Joe Norwood Golf Swing Yahoo Post from a while back

What you’re going to hear now is contrary to what most of the golfing world does so I only ask you to listen without prejudging as I had to do when I started with Joe in 1973. For now we’re calling it Joe’s swing.



01. Joe’s swing is comprised of two half circles and the hinge of the right arm into and out from the right shoulder.

02. The best way to explain this circle is by using the numbers on a clock. There are two clock circles. The first being a horizontal circle with the target (not the ball) being 12:00 noon.

03. The 2nd circle is vertical with the head pointed at 12:00 noon.

04. At the address the club, shoulders, hands are pointing to 12:00 on the horizontal circle.

05. The knees, chest and face are pointing at 3:00 horizontal circle. (at address)

06. (still at address) Keeping the shoulders and knees in their original position the hips are turned to 7:30 horizontal circle. The right hips is locked by the left thigh into the right knee.

07. The stance is a closed stance with the left foot ¼ ahead of the right foot. The left foot then rotates 45 degrees or at 1:30 horizontal circle.

08. Both arches are forced into the ground with pressure to brace the lower body.

09. BACKSWING:

10. Without you having the book, look up Hogan’s grip or see it on the picture presentation of Joe in 1941. Last page. Strong left, weak right. Short thumbs on both hands, club is not held with fingers rather by palms and fingers. Club stretches diagonally from index finger on palm to back of palm on both hands. Butt of right palm sits on left thumb and forefinger. Both left and right hand have thumb and forefinger (with short thumb) in unison. Both hands at address are cupped or convex. The toe of the club on a normal lie will come up.

11. LEFT ARM: Left arm tight in upper and lower arm.

12. Backswing starts with first move of right thumb and forefinger folding or cocking into the right elbow. Right elbow (which is flexed into waist at address) rotates around waist. Club starts low to the ground and only becomes airborne as right elbow rotates around waist.

13. Right forearm folds into the right shoulder as elbow rotates around waist. You’ll see this on one of the pictures of Hogan’s backswing on my site. Right hand knuckles curl into the shoulder.

14. Right arm unfolds to the back of the right heel on downswing. Right arm and completely straightens before it reaches the back of the right knee. As arms accelerate through the hitting area the shoulders come back to square or 12:00 horizontal. The hips stay at 7:30 horizontal while all this is happening and slightly rotate to 5:00 horizontal (right hip) after arms and shoulders move thru the impact area. The arms finish at 12:00 horizontal not 10:00 horizontal like all other swings.

15. The club is on a straight track from 6:00 to 12:00 horizontal for 18-22 inches. The ball moves perfectly straight because it is on track.

16. Knees always flexed throughout the swing.

17. 70% of the weight at address is on the right. 90% of the weight is on the left foot at finish.

18. Wrists only break into the right elbow at the beginning of the swing and do not break forward at any time during the swing. The hands are always ahead of the club.

19. Grip the clubs as tight as you can without hurting yourself. No looseness at all. Muscles require pressure for control.

20. Right elbow always stays close to the waist. No lifting. Circle around the body, then vertical drop of the arms. Velocity of the arms move the shoulders in a piston action creating thrust.

21. Drill #1 No club in hand. Both hands pointing straight out to ball. Push left hand and arm 2-3 inches below right hand and arm. Now push the right hand and arm below the left. Don’t move any body parts but your shoulders when doing this.

22. Drill #2. Hands and arms as in Drill #1. **** right hand into right elbow without moving the arm. Now push right cocked hand and arm below left hand. Do this a lot to work the extensor muscles in your wrists and shoulders.

23. Drill #3. Stand at address with two yardsticks or meter sticks. Put one across your shoulders pointing at 12:00 horizontal. Hold it with your left hand. Put the other stick on your waist pointing to 12:00 horizontal. Keeping your shoulders at 12:00 horizontal rotate your hips to 7:30 horizontal. DON”T move your legs. Only your waist. Now move your shoulders to 7:30 horizontal. Both hips and shoulders are in sequence. Keeping your waist at 7:30 horizontal rotate your shoulders back to 12:00 horizontal. IT’S IMPOSSIBLE TO ROTATE YOUR SHOULDERS PAST 12:00 HORIZONTAL WITH YOUR HIPS AT 7:30 HORIZONTAL. Try it and see. Once you start to rotate the hips the shoulders move beyond 12:00 horizontal and square is lost.