Are the essentials really essential?
 

This is a question I've had for a while, as I've heard it said that the imperitives are all that matter and the essentials are somehow less important.

One interesting thing I found in the dictionary is that essential is a synonym for imperative. I have to assume that Homer knew this and intentionally and carefully selected two words that mean the same thing.

So is one less important than the other or do they just deal with different things (physics vs. geometry perhaps)?

I did the same dictionary search too... to my mind the words are too similar to have any significant distinction. The problem with language is that its useage and meaning evolve with time. Whilst Homer may have had a subtle distinction in mind at the time of writing ( he was middle-aged and it was late 60s)... there is no real distinction in the words now.

If I can discern his intent then it seems that the essentials provide the scaffold/structure which make a hands controlled pivot possible and the fruit of that pattern are the imperatives.

I just do not think that a true hands controlled pivot can exist without a stationary post... it is mandatory or "essential" to make the concept work.

The imperatives can be attained with a pivot controlling hands pattern....

just thinking out loud... interested in your thoughts

The other piece of language that seems odd to me is the use of the word "vertical"... it may be an "English english" versus a "US english" thing... but common usage of vertical is to describe a plane at 90 degrees to the horizontal plane... Homer uses it as I would use the word "perpendicular"... ie. 90 degrees to any plane

I prefer to hear the word "perpendicular" rather than "vertical" especially when describing hinge action because the word " vertical " is already used for a hinge action... anybody agree... language update for the 8th edition?

and yes i do know how "dangerous" it can be to alter the language even when the message is the same... or even clearer!

http://etext.virginia.edu/kjv.browse.html

it caused quite a stir when it came out... strange thing is the binding seemed to hold together better than the 7th edition!:laughing9

Using the words above, it is possible to draw a clear distinction between the words "essentials" and "imperatives".

e.g

It is essential in the building of a scaffold structure that suitable poles, planks, clamps and bolts are used in the process.

Furthermore, it is imperative that they are correctly used in order to protect the integrity of the assembled structure.

In G.O.L.F, be mindful of your essentials before bringing the imperatives into play.

lets agree to differ...
 

I think that the two are interchangeable in your example... no change in meaning... but lets not get into a physics debate...LOL :laughing9

Spoilsport.:laughing1

Are the imperatives more essential than the essentials or are the essentials more imperative than the imperatives? --Sounds like a question only Bucket could do justice to. Homer was too deliberate and concise to have haphazardly made the distinction.

Along this train of thought, when he introduces the concepts in chapter 2, he puts the essentials first, before the imperatives. :think:

?
 

Good question and one of those that continually comes up over the years. Certainly another area of the book that should be alot more clear and not promote confusion among the reader in regards to the differences between the two.

He certainly meant that the Imperatives are more important than the Essentials. Here is a direct quote from Homer Kelley in regards to this section of the book and referring to essentials and imperatives. I have bolded in black the section where his voice has added "life" or importance if you will - where he get's excited or feels like he's really making an important comment. I put in red - my own side comment regarding his discussion.

Starting off in 2-0 referring to Essentials he says "It's farther down the line than the imperatives - the flat left wrist and the clubhead lag and a straight plane line. See you can move your head, you can wobble a little and your rhythm can be off and you can still play a pretty good game of golf. If you bend your left wrist and you don't have a lag pressure point and a straight plane line- you can't - nothing in the book makes sense- It won't work- This is I think the reason behind that (why those are imperatives and more important than the essentials), with these three things- If you don't do those three things, The book will only confuse- the farther you go the more confused you get because nothing works."

One final clarification in regards to the above- when he says "you can't"- It seems clear to me - but to be conservative I have to say that it is my intepretation- he doesn't say it like "If you bend your left wrist and don't have a lag pressure point and a straight plane line- you can't.... play good golf. No- it's more like he starts to say "you can't"- pauses- doesn't want to finish the sentence in whatever way he was headed- erases the you can't - backs up and replaces it with "nothing in the book makes sense". So in typing it - if you were a transcriptionist and knew what he wanted to say you would type it as "If you bend your left wrist, and don't have a lag pressure point and a straight plane line- nothing in the book makes sense- It won't......."

Essentials and Imperatives
 

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.

Thanks for that quote, Mike!

It makes sense to me that the imperatives are more important, as those are the three things that control the three parts of the golf club.

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 thier games even more precise?

Are there other concepts or components that Homer considered more important than the essentials?

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

Mastery of the Star System Triad!
 

[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?

gold
 

A gold (leaf) Rolex with a second hand that stops on every second.

Priorities
 

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.:)

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?

yes, i agree - great quote! It really enhances the emphasis on the "imperatives"...over the "essentials"

Maybe "essentials" needs renaming... "advisables"...ie. recommended to enhance your "imperatives" but not "essential"

Remember that language changes and the same message can only be transmitted if the language evolves to suit the audience.

1-l
 

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.

Weren't the essentials imperatives in the earlier editions?

Food for thought:)


Todd

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 :-P

Seriously, thanks for all of your contributions here, Mike!

Perhaps it would be easier to consider the "Imperatives" as something that you must have ....an "Essential" as it would be nice to have...Of course I did work for Michael Hebron...

Aircon in your car is nice to have but not essential ( at least in the uk!:laughing9 ) but wheels on the other hand....


By the way, when you read Mikes transcript of Homer talking about "essential" versus "imperative"... it kind of makes the stationary head argument less significant... it sounds like Homer's key learning objectives were imperatives... everything else ( whatever you call it) is aircon in the UK ( desirable/advisable/ nice/ recommended etc):laughing1

Imperatives and Essentials
 

I see where you are going with the thought process- which seems logical to me- your thought process that is.

