Information Overload

[12 piece bucket]

Stags....
I find this an interesting question, one that haunts me. Over the past 4 yrs (since retirement)the lowest my index has ever been is .8, probably the highest was mid 4's... I started TGM instruction in 2/05 with Ted Fort. When I started with Ted I was 3.2 and disappointed in my scoring consistency and my inability to control and repeat my swing. I could shoot 70-72 and then 82, and to be honest there were more than a few "newspaper" 85-86 rounds. I often went 4 or 5 rounds without solid ballstriking and then followed up with a couple of very good rounds. More practice didn't seem to equal more improvement for ANY part of my game, it was almost as if my scores were determined by some random force I didn't understand and I sure as heck didn't control.

I've seen Ted twice, a total of 4 hrs. each time. The first 4 hrs. were a bear... they included a general overview of TGM (thankfully I had spent some time with the book and on the various forums)AND a conversion from swinging to hitting. I returned home and played very well immediately and my index went down to 1.6. I was very straight and consistent with irons, more consistent off the tee but still had a tendency to hit a left shoot now and then... but it left me almost as quickly. I went back to see Ted again in December 05, my index was back up to 3.6 and I was frustrated. Oddly enough, my ballstriking still was better than it was pre-TGM but nowhere as good as when I first returned from Marietta. Ted actually determined what my problem was without even having me hit a ball.... the hitting only confirmed that he was correct. I was switting not hitting and I had not made as much progress as I thought. Since returning from Marietta this last time, I am much more aware of what I do wrong and what I do right. My index went down to 1.9 and back up to 2.8. The weather this winter was warm but very windy and some days it was very hard to control the golf ball. Since TGM, I've had a 68, lowest ever in my life, 69 which tied my previous low made in 1966 or 67. I hit the ball straighter now than ever before and my gir are up almost 2 per round.

That is background, Sunday I played well and was -2, 70. But what made me really think was I made 4 birdies...inside a foot, 3 ft, 3f, 5 ft. But I had 6 putts on the back nine inside of 10 feet and only made the 8 inch putt. And it started me thinking.... I KNOW I hit the ball better now, than I ever have in my life (potential distance hasn't changed much if you were curious, but avg. is much more predictable) YET I don't know if I'll ever be a plus hc (one of my goals). Golf is a funny game, it is a game of inches and feet, and while I have improved alot, it doesn't show up significantly in handicaps per se..(although I do win more of the weekly bets because I'm more consistent than almost anyone I play with). I think my average score is much better, since I've eliminated the very bad rounds that the hc system throws out anyway. I can still go out and have a very good ball striking round and hit maybe 15greens and still walk away with a 75. For me to go from a 2-ish kinda golfer to a plus, I either have to make a lot more putts of 10-15 ft. or hit a lot more balls inside of 10 ft. AND not just inside of 10 ft. but on the correct side of the hole. I don't know if I have the talent to make a much larger improvement. So.... I'm not sure how much anyone can improve when measured by hc.

I can tell you that TGM is not as complex as the book first appears (I'm familiar with about 20% of the book) it is CONSISTENT, it is TRUE, it is CHANGELESS and it allows you to do a pretty good job of analyzing what is going on when your swing goes off. It eliminates the need for membership in the swing theory of the month club ... if I never get much better it has been worth it, because it will allow me to be as good as I can be. Beside...my friends used to say "you shot 73????, wow it looked like 80" now they say "you shot 73 .. it looked like 69, or how did you shot 75?, you didn't hit one bad shot."

I love these kind of posts! Great work man.

[ThinkingPlus]

Thanks a lot for the info...

I am very curious as to how TGM will help someone at my level (~2.0 index). I have read on the forums of other players making significant strides in a very short time after seeing Lynn or Ted and learning TGM. I can see how some solid fundamentals would greatly help the player with the 15 handicap and above.

What I don't know is how much TGM will help the guy at my level. I do not consistently hit the ball as well as many other low single digit players. But having said that, I still hit the ball well enough to get myself in the 2.0 range.

I would love to hear from other low index guys that started TGM and what it did for their game.

Stags,

I can give you a little insight into my own experience. I attended an LBG school in SoCal October of 2005. My index at that time was +0.3 or so (women's - you can verify the index in my profile). I was looking to get to the next level and figured consistent ball striking was the ticket since my putting and chipping were OK (not great, but...).

