Building a "strong, powerful, repeating golf swing" is like building a custom home. It starts with a sturdy, level foundation and floor (steady head). You'll also need strong, plumb walls (balance}, and a roof with good pitch (rhythm). The imperatives are the siding, roofing, windows and doors. You must have them, but you can choose them (components). Add some beautiful landscaping (extensor action) for curb appeal and you'll end a golfing machine.
Interesting analogy, Rick. This is sort of how I've always viewed those 6 items. I've always seen the essentials as the 3 key things needed, at least to some degree, to make the athletic motion required to efficiently hit a golf ball with a club. The imperatives, in my view, are the elements that introduce precision to that motion.
That makes a lot of sense Mike. Thanks for the quote and your interpretation!
Matt
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"In my experience, if you stay with the essentials you WILL build a repeatable swing undoubtedly. If you can master the Imperatives you have a champion" (Vikram).
The reason you can't sustain the lag is because you are so eager to make the club move fast (a reaction to the intent of "hitting it far"). So on a full shot you throw it away too early, which doesn't happen for your short chip. (bts)
[quote=bambam] So the essentials are a "must" for those who already comply with the three imperatives, play a "pretty good game of golf", and want to make their games even more precise?
QUOTE]
No- You missed something in the understanding. If you have the three imperatives - you're done- meaning the masterpiece is complete!
Holla Back! If you need more info.
P.S. Bucket told me you get a gold watch at 400 posts-is that true?
Are there other concepts or components that Homer considered more important than the essentials?
Can't speak for Homer Kelly on that. But I'll give you my answer. First I would say NO to your question. But I would say that doesn't mean that everything else is less important than the essentials. I would consider the stationary head part of component 12 and Rhythm component 10. All the other components are equally important - including extensor action- accumulators, flying wedges, etc. basically everything in the book- it's all important.
Finally, and just my perspective- the Golfing Machine really covers what Homer considers the important principles - components of the golf swing. To me it's kind of like a kid drawing a stick figure of a man- and saying that is MAN. It is but there's alot more to it than that. Initially, the Golfing Machine is a fascinating world and you apply the concepts literally and to the best of your ability. But eventually- after you understand and have applied the concepts- you need to realize there is more to it than the stick figure. So go in and look at the Bark of the tree but at some point when you've analyzed the Bark as much as you can - pull back out and see the whole forest- and then make it your own.
P.S. Ted- I saw you snuck in between my posts- great news on the watch! I'll PM Lynn with my home address.
No- You missed something in the understanding. If you have the three imperatives - you're done- meaning the masterpiece is complete!
OK, I think that's in my noggin - the rest of the components that make up the human golfing machine all vary from person to person and from swing to swing, but they must comply with the three imperatives. If you do those things right, the ball should go where you've programmed the machine to send it. Sound accurate?
Maybe I'm just giving these items too much importance, but I'm still curious why he would call out those three things at such a high level. Do you have any thoughts on this? Is it possible he's identifying three things that have great influence on other components? If you do not execute those three things as intended, it's going to be awfully tough to consistently execute quite a few of the other selected components as intended, no?
I may be stating the obvious here, but I don't think anybody said this directly.
The 3 imperatives are directly related to the machine concept. They give control of the clubface, clubhead, and clubshaft. If we want to control the ball, we must first control the object that comes into contact with the ball.
So I see the 3 imperative as being the basic machine assembly. If any machine part (or imperative) is missing something must be compensated in the swing to make up for the missing part.
The 3 essentials make the already assembled machine more precise and consistent.
Trying to improve your motion without a properly assembled machine (or without the 3 imperatives) is like trying to use your brand new lawn mower when it is laying in pieces on the ground, or maybe it was put together incorrectly. So it looks like a lawn mower, but you will have a very hard time cutting that lawn if the blade does not spin, or there is no gas in the tank.
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"Golf is not a subject but a motor skill which can only be learned and not taught." - Michael Hebron
"The Body, Arms and Hands have specific assignments during the Golf Stroke, and they must be coordinated into one efficient motion." - Lynn Blake
A gold (leaf) Rolex with a second hand that stops on every second.
I see Ted already picked up his watch. Mike, I've shipped yours to your local Walmart. You'll find it stored in a "safe" at the front of the store. Be sure to bring a quarter, as you'll need to insert it into the machine and twist the dial before it'll give you you're watch.
I've already shipped some rub-on spiderman tatoos and plastic jewelry to Atlanta in preparation for Ted's 700th post
Seriously, thanks for all of your contributions here, Mike!
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