Hitting Convert?
 

Getting close to having the snow melt and head back to teaching. I can't wait!

I have worked hard on my TGM studies in my off time this winter. All the advice here has been a HUGE help in understanding Mr. Kelley's work. I decided I better take a look at 12-1, even though I am a swinger, I thought.

I figured I should understand the mechanics in case I have students who are hitters. The basic Pattern sounds great, very simple to learn and teach.

I dug out my Address and Set Up video for hitters by Ted Fort. WOW. You guys need to rename that. It not only teaches us the address routine for hitters, but runs through the entire swing. This video will be every bit as helpful to hitters as the Brian Gay video is for everyone who plays. This video takes the mystery out of hitting, and Ted makes it look sooooo simple. Hey Ted, what year did you last miss a fairway? With that solid action, it can't happen very often!

I took what I learned from Ted's video to the dome this morning. WOW, it really is as simple as it looks. What a great way to play G.O.L.F.! One outing as a hitter, and I think I'm hooked. Accumulater #1 Rules! :)

Just fair warning Ted, please make room for a fat guy in the hitters forum!

Thanks,
Kevin

Is that in the premium videos Kev?

I too am converting to hitting after finally getting fed up with a wandering duck hook that would show up unexpectedly and certainly unwanted several times a round!

GP, it's the last video on the Pro Shp page.

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/cmps_in...p?page=proshop

Kevin

A good video
 

The advantages of being around here for awhile. I downloaded it when it was free. Ted would be cool to take a lesson from.

still on the journey
 

I miss fairways. But, the missed fairways are getting fewer and fewer. BY (before Yoda), I couldn't hit my butt with two hands, a mirror, and a flashlight. My game changed when I was introduced to the TGM that Homer taught. I think the best thing that ever happened to TGM was Lynn's hiatus from golf. In Lynn, we have a bridge to Homer without a re-invention of his work.

I'm getting older, having more kids, and playing better. Without Lynn and TGM, I think my game would be hurting. In '07, 80% of my under par rounds were in tournaments. Five years ago, I had to have less than 24 putts to shoot under par.

Few teaching professionals will have one Tour champion in their stable. Fewer still will have five Tour champions in a calendar year.

Living in Pittsburgh makes trips to the Swamp infrequent, but having had two 90 minute sessions with The King of Hitting over the past few years I can attest----it IS cool. Worth the trip for sure.

Someday...

Hard to believe my idea of golfing heaven has gone from Augusta to a swamp. :) I've been to Augusta, now I have to work on the latter!

:golf:

Kevin

Hitters backstroke
 

Does anyone know if there´s a videoclip demonstrating a hitters backstroke?

The Boss
 

Hi Labrador, you need to check the free video section on this site.
Ted Fort aka Yoda's Luke is the boss :super: :

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/gallery...ottle_0001.wmv
http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/gallery...geSideview.avi

Good find yodeli. Better hitting than Hank Aaron right there!

Kevin

I am new to this site and it seems like the real deal for me since I just converted to hitting a week ago. Bad lower back, short backswing, and inconsistancy is the reason that hitting seems like the way to go for me.

I wanted to view the links inserted above (Ted Fort)but both respond that the link is broken. Anyone else having the same trouble?

Video Gallery has moved...
 

Hi greyguy, the video section has been moved a few day ago, you can find what you are looking for here:

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/index.p...-Sideview.html
http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/index.p...nary-Head.html

If you're interested, I've also put some vids and pics about Hitting here: http://www.golflagtips.com/hitting-v...art-3-hitting/

Have fun.

Welcome Greyguy, great to have you here in hitters paradise!

Kevin

GreyGuy,

For a wonderful tutorial on the right forearm, please look at the Brian Gay Fundamentals video. Mr. Gay says the right forearm is the entire key to his swing. I watch that as often as Alignment Golf. Those two videos make TGM so much clearer!

Kevin


edit: sorry greyguy, posted in the wrong thread, but hopefully you still get it. Meant to post in your right forearm thread...

Hitter stuff
 

Okay KC. All this hitter-speak and after that lesson Sunday (accompanied by a very entertaining 9 holes of b.s.), I am going to take a few of my golfing instruments with me to today's meet and spend some time on the range working on the magical right forearm. It works so well for putting, pitching and chipping, what would a duffer like me have to lose?
Working with my wayward senior yesterday with you on the phone was a real kick. You should have seen the change in his shot trajectory when he started to become aware of the right arm. You would have been very pleased.
Peace, pro.
g

It flat out works Jerry, and it's so simple. I'm back...

12-1 from the 6th Edition baby!

I played with a former tour player today who I have always looked up to, now a successful teacher. I asked him if he models his teaching around anyone in particular, he started telling me about Homer Kelley and the MACHINE. Fun day!!!

Kevin

I swear to the Almighty, Homer, Yoda, and Paul Hart that I believe hitting is THE cure for the yips. I am using it not only in my own game, but with my students who have "mental" problems out on the course.

