The Five-Bar Model vs Hogan’s Compensation Chain
How a universal kinematic model contrasts with one golfer’s sequence of fixes.
1. The Five-Bar Uncompensated Model
The five-bar model treats the arms as a closed kinematic chain with five links:
- Shoulder girdle (Link 1)
- Lead humerus (Link 2)
- Lead forearm/hand (Link 3)
- Trail forearm/hand (Link 4)
- Trail humerus (Link 5)
The club is not a bar—it is an extension of the forearm couplers. This means the structure itself enforces constraint, balance, and alignment, with no extra “fixes” required.
2. Hogan’s Compensation Chain
- Step 1: Waggle creates hook-biased alignments.
- Step 2: Weak grip offsets hook tendency.
- Step 3: Weak grip demands cupped wrist equilibrium.
- Step 4: Hard supination squares the face at impact.
3. Key Differences
Universality vs individuality: Five-bar applies to all golfers; Hogan’s chain was personal.
Stability vs fragility: Five-bar is robust; Hogan’s required precise timing.
Teaching: Five-bar scales; Hogan’s literal model risks misapplication.
Read Next
- Hogan’s Grip & the Real “Secret”
The chain of compensations Hogan built to fight his hook.
- The Five-Bar Concept
The uncompensated closed-chain model that explains balance, constraint, and alignment.