How does TGM help me develop my best possible golf swing?
Originally Posted by KevCarter
Drew,
I know I'm just a rookie, but I look at TGM as THE fundamentals to use while building ANY swing. I think all great methods need to be based upon TGM fundamentals...
Kevin
TGM fundamentals are to golf (imho) what gravity is to the field of physics, the Bible is to Stephen King (rips it off in almost every story he writes), phonics is to reading, and number line theory is to Algebra, Geometry, and space exploration.
Physics can address lots of different areas of interest but if you ignore gravity in physics, you are either immature or you are dealing with a very, very important event or occurrence. Some of the greatest insights of human history have come about by comparing the obvious "common sense" of a period of time, to a stubborn little fact that demands its due.
The earth is round, not flat, but what important physical laws would suggest the earth is flat? What subtle, stubborn facts would challenge a person to search beyond the obvious? What increases in knowledge, technology and personal sacrifice would enable a person to KNOW the answer to the question is TRUE for their life?
The Geometric Orientation of Linear Force cannot be ignored in a golf discussion, but if an effective technique for golf ignores TGM or varies from TGM insights and practices, that, then, should offer TGM'rs a chance to grasp golfing technique at a deeper level and become even more impressed by TGM insights.
Let's say a person has a normal physique. The "swing" explained by TGM is easy, sensible, and amazingly efficient. Only a newbie to TGM would struggle with the use of TGM as a method and guide. However, a physically "frail" golfer might really question the TGM hitting motion. This is all obvious.
I have had 9 hip operations and will have have this artificial hip I have now replaced in about seven or eight years (with the cancellation of the stupid health bill and its silly supporters). The imbalance due to the shortness of my front leg and metal rod that connects different parts of it, makes me terrified of the idea of whipping around in a golf swing in hopes of golfing precision. Twisting around the 1/2 of a plastic and metal pelvis 80-90 times or more a week doesn't seem like a great idea, either, at the tender age of 52.5.
But I'm not going to stop golfing. I won't swing but I'll golf, and that means hitting. The speed, power and ease of uncocking the left wrist is brilliant! I feel as if I can get into my tripod and accurately snipe at holes and positions forever with RFM (that's take away and thrust for Right Forearm Magic). What's funny is that I'm sure I've only gotten about 4% comprehension of the act in my golfing DNA.
Notice how I came to my decision to hit? It was a combination of physical necessity, TGM (gravity) insight, and a dogged desire to test every idea in search of my "best" (most easily repeatable, most powerful, and most precise) possible golf swing. It's my hope that this thread would help every golfer examine why they golf as they do and challenge themselves to get greater insight using TGM as a map, a flashlight, crutches, or a right arm sling.
I hope this is fun and interesting for everyone.
Patrick (or I See!)
__________________
HP, grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Progress and not perfection is the goal every day!
Last edited by innercityteacher : 05-27-2010 at 09:05 PM.
As you know, I teach and I have to monitor my student's abilities constantly.
So, the question on the table is "what is my best possible swing?"For now, I will assume that we are teaching a person with 7th grade intelligence. (OB's Mrs. is much further along than this, but OB might like the humor and Buckett will be given a special note to attend when I speak with his case-worker and store manager.) I hope we can build a consensus as to how to start a young golfer on the road to TGM!
I would like to begin by using the video done by Yoda,
Imho, it is a simple example of the capabilities of TGM. Anyone can understand making a vertical hammering motion with a golf club. The left hand flying wedge and grip can be built with the student as well as the right hand flying wedge and right forearm takeaway. This could be one lesson or four and the student would get instant success using this procedure.
Thoughts?
Patrick
Originally Posted by innercityteacher
TGM fundamentals are to golf (imho) what gravity is to the field of physics, the Bible is to Stephen King (rips it off in almost every story he writes), phonics is to reading, and number line theory is to Algebra, Geometry, and space exploration.
Physics can address lots of different areas of interest but if you ignore gravity in physics, you are either immature or you are dealing with a very, very important event or occurrence. Some of the greatest insights of human history have come about by comparing the obvious "common sense" of a period of time, to a stubborn little fact that demands its due.
