Hello folks. I joined this site a few weeks ago and have been reading and viewing the threads and videos and decided to add a thread of my own.
First I would like to say that Mr. Blake has a wonderful way of describing things that has me "get" a lot of the information in TGM book that are fuzzy at best. I must say that following Mr. Kelly writing style is not always a simple thing but I think it will come iN time (especially with websites devoted to TGM theory).
Okay. I've been taking on the basics of TGM for about two months and have really seen marked improvement when I do get to go out and play. So far I've mainly focused on staying on plane, maintaining the bent right wrist, reducing any bending in the left wrist (i.e. uncocking and rolling, not bend... very helpful I might add) and keeping my head centered. I've also been peforming some lag drills and trying to feel the sensation while playing. A lot of this I have simply done at home.
As much as I've tried I can't seem to get the hang of hitting down on the ball during the full swing (have pretty good success in chipping and punch shots). I was viewing Mr. Blake's video today of the aiming point concept (I bleieve it is what you were demonstrating) with the dowels and the parralel line of force that the hands can be directed (am I making any sense?).
My question is this... would aiming my hands to a location and not aiming the clubhead "at the ball" assist me in striking down on the ball during a full swing. The aiming point concept is something I find vague but I believe has (or could have) tremendous value. I'm very frustrated in the quality of contact with my full swing and lose a lot of distance and have a higher than "should be" ball flight because (I believe) of my inability to consistently hit down on the ball.
As much as I've tried I can't seem to get the hang of hitting down on the ball during the full swing (have pretty good success in chipping and punch shots).
My question is this... would aiming my hands to a location and not aiming the clubhead "at the ball" assist me in striking down on the ball during a full swing. The aiming point concept is something I find vague but I believe has (or could have) tremendous value. I'm very frustrated in the quality of contact with my full swing and lose a lot of distance and have a higher than "should be" ball flight because (I believe) of my inability to consistently hit down on the ball.
Michael
Welcome aboard, Michael, and thanks for this first post. Keep'em comin'!
Your problems -- lack of 'Down', Distance and desirable Ball Flight -- are due to Throwaway (6-D-0). And there is a high probability it follows the usual sequence: Hand Throw from the Top followed by Over-Acceleration in the Downstroke and Quitting through Impact (6-D-1/2/3). The cure, basically, is learning to swing the Club correctly.
My guess is that you have Off Plane Shoulder Rotation in the Start Down combined with the aforementioned early Hand Throw Release and Wrist Bend (a Horizontal Motion) through Impact. You need to substitute an On Plane Start Down of the Right Shoulder and Hands; a positive Lag Loading; and a strongly Downward Left Wrist Uncocking (a perpendicular motion) through Impact.
So, conceding the constraint of an unseen Stroke, do the following:
1. Leaving your Hands at the Top, begin your Start Down with a slight Hip 'bump' parallel to the Target Line. This move will correctly Load your Left Wrist (and the Lag) On Plane.
2. Drag this Loaded Left Wrist directly toward the Target Line in the Downstroke.
3. Then, sensing the Throw-Out Action of Centrifugal Force in Release, Throw the Club strongly Downward -- directly toward the ground -- with a vigorous Uncocking of the Left Wrist.
These moves are not a band-aid cure. Instead, they are fundamental to a sound Swing. With a little practice, your Swing will improve, and when your Swing improves, your Shots will improve.
Welcome aboard, Michael, and thanks for this first post. Keep'em comin'!
Your problems -- lack of 'Down', Distance and desirable Ball Flight -- are due to Throwaway (6-D-0). And there is a high probability it follows the usual sequence: Hand Throw from the Top followed by Over-Acceleration in the Downstroke and Quitting through Impact (6-D-1/2/3). The cure, basically, is learning to swing the Club correctly.
My guess is that you have Off Plane Shoulder Rotation in the Start Down combined with the aforementioned early Hand Throw Release and Wrist Bend (a Horizontal Motion) through Impact. You need to substitute an On Plane Start Down of the Right Shoulder and Hands; a positive Lag Loading; and a strongly Downward Left Wrist Uncocking (a perpendicular motion) through Impact.
