I'm really proud to be a part of this membership. This thread could have turned south in a heartbeat, like so many other forums. I was initially concerned that we were going to "turn off" someone that is dipping their toe in the TGM waters but you guys pulled through. It's a fine line sometimes.
Lynn's computer has been down since returning from Destin, but I'm sure he and Ted will be responding soon Bendet.
Reading this thread reminds me of how I approached the numerous engineering courses at the university.
In the same way as TGM each course had a steep learning curve with new terminologi and some degree of complexity.
And in the same way as TGM - the fog started to lift as soon as we got some of the terminologi and eqations under the skin.
And in the same way as TGM everything was somehow connected to everything else.
And in the same way as with TGM - eventually we vere able to understand most of the textbook.
But an understanding based on reading just wasn't enough. It was something very different to apply the stuff in actual problem solving. Working with solving "tasks" (I don't remember the proper english word for it) was for me the only way to truly understand advanced mathematical and technological topics. The answers to the exams were never in the textbook. The tools necessary to provide an answer was. But the hard part was learning to apply the toolkit!
The TGM seems to be an exellent toolkit. I've read every page more than once, and I understand most of the sentences in the book. I've never studied a book where every sentence, every word is written with such care and thoroughness as this one. The book just keeps growing on me! But just reading and reflecting isn't enough preparation for real world application!
I think some of us in this exellent forum need som real problems to chew on- followed by "correct" answers to benchmark against. So I kindly ask the LBG staff to consider a "weekly case" where a video of someone doing something in their stroke is accompanied by some questions for us to chew on - and you guys tells us how you proceeded with the lesson(s) or analysis - and the result (if any). Something like this would be very interesting stuff and great material for several new interesting discussions.
I think some of us in this exellent forum need som real problems to chew on- followed by "correct" answers to benchmark against. So I kindly ask the LBG staff to consider a "weekly case" where a video of someone doing something in their stroke is accompanied by some questions for us to chew on - and you guys tells us how you proceeded with the lesson(s) or analysis - and the result (if any). Something like this would be very interesting stuff and great material for several new interesting discussions.
How about an "e-learning forum"
Your timing on this request is excellent as we are fine tuning our new website and preparing to cutover very soon. The new site will have many capabilities lacking here. It wouldn't be difficult to support this request.
Back to the original question in this thread, I'll add one simple setup difference that might not be obvious in the book. It took me a while to get it anyway. To visualize the angle of approach, I use my right forearm as the guide. The angle of the right forearm at impact fix is your angle of approach line on the ground that the clubhead will "cover" on the downstroke.
Well said Birdie Man
By the way, I like your Jimmy Hendrix photo! I once played golf with Jimmy's brother Leon, after the round I needed a ride- so we hopped in his 1960 Chevy Van and drove off in the sunset- while Leon relaxed with his substance of choice.
Ahaha...that's wicked man. Did Leon say anything about Jimi?
Hendrix was awesome- I hate how all the greats kill themselves off. His career was sooo short yet he still is thought of as one of the greatest of all time...imagine all the stuff he could have done from his death until now...good god. It's sad.
Originally Posted by Bendet2
Wow, I seemed to have touched a nerve here. First off, I love Lynn's and Brian's and Chuck's forums and what they are trying to do, i.e. helping people play better golf. I also hate when these threads degenerate into mud slinging affairs. In another post Ted Fort wrote something to the effect that he is the "king of Anologies", why would an instructor say that, probably because he found that there is a difference between information and knowledge and that for some students he had to use different vocabulary to teach them. Now to keep this from getting too personal, thanks for the useful feedback all, a simple "You really should buy the book because, it's great" would have sufficed (I have ordered it). Thanks again for the constructive feedback.
Nonono...you didn't touch on a nerve really I don't think...at least not with me. It's a big issue tho really when it comes to TGM it seems. the whole complete complexity vs. incomplete simplicity thing. It's just that that's basically the core premise of TGM...why it works and how it works. I just wanted to explain why I think TGM is great...
That's what I wanted to explain. I don't think you would've gotten the message if I said "Now go buy this book because Paul says so!" Hehe...
Originally Posted by Delaware Golf
The golfing machine is not about a quick fix....it's about dedication and self-improvement at the highest level. Enjoy the Journey!!! It will be one of the best $20 investments you will ever make....
There Bendet...that would be a good way to sum up TGM.
Very well put DG.
I had to respond to all that...
...I guess now, as Bagger pointed out, we should get back to Bendet's original question and see what we can do.
For a simple visual, search for "Hitting AND Stickman" and "Swinging AND Stickman"...and look at Ted Fort's swing, Matt's swing...and Yoda has some stuff here: http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/Gallery.htm
I'm mostly a swinger but I can hit, so I'll see how I can do with explaining it in a simple, checklist kind of way...these are my keys I guess:
- same grip
- start at impact fix (hands slightly forward, basically)
- close hips slightly at address so that they are aligned to bump more to right field...whereas swingers start with hips parallel to target line- hip bump at startdown is to the target.
- hold the clubface perpendicular to the Turned Shoulder Plane (as the Hitting Stickman does)...to me, this feels like a long chip shot- clubface doesn't fan open.
- trace a straight plane line, as with swinging-> Flashlight Drill: one end of the club or the other always points to the base of the plane line (which is basically the target line on a straight shot), except when the club is parallel to the ground of course (the shaft will still be parallel to the target line though).
VISUAL HERE: http://chuckevansgolf.com/forum/showthread.php?t=801 (look at video called "Plane")
- swing to the Top ("3/4 swing")...not the End (the traditional "full swing").
- because hitting is driven by right arm thrust at the ball instead of swinging's centrifugal force, u can compare hitting to throwing a martial arts open hand heel punch straight at the inside of the ball. That's honestly the best, and simplest thing to relate it to that I've heard. That still doesn't necessarily make it simple though...prolly when learning anyway. Swinging can be compared to an underhand toss (of a ball or something).
-[EDIT]- you'll want to hit the ball first, and then (while your club is still obviously on the way DOWN) hit a divot...your swing traces a circle around your body- a circle only has one low point...low point is after contact with the ball. So...mash the club straight down on that ball and through that ball to low point. This is what people mean by "Aiming Point". That's ahead of the ball- where your hands are thrusting to.
Guess that's it. For those of you who read this- keep me honest. I'm not a hitting expert, and I don't want to give this guy BS.
Anyhoo, don't know if that's simple enough for you but I tried to keep it simple enough w/o leaving you hanging about anything.
I am sure Yoda posted that he likes square. Ted hits from slightly open from memory. Yoda definitely doesn't advocate the closed stance when hitting as his norm.
We have such a great group here: The words fly. The concepts incubate. We all look for Mother's Milk.
You've asked serious questions.
It's time for serious answers.
In the next couple of days, I'll take my video camera to the Lesson Tee for conversations with two of TGM's most capable Authorized Instructors, Ted Fort (Hitter) and Steve Ferguson (Swinger). In this bare-knuckled reality video session, you will get the concepts you need to move to the next level.
To visualize the angle of approach, I use my right forearm as the guide. The angle of the right forearm at impact fix is your angle of approach line on the ground that the clubhead will "cover" on the downstroke.
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