THE CORE SECRET
One Simple Move for Massive Distance and Dead Aim-Putting.
Entering Part 6
Part 5 revealed the truth about your swing. You learned how the hips and core compete for control, how posture either holds or collapses, and how your internal engine behaves when speed rises. The power struggle is no longer hidden. You now understand who tries to lead the swing and who should lead it.
Part 6 takes you into motion.
This is where the engine you discovered is applied to real clubs, real sequences, and real kinetic chains. Every club demands a different version of your engine. The driver stretches the chain. The irons compress it. The wedges refine it. The putter simplifies it. The body must adapt without losing its identity.
Part 6 shows you how your engine behaves when the geometry changes. You learn how core in and core out influence the driver, the irons, the wedges, and the putter. You learn how the kinetic chain organizes itself when the motion becomes longer, shorter, faster, or more precise. You learn what good mechanics feel like when the club is in motion, not just in posture.
Part 5 revealed the struggle. Part 6 activates the system.
STATUS
If your internal engine is now clear and your tilt pattern stays consistent under speed, you are ready for this phase. If your posture still collapses when you accelerate or your engine switches patterns under pressure, return to Part 5 until your foundation becomes reliable.
Part 6 requires precision. You are about to learn how your engine moves through every club in the bag.
You may now proceed to Chapter 11.
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PART 6: THE ENGINE IN MOTION Specific Clubs and Kinetic Chains |
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| Chapter | Title |
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11
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What the Body Prefers: Core In / Core Out |
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12
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Core Ignition in Every Club: Driver / Putt |
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13
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The Kinetic Chain For Real: What Good Mechanics Feel Like |
"Control is not stiffness. Control is quiet command."
CHAPTER 11
WHAT THE BODY PREFERS
Core In vs Core Out
Every club in the bag asks your body a different question, but the body always has a preferred answer. This chapter reveals the Binary Switch of the golf swing. When the core is In, the body moves with clarity and purpose. When the core is Out, the swing becomes a desperate negotiation between compensation and timing.
I. Goal
To transition from a reactive swing to a state of Core Dominance. The objective is to operate from a position of total command rather than desperation, ensuring the internal system regulates the swing instead of the joints absorbing the load.
II. Requirement
Proximal Stability. The deep abdominals and obliques must connect the ribcage to the pelvis. This creates the Internal Anchor, allowing the hips to rotate around the spine rather than moving toward the ball. Without this anchor, speed becomes unguided and posture collapses.
III. Spotting the Leak: The Hip Dominance Command
Using the Inward / Outward Protocol, we identify the Chaos Generator.
- The Error (Core Out): The hips surge ahead of the core. Under pressure, tension amplifies hip flexor firing, pulling the pelvis deeper into an anterior tilt.
- The Inside Leak: The Iliopsoas pulls the pelvis forward faster than the core can stabilize it. The hips outrun the stabilizers.
- The Result: The spine arches, the ribs lose their stack, and the lumbar spine absorbs the load. The arms become trapped, forcing a last-second wrist flip. Expect blocks, thins, and shanks.
IV. The Core Fix: Taking Command
To achieve Core Dominance, you must retrain your nervous system to prioritize the core as the stabilizer of the pelvis.
1. The Setup (The Neutral Shield)
- Action: Brace inward at setup to stack the ribs over the pelvis and create a neutral spine.
- Result: You prevent outward expansion that drags the pelvis into a strain-heavy tilt before the swing even begins.
2. The Transition (The Anti-Extension Move)
- Action: Brace inward before transition to keep the pelvis neutral and shift the load to the core.
- Result: This prevents the hip flexors from yanking the pelvis forward. The Drill: Practice your downswing with your glutes against a wall. If your hips move away from the wall, the Saboteur has taken control.
3. The Impact (Rotational Torque)
- Action: Keep the core braced and ribs stacked through the strike.
- Result: The hips are regulated by the center. Instead of a linear thrust, you create rotational torque. The swing feels quiet and heavy as you stay in posture through the hit.
V. The Breakdown: Hip vs. Core Dominance
This table exposes the difference between uncontrolled hip speed and regulated rotation driven by a stable core anchor.
The Bottom Line
The kinetic chain is only as strong as its anchor. If you choose Hip Dominance, you choose a system built on luck where the spine absorbs the load. If you choose Core Dominance, you choose a system built on stability where the body protects itself.
The Action
Perform isometric posture holds. Set up in your golf posture and have a partner apply light resistance to your lead shoulder. Your task is to maintain your spine angle and prevent the hips from moving forward. For 2026 technical guidance on this anti-extension focus, refer to the Titleist Performance Institute pelvic stability protocols.
The Result
Speed becomes a natural result of stability. When Core Dominance takes command, the swing feels wide, timed, and effortless.
