It's because of this insight (Release Motion) that Homer moved Hinge Action to Zone 3.
In the first six editions, Homer Kelley placed Hinge Action in Zone 3 (Ball Control: Hands/Direction/Purpose). During his lifetime, it was always there. Twenty-three years after Homer's death, it was Joe Daniels, the owner of TGM and the sole editor of the 7th edition, who moved Hinge Action to Zone 2 (Club Control: Arms/Force/Power).
His justification was that the migration was Homer's intent. Well, perhaps it was. I wrote a post (shortly after publication of the 7th edition) that explained how such a dramatic shift in Zones could be justified for Horizontal and Angled Hinging (but not for Vertical Hinging). But, as I stated then, even that argument was a stretch, because Zone 3 was (and is) the "Hands Lane" wherein "the alignment of the Clubface through Impact" is a critical component.
And should we really kick the Flat Left Wrist and its Clubface Control (1-L/C per 1-L #3 and 7-10) out of the Hands Zone? Adding to the confusion is this new line in the 7th edition's introduction to Zone 2 (9-2): "Zone #2 is the Clubhead and NOT the Clubface (Zone #3) activity." [All emphasis Homer's.]
Obviously, whether Homer intended to make the change or not, such a seismic shift in one of TGM's three major concepts required that much conflicting text be revised. But, Homer didn't make those very necessary and painfully obvious revisions, and he was a fanatic when it came to the 'ripple effect' of a proposed change (which, to my mind, signaled his true intention). Unfortunately -- or fortunately, take your pick -- neither did Joe.
So, what to do?
Simple . . .
If you've got the first six editions, do nothing.
If you've got the 7th, go to 9-2 (page 125), take a pen and line through "#10 Hinge Action" as a listed Zone #2 Component. Then, go to 9-3 (page 131) and add that same Component to Zone #3.
There now, don't you feel better? Humpty Dumpty is all back together again: Six Components in Zone #1; twelve Components in Zone #2; and six Components in Zone #3. All with no conflicting concepts or text to worry about.
Twenty-three years after Homer's death, it was Joe Daniels, the owner of TGM and the sole editor of the 7th edition, who moved Hinge Action to Zone 2 (Club Control: Arms/Force/Power).
His justification was that the migration was Homer's intent.
I had a lengthy conversation with Joe a few years ago and pointed out the numerous errors and omissions in the seventh edition. When I asked him why Hinge Action was moved to Zone 2, Joe replied, "because that is what Homer wrote. All changes in the seventh were verbatim from Homer's notes." When I pressed him on were the notes complete. He again said, " the changes were put in as Homer left them". In other words, we will never know the complete answer. But we do know that Mr. Kelley passed way unexpectedly and at the time had not sent his notes to be published into a 7th edition. Draw your own conclusion.
Hybrid Mode
