEL under the chin, that is a pivot.
The left knee should flex in or slightly backward away from the target as one pivots, this adds good weight distribution to the shot.
People who sway fight ducking the left shoulder also because they sway instead of turn on BS.

Thanks to all for the great responses!!

After seeing the illustrations taken right from the book, I went back to my book and indeed found the same illustrations. I didn't read them close enough to see the drawings.

One of the reasons I was so adamant about understanding this was that last year I went through a horrible period where I hitting the exact shot you described, a very weak shot that I describe as a horrible push slice. I worked on a lots of things but the one thing that really helped was working on rotating my shoulders. This book, along with your insight has led me to believe that I have that tendency, to duck.

I went to two instructors, of which never really was able to help me. Now, I am hitting the ball really well and I am very pleased.

Thanks for all your help!!!!

Chessbum...

Figure 17B sure looks like part of a stack and tilt move which has been the thing here lately...........None for me

Dear Golfone,

"Put a shirt on, look at the outside of your shoulder. See the seam that connects the shoulder to the shirt, you want that portion under the chin in the backswing.

If the top of the shoulder by the neck is under the chin you are lifting and not turning."

This is the part I still do not understand. Are you talking about the seam that runs along the shoulder and joins the two halves of the shirt together as the proper line to be under the chin? "The top of the shoulder by the neck" where is this?

Chessbum...