The earth is round, not flat, but what important physical laws would suggest the earth is flat? What subtle, stubborn facts would challenge a person to search beyond the obvious? What increases in knowledge, technology and personal sacrifice would enable a person to KNOW the answer to the question is TRUE for their life?
The Geometric Orientation of Linear Force cannot be ignored in a golf discussion, but if an effective technique for golf ignores TGM or varies from TGM insights and practices, that, then, should offer TGM'rs a chance to grasp golfing technique at a deeper level and become even more impressed by TGM insights.
Let's say a person has a normal physique. The "swing" explained by TGM is easy, sensible, and amazingly efficient. Only a newbie to TGM would struggle with the use of TGM as a method and guide. However, a physically "frail" golfer might really question the TGM hitting motion. This is all obvious.
I have had 9 hip operations and will have have this artificial hip I have now replaced in about seven or eight years (with the cancellation of the stupid health bill and its silly supporters). The imbalance due to the shortness of my front leg and metal rod that connects different parts of it, makes me terrified of the idea of whipping around in a golf swing in hopes of golfing precision. Twisting around the 1/2 of a plastic and metal pelvis 80-90 times or more a week doesn't seem like a great idea, either, at the tender age of 52.5.
But I'm not going to stop golfing. I won't swing but I'll golf, and that means hitting. The speed, power and ease of uncocking the left wrist is brilliant! I feel as if I can get into my tripod and accurately snipe at holes and positions forever with RFM (that's take away and thrust for Right Forearm Magic). What's funny is that I'm sure I've only gotten about 4% comprehension of the act in my golfing DNA.
Notice how I came to my decision to hit? It was a combination of physical necessity, TGM (gravity) insight, and a dogged desire to test every idea in search of my "best" (most easily repeatable, most powerful, and most precise) possible golf swing. It's my hope that this thread would help every golfer examine why they golf as they do and challenge themselves to get greater insight using TGM as a map, a flashlight, crutches, or a right arm sling.
I hope this is fun and interesting for everyone.
Patrick (or I See!)
__________________
HP, grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Progress and not perfection is the goal every day!
Last edited by innercityteacher : 05-30-2010 at 11:15 AM.
City. You read the half hour lesson I gave my wife I know. Im not a teacher by any means and have nothing but respect and admiration for those guys and what they face with various students. But what I taught her was really a boiled down version of what it was that brought me to TGM in the first place combined with some further revelations provided by Lynn. Which when I look back at now I can see how they relate somewhat to the Three Basic Imperatives!
Let me explain as briefly as I can. After years of pretty advanced golf I had stumbled upon the Frozen Right Wrist and its power, it simplicity. Its a long story about a game of golf in the snow, me taking a call on my cell phone that went on for too long and having to chip with one hand to finish the hole. It was a great chip too. My best of the day and with a practiced frozen and bent right hand. Something I had been working on while waiting for the call to end. It left me to wonder and so I spent some time on the range hitting right handed shots. Something I bet Homer did, not sure but I have a feeling he did. I learned that the bent Right Hand had a profound effect on the shot!
Later I learned that a TGM instructor from my area had a logo that was a bent right hand, that the bent right hand was mantra for him. I called him for a lesson but he was out of town for an extended period of time and so I turned to the net............enter Lynn Blake Golf. Never did make contact with the local guy by the way.
Make a long story short ......it took me decades of self discovery to find the Bent Right Wrist (the companion to the Flat Left Wrist). But in my first lesson with Lynn he shared with me; the On Plane Right Forearm and the #3pp (as well as several other nuggets). Oh the time I wasted!
I still start every warm up and practice session with right arm only chipping. I monitor three things.......bent right hand, on plane forearm, #3pp tracing the Plane Line with an associated feeling of Lag (its the secret to all good shots).
2.0 The Three Basic Imperatives are;
-1. A Flat Left Wrist.
-2. A Clubhead Lag Pressure Point.
-3. A straight Plane Line.
