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There is so much emphasis on clubs and things that are above the waist. These are obviously important: grip, the slot, swing plane, head position, equipment, etc.

However, a golf instructor pointed out to me that my swing is 'excellent' but my lower body is another story. He says without a good base the work of the upper body means nothing. "Start with the ground up". With the proper rotation, I could generate so much more swing speed and consistency.

It worked well today (from wedges to FW5). It took less effort and I had improved the consistency (for the most part - if I had one negative thought during the swing, the ball flight suffered an ugly flight). I am still trying to experiment with the driver.

I searched the internet and it covered a lot of what he suggested.

http://www.oppegardgk.no/dokarkiv/fancyfootwork.pdf

Why is there not as much emphasis from instructors on 'focusing' on developing a good base? Maybe, it just finally took someone with a great skill of observation to notice.

I think what I had been doing was trying to imitate the likes of Jack Nicklaus and Byron Nelson's 'sway' all of this time. I will tell you this: When I had my back spasms, I had the best and most consistent swing in a long time (I wasn't flexing at the waist or trying to overswing or sway).

Well, I think the emphasis lies where it is most needed in golf instruction. I wouldn't say lower body aspects are neglected. It is just that the instructor has tuned you into it. Just like for me I am tuned into connectivity of the arms to the body. Before it was hand positions. It's all good; Putting a swing together one piece at a time.

There is more than one way to skin a cat, too. There are players who have a fairly armsy swing and have had a great deal of success. Furyk comes to mind today.

Also, there is some truth in "teaching in reverse" in that if you instruct some people to get into a certain position (say the follow through position) that the just so the intermediate steps well.

I think that the overriding principle is different strokes for different folks. Some take the arms instruction better, some need lower body instruction more.

Right Tools, Start Well, Finish Well, Stay Balanced, and Stay Relaxed.