PGA and Golfing Machine
 

Why has the PGA ignored TGM for the last 30 years? Imagine the masses learning the TRIAD. I'm a member, and after learning some of the machine, it's embarassing the road that the PGA has taken.

There is a lot of "history" involved in answering your question. I know that more than one of the old hands here could provide the facts more accurately than I could. Anyone game?

I agree, so much instruction makes me cringe.

Back in the eighties, Dr Gary Wiren came within an eyelash of making TGM the official instruction of the PGA. But things happen. A different history evolved.

Back in the eighties, Dr Gary Wiren came within an eyelash of making TGM the official instruction of the PGA. But things happen. A different history evolved because of it. "Seems to be, Seems as if, Seems logical" replaced fact. Feel is SOOOOO important in TGM - just know why you feel that.

In the last few years TGM has advanced deeper into golf instruction, perhaps unknowing to the instructor. Big name instructors throw around TGM terms more and more. Lynn plays a big role in this, as did all those early TGM forums. There are a lot of LBG/TGM guys out there working everyday in the principles of Homer Kelley.

It is my understanding...
 

...that Gary Wiren, after meeting with Ben Doyle and listening to him explain what the book was all about, came to the conclusion that TGM was going to be "too much" for the average PGA professional to understand, absorb, apply and then teach. What a shame that this kind of attitude was so pervasive back then. TGM, back then was considered even more radical than it is considered today.

If I am wrong about any of the above, I hope someone will correct me on this. But, I believe this to be generally the truth.

Wiren's actions were far more ironic than this account reveals.

In defense of Wiren perhaps he was correct. The internet video digital technology is what allowed CEvans, Yoda to clear the TGM fog and teach it correctly to golfers.

Ever see/read the PGA teaching manual Wiren put out?

The problem of "simple and hurried" over "truthful and deliberate" is hardly unique to golf instruction - you can see it all over the business world.

People naturally pay attention to the FEW who, for one reason or another, have success with "simple and hurried." No one wants to seem to acknowledge the MANY, MANY more who FAIL with "simple and hurried."

Golfdom was not ready for TGM
and
TGM was not ready to be taught. Few could teach it 25 yrs ago.

Today, TGM has matured and been unlocked for many more.

Nice post Mike, and right to the point.

Efnef is also correct. Mr. Kelley was not a member of the PGA and was "an outsider looking in".

I have not read it.

Pga/tgm
 

I think the PGA does not want to adopt a single teaching system or book.
They have over the years used different books, and manuals for it's apprentices, to help teach them about golf swings, and teaching golf. The Flick/Toski book, Gary Wiren's book, Rick Martino's book, and there were others. Some basic TGM would definately be helpful for the apprentices.

Some of the TGMers do occasionally teach at PGA seminars and Teaching Summits. Tom Ness, Chuck Cook, Chuck Evans, Ben Doyle, George Kelnhofer, and many others have taught, or spoken at PGA functions.

I actually helped get TGM back on the approved list for education points just 8 or 9 years ago. It had just about fallen off the map. The TGM website, and then Lynn's site has helped bring TGM to the world.

A Time Come
 

Today at a businessman's lunch, my darting eyes couldn't help but catch the silent, closed caption transcript above The Open Championship telecast at the back of the room.

The video was of the young Rory McIlry.

The unidentified voiceover was -- I can only guess -- Bobby Clampett?

In any event, the references to Mr. McIlry's Golf Stroke included:

-- "On Plane."

-- "Lots of Lag."

- "And he 'sustains' it through Impact."

No way this commentary would have happened twenty years ago. But now it is happening almost every week.

It's a good thing.

:)

And how many TGMer kinds are inside the ropes each week with you, Lynn? Take a bow.

brit open
 

Hi all,watching the brit open last night and the one thing that stood out to me was ,when the camera angle was directly behind the players,be it driver or irons,most had there arms hanging vertical maybe a little less than vertical,where TGMers are told to have their left wrists at level position(R/handers) at address,please enlighten me.Hope I havnt made an ass of myself

Left arm flying wedge...
 

I am watchig now. Most players in the field don't have vertical angle hanging of arms, though Jim Furyk does, but the level left wrist at address are almost all there.

Some might have a slight cocked left wrist, not level, at address, but they manage to do that.

My 2 cents.

On last Friday's telecast of the John Deere, Clampett was discussing how a player made a divot with a 3 wood. He used the exact phrase "clubhead lag pressure" (not just "lag" or "clubhead lag", but "clubhead lag pressure").

Yesterday on the telecast from Open, Clampett was discussing Sergio's putting. He use the exact phrase "on plane forearm."

It sure seems like he is making an effort to use the exact TGM terminology in a loud and clear fashion.

Bobby Clampett Announcing
 

Whether it be because he has published his book and wants to sell more of them or he just has those concepts on his mind more - It's been my perception that Bobby Clampett has changed his entire announcing approach over the last couple of weeks0. For me it's been a dramatic shift in announcing style.

I liked him a lot more as an announcer before he started that stuff in the last couple of weeks.

But that's just me. Only his boss's and the viewing audience will determine if he continues to announce with this "new" approach.

I just want to watch the golf tournament and not have someone input "their" "teaching" system- into my living room. Or better said, I wouldn't mind it if he was analyzing someones swing on the Bizhub with a complete anaylsis- but I don't care for a constant analysis in the telecast as part of the play by play! In other words, if it was football- I like to hear the announcer say "look it that halfback cut back and juke that linebacker - what a move!"- and not add or input some analysis of fully planting on the inside of the foot- with an on-plane hip slant, directly in line and opposed to the on plane motion................