It has been 6 months. I have not had the opportunity to work on my game as much as I would like. I have not incorporated all that I learned at the school and my index has fallen back a bit (currently +0.1, but not really playing to it). My play has generally been erratic trying to learn new things as you might guess. There have been some bright spots though. I equaled my career best 9 holes a couple of months ago (33). It was not a lucky 33 like the first time either (no birdie putt made was greater than 15 feet). I have also gotten two eagles in the last 6 months (hole-outs from the fairway ~ 100 - 125 yards) and just missed another one a couple weeks ago (lipped out from 100 yards - misread ).

I am still getting all the pieces to fit together, but my ball striking is starting to gel. I feel like I have a good chance of making it to a +1 this year. While the consistent scoring hasn't come quite yet, I am beginning to feel confident that it is just a matter of time. So, mixed results, but certainly encouraging from my perspective. The basic information and instruction I received at the LBG school from Ted and Lynn was invaluable. I base every swing I make these days on those basics and while my index hasn't dropped yet, I am looking to have a good summer and break that +1 barrier.

[birdie_man]

I haven't played yet this year but I'll be sure to post my results.

...

My understanding of the swing has increased immeasurably.....still going too.....I'm hooked on refining my swing....and just learning about the swing and golf in general.

Ballstriking has improved an incredible amount....with all clubs. And I KNOW why....that's the REAL kicker....

....

Have been about an 8 for the past 5 years.....with really no consistency in my golf swing (or my 20 golf swings I should say). Have been golfing fairly avidly for about 6-7. Have been really serious about improving my mechanics for about 4 years. Been with TGM for almost 2 I think.

Just have been learning and narrowing it down....

I'm really excited for this year....cause I think I'm very close....it's a different kind of close. I just understand all aspects of the swing so much more....I don't think there's anything that can really throw me off w/o me knowing what it is....nothing to really catch me off guard....not for long anyway. And there's not much more that I CAN even really experiment with....I have been very experimental and methodical for the past few years. I just know so much more now.

Have narrowed down a few of my favourite "general" patterns.....their advantages (i.e. different clubs, shots)....how they work....when I can use them....etc....and I will use more than one "base" pattern throughout my game.....mostly differences in Hinging, Left Wrist Action, grip, and Plane (partly as a result of any changes in the clubface). But now I have one basic one that I'm refining and finding ways to alter....for different shots, etc....and I know that it's a good one.....that's the difference. I don't have 20 random ones anymore.

...

I just think that the golf swing IS mechanics....that's obvious and you have to recognize that. And TGM, IMO is the greatest book on golf swing mechanics ever. You can attach feel to those mechanics....as Kelly preaches.....and that can also be important I think. But no matter who swings a golf club....whether they are a "feel player" or not....whether they know what is going on with their swing or not.....there is real mechanics at work there.....in each and every swing.

...

This year, when I go to the golf course.....I'm gonna play. I won't be experimenting with everything (cause I shouldn't have to- so much ).

Want to be scratch....and at least scratch next year. I know I can though that's the thing.....I HAVE hit it well enough....I know I CAN....I just need to "bottle it" and make it consistent.

[12 piece bucket]

I think I'm very close....it's a different kind of close.

This sounds like the way Bucket's dating went through high school and well into college.

Rock on Canada boy!

[stags14]

I haven't played yet this year but I'll be sure to post my results.

...

My understanding of the swing has increased immeasurably.....still going too.....I'm hooked on refining my swing....and just learning about the swing and golf in general.

Ballstriking has improved an incredible amount....with all clubs. And I KNOW why....that's the REAL kicker....

....

Have been about an 8 for the past 5 years.....with really no consistency in my golf swing (or my 20 golf swings I should say). Have been golfing fairly avidly for about 6-7. Have been really serious about improving my mechanics for about 4 years. Been with TGM for almost 2 I think.

Just have been learning and narrowing it down....

I'm really excited for this year....cause I think I'm very close....it's a different kind of close. I just understand all aspects of the swing so much more....I don't think there's anything that can really throw me off w/o me knowing what it is....nothing to really catch me off guard....not for long anyway. And there's not much more that I CAN even really experiment with....I have been very experimental and methodical for the past few years. I just know so much more now.