So, conceding the constraint of an unseen Stroke, do the following:
1. Leaving your Hands at the Top, begin your Start Down with a slight Hip 'bump' parallel to the Target Line. This move will correctly Load your Left Wrist (and the Lag) On Plane.
2. Drag this Loaded Left Wrist directly toward the Target Line in the Downstroke.
3. Then, sensing the Pull of Centrifugal Force in Release, Throw the Club strongly Downward -- directly toward the ground -- with a vigorous Uncocking of the Left Wrist.
These moves are not a band-aid cure. Instead, they are fundamental to a sound Swing. With a little practice, your Swing will improve, and when your Swing improves, your Shots will improve.
That's the way it works.
Thanks so much for replying so quickly to my questions. I'm certainly no expert but what you are saying in your analysis sure sounds like exactly what's going on! I certainly know that I overaccerlate and the funny thing is is that each time when I set up to the ball I tell myself that I'm not going to do that but... voila, almost every time I do. I want to take what you recommended and also research the book so that I can cross-reference the two and help the book make more sense to me. And of course work on your recommendations.
I have another question if you have a minute. The feeling of "dragging" the club through the hitting zone (i.e. lag or drag drills)... it seems awkward to keep the body moving in such a manner that would give this sensation while swinging in realtime. Is that natural? Do I just need more practice? Is that something I even need to be trying to accomplish?
Thanks again for taking the time out to read and reply to my questions... it really makes a difference.
I have another question if you have a minute. The feeling of "dragging" the club through the hitting zone (i.e. lag or drag drills)... it seems awkward to keep the body moving in such a manner that would give this sensation while swinging in realtime. Is that natural? Do I just need more practice? Is that something I even need to be trying to accomplish?
Yes, you absolutely should be trying to capture the correct sensation of Clubhead Lag Pressure. And no, it is not natural.
In fact, learning to Deliver inert Lag Pressure into Impact is one of the most unnatural act imaginable. It is why there are so few really good players. It is also why, in the first edition of TGM, Homer Kelley used ten descriptive terms and one analogy to spell out unmistakeably its sensation:
"The correct Clubhead Lag Pressure Feel is a deadweight -- a status quo -- a deliberate, unvarying 'steady as she goes'. An unrevoked, unreversed, stable, permanent inertia. Exactly like dragging a wet mop through Impact."
Well, all rightee then!
First, I would look up each of the terms in the dictionary. Dwell on the intellectual concept of the totally inert Lag Pressure. Then, in drill, repeat (and sense) each word (or group of words) as you s-l-o-w-l-y drag a real wet mop -- not a dry mop and not a broom! -- through the Impact. That would be eleven 'drag-throughs'. Make sure you keep your Left Wrist Flat and your Right Wrist Bent throughout the exercise. Then one or two more 'drag-throughs' repeating (and sensing) the entire description. Do that every day for three weeks and, I promise you, your Motion through Impact will improve -- probably dramatically.
Now you are ready for the Practice Tee. The goal is now to capture the sensation during an actual Golf Stroke. Leave the long Clubs in the bag and head for the Short Game area. You simply must begin with the short Chips and Pitches. Before each Stroke, repeat the words "Dra-a-a-g my wet mop."
Dra-a-a-g my wet mop. Click!
Dra-a-a-g my wet mop. Click!
Dra-a-a-g my wet mop. Click!
Every now and then, don't hit a Ball. Instead, just put the Clubhead down opposite your right foot and simply drag the clubhead along the ground until it must come up. All the while, of course, leading the Clubhead through with your Flat Left Wrist and your Bent Right Wrist. A few thousand of these Chips, Pitches and Drag Drills and you will be on track for a lifetime of better Golf.
Finally, when you can swing your Hands through the Ball -- and not hit at the Ball! -- while keeping your Left Wrist Flat and your Right Wrist Bent, proceed to the longer strokes and simply add more 'zip'. The character of the Motion remains the same.
Yes, you absolutely should be trying to capture the correct sensation of Clubhead Lag Pressure. And no, it is not natural.