The On Plane Right Forearm doesnt rank as an Imperative but.......its pretty dang close to being one for me.
Only having one arm on the club simplifies things. My wife could see the relationships as did I. How the shot that fails didnt have any Lag Pressure for instance. How the Bent Right Hand needs to be frozen through the shot anyways. How the right Forearm if on Plane adds structure. Its all there.
OB, that's helpful but along with the content we need a show!
It's great to communicate with your spouse, but you are dealing with someone who knows you and still, for some reason, wishes to listen to you.
In a funny way, that is the opposite of what a professional teacher encounters, esp. during the first few lessons or sometimes, ever. You are better off believing the people you teach have had the worst night before at home, their dog destroyed their home, their elbow is in a sling, and you need to "wow" them every 8 minutes to inspire them and build a level of trust.
In short, as a teacher you are torn between correct instruction and the pupils'abilities to undestand or comprehend your instruction. My own GSEB is very good at content and has a genuine gift for communication, but his lessons are very content heavy. His TGM is so profound and subtle that even throwaway remarks take me to a logical truth! Sometimes, he just buries me with amazingly useful insights, and I am very motivated!
So, OB, you are literate and thoughtful as are most of us on this site (even people in Illinois and original recipe). Assume your students are different, have a seventh grade attention span, acne, raging hormones (I'm not only thinking of Daryl), and their mom is with a different guy every week and that guys likes to put his hand on your left knee for no apparent reason.
What kind of display then, OB, to start to illustrate one simple point would you suggest to such a person or group? Details count! Fun and doing count, peer comprehension and coaching count, visuals count as well as having some competition!
Originally Posted by O.B.Left
City. You read the half hour lesson I gave my wife I know. Im not a teacher by any means and have nothing but respect and admiration for those guys and what they face with various students. But what I taught her was really a boiled down version of what it was that brought me to TGM in the first place combined with some further revelations provided by Lynn. Which when I look back at now I can see how they relate somewhat to the Three Basic Imperatives!
Let me explain as briefly as I can. After years of pretty advanced golf I had stumbled upon the Frozen Right Wrist and its power, it simplicity. Its a long story about a game of golf in the snow, me taking a call on my cell phone that went on for too long and having to chip with one hand to finish the hole. It was a great chip too. My best of the day and with a practiced frozen and bent right hand. Something I had been working on while waiting for the call to end. It left me to wonder and so I spent some time on the range hitting right handed shots. Something I bet Homer did, not sure but I have a feeling he did. I learned that the bent Right Hand had a profound effect on the shot!
Later I learned that a TGM instructor from my area had a logo that was a bent right hand, that the bent right hand was mantra for him. I called him for a lesson but he was out of town for an extended period of time and so I turned to the net............enter Lynn Blake Golf. Never did make contact with the local guy by the way.
Make a long story short ......it took me decades of self discovery to find the Bent Right Wrist (the companion to the Flat Left Wrist). But in my first lesson with Lynn he shared with me; the On Plane Right Forearm and the #3pp (as well as several other nuggets). Oh the time I wasted!
I still start every warm up and practice session with right arm only chipping. I monitor three things.......bent right hand, on plane forearm, #3pp tracing the Plane Line with an associated feeling of Lag (its the secret to all good shots).
2.0 The Three Basic Imperatives are;
-1. A Flat Left Wrist.
-2. A Clubhead Lag Pressure Point.
-3. A straight Plane Line.
The On Plane Right Forearm doesnt rank as an Imperative but.......its pretty dang close to being one for me.
Only having one arm on the club simplifies things. My wife could see the relationships as did I. How the shot that fails didnt have any Lag Pressure for instance. How the Bent Right Hand needs to be frozen through the shot anyways. How the right Forearm if on Plane adds structure. Its all there.
__________________
HP, grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Progress and not perfection is the goal every day!
Last edited by innercityteacher : 05-30-2010 at 11:20 AM.
Besides OB's answer that I agree with completely, I love TGM because it gives us all options. No cookie cutter swing for everybody. Homer Kelley gives a chance to work with motions we enjoy and make changes around them...