🔗Research
Peer-reviewed studies showing how pelvic tilt, trunk coordination, and core activation influence golf swing mechanics, rotational power, and spinal protection.
- Kinematic determinants of performance parameters during golf swing — Young-Hoo Kwon, Ki-Hoon Han: Pelvis motion during backswing and downswing directly affects swing efficiency and X-Factor separation.
- Golf Swing Biomechanics: Systematic Review — Christophe Sauret, Philippe Rouch: Summarizes how pelvis and trunk rotation patterns, joint motion, and sequencing relate to golf performance.
- Low back pain and golf: Biomechanical risk factors — Sean A. Horan, Justin J. Kavanagh: Imbalanced trunk and pelvic rotation patterns correlate with higher risk of lower back pain in golfers.
- Golf specific functional movement screen predicts performance — Pat Sells, Michael Voight: Pelvic rotation and lower body rotation capability significantly predict golfer skill and performance outcomes.
- Hip and lumbar rotation relationship in golf swings — Pat Sells, Michael Voight: Hip rotation leads lumbar rotation; initiating swing from hips improves timing, reduces hand takeover, and increases clubhead speed.
- Swing kinematics post putting practice — Fredrik Tinmark, John Hellström: Fatigue from prolonged putting alters pelvis and torso orientation, affecting swing mechanics.
⚓Summary
Core In creates stability, balance, and clean rotation. Core Out creates instability, compensation, and strain. The body always prefers the inward brace because it protects the spine, organizes rotation, and keeps the swing sequenced. When the core draws inward, the pelvis centers and the spine stays neutral. When the belly expands outward, the pelvis tips forward and the chain collapses.
Core In activates the deep stabilizers that hold the swing together. Core Out shuts them off and forces the hips, spine, and wrists to compensate. Research confirms that inward bracing improves balance, enhances rotation, and reduces lumbar stress. Outward expansion increases strain and disrupts the kinetic chain.
The contrast is simple. Core In builds confidence and control. Core Out builds chaos and fatigue. The body always prefers the inward brace because it makes movement efficient and safe.
IGNITION DRILL
- Stand tall and draw your core inward until your ribs stack over your pelvis. Feel the spine flatten and the pelvis settle. This is the preferred state.
- Expand your belly outward and let your pelvis tip forward. Feel the spine arch and the anchor disappear. This is the state the body avoids.
- Move between these two states slowly. Learn the contrast. Notice how rotation feels centered with Core In and scattered with Core Out.
- Repeat the contrast in a hinge, in a takeaway rehearsal, and in a slow downswing. Feel how Core In stabilizes and Core Out leaks.
- Finish by holding your finish with Core In. Feel how the spine stays supported and the body decelerates safely.
NEXT
- With the body’s preference now clear, the next chapter explores how core dominance and hip dominance shape the command system of your swing and determine whether your rotation stays organized or reactive.
"Every club has a personality. Your core decides who speaks first."
CHAPTER 12
CORE IGNITION IN EVERY CLUB
Driver to Putter
Every club in the bag demands a different shape of motion, but the source of that motion never changes. When the core initiates the movement, the club behaves with stability and clarity. When the arms jump ahead, each club becomes a different problem to solve. This chapter shows you how to ignite every club from driver to putter, giving your bag a unified engine instead of fourteen competing swings.
I. Goal
To synchronize the three regions of your core with the unique lofts of your clubs. Your goal is to transform a bag of different tools into one predictable system by letting the Epicenter lead the strike.
II. Clubs Demands Core Segment
Regional Mapping. You must match the Core Zone to the club’s mission. Drivers demand deep lower-core stability. Irons require middle-core rotation. Putters rely on upper-core posture to keep the stroke quiet.
Every golf club has its own size, shape, and purpose, grouped by how they function across the course. On the tee box, the driver launches with low loft and demands deep lower core stability. On the fairway, woods and irons compress the ball with rhythm and timing, guided by the middle core. In the bunker, wedges with steep loft angles cut through sand, requiring lower core anchoring and upper core finesse. On the green, the putter rolls the ball with minimal loft, relying on upper core posture to keep the stroke quiet. Each club has a specific function, timing, and purpose. Understanding when to use them and how to let the right segment of your core fire is the essence of Tilt Golf.
III. Spotting the Leak: The Guesswork Swing
Using the Inward / Outward Protocol, we identify why specific clubs fail when the wrong segment fires.
- The Wood/Driver Leak: If the Lower Core is soft, the massive speed of the driver pulls the spine out of alignment. You lose your ground and the launch becomes erratic.
- The Iron/Hybrid Leak: If the Middle Core fails to drive rotation, you lose rhythm and timing. The strike feels weak because you cannot compress the ball.