In fact, learning to Deliver inert Lag Pressure into Impact is one of the most unnatural act imaginable. It is why there are so few really good players. It is also why, in the first edition of TGM, Homer Kelley used ten descriptive terms and one analogy to spell out unmistakeably its sensation:
"The correct Clubhead Lag Pressure Feel is a deadweight -- a status quo -- a deliberate, unvarying 'steady as she goes'. An unrevoked, unreversed, stable, permanent inertia. Exactly like dragging a wet mop through Impact."
Well, all rightee then!
First, I would look up each of the terms in the dictionary. Dwell on the intellectual concept of the totally inert Lag Pressure. Then, in drill, repeat (and sense) each word (or group of words) as you s-l-o-w-l-y drag a real wet mop -- not a dry mop and not a broom! -- through the Impact. That would be eleven 'drag-throughs'. Then one or two more 'drag-throughs' repeating (and sensing) the entire description. Do that every day for three weeks and, I promise you, your Motion through Impact will improve -- probably dramatically.
Now you are ready for the Practice Tee. The goal is now to capture the sensation during an actual Golf Stroke. Leave the long Clubs in the bag and head for the Short Game area. You simply must begin with the short Chips and Pitches. Before each Stroke, repeat the words "Draaag my wet mop."
Draaag my wet mop. Click!
Draaag my wet mop. Click!
Draaag my wet mop. Click!
A few thousand of these, and you will be on track for a lifetime of better Golf.
Finally, when you have this down, proceed to the longer strokes and simply add more 'zip'. The character of the Motion remains the same.
I am going to take this on. Conceptually it sounds curious at best being that a wet mop would certainly have more drag or inertia (I am an engineer by trade and degree) then a golf club that weighs much less but I think I understand it's purpose.
Calling this sensation "Lag Pressure" has me believe that I am to sense this force over an area and I'm wondering if that area is my #3 PP? Recently I have been placing the #3 PP directly behind the shaft, which is a totally differnt feeling for me, but the results I have been getting indicate that doing this has merit (I can't remeber if I read that somewhere in TGM book or what... I kind of read through the sections and now am going through in more detail). Does that sound like a cure for some other problem or am I beginning to understand?
Calling this sensation "Lag Pressure" has me believe that I am to sense this force over an area and I'm wondering if that area is my #3 PP?
If you use a real wet mop -- or if you simulate it by looping a wet large towel over the hosel of a Club -- you most certainly will sense the Clubhead Lag Pressure in your #3 Pressure Point (meaty part of the right forefinger). Just wait and see!
Beyond that, because of the heavy load you are d-r-a-g-g-i-n-g through 'Impact', you will also sense Accumulator Lag (of each of the employed Accumulators) as well as Pivot Lag (the core muscles actuating the Pivot).
Welcome aboard, Michael, and thanks for this first post. Keep'em comin'!
Your problems -- lack of 'Down', Distance and desirable Ball Flight -- are due to Throwaway (6-D-0). And there is a high probability it follows the usual sequence: Hand Throw from the Top followed by Over-Acceleration in the Downstroke and Quitting through Impact (6-D-1/2/3). The cure, basically, is learning to swing the Club correctly.
My guess is that you have Off Plane Shoulder Rotation in the Start Down combined with the aforementioned early Hand Throw Release and Wrist Bend (a Horizontal Motion) through Impact. You need to substitute an On Plane Start Down of the Right Shoulder and Hands; a positive Lag Loading; and a strongly Downward Left Wrist Uncocking (a perpendicular motion) through Impact.
So, conceding the constraint of an unseen Stroke, do the following:
1. Leaving your Hands at the Top, begin your Start Down with a slight Hip 'bump' parallel to the Target Line. This move will correctly Load your Left Wrist (and the Lag) On Plane.
2. Drag this Loaded Left Wrist directly toward the Target Line in the Downstroke.
3. Then, sensing the Throw-Out Action of Centrifugal Force in Release, Throw the Club strongly Downward -- directly toward the ground -- with a vigorous Uncocking of the Left Wrist.
