Braced Tilt

This is one of the most meaningful and impactful lessons I’ve ever had on setup and posture. You’ve answered a question that 20+ years of instruction could not. My takeaway: the setup should be preparation for absorbing impact. The brace tilt puts me in a position to get a solid turn and be braced for the pushback of the ground forces on my left foot. I haven’t found the “Goldilocks” yet, but after experimenting with 20 shots, I achieved a blade‑7 carry of 185 yards several times—with more probably still in the tank.

It’s not so much about the exact hip tilt angle or knee bend that shows up in most traditional golf instruction. It isn’t wrong, but that mental approach has always left me wondering if I was doing it right when standing over the ball – the last place I want to be wondering if I’m doing it right! Getting into a position that’s braced for impact is something my brain and body can automatically connect with. I now “know” its right. This is an amazing lesson.

I also noticed (picking this up from your grip lessons) that the middle two fingers of my right hand are where I feel the compression most. I can feel the club face impact cleanly in those two fingers.

So I did a little expirement. When I clench my fist, the most pressure I csn generate on my palm is from the middle and index fingers together. So when I focus on clamping with those two fingers and supporting the compression with my index finger, the ball comes off the face solid and sweet, and I can feel it in my hand, up my forearm, down the shaft, and into the face. What an addicting sensation! Amazing stuff, Shawn.