- The Putter Leak: If the Upper Core is loose, the hands and wrists "speak" too loudly, destroying the quiet command needed to roll the ball smoothly.
IV. The Core Fix: Core-to-Club Mapping
To achieve Core Ignition, fire the specific region designed for that club’s personality.
V. Mastering the Mission: The "Shovel Up" Method
To "lace up" your internal corset for every club, use the Shovel Up metaphor. It makes the invisible action of the core visible and actionable.
The Meaning:
Imagine holding a shovel and digging into the ground. If your core is loose, the shovel wobbles and the dirt scatters. When your core braces, the shovel drives straight and the dirt lifts clean. In this mission, the shovel is your club, the dirt is the ball, and the bracing is your Core Ignition.
- 1. The Angle (The Shovel Base): Use the Lower Core (TVA) to set the tilt of the pelvis. This "digs" your foundation into the ground, preventing the swing from collapsing like a shovel slipping in loose soil.
- 2. The Drive (The Lift): As you rotate, use your core to "lift" the strike. A golf swing is not about arms alone; it is about the body bracing like it would to move a heavy load.
- 3. The Launch (The Strike): Instead of swinging harder with your hands, brace smarter with your center. When the core fires, the shovel digs clean and the ball launches with total clarity.
The Action Cue:
"Hit that ball and imagine using your pelvis to shovel it up using your core. Use your core and lift it. Shovel it up with that core!"
The Result:
Total command across the bag. By letting the right segment of your core fire at the right time, your swing remains strong, stable, and repeatable. You have moved from fourteen different swings to one unified engine.
🔗VERIFIED RESEARCH
Peer-reviewed research showing how core activation drives all golf clubs, affecting swing mechanics, sequencing, and energy transfer from driver to putter.
- Biomechanical characteristics of swing techniques using different clubs — Young-Hoo Kwon, Ki-Hoon Han: Core initiation governs club-specific motion; driver requires maximal torque, irons require precise rotation, putter requires stability.
- Rotational biomechanics of the elite golf swing — Fredrik Tinmark, John Hellström: Sequential rotation beginning from the pelvis and trunk enhances power transfer for all clubs; arms follow the core for consistent force application.
- Golf swing biomechanics: A systematic review — Christophe Sauret, Philippe Rouch: Core engagement ensures coordinated X-factor separation and prevents early hand takeover across clubs.
- Golf specific functional movement screen predicts performance — Pat Sells, Michael Voight: Core-driven pelvic and trunk motion is predictive of skill across drivers, irons, wedges, and putters.
⚓SUMMARY
Every club in the bag demands a different expression of core ignition. Drivers rely on deep lower core stability to launch with speed. Woods and irons depend on middle core rhythm to compress the ball. Wedges require lower core anchoring and upper core finesse to cut through sand and control trajectory. Putters rely on upper core posture to keep the stroke quiet. Understanding which segment of your core fires with each club is the essence of Tilt Golf.
Loft determines the relationship. Shallow lofts call for deep stability. Steep lofts require precise anchoring. When the right core segment fires at the right time, the swing becomes stable, powerful, and repeatable.
IGNITION DRILL
- Take your driver and rehearse your setup while drawing your lower core inward. Feel the deep stability required for a fast swing.
- Switch to a mid iron and rehearse a slow takeaway. Let your middle core guide rotation and control side tilt.
- Grab a wedge and simulate a bunker strike. Anchor your lower core and let your upper core fine tune the motion.
- Hold your putter and stand tall. Engage your upper core to keep your posture still and your stroke quiet.
- Finish by cycling through all clubs, matching each one to the core segment it demands. Build the instinct to fire the right zone automatically.
NEXT
- With core ignition mapped across every club, the next chapter explores the kinetic chain and how the Commander, the core, leads every link from ground to clubhead.
"Good mechanics are not mysterious. They are felt before they are understood."
CHAPTER 13
THE KINETIC CHAIN FOR REAL
What Good Mechanics Feel Like
Most golfers chase positions, but great players chase sensations. The kinetic chain is not a checklist of body parts; it is a sequence of forces that move through you like a wave. When the chain fires correctly, the swing feels effortless, connected, and powerful. When it breaks, the body scrambles to compensate and the "Saboteur" takes command.
I. GOAL
To transition from "muscling" the ball with your arms to acting like a Human Whip. Your goal is to master Proximal to Distal sequencing: movement begins at the Epicenter (the trunk) and travels outward to the clubhead (the extremities).
II. REQUIREMENT
The Doctrine of Command. You must establish a military-grade chain of command. If the "Soldiers" (hands) try to lead, the chain collapses into Arm Takeover.
- The Commander (Core): Gives the order and initiates the "Smooth Start" from the ground up.