I'd guess it won't continue- but that's only because if I was his boss it wouldn't continue- not during the play by play or color commentary. Did I miss something- did Faldo (I know could be the wrong network but you know what I mean) or someone else go bye bye and Clampett's new role is to analyze the swings besides what he was doing before- maybe this is part of a step up for him or grooming for a higher spot in the broadcasting booth.

Shooting "Johnny Apple-seed"
 

Stuff?? :(

Mike O,

I'm sorry but I have to completely disagree with your post above.

The aspiring golfer wants to know what it is that makes the difference between Tiger, Sergio, and the Rest of Us. The Golfing Machine when applied correctly can provide that answer......sustaining the line of compression.

Bobby has written a book to help the public understand the machine and now he is conveying those "secrets" on live television. If people listen to Bobby and Apply they will enjoy the game. Which as Gary Wiren's himself said, "Golf is a game and as such it is meant to be enjoyed."

I say keep it up Bobby, I've never been happier with a commentator's perspectives. He's helping the game of golf immensly by not conveying his "teaching system" but instead explaining THE WAY to hit a golf ball

Sorting Through the Instructor's Textbook while listening to a Circuit Player's Perspective on T.V.

B-Ray

By the way heres a quote from Bobby Clampett today.....

"Here's Mike Weir rehearsing his new move the stack and tilt, working with Mike Bennet and Andy Plummer.......Nice Shot there. Just shows there's a lot of different swing styles out here the key is what happens at impact."

and another quote from earlier in the telecast as they looked at Sergio's Swing....

"Lag is a signature of Sergio's swing you see his left wrist add cock on that downswing and he'll hold that angle into impact. You can also see a forward swing bottom as a result of that lag. The deep part of that divot is four inches in front of the ball, a dynamic you'll see all great ball strikers have."

Spot on.

Sorting Through the Golf Nut's Catalog.

B-Ray

Time changes things
 

When Ben Doyle trained with Mr. Kelly a young man by the name of Don Shaw in the State of Washington was a student as well. He taught TGM for many years and fought the same stigma at the time. I know him and know that he shares the same passion for the "truth" that Lynn has today. However, I think that Mike is correct. Golf was not quite ready yet but time has a way of changing things. At a little driving range out in the sticks in North Western Washington, Mr. Shaw has never wavered from "the truth".

I agree, it does seem that " the computer age approach to golfing perfection" - ie. the subtitle to TGM - did require the internet and home PC to blossom before the word could spread far and wide... now it is gathering pace!:golf:

Although the PGA as an organization has not adopted TGM as it's model, many of it's members are using it. Whether openly or shall we say in the closet. At the 2006 PGA Teaching and Coaching Summit, several of the presenters made direct reference to, and gave credit to TGM. Jim Mclean recognized Ben Doyle as an influence in his development as an instructor, and had Mr. Doyle as a guest instuctor at his school outside of Dallas. Martin Hall's presentation featured many key concepts from TGM. He openly gave credit to TGM and Homer Kelley.

Although, I have used TGM as a source of information, my understanding of was shadowy. To use a metaphor, many of the trees looked familiar, but I didn't know which forest I was in. Mr. Hall's presentation inpired me to seek more information on TGM.

Today, as an A.I., I know that I am in the TGM forest and enjoy exploring it and trying to develop a deeper understanding of it. As a member of the PGA, I am proud of the to be linked with the Association and fellow members. To my fellow members I would advise you to become well versed in TGM. The times are changnging. TGM is the wave of the future. Learn it or become lost in it's wake.

Catch a wave and we're sittin on top of TGM World
 

Surfs Up! Time to hop on my Silver Board!

Bray
 

No problem B-Ray- everyone and anyone can disagree. But just to make sure that we are referring to the same thing- I'll summarize.

1) I don't like the change in his announcing over the last couple of weeks. That would be the part of my post that you really can't disagree with- unless you're me- in my brain- wait a minute- this is heading in Bucket's territory- Nurse get me the doctor.

2) I wasn't saying anything bad about the Golfing Machine- I was just saying that I don't want explanations about the swing interspersed too much into the commentary of the players and the tournament- that is - interspersed in the play by play. I just don't like it. There is a time and place for everthing- I don't want to hear about the mechanics of Michael Jordan's shooting in the last minute of the last game of the NBA finals. And that's what it feels like to ME.

So for me - my post wasn't and isn't about right or wrong- rather I was just expressing my personal reaction to it- based on my viewing preferences. If you love it - that's great! - and I don't say that sarcastically. If you hate blackberry pie and I love it- I'm not going to disagree with your personal assessment of it- In fact, inside I'm really even more happy- since they'll be more for me! :)

Finally, part of my personal assessment and difficulty with it - may be related to the sudden change in an announcer's style (certainly that could be argued i.e. maybe some would say his style, approach hasn't changed- again just my perception). It just seemed that before he was kind of in the background and now he's in my face.

That's just my reaction to it- please ignore it if it doesn't match your reaction to it.

Stuff
 

Stuff= Swing Analyzing. Stuff= Swing Analyzing dispersed at a higher rate than I want to hear it.

Again- Just my reaction based on what I like to see and hear when I watch golf on TV.

Towards A Common Language
 

Bobby and I talked about it at the AT&T Classic in Atlanta last May. He said he was somewhat limited, but that he was 'making progress.'

:)

I'm glad to hear about Yoda's conversation with Bobby it definetly looks like he's making progress. Maybe one day they will talk about the "flying wedges" during a live telecast!!!
Until then I can only say we are all ahead of the curve by studying The Golfing Machine.

Sorting Through the Duffer's Bible.

B-Ray