If you are a swinger, you must allow centrifugal force to do a lot of the work for you. If you are a yipper, I was, you have a very tough time letting anything happen. You are afraid to trust anything including centrifugal force to do anything. If you flinch, you're toast. You NEED to take control.

HITTING!
LAG PRESSURE (Pure Ball Striker)
IMPACT ALIGNMENTS!
THE MAGIC OF THE RIGHT FOREARM!

Hitting allows you to take control. Lag Pressure, Impact alignments and the Magic of the Right Forearm become your fundamentals. This has worked for my putting yips, chip yips, and driver yips, yes, I [S]AM[/S] WAS a mental case! I have never driven the ball straighter. I have never been so confident over a chip, I have no fear of a putt. Golf is fun again!

Hank Haney had the right idea with Barclay, "It's not mental." Unfortunately, and no disrespect intended, Mr. Haney didn't use the proper "system" for the cure. We may even refer to it as a "method" as Daryl is stating in another thread. The "method" is 12-1 along with a lot of work on Basic Motion, which could also be considered a "method" IMHO.

I may not be the best teacher in the world when it comes to developing a pretty swinging motion, but I am getting a ton of satisfaction in helping folks with problems between the ears and getting them back on the golf course. maybe I've finally found my niche in golf...

I've added another favorite DVD to my repertoire of great teaching videos for my new mission:

Alignment Golf
Brian Gay Fundamentals
Ted Fort's Address Routine For Hitting

If I'm not on the track it's the fault of you guys, I'm learning it right here.

Sorry for rambling, Am I nuts?

Kevin

Hi Kevin -
Please explain your "hitting" stroke for putting. I am at wits end with short putts - couple of "spasms" every round on 2 to 4 footers.

I putt quite well on longer putts using a "gravity" based stroke, but since the putter does not move far enough or high enough on short strokes to let momentum do its job, I need to find another way.

Any help greatly appreciated

Just wondering...I get a message that I am not authorized to view the video on the above links. Do I need to do something first; like purchase it?

blehnhard,

I enjoy the very simple hitting method Yoda teaches in alignment golf. The shoulders remain motionless and the right elbow, right forearm controls the stroke. Make sure you set up a little open when using the hitting stroke in putting. Think Nicklaus in his prime...

OPTIONS:

With the standard grip make sure your grip is in the lifelines of your hands which zeroes #3 power accumulators. If using the claw, this applies to the left hand only. With short putts we yippers don't need the extra travel, we need CONTROL.

Try setting your right forearm in line with the shaft. (doesn't work with the claw.)

Try the claw grip with this hitting method. Note that you can't get your right forearm on plane while implementing the claw.

This hitting method works great with the Broomstick putters. I now go back and forth as I generally can practice longer with the long putter as it's easier on my back.

Keep it simple!

Kevin

Sorry Greyguy, they need to be purchased, but are very reasonable and worth EVERY penny! Please purchase in the Premium Video section:

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/index.p...um-Videos.html

Kevin

Thanks Kevin - I will put some time in this afternoon on the putting green. This will be a change from a shoulder dominated stroke to an arm dominated one (mostly right arm). When making longer strokes will the right shoulder be pulled forward a little by the length of the follow thru?

Shoulders would react to the length of the stroke as long as they do not power or initiate the motion - is that correct?

Thanks again - Bruce

Well the yips are complex but perhaps one of the TGM defined methods of how to power your stroke might help you with the short ones.

TGM has three Zones, 1 pivot, 2 arms, 3 hands. Each one can be used to power to the putter but its best to not combine them for such a low power and precise bit of business. Arnie and the guys who used to put the old slow greens often used a Zone 3, hands only, 10-3-F Peck, Minor Basic Stroke. but you dont see it much anymore unless you're playing with someone from that era. They'd zero out the Pivot and Arms and just use the hands.

Most pros today use Zone 1, Pivot Putting, 10-3-H The Paw, Minor Basic Stroke. Using a shoulder rocking action with zero arm participation, so no right arm thrust or straightening, which would be using two Zones and dangerous. Most average golfers today use a bit of both 1 and 2 , typically in a compensating manner, say a push alignment with a right arm thrust that pulls the ball back on line. Very difficult to coordinate and be consistent. Terrible putters can have all three Zones working with a bit of throwaway in the hands added in there. Yikes.

Which leaves us with a pure Zone 2, arms only or hitting putting. With the shoulder participation zeroed out the Primary Lever ( the left arm and club) is pulled and pushed through the shot by the Right Arm. There are variations within this procedure so do some research into it. A very effective method but not popular on tour these days. Its key to not add a second Zone or Power accumulator here as well. You need, must get to both arms straight so you have to pre locate the position of the right shoulder so that you have the appropriate amount of right arm to get you to the length of stroke you need at Both Arms Straight. Typically a pushed put is the result of not fully extending the right arm and a pull resulting from unwanted shoulder participation. The fully extended right arm "closes the door" and aligns the clubface properly to prevent the open face push.