These moves are not a band-aid cure. Instead, they are fundamental to a sound Swing. With a little practice, your Swing will improve, and when your Swing improves, your Shots will improve.
That's the way it works.
Preacher man!
A big ole' break out snakes AMEN from the choir!!!
Hmm . . . do I smell a video? Maybe? Please?
This is the precision information that separates the Koolaid drinkers from the mouth breathers that take a magazine article as the "gospel."
The good Lawd gave us opposable thumbs so we ain't livin' like dawgs . . . and he gave us Mr. Kelley to shine the light of G.O.L.Fing TRUTH.
Have MERCY!!!! Good Gawd!!! Take me to the WATER!!!!
In fact, learning to Deliver inert Lag Pressure into Impact is one of the most unnatural act imaginable. It is why there are so few really good players. It is also why, in the first edition of TGM, Homer Kelley used ten descriptive terms and one analogy to spell out unmistakeably its sensation:
"The correct Clubhead Lag Pressure Feel is a deadweight -- a status quo -- a deliberate, unvarying 'steady as she goes'. An unrevoked, unreversed, stable, permanent inertia. Exactly like dragging a wet mop through Impact."
DEADWEIGHT - The unrelieved weight of a heavy, motionless mass STATUS QUO - The existing condition or state of affairs. DELIBERATE - by conscious design or purpose UNVARYING - persistent in occurrence and unvarying in nature STABLE - Resistant to change of position or condition; not easily moved or disturbed - Not subject to sudden or extreme change or fluctuation PERMANENT - Lasting or remaining without essential change INERTIA - The tendency of a body to resist acceleration; the tendency of a body at rest to remain at rest or of a body in straight line motion to stay in motion in a straight line unless acted on by an outside force.
dictionary.com didn't have the other terms???
As Mr. K tells us in 7-19 Lag Pressure Point "feel" is not only "Constant Loading" but also "Constant DIRECTION."
So Omnipotent Asparagus Colored Professor of Lag Pressure with sparkling clean freshly mopped floors . . .I pose a question on the MOP DRAGGING. . .
When dragging the ole MOP, the feeling of LAG PRESSURE in the Hands is an UNMISTAKEABLY STRONG SENSATION of PRESSURE. Also, the muscles in the BACK, RIGHT FOREARM, and THIGHS are very much ALIVE. As we drag the Mop back and then CHANGE DIRECTIONS the wet Mop Head resists the change and the PRESSURE POINTS are LOADED. Then this LOAD is "constantly" felt and its direction is also "constant."
Do you feel the SAME degree of LAG PRESSURE in your Hands when Swinging an actual club as with the mop exercise? Or is this an exaggerated feeling to Program the Computer to recognize and be sensitive to the all important LAG PRESSURE? So it is this CONSTANT LOAD and CONSTANT DIRECTION that result in a bent right wrist and flat left wrist, no?
Thank you . . . thank you . . . thank you.
Mop Bucket
__________________
Aloha Mr. Hand
Behold my hands; reach hither thy hand
Last edited by 12 piece bucket : 12-02-2005 at 11:00 PM.
Do you feel the SAME degree of LAG PRESSURE in your Hands when Swinging an actual club as with the mop exercise? Or is this an exaggerated feeling to Program the Computer to recognize and be sensitive to the all important LAG PRESSURE? So it is this CONSTANT LOAD and CONSTANT DIRECTION that result in a bent right wrist and flat left wrist, no?
I'm curious about this as well, Bucket. I have a hard time replicating the wet mop drag feel with shorter clubs on full shots, and forget about any kind of short shot.
Do you feel the SAME degree of LAG PRESSURE in your Hands when Swinging an actual club as with the mop exercise? Or is this an exaggerated feeling to Program the Computer to recognize and be sensitive to the all important LAG PRESSURE?
The wet mop lag pressure is an exaggerated Feel, and the s-l-o-w 'drag-through' serves as dynamic Impact Interval programming for all Components of the Stroke.
Thanks, Colonel -- you may be Bucket to others but to me you'll always be The Colonel! -- for posting the definitions of Homer's descriptive terms. I appreciate your many contributions to this site.
Linear Mode
