I think this analogy will help define what I mean when I use the term Large Muscles, and how the lower body, resists at the start of the takeaway, while the front shoulder starts the club straight back.
If you were to hold a spring between your hands vertically, and your were to rotate both hands equally to the right, there is absolutely no potential or torque created when the top and bottom of the spring move together. The spring has NOT been loaded up. Well, when you use both your hips and shoulders to wind up on the backswing, NO POTENTIAL, NO POWER!! Also, if you start your takeaway with your hips first sliding towards your back foot, you are actually trying to wind the spring from the middle. Does not work, NO POWER.
But, we need power and potential, right!!. Here’s how. Hold the front knee to restrict your hips, as you push the club straight back with the front shoulder. The club travels straight back and UP (not inside). This is like giving your shoulders a head start. Then, just start the downswing with your hips unwinding (not sliding) all the way to the finish. The finish is when your knees are touching, your belt buckle is left of the target and you are totally up on the toe of your back foot. If you are having trouble starting with the hips, you probably slid to your back foot and are stuck there. NO SLIDE on the takeaway, just turn your shoulders against a restricted lower body…Ross