There is a lot of great information on the Alignment Golf DVD, the entire third CD devoted to putting.

Thanks O.B. - off to do some practice now. Will have to purchase the Alignment Golf DVD.

Bruce

You'll like it I bet.

So much information that you just cant get anywhere else. Although with the way Lynns pros are playing it might not be long before it is absorbed by the mainstream.

OB,

Your reply to Bruce's question was MASTERFUL and will be of major help to me as well!

Thanks,
Kevin

more push basic....
 

A couple of pics from the work I'm doing. Trying to get my right forearm on plane at setup. I feel like I am standing VERY tall with my hands VERY high. Feel is definitely not real. Getting closer, I would hate to have you see where I was before.

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/a...d=124354344 6

Position at Follow through. Getting better. Structure at set up is really helping.

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/a...d=124354344 6

And yes, I know I'm too fat! :laughing9

Kevin

Looking good!
 

Nice right forearm Hoss.

Thanks Man!

Kevin

Yoda in Toronto
 

Man that looks good, Kev. If you find yourself going right make sure you arent getting too arched in the left hand which prevents the face from squaring up fully. As a life long drawer of the ball I was starting to see some push fades that were perplexing. I can play with the ball going one way but two ways is difficult to manage. Not saying this as a observation or anything, it looks great great great Kev. Just sharing some of the insights into my own motion that I got from Lynns recent trip to Toronto.

Having been a fairly recent convert to Hitting and doing a lot of work on the flat left wrist at Both Arms Straight over the winter I was getting a little too Arched (a horizontal move) in the left hand at Top and Finish. A blocking, wooden, stiff wristed kinda deal when my game was off. As if I was tightening up to get things back on track when I should have been focusing on motion and letting it go.

Hitters and Swingers both should have Finish Swivels. Being a Hitter does not necessarily mean you have to look like ARnie and hold things off. Let er go baby. It was the Throws, Right Arm Throw that really got my free wheeling motion back. That and some drills that Lynn loves (and brother do I know why, they work some magic in terms of motion) McDonald drill, Wild Bill Melhourne continuos swinging, ground brushing and actual hitting etc. Hope these arent trade secrets Im giving away here.

Im thinking that maybe I made a necessary journey to the far reaches of the Hitting end of things in the Hitting vs Swinging spectrum to learn the Alignments but I am now making a slight move back towards the middle as a personal refinement. I now even have a lagging takeaway to boot. Something I loved when swinging.

To each their own, not making a general recommendation or anything, just sharing my personal journey towards finding a pattern. Im still Hitting but with style, its a motion, with a Throw, no holding on and a release swivel when I need it in Total Motion or for a Pause 10-3-J Minor Basic Stroke, tour type (Intentional Throwaway) flop shot for instance. My left wrist, given my grip type, is cupped at Top and Finish and Arched at Impact and Follow Through but only when I want it to be.

Try a Throw. 10-20-B, Right Arm Throw, for Hitters. Not a Push Basic type deal for fuller shots but a Punch Elbow, the right arm fanning and extending like you're skipping a stone with Tracing. Lynn told me that contrary to what you might imagine a Throw on film often shows a later release!!!!!! Go figure. "Homer called it a Throw and it is a Throw" said Mr. Blake.

Ive got about 10 pages of notes, other insights into things but time doesnt permit.

Homer was a genius theoretically and Lynn Blake, in his own right, is a genius when it comes to instruction. My back is sore after three full days of instruction but I cant wait to get to the course tomorrow and try it all out. Golf is so much fun right now. I wouldnt be where I am now in one hundred golf lifetimes if left to my own devices.

Thanks for all of this Yoda.


OB

Hitting With Style
 

I LOVE it. Thanks OB.

Sounds like your time with Yoda was AWESOME. I wish I could have been there, someday...

In the meantime, I really appreciate your help!

Thanks,
Kevin

Set up is looking good, Kev. I just got the Taly and I've been blown away by how great that thing is. Can't wait to record my swing again. I think it's amazing how well Homer nailed it, hitter's biggest nemesis is over-accelerating. I had gotten a FLW and then started to flip again and thought I was going slow on the start down. Then I put the Taly on, 'felt my way around' and noticed that I simply was not going slow enough. Was hitting some drives yesterday that I have never hit before.



3JACK

Thanks Richie, your change to hitting is my model!

Kevin

Great post in your blog on the Taly tonight Richie. Beautiful explanation, and I agree 100%!

Kevin

WOW Bulldog. I missed your reply yesterday. What a great thread!

I just worked on it with the short putter and standard (right hand low) grip. It was AWESOME. Here were some of my thoughts based upon the thread you referenced and Alignment Golf.

Line up left with feet and hips
Right forearm on plane
Handle forward
Left wrist flat and level
Right wrist bent
Keep shoulders still
Hit with right elbow like a piston
Don't run out of right arm
Keep right wrist bend constant throughout stroke


Thanks Man, great assist! :salut:

Kevin