Originally Posted by psheehan

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."

Originally Posted by stags14

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.

Originally Posted by birdie_man

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

Originally Posted by 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....

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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.

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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.

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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.

Originally Posted by 12 piece bucket

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

Rock on Canada boy!

Originally Posted by rchang72

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.

Originally Posted by ce_me_golf

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. ;) ;)