Tour pros and TGM

[kentbenny]

Is there any tour pros using the TGM methods to swing, and if so who??

[tincup2004]

Steve Elkington (GSED) is the first name that comes to mind. I think Kenny Perry's intructor is Ron Gring (GSED).

[Mathew]

Alot of touring pro's have had lessons from people that utilise the teachings of TGM.

Really though - it is a catalog so therefore in a way - so they all do in a sence.

[jim_0068]

there are a lot of teachers that that use TGM in their instruction of their touring pros, however you won't hear them admit to it because of the "taboo" it has on tour.

[kentbenny]

there are a lot of teachers that that use TGM in their instruction of their touring pros, however you won't hear them admit to it because of the "taboo" it has on tour.

why is TGM a "taboo" on the tour? sounds strange.

[6bmike]

It really isn't. TGM has always had a bad image of being too technical but in practice it isn't. Pros are natural golfers and hate being taught anything outside their comfort level. They are overly cautious. But almost every golfer has a guru or instructor with them today- they are changing. Information doesn't scare like it did years ago.

[metallion]

why is TGM a "taboo" on the tour? sounds strange.

This is a very common question by people being new to TGM. For me it was very frustrating that I could not get a straight answer as I started exploring. Time has passed. I do not have the exact facts, but at least a few impressions of which some are based on good sources.

No intention to deliver the final truth, but here are bits and pieces.

• Since TGM takes such an effort to read and learn, many "regular instructors" will never be able to grasp it. They then fend it off and use simpler systems or schools. See also below regarding "running a golf academy".
• There was a fight within the PGA of America a few years back. I have neither the urge or interest to describe what happened. However the outcome was that quite a few instructors became offended in the course of the discussions. Those individuals whi got ticked off will never even mention TGM. In short: Marketing was not good enough and/or the world was not ready...
• Even though quite a few would benefit I guess most touring pros do not really need TGM. They have enough talent and hand manipulation skills to win tournaments anyway. I played with one at one time. He was well aware of the existence of The Golfing Machine and could name a few AI's, but he was not the least interested for himself. Why? You should see his swing and you'd get it. WOW. He said: I am already far too technical about my golf swing. I need to study LESS and not more swing theory. The challenge for me is the MENTAL GAME. And we played on discussing Bob Rotella, Zen Golf, ClearKeys and stuff like that.
• Race car drivers are not very interesed in how the exact details about how their car is built. They want the executive summary. In the same way tour professionals only ask one question. How can I make my swing more consistent, hit longer etc. They do not want someone to hand them a yellow book & start on page x. They much rather prefer an individual who can interpret what's there and put the player on the right track ASAP.
• Even though the book has many years on its neck, the bigger TGM following is happening only since 4-5 years back. I'd say the birth of the top TGM fourms has given TGM a big boost.
• Swing gurus such as Haney, Harmon and Leadbetter would not like their teaching to be reduced to "my interpretation of TGM". And rightfully so. Running a golf academy requires MANY other skills other than knowing TGM by heart.

This is not to say that there is no support for TGM. Of course there is. But no one has a reason to care about TGM. They do however have rea to care about Nike, Callaway or whoever they represent.

[EdZ]

Information doesn't scare like it did years ago.

That should be a "Newsflash". Perhaps some folks will begin working together, rather than against each other.

[Yoda]

[*]Even though the book has many years on its neck, the bigger TGM following is happening only since 4-5 years back. I'd say the birth of the top TGM fourms has given TGM a big boost.[/list]

And it is posts such as yours, Metallion, that continue to give at least one of those forums -- ours -- their own 'big boost'. Thank you for your consistently excellent contributions.

[Vikram]

Yes Gentlemen, this is indeed a great forum. Just joined a couple of months back and am in the process of embibing each topic and reading through each and every post. And thoroughly enjoying putting in my bit here and there and receiving an encouraging response from a few forum buddies now and then.

There is so much relevant information within these pages... if only more people knew!!!!!!!!

Yoda and all, you have done and are making probably the best contribution towards the good health of golf and golfers.

Proud to be a miniscule part of the team.

Vikram