[okie]

Two very prevalent misconceptions are surfacing here, and both need correcting.

First, Homer Kelley taught a 'Short' left thumb down the Aft side of the Shaft. Nowhere in The Golfing Machine is the advice given to 'extend' the left thumb down the Clubshaft ('Long' Thumb). Instead, the left forefinger is in a 'trigger finger' condition with the Shaft across the middle joint (the medial phalanx) and with the thumb near the tip. This is far different than the 'long' thumb Grip with its 'in the palm' Clubshaft and consequent 'ham-fisted' look.

Second, most TGM students know that, in the Strong Single Action Grip (10-2-B), the #3 Pressure Point is located on the Aft side (the 'behind' side) of the Clubshaft and that the left thumb is placed on this same line (10-2-0). Unfortunately, few of these students understand the Three-Dimensional alignment (Down, Out and Forward) of the On Plane Clubshaft during Impact. Accordingly, they make a contorted effort to put the thumb behind the Shaft while the Left Wrist is in its classic Adjusted Address position (Bent); the Clubshaft perpendicular to the Plane Line; and the back of the Left Hand facing the Target. This is all wrong.

Instead, the Grip should be taken in the Impact Fix condition. Here, the thumb will be located with the Left Wrist Flat; the Clubshaft leaning Forward; and the back of the Left Hand facing down the Angle of Approach (to 'right field', i.e., the 'alternate Target Line' per 7-2-3). In this alignment, the On Plane left thumb appears (and is) clearly 'behind' the Shaft (Aft). Then, when returned to the Classic Address position, the thumb will appear down the right side of the Clubshaft.

Good chicken on this medial phalanx. So, the thumb appears to be on the right side of the grip (as opposed to aft side) at adjusted address because the left hand is NOT facing the angle of approach?