Aim point-how far forward?
 

I understand the idea behind the Aim point. I had always done this with my wedges, but didn't know how to verbalize to others how I did it. So, now I am trying to integrate this point thru the rest of the bag. My question is..how far is too far forward? I get pretty good results while using my irons if I drive my hands at a point a good 12-15 feet in front of the ball. The only visual I have seen of the aim point is in Bobby Clampett's book Impact Zone and he shows it being about 4-5 inches in front of the ball. Am I overdoing it?

my answer (which is very much an amateur one) was going to be to quote Clampett as well.

Depends on the perspective you are taking IMO.

Clampett's 'view' is about where the thrust of the hands is aimed at startdown. The 12-15 feet you mention, is likely your 'view' of where the hands are at impact, impact hand location. Same idea, different ways of seeing it. Down plane thrust.

Thanks. Good explanation.

Aiming Point -- A Few Feet Too Far
 

Ex,

Study the Aiming Point (6-E-2);

The Hands Lane (Photo 9-3-6); and

The Delivery Paths (10-23-0/A).

Once understood, the golfer knows that Thrust can be directed AT the Ball (assuming its Location at the specific Club's Straightaway Point); IN FRONT of the Ball (for the Shorter Clubs); or BEHIND the Ball (the longer Clubs).

Bottom Line: Once the Aiming Point is understood, the player rarely directs Thrust more than 1-2 inches in front of the
Ball, much less 10-15 feet. As far as 'behind' the Ball; that point apparently has been lost.

So Yoda, if you aim in front of the ball for short clubs (which generally have the ball further back in the stance) and behind for long clubs (where the ball is more forward in the stance) does that mean that you are effectively aiming at a point that is the same each time, sort of halfway between the midpoint and the armpit line?

I hate to give you any advice before learning everything I can on TGM, but I feel I have something to offer on this subject. I worked on the aiming point with an impact bag, and a tire and could preform it quite well. As I hit shots I could not get the same feel and even though I might have the occational flip. So what do teachers do when they get stuck??? Make a training aid..LoL What I did was ask my 4 yr old daughter for help, she let me borrow her scooby doo punch!!! Let me explain, I know everyone has seen this it has all different characters on them it is a blow up punching bag thats about 5 foot tall, with weights in the bottom so when you punch it, then it will stan back up by itself. What I did is put it just outside my left foot and hit and tried to hit it before I hit the ball. It moves out of the way and lets you complete the swing as well, great drill. If Lynn likes it he can name it after me the BurleyGolf hit me drill..Lol Go buy one, it cost like $7 dollars and you can even take it to the range and look like a real goof ball, but when your spanking every ones butt you might have a whole range full of scooby doo, popeye, mr. t, garfield..Ect...LoL Hope this helps.

Burley,
You are hitting Scooby with your hands while holding the club right?

Just when you thought of everything to hit a golf ball correctly....who knew....it's the Scooby factor....no longer the X Factor!!! Yee Hawww

DG

I knock the piss out of Scooby Doo at impact..Lol I like that the "Scooby Doobie Doo Factor"...LoL It really is a great drill, I have no shame people laugh then they come over and ask... I tell them I just started playing like only 2 month ago, and their jaws drop..Lol :)

Thanks,
BurleyGolf-

What you have discovered is one of the best impact training exercises for the hands. I know a little bit about training aids as I have been teaching with them and designing them for 20 years. I have made something similar for impact hands and use it often in lessons. You are also correct about the impact bag and tires as they don’t provide a long term success rate for new motor skills. The dynamic action is making impact or just past impact the end of the swing when using an impact bag with the club head. The Scooby doo punch bag is much better for dynamic positive transfer training of new motor skills as you can finish a full swing with it and for less than $10 is a deal. Any chance you can post a few swings using the Scooby doo punch bag? I would like to see your swing using it.

Thanks,


John W Rohan-Weaver CMAI, GSEM

Yes, I will make a Scooby Doo movie for you..Will call it "Scooby Doo meets the TGM Aiming point.. OOOHHH! Ru-RO sHAGGY! I am in Louisiana @ the Nation Wide Tour Event working with one of my students, I will be back tomorrow and try to take some video Monday. Wish my guy luck this is his first Nation Wide Tour event, Monday Qualified shot 67 and got in in a 6 man play off. After rounds of 70, 65 he is T-2... Not to bad eh! His name is Michael Arnaud.

Thanks,
BurleyGolf-

I'm looking forward to the video as well.

Thanks Pro!

Kevin

Good luck to you and your horse this weekend, Mr. Burley. I eagerly await the coming clip. Ruh-roh, I better go get one before all the golfers hit the toy store.

Thanks I know we will all learn from it. Good Luck!

Hey guys sorry, I just got back home and I have not had a chance to get to the range for me. I had a Great day on the range with PGA Tour players today! I worked with a few guys on putting and did some video taping of some great players. I was able to video Rory Mac, Els, TA III, Badds, Paddy, Jason Gore, Greg Norman, JB Holmes, Apple-B, Fred Couples, Justin Rose, Peter Lonard, VJ, and a few others.

Thanks,
BurleyGolf-

scooby doo bag movie
 

Did you ever get around to making the scooby doo bag drill video? I'd love to see it.

BurleyGolf,
Any chance that Scoobee video is up yet?