[phillygolf]

That error had nothing to do with knowing the book. In fact, I knew the collective book (the sixth edition and its five predecessors) too well. Joe didn't have that particular 'problem': After the dust settled, he told me himself that he had never studied the earlier editions because he felt that only the latest work was relevant.

In the case of TGM, that simply is not true. Much very useful, 'connect the dots' information was left on TGM's cutting room floor as it progressed through the various editions. It is one of the reasons the book is so difficult: In the interest of brevity, many of the stepping stones in the middle of the stream have been removed.

In this instance, the discussion centered around the Closed Clubface at Fix for the longest, hardest hit Shots with Angled Hinging. We both knew (and quoted) the exact wording of the 6th edition:

"Clubface alignment is slightly 'Open' for short shots but for longer shots it must be set up more and more 'Closed.'"

The issue was interpretation of that sentence. Joe had written a post stating that the Clubface should be Closed at Fix. I responded that the 'more and more closed' -- from the Open alignment on Short Shots -- ended at Square, which was exactly what Homer himself had said in the earlier editions. I acquiesced only when I researched my personal tapes of my time with Homer and heard the words, "It must be set up Closed. The tendency to fade is still there."

I immediately wrote a post retracting the 'Square' Clubface position and explained why using an extended quote transcribed from my tapes of Homer's own words.

And that was that.

I will second Lynn's comments.

However....
(Lynn, please dont kill me)

If you set up closed...and...the clubface, even with layback, still closes...how can you set the face closed at fix?

I understand the clubhead is movin faster then the face...however, there are others that agree with me.....

(ready to kill me now?)

-Patrick