Analysing the AMG Instructors opinions regarding a "covering move"

In this thread, I am going to analyse certain opinions expressed by the AMG instructors in the following video. 

The AMG instructors talk about a "re-centering move" that happens between P3.5 - P4 in certain golfers where the pelvis/upper torso move back towards the center during the transition to the downswing. The "re-centering move" is commonly taught by a number of golf instructors in the present-day era. I am not personally against the idea of shifting the pelvis and upper torso 1-2" in a targetwards direction, which is often combined with a variable degree of squatting involving a greater degree of hip and knee joint flexion, during a "re-centering move" that happens at the start of the transition.

However, I do object to the "idea" of the "covering move" which the AMG instructors describe, and demonstrate, between the 3:35 - 4:35 minute and the 6:15 - 6:45 minute time point of the video. They state that the "covering move" happens between P4 => P5.5 (which they call the midpoint of the downswing).

Here is a capture image from their video showing the "covering move".

Here is an avatar capture image (presumably from GEARS) of a pro golfer at his P5.5 position.

The AMG instructors state that the pelvis and upper torso should shift ~4" targetwards between P4 => P5.5 and that the upper swing center should move left-laterally by roughly the same amount as the lower swing center so that they remained stacked at P5.5, which gives one the "feel" of the upper torso covering the ball at the P5.5 position (see arrow in the right-side image).

That "covering move" may be appropriate for a short iron golf swing action, but I do not think that it is appropriate for a long iron or driver golf swing action.

Let's consider the amount of targetwards motion of the upper and lower swing centers happening between P4 => P5.5 in the driver swing of a few pro golfers.

Dustin Johnson

Image 1 is at ~P4 (before there is observable motion of the torso in a targetwards direction), image 2 is at P4.5, image 3 is at P5 and image 4 is at P5.5.

Note that he has a centralised pelvic loading action and a rightwards-centralised upper torso loading action at P4. I have placed a red circular marker over his upper swing center and a blue circular marker over his lower swing center and they are not stacked because he has a rightwards-centralised upper torso loading action. I have placed vertical red lines alongside the outer border of his two feet.

Note that his lower swing center moves 1-2" targetwards between P4 => P4.5, while his upper swing center moves mainly downwards due to his squat move.

I have placed a yellow circular maker over his upper/lower swing centers at P5. Note the his lower swing center has moved targetwards by ~4" between P4 => P5, but his upper swing center has only moved targetwards by ~2" and it has mainly moved more downwards.

I have placed a green circular marker over his upper/lower swing centers at P5.5. Note that his lower swing center has moved targetwards by ~6+" between P4 => P5.5, while his upper swing center has only moved targetwards by ~3". He is far less stacked at P5.5 because he has acquired a finite degree of secondary axis tilt and right lateral bend.

Milo Lines

Image 1 is at ~P4 (before there is observable motion of the torso in a targetwards direction), image 2 is at P4.7, image 3 is at P5 and image 4 is at P5.5.

Image 1 shows a vertical-centralised upper torso loading pattern where the upper swing center (red circular marker) is stacked over the lower swing center (green circular marker).

I have placed yellow circular markers over his upper/lower swing centers at P4.7. Note that his lower swing center has moved targetwards by ~3", but his upper swing center has only moved downwards. Note that at P5 that the position of swing centers is basically the same as they were at P4.7.

I have placed a blue circular marker over his upper/lower swing centers at P5.5. Note that his lower swing center has moved targetwards by ~5" between P4 => P5.5, while his upper swing center has only moved targetwards by 1 - 2 ". He is therefore significantly less stacked at P5.5 due to his acquisition of secondary axis tilt and a finite degree of right lateral bend, and I think that it is not accurate to claim that his upper swing center is "covering the ball" (as seen in the AMG capture image of the GEARS avatar).

Sam Burns

Image 1 is at ~P4 (before there is observable motion of the torso in a targetwards direction), image 2 is at 5, image 3 is at P5.5.

Image 1 shows a rightwards-centralised upper torso loading pattern where the upper swing center (red circular marker) is not stacked over the lower swing center (green circular marker).

I have placed yellow circular markers over his upper/lower swing centers at P5. Note that his lower swing center has moved ~3" targetwards while his upper swing center has only moved targetwards by 1 - 2". Note that his upper swing center has not dropped groundwards by much because he does not manifest a marked squatting move (like DJ and ML).

I have placed white circular markers over his upper/lower swing centers at P5.5. Note that his lower swing center has moved targetwards by ~5-6" between P4 -> P5.5 while his upper swing center has moved targetwards by only ~1". He is far less stacked at P5.5 (compared to P4) due to his acquisition of secondary axis tilt and a finite degree of right lateral bend, and he is obviously not manifesting a "covering the ball" postural motion of his upper torso.

Many pro golfers often develop secondary axis tilt and right lateral bend during their early-mid downswing action between P4 => P5.5 when hitting a driver and they may only manifest a "covering the ball" pattern of upper torso motion when hitting shorter iron clubs.

Jeffrey Mann.

https://newtongolfinstitute.proboards.com/thread/1013/analysing-instructors-opinions-covering-move