Another Forward from Yoda (long)

[Theodan]

Yoda asked me to post this. It was a PM I sent after visiting with Yoda and Da Nuke last week.

First a setup....

I had come into town to flush away alot of years of patching some bad swing fundamentals with heinous compensations. I'm a pretty decent scorer, but my swing scared small children and broke video cameras.

Luckily Luke's camera didn't fail. After viewing my swing on video, and picking themselves up off of the ground from laughing, Yoda and Luke (Ted Fort) identified the issues. Which was everything. My backstroke was under-plane and of course the right elbow never got away or could clear through. But I had learned to spin my body around and pick the ball. This general uptightedness left no hope for both arms straight and a finish up on plane. Add in happy feet. The whole key to this was playing the ball back in my stance. (remember that last one)

We started with the grip, which had left no hope for a left wrist cock, and went on from there. So Yoda really had to grind it out with me for the couple of days. And I mean grind. It did not come quickly for me. I had worked the Yellow Book cover to cover over the winter, but relentless horrid weather had prevented me from prepping at all for the visit.

I don't have any special things to report as the instruction content was basically what others had reported. Maybe in different order and different areas of emphasis. He did have me in parking lot tracing parking stripes with a drill club and the impact bag. that was was kinda' special. I was flattered that he would keep pressing and adding, even though I had turned over more sod than most farmers do in a season. I was not thrilled that I would resurrect behaviors that had disappeared an hour before. Again and again.

But true to form, Yoda had me stroking great shots for the last few hours of the second day. But that wasn't nearly the payoff. He had Luke vid me. Now it was a nice trace up the plane to the Top at the Turned Shoulder Plane. I came back down on plane with clubhead pressure lag and a Sweep Release. I was stunned. They overlayed Kenny Perry's impact position on mine. Spot on.

I only had one question that I would have to answer myself. Could I transport the swing 14 hours and 850 miles back home? The answer is "Of course you can".

PM to Yoda

Originally posted by Theodan:
Lynn,

I just wanted to again let you know my appreciation for the extra effort you put in with me. FWIW, I shot THE BEST 89 I have had in my life. 89? Doesn't sound so hot? Well, let me recount it..........

Friday AM I get up with the intention of a full day of billable hours. I was saved by a phone call to arms because it's 60* out, and we have a 10 o'clock tee time. I figure everybody is wanting in my wallet, because we all know the best time to clip somebody is right after they have gone to "swing school".

I proceed to shoot the worst front nine I have had since shoulder surgery two years ago. Shanks and grounders with an occassional "almost" solid shot. Something is missing, something is jumbled up. It just doesn't feel right on the forestroke.

The 10th is backed up and I sneaked over to the range with my SW to have my panic attack in private. I check the grip, stance, alignment. I check the trace, Extensor Action, the wedges Top to through.... My one buddy follows me over.......

"You told me to watch your ball position. The ball has been getting further back in your stance. Your 4i on the last hole.... the ball was in the middle of your stance."

Now I'm angry. It's gutcheck time. Either I'm going to cowboy up and make this swing work, or I'm taking up bowling. I'm not going back to that hackswing. Threw a range ball down, "forward". Trace with Extensor to Top. Downstroke.... everything falls in line and has plenty of room to get through. I spin it so hard the ball takes off under the radar and rises.

Front 9 - 52, 1 fairway, 1 GIR
Back 9 - 37, 6 fairways, 7 GIR

I'm not kidding. 4 times a day, I pick up a club and swing it so I don't lose the feel. I need to know it's still there.

I haven't forgotten I owe you guys the photos. I had to get back to my other life for a few days. I'll process them and put them up on my website. Then I'll PM the address to you with info for download.

Finest regards,

Charlie

[krpainter]

Awesome post Charlie...thanks for sharing it. LOL about the "scared children"...I know Yoda & Luke are too nice to laugh with you for more than a couple of seconds (notice the "with you")!

Glad to hear you are starting to reap the rewards of your journey down south. Stick with it and you will start to get into your buddies wallets reguraly .

If you ever want to hook up with another TGM'er for a round let me know...I'm only a couple hours from you (live in northern MD).