Have narrowed down a few of my favourite "general" patterns.....their advantages (i.e. different clubs, shots)....how they work....when I can use them....etc....and I will use more than one "base" pattern throughout my game.....mostly differences in Hinging, Left Wrist Action, grip, and Plane (partly as a result of any changes in the clubface). But now I have one basic one that I'm refining and finding ways to alter....for different shots, etc....and I know that it's a good one.....that's the difference. I don't have 20 random ones anymore.

...

I just think that the golf swing IS mechanics....that's obvious and you have to recognize that. And TGM, IMO is the greatest book on golf swing mechanics ever. You can attach feel to those mechanics....as Kelly preaches.....and that can also be important I think. But now matter who swings a golf club....whether they are a "feel player" or not....whether they know what is going on with their swing or not.....there is real mechanics at work there.....in each and every swing.

...

This year, when I go to the golf course.....I'm gonna play. I won't be experimenting with everything (cause I shouldn't have to- so much ).

Want to be scratch....and at least scratch next year. I know I can though that's the thing.....I HAVE hit it well enough....I know I CAN....I just need to "bottle it" and make it consistent.

A few questions:

How often do you practice?

How often do you video tape your swing?

[birdie_man]

I practice every day more or less. Prolly hasn't been a day that's gone by in 3 years or so where I haven't had a golf club in my hands for at least 5 minutes. At least in front of a mirror or just holding it fooling around with things, etc. It's always on the mind basically. It's pretty weird....I have swung in my garage and done mirror work for upwards of an hour sometimes in the winter lol.....very weird....well-you guys prolly know how it is lol. My computer/garage/backyard is my "lab" basically.

Practice in the backyard lots (I can hit about a 60 yard wedge back there)....my fricken yard looks like a driving range.....holes everywhere.....my dad hates it lol. But that's ok it's for the better.

...

Ya I usually get a golf dome membership for the winter....prolly will get a range membership this summer....we'll see.

Video my swing sometimes.....not all that much. I just use it as a refresher from time to time to see how things look and if there's anything standout that I've missed or something that I think I'm doing but I'm not doing or w/e.

You'd be surprised what you see sometimes lol. Never knew I was swinging with a Single Shift until I saw video.

I make most changes w/o it tho for sure.....just based on ballflight, etc.

[birdie_man]

This sounds like the way Bucket's dating went through high school and well into college.

Rock on Canada boy!

Ahahaha....ur crazy. Bucket on the hunt for dems foxy dames.

[ce_me_golf]

I totally concur with using the videos in The Gallery link. Especially the Colin Neeman lesson videos.

The other thing, one doesn't have to know all of TGM to apply TGM effectively. Once you get the book, figure if you are a swinger or hitter and look at the components that fit you.

Actually I haven't even got the book yet. I'd like to wait until the seventh edition comes out. If it's not available by May 15th I'll go ahead and get a copy of the sixth addition. But I've already learned quite a bit just watching videos and reading the forums.

[rchang72]

Actually I haven't even got the book yet. I'd like to wait until the seventh edition comes out. If it's not available by May 15th I'll go ahead and get a copy of the sixth addition. But I've already learned quite a bit just watching videos and reading the forums.

Good for you! Actually the book needs to be translated a bit for first time readers, but then as you get through the initial learning curve, the jargon makes great sense (and is very precise about what Kelley was conveying). Try looking at your local library for the sixth edition; that's where I first got the book to look at.

[Sonic_Doom]

I'm also new to TGM and would love some 101 type info while waiting for book to arrive. I browsed the forum for several hours and watched some of the videos but a lot of the terms require more explanation for me. The forums and archives are very extensive, some shortcuts would be welcomed.

Some info was so profound it was immediately etched in my brain i.e. the path-atack path-approach path diagram. One small bucket on the range convinced me that this was the way a golf club is meant to strike a ball.

I took a couple of TGM concepts with me to the course yesterday, FLW, three dimensional impact and lag pressure. I hit the ball with accuracy and authority that I have never felt before. I was in control of the ball for the first time in my golf experience, it was exciting.

The main source of my missed shots (and the shots that cost me most of my lost strokes) were dead shanks, even on some chips and pitch shots. I think its probably due to the outward path after impact that I was focussed on. I play lefthanded to a ~14 hdcp and I tended to hook and quack my missed shots, FLW & lag pressure almost totally erased these shots-"almost" meaning that my misses caught the right side of the green or fairway rough.

Looking forward to the journey,

CW