- The Officers (Hips / Spine): Relay the order, creating a wringing sensation as they shift first.
- The Soldiers (Hands / Wrists): Execute the order only after the trunk has initiated the move.
- The Supply Lines (Ground / Breathing): Support the motion with pressure and rhythmic, deep breathing.
III. Spotting the Leak: The Negative Kinetic Chain
Using the Inward / Outward Protocol, we identify the “Mutiny” where energy leaks and rotation collapses:
IV. The Core Fix: The Positive Kinetic Chain
To restore the chain, you must stop outthinking biomechanics and start feeling the Classic Sequence used by elite players: Hips → Torso → Arms → Club.
- The Big Ben Anchor: Imagine your torso is the massive tower of Big Ben. Your core is the central mechanism. The tower moves the arms; the arms never move the tower.
- The Wringing Sensation: In transition, the pelvis shifts first like a heavy gear. As the hips lead while the chest stays coiled, you feel a rubber-band stretch through the midsection.
- The Ground-Up Spiral: Use the table below to visualize the high-performance feel.
V. Mastering the Mission: The Octopus Strike
Do not try to outsmart nature by being the Octopus. It has eight limbs and no trunk. You cannot replace a functioning torso with sheer intelligence.
- The Correction: Sync your rotation so the hips, torso, and arms move as one connected chain.
- The Action: Adjust your posture until the club feels weightless. Even a tiny change in alignment can completely reshape how force travels through the chain.
The Action Cue:
“Start from the ground and hips; let the torso and arms follow. Center first, club last.”
The Result: Effortless speed. When the sequence fires correctly, the club feels lighter and the strike explodes off the face. You are no longer fighting your anatomy; you are commanding it from the Epicenter.
🔗Research
Peer-reviewed studies showing how pelvic, trunk, and core sequencing drive efficient golf swings, enhance clubhead speed, and reduce injury risk.
- Proximal-to-distal sequencing in golf swings — Fredrik Tinmark, John Hellström, Kjartan Halvorsen, Alf Thorstensson: Pelvis initiates motion followed by trunk, arms, and club; clean sequence increases speed and reduces effort.
- Pelvis-shoulders torsional separation — Ki-Hoon Han, Christopher Como, Jemin Kim, Young-Hoo Kwon: Coordinated hip-trunk timing improves kinetic chain efficiency and reduces strain.
- Thorax and pelvis kinematics during downswing — Sean A. Horan, Justin J. Kavanagh: Proper pelvis rotation before torso enhances power transfer and stability.
- Hip and lumbar rotation relationship in golf — Pat Sells, Michael Voight: Hip rotation leads lumbar rotation; initiating swing from the ground up increases clubhead speed.
- Golf swing biomechanics: Systematic review — Christophe Sauret, Philippe Rouch: Trunk and pelvis leading the swing prevents early hand takeover and reduces inconsistency.
- Peak pelvis rotation speed and kinematic sequencing — Pat Sells, Michael Voight: Top players move hips first, torso second, arms third, club last; producing effortless speed.
- Trunk muscle recruitment and swing efficiency — Samantha-Lynn Quinn: Strong core engagement reduces stress and improves timing, confirming coordinated sequencing importance.
- Pelvic motion and X-factor separation in golfers — Young-Hoo Kwon: Small adjustments in pelvic or trunk posture dramatically influence energy flow and reduce injury risk.
⚓Summary
The kinetic chain is the sequence that transfers energy from the ground through the body into the club. The core acts as the commander of this chain. When it draws inward, the links unify and movement becomes powerful and efficient. When it collapses outward, the chain mutinies and energy leaks at every joint.
Every link has a role. The lower group drives force upward. The upper group refines precision. When the commander leads, the chain becomes a single wave. When the soldiers lead, the chain breaks and the swing becomes reactive instead of coordinated.
Understanding the positive and negative patterns of the chain gives you the ability to diagnose breakdowns and rebuild movement from the inside out. The chain succeeds when the core commands and the body follows.
IGNITION DRILL
- Stand in your setup and draw your core inward. Feel the commander come online. Notice how your pelvis centers and your spine steadies.
- Rehearse a slow takeaway while keeping the commander active. Feel the lower group load and the upper group stay calm.
- Move into a slow transition. Keep the inward brace alive and let the hips lead. Feel the chain sequence from ground to core to torso to arms.
- Rehearse a slow impact. Keep the core inward and let the wrists stay neutral. Feel the chain deliver force without leaking.
- Finish tall with the core still inward. Notice how the body decelerates smoothly when the commander stays in charge.
NEXT
- With the kinetic chain now understood, the next chapter explores how sequencing laws such as proximal to distal refine timing and create effortless speed.