Keith

[dcg1952]

52 front to 37 back??? Are you kidding me!!! Wow! I think your post gives me hope---I am stuck in the same weather pattern you are and finally got out for 9 holes after work (no warm-up)---a little funky at the beginning but got much better as the round progressed. Interesting how your round improved after the emergency range work at the turn. I can't wait to play again AFTER actually warming-up. I actually stopped a couple of times (no one behind me), and chipped a few balls back and forth across the fairway, then hit my shot. I think proper warm-up is the key. Even if I just do 12-5-1 like Yoda showed me it seems to help. Keep up the great progress Charlie and will await further reports. If you happen to get across the state to Pittsburgh (and I don't know why ANYONE would), give me a heads-up and we can hit a few in the hills of western PA. Looks like you are on your way to a great season. For those of you who are still lurking like I did, review all of the posts from people who have made it to THE SWAMP---it's time YOU go ,too. Yoda,Luke the Nuke(hitter) and Steve Ferguson(swinger) are VERY easy to work with. They can help you!!
Good Luck, Dr Dave

[Theodan]

Awesome post Charlie...thanks for sharing it. LOL about the "scared children"...I know Yoda & Luke are too nice to laugh with you for more than a couple of seconds (notice the "with you")!

Glad to hear you are starting to reap the rewards of your journey down south. Stick with it and you will start to get into your buddies wallets reguraly .

If you ever want to hook up with another TGM'er for a round let me know...I'm only a couple hours from you (live in northern MD).

Keith

You're on Keith. We need to germinate some "community" on this board. There's nothing better for that than sharing a round. Best way to get to know each other. As far as I can see, Dr Dave, you, and I are the only ones in this 'area". With some moderate roadwork, we could meet in the middle somewhere for a round and some LBG/TGM talk.

In any event, I don't how 'northern MD" you are, but it's a chipshot for me to get to Baltimore.

PM me, we'll work on something.

Charlie

[Theodan]

52 front to 37 back??? Are you kidding me!!! Wow! I think your post gives me hope---I am stuck in the same weather pattern you are and finally got out for 9 holes after work (no warm-up)---a little funky at the beginning but got much better as the round progressed. Interesting how your round improved after the emergency range work at the turn. I can't wait to play again AFTER actually warming-up. I actually stopped a couple of times (no one behind me), and chipped a few balls back and forth across the fairway, then hit my shot. I think proper warm-up is the key. Even if I just do 12-5-1 like Yoda showed me it seems to help. Keep up the great progress Charlie and will await further reports. If you happen to get across the state to Pittsburgh (and I don't know why ANYONE would), give me a heads-up and we can hit a few in the hills of western PA. Looks like you are on your way to a great season. For those of you who are still lurking like I did, review all of the posts from people who have made it to THE SWAMP---it's time YOU go ,too. Yoda,Luke the Nuke(hitter) and Steve Ferguson(swinger) are VERY easy to work with. They can help you!!
Good Luck, Dr Dave

The 52 was farther away from the median than the 37. A +2 for nine is excellent for me during any point in the season. It's a fairly sturdy course (par 37-35=72, rate 70.5, slope 128, 6500 yds) and I just killed myself with OB drives on the front. My irons were total crap, but I maintained my foothold with the SW and putter.

I lyricize a bit. The turn around was as much one of getting focused mentally as it was a good gutshove to get the swing over the hump and onto the course. I have been through enough swing changes to know that being tentative just won't butter the biscuit. I'm completely on board with you in regard to warmup. At this point in the process, I have to hit a few dozen balls or risk coming back in at 100. And chipping during the round sounds like a great idea. I'm gonna steal that and use it.

I do get out to Pittsburgh once each season to play a round with members of a semi-private golf forum. Check my above post to Painter, maybe we want to think in that direction. Nothing is more fun than playing with other avid golfers. The LBG/TGM connection would make it all the better.

On a final note/opinion to all, which might not be totally PC. You have an opportunity to make your golf instruction an expense or an investment. Dare to go way out of your way to visit Lynn or Ted Fort. It's not about TGM, it's about instructor led training for your one and only golf swing. Do it now. Don't let another season pass.

Charlie

Truth in posting statement: I am not a 527 for Lynn Blake and Ted Fort. And I agree with everything I said

[dclaryjr]

Sure seems like there's enough data to populate that "Testimonials" link on the home page!!