I would say it all flows from 1-L. So in 2-0 under essentials and imperatives you've got to keep the Machine concept and everything he talks about in 1-L in reference. The Essentials and Imperatives in 2-0 is really the segway - he's building the bridge- that is - he is referencing, reviewing, and summarizing the Machine Concept- what a precision stroke includes based on the 1-L The Machine Concept and then the first paragraph after the Basic Essentials and Basic Imperatives leads us from the Chapter 1-L Machine concept right into the science- and the geometrical relationships. So based on this Machine Concept- here are the scientific application and verification and elaboration of that Machine Concept- it's his logical progression.

So really the essentials and the imperatives covers all 21 items in 1-L- you could essentially check them all off the list with those six items. Now, looking at the essentials and imperatives in regards to or in relation to the Human- sure you could have a little head movement, not be perfectly balanced like the machine, maybe have a little variation in clubhead travel i.e. rhythm but as long as you have the imperatives you'll be Golden. So the Machine is perfect on all six items- Stationary Head, Balance, Rhythm, A "Flat" left wrist, a lag pressure point, straight plane line. But in the Human application- the essentials can be off a little as long as you are accomplishing the imperatives. But all six are the important characteristics of the Machine.

Some interesting posts.

Don't know why it is imperatives vs essentials.

Do know that in version 2 and 3 it had
The 5 Imperatives showed up in the 2nd Edition:

1) Stationary Head

2) Balance

3) Rhythm

4) Flat Left Wrist

5) Clubhead Lag

Then in the fourth it became the first 3 as essentials and the last two plus the addition of the plane line as the 3 imperatives.

In fact somewhere I read that there was actually 8 imperatives back then.

The logic presented machine vs human, has some potential maybe.

Great post, I like it a lot!

Hey Mike where did you get this audio?

Homer Kelley -- The Audio
 

Thanks for transcribing this, Mike.

A comment from 'the man' himself to 'hammer down' the Mission-Critical point.

Your effort took more than most appreciate.

The Fountainhead
 

There were five students in my Master Class with Homer Kelley in January 1982.

Two tape recorders were running.

I have since heard our discussions broadcasted to countless thousands throughout the world.

Regardless of 'source,' the origin is always the same.

Homer's study.

January 11-15,1982.

Coolcool.

I wasn't being skeptical BTW...just curious. Heck, I really like what Homer is saying here.

So ya thanks Lynn. (Jan. 11-15, 1982)

So Mike were you in this Masters Class or did u get the audio elsewhere? (u'd know this too tho eh Lynn)

Good post, Mike. I want to chew on this a little more, but at first glance this makes perfect sense to me.

I think Homer eludes to the human essentials vs. machine imperatives distinction in 1-L when he talks about balance and force.

Given that premise, it makes clearer (to me) the reason why the impertives would be more important even though all 6 would be required for the perfect machine. If one bends thier left wrist, there's not much the human part of the machine can do to "save" or compensate, where-as if one isn't perfectly balanced or moves thier head (these are closely related IMO), they can make the necessary compensations. It's not perfect, but certainly managable until more precision can be built into one's machine. I realize this is essentially what you said in your post, but that human vs. machine distinction does help me get what Homer might have been thinking when defining those 6 items.

I think that Balance and Rhythm are so important they might as well be Imparative.

I guess when it comes down to it tho...the ball only knows the 3 Imparatives.

A thought
 

If you have the Imperatives it is most likely that you have the Essentials, but it is not always the other way around.

How about this, the three imperatives are required for all strokes regardless of length or speed?

As the strokes become longer the requirement for the essentials becomes more apparent? i.e. full pivot, higher handspeed?

O Canada
 

Notice how all these Canadians disguise their location!:) Sonic Doom And Birdie Man - just two examples!

I'll tell ya another thing: their beer sucks!
 

Those Canadians are sneeky. I saw a Michael Moore documentary all about it called "Canadian Bacon"... :-s

Mmmmmmm beer....

BTW....I'm from CanadER...!

;)

:laughing1 :laughing1 :laughing1

You guys can MARKET beer, I'll give you that.


But Canuck beer has some alcohol content, cheers!

:occasion:

I think it's the same....just measured differently.

(sad to say lol)

It was on 20/20 yo.

View from the Glossary
 

Here are the Three Basic Essentials inserting the definitions from the Glossary:
1. Choosing the Head--rather than Between-the-Shoulders as the Pivot Center (A stationary Head)
2. Holding the center of gravity of the body inside The Stance without moving the Head (Balance)
3. Holding both Lever Assemblies to the same basic R.P.M. throughout the Stroke while overtaking all other Components at a steady, even rate (Rhythm).

The Three Basic Imperatives are not quite as "neat" but using the key words (Flat Left Wrist, Clubhead Lag, Plane Line).
1. Positioning the Left wrist to be vertical to its Left shoulder Axis and to its Associated Plane during Impact.
2. The information transmitted through the #3 Pressure Point by the resistance of the Clubhead to change
3. A line inscribed on the surface of the Inclined Plane passing through the ball location to serve as its Base Line and its center of rotation when changing its angle.

I can relate to the concept that the Imperatives are necessary to "make sense" of everything else. Maybe some AI's project will pursue this.

DRW

Helping Others...While Helping Ourselves
 

Solid post, DRW. Thanks for your research on the Essentials and Imperatives. I'm sure it helped 'clear the fog' for some and inspired others to efforts of their own. :salut: