[cometgolfer]

This is good stuff, Thom. The Pivot is especially applicable for Swinging Chips and Pitches (to aid in Left Arm Acceleration), and this post will deal largely with that application. The Pivot also can be useful in Hitting Chips and Pitches as well, but then in a different way (as a means of Accelerating the Right Arm and not the Left).

The 'pure' Stage One of the Basic Motion Curriculum mandates Zero Pivot. After all, how much Pivot do you need on a five-foot Putt? Despite this limited application, the Left Arm's Muscle Power contribution to the Stroke is minimal. Instead, its contribution is structural. Yet, despite its feeble 'Muscle Power' and largely inert status, the very fact that the Left Arm (and Club) serves as the Radius of the Stroke -- and also the Checkrein of the Right Elbow and its Bend -- makes it the Master Accumulator. This is the Radial Power of the #4 Accumulator.

In Swinging Pivot Strokes, the Left Arm is Accelerated into Impact by the Thrust of the Pivot -- specifically, the Thrust of the Downstroke Right Shoulder Turn. In other words, the Left Arm does not Pull itself into Impact. Instead, it is Accelerated by the Body Turn. Only in the most miniaturized Strokes does the 'disconnect' from the Body occur.

So, only in the very shortest Shots does the Left Arm Thrust originate within itself. Almost always, it is Thrust by the action of the Pivot. For this reason, Homer Kelley advocated introducing the Pivot into the Stroke "as soon as it becomes useful." And the Pivot becomes "useful" just as soon as the Left Arm needs a little help in its Acceleration during the Start Down and through the Ball. The Pivot's early introduction serves another purpose as well: Namely, to teach it how to move when ultimately it must move.

One thing that must move in the Backstroke is the Right Hip. Whenever I see a Right Hip still frozen (in its Address position) at the end of Start Up, I know we've got a problem. Happily, the problem is readily solved by introducing the Pivot.

After watching John's videos with Rob Noel and seeing his use of Basic Motion in his practice I spent some time REALLY trying to understand this most basic of strokes. For as long as I've been studying TGM I'm embarrassed to say I don't think I ever understood or tried to apply it. Once you do it properly (and there were some great posts that helped me understand just how to do that), I can see how deadly you can get on straight-forward chip shots!

I often choose the "Texas Wedge" on shots from the fringe or just off it due in part to the fear of not being able to hit a controlled chip EVERY time. With a pure Basic Motion I now think about MAKING those short shots.