Photo-Op At Bethpage Black

[Yoda]

Let's start with this one, a new fav in my scrapbook!

[Yoda]

Running the gauntlet of autograph hounds:

#1 Flags and caps are the usual suspects.

#2 "So . . . what? Yous don't like my cigar? Yous want a piece of me? Fuggedddaboudit!" [Just kidding! Love the NY fans!]

#3 Add very large golf balls to the signing experience.

#4 Climbing the hill to the 18th tee box.

#5 Walking off #18, duty almost done!

[Yoda]

From the Practice Tee at Bethpage Black:

#1 Brian and Lynn. First U.S. Open together, but not the last.

#2 Brian and Fred Funk discussing BG's new grips. Brian prefers round; Fred likes ribbed . . . "Gotta have'em!"

#3 The KipMeister (off the 18th green) is Brian's caddy Kip Henley. Kip is also 3-time Tennessee PGA Section Champ; 5-time Player of the Year; and winner, Big Break II. Trust me, the man has game.

#4 Coaches Mike Bender and LB with Mike's student in the background. You know, Zach What's-hiz-name.

#5 Mike and Zach, mano-o-mano.

#6 Damon Green, Zach's caddie, also known as the King of the Mini-Tours (for his 64 victories). He's headed for the Champions Tour qualifier next year.

#7 Chris Noss, BG's personal trainer. Also trains Zach, Stephen Ames, Sean O'Hair and others.

[Uppndownn]

Thanks for the pics Lynn.

Good luck up there in the wet stuff.

UPP in dry for now Ohio

[Yoda]

Thanks for the pics Lynn.

Good luck up there in the wet stuff.

UPP in dry for now Ohio

Thanks, Uppndown. The rains gave me a chance to put these up. I mentioned in an earlier post that the photos would have to wait for my return home -- I thought I had left my camera download gear -- but I did bring it after all and was able to get the job done.

I've got more shots to put up, but it's off to dinner now. I think you'll enjoy the coming photos of Brian's swing on the practice tee and on the course. Also, some short shot set-ups and a great little putting story. Stay tuned!

[Yoda]

I have been looking at these alignments for three years. Sometimes BG gets his Plane Line a bit right, but usually it's dead on the money. When it's not, it only takes a few swings to get it back.

Take a look. Emulate what you see here -- especially the overall Body Posture,Centered Head, On Plane Right Forearm, and Level left Wrist -- and watch your scores go down!

#1 Address with Iron / DTL View / Note the usual alignments: Body Posture. Bent Right Elbow and On Plane Right Forearm. Level Left Wrist. Also, the Head position. No 'chin-up' here. BG is looking directly at the ball.

#2 Address / Front View / Same as above.

#3 Follow-Through and Swivel into the Finish. Note the free Arm Swing (Zone #2 Power) and the 'well down' and On Plane Right Shoulder (Zone #1 Pivot). Even at this late stage, the Hips and Shoulders are "comparatively squared away". That is, there has been no gross inward Pivot Movement to pull the Hands (and Club) Underplane. Feet and Knees support the Action. They do not cause it.

#4 Finish. Check Hands Location, Body Position and Balance. The Left Arm Flying Wedge -- Left Wrist alignment and Clubshaft in-line with the Left Arm -- is hidden from the camera, but it remains an important and integral Finish alignment.

#5 Address with Driver. Note the above alignments and, also, the correctly soled Club with the ball slightly toward the toe of the Club.

#6 Chip Shot -- through the ball. Centered Head. Ball back in Stance (Up Plane). One Lever Arm Power only. No 'Hand Action' Power.

#7 Address for high, soft Pitch Shot. Centered Head. Open Clubface. Ball forward (Down Plane). Square or slightly Open Plane Line, depending on the Lie and desired ball behavior. Compare Grip and Clubface with #2 above. Cut Shot Action: Backstroke Left Wrist Turned, but No Roll through Impact.

[hg]

Yoda

You are such a wonderful teacher...here you are probably in your finest moment with your #1 student...and you find the time and have the desire to share the moment with us while at the same time teaching alignments with Brian as your model...can't thank you enough Mr. Blake.


HG

[Scottgas2]

On #7. Will BG need a double wrist cock with the turned left hand approach to vertical hinging?

[tigerfan]

I have been looking at these alignments for three years. Sometimes BG gets his Plane Line a bit right, but usually it's dead on the money. When it's not, it only takes a few swings to get it back.

Take a look. Emulate what you see here -- especially the overall Body Posture,Centered Head, On Plane Right Forearm, and Level left Wrist -- and watch your scores go down!

#1 Address with Iron / DTL View / Note the usual alignments: Body Posture. Bent Right Elbow and On Plane Right Forearm. Level Left Wrist. Also, the Head position. No 'chin-up' here. BG is looking directly at the ball.

#2 Address / Front View / Same as above.

#3 Follow-Through and Swivel into the Finish. Note the free Arm Swing (Zone #2 Power) and the 'well down' and On Plane Right Shoulder (Zone #1 Pivot). Even at this late stage, the Hips and Shoulders are "comparatively squared away". That is, there has been no gross inward Pivot Movement to pull the Hands (and Club) Underplane. Feet and Knees support the Action. They do not cause it.

#4 Finish. Check Hands Location, Body Position and Balance. The Left Arm Flying Wedge -- Left Wrist alignment and Clubshaft in-line with the Left Arm -- is hidden from the camera, but it remains an important and integral Finish alignment.

#5 Address with Driver. Note the above alignments and, also, the correctly soled Club with the ball slightly toward the toe of the Club.

#6 Chip Shot -- through the ball. Centered Head. Ball back in Stance (Up Plane). One Lever Arm Power only. No 'Hand Action' Power.

#7 Address for high, soft Pitch Shot. Centered Head. Open Clubface. Ball forward (Down Plane). Square or slightly Open Plane Line, depending on the Lie and desired ball behavior. Compare Grip and Clubface with #2 above. Cut Shot Action: Backstroke Left Wrist Turned, but No Roll through Impact.

Loving the pictures. Really nice