I can't wait to travel to Cuscawillo for training in how to use the system properly, I have a lot to learn but am enjoying every minute of study.
Kevin
Originally Posted by innercityteacher
It's great to communicate with your spouse, but you are dealing with someone who knows you and still, for some reason, wishes to listen to you.
In a funny way, that is the opposite of what a professional teacher encounters, esp. during the first few lessons or sometimes, ever. You are better off believing the people you teach have had the worst night before at home, their dog destroyed their home, their elbow is in a sling, and you need to "wow" them every 8 minutes to inspire them and build a level of trust.
In short,as a teacher you are torn between correct instruction and the pupils'abilities to undestand or comprehend your instruction. My own GSEB is very good at content and has a genuine gift for communication, but his lessons are very content heavy. Sometimes, he just buries me with amazingly useful insights, and I am very motivated!
So, OB, you are literate and thoughtful as are most of us on this site (even people in Illinois and original recipe). Assume your students are different, have a seventh grade attention span, acne, raging hormones (I'm not only thinking of Daryl), and their mom is with a different guy every week and that guys likes to put his hand on your left knee for no apparent reason.
What kind of display then,to illustrate one simple point will you suggest to such a person or group? Details count! Fun and doing count, visuals count as well as having some competition!
__________________
I could be wrong. I have been before, and will be again.
City,
Remember also that class size matters. Each kid has a potential weapon in her/his hands and your liability insurance is probably next to non-existant.
You are going to need a couple paras that buy into what you are doing to help you with supervision and on key message.
I merely suggest you start small and let it spread, but not too fast. Maybe you could start with training a couple volunteers this summer on the golf course and on the range. Maybe one will be an administrator, a teacher or two and a para or two if they are available. Maybe a young assistant pro in the area has a little interest in doing something for the benefit of others (good luck with that).
Very pragmatic! A safe alternative to dowels? How about Nerf streamers to start? I have my eye on a young man who is a driving range assistant at my reg. range. He might even be reading this.
I have 3 homeless shelters that we serve and the Univ. of PA is 10 minutes away from the school as is Drexel and Temple. "Do not despise the days of small beginnings," is good sense, also.
Sadly, or happily according to your world view, lots of parents are on support; we need clearences and perhaps a Teach for America newbie.
Kevin, Jerry, are there schedules for Yoda, or do you just sign-up? Jerry, do you have a 12 step workbook or are you taking OB's (TGM's) essentials and imperatives in those priorities?
To start with a flat left wrist and to maintain it in a backswing, on plane, as the basis of the wrist hinges seems crucial!
Originally Posted by JerryG
City,
Remember also that class size matters. Each kid has a potential weapon in her/his hands and your liability insurance is probably next to non-existant.
You are going to need a couple paras that buy into what you are doing to help you with supervision and on key message.
I merely suggest you start small and let it spread, but not too fast. Maybe you could start with training a couple volunteers this summer on the golf course and on the range. Maybe one will be an administrator, a teacher or two and a para or two if they are available. Maybe a young assistant pro in the area has a little interest in doing something for the benefit of others (good luck with that).
__________________
HP, grant me the serenity to accept what I cannot change, the courage to change what I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. Progress and not perfection is the goal every day!
City,
I'm with OB. Start with the imperatives BWR/FLW is the first absolute. I'm thinking you are staying awake at night trying to come up with ways to get your minions to conceptualize and internalize that imperative. I do.
Watch Yoda's swing and visualize key components. Heck, go to 12-3 and get in contact with dodger and KevCarter (I gotta do that)
The golf camp I work at is coming up soon. I'm still trying to come up with a subtle way to subvert the Kids USA curicculum. I think the 3 imperatives are the main driving points for any student (including me) and they are nowhere to be found in those books.
Looks like a nice project we should be working on, eh?
One other thing. Grip is very important. I also think kids need to start with a 10 finger grip and get their hands on the grip in a proper manner.
We gotta talk one of these days.
g
It's great to communicate with your spouse, but you are dealing with someone who knows you and still, for some reason, wishes to listen to you. 
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