Great idea and a great thread Air. It looks like it is already a wonderful thread on Basic Motion.
I've been using Basic Motion as a platform for discovery. I can focus on just one aspect for as long as I want right in my own yard or basement without paying 15 bucks for range balls.
Recently, while tossing tennis balls in the yard for my dog Henry, I discovered basic motion striking tennis balls with a SW. It allowed me to exagerate the down motion a bit which then allowed me to exagerate my pressure points. I am soon going to do the same to isolate and hopefully internalise the accumulators.
I suggest giving the tennis balls a try. After my first session with those things my ball striking improved and has steadily improved from there.
Geez, this TGM stuff is fun.
Great idea and a great thread Air. It looks like it is already a wonderful thread on Basic Motion.
I've been using Basic Motion as a platform for discovery. I can focus on just one aspect for as long as I want right in my own yard or basement without paying 15 bucks for range balls.
Recently, while tossing tennis balls in the yard for my dog Henry, I discovered basic motion striking tennis balls with a SW. It allowed me to exagerate the down motion a bit which then allowed me to exagerate my pressure points. I am soon going to do the same to isolate and hopefully internalise the accumulators.
I suggest giving the tennis balls a try. After my first session with those things my ball striking improved and has steadily improved from there.
Geez, this TGM stuff is fun.
I'm willing to try most everything. But isn't it strange to hit such big balls? (Do you use white tennis balls or the yellow ones?)
Since they are Henry's tennis balls they are his favorite color, the color of dirt.
As for being large, that's the point. It helps to visualize the angle of attack on the ball. I like to think of it as at 2:00 o'clock with the top of the ball being 12:00 and the bottom being 6:00.
I spent over 50 years being a scooper. I need things like this.
Originally Posted by airair
I'm willing to try most everything. But isn't it strange to hit such big balls? (Do you use white tennis balls or the yellow ones?)
Since they are Henry's tennis balls they are his favorite color, the color of dirt.
As for being large, that's the point. It helps to visualize the angle of attack on the ball. I like to think of it as at 2:00 o'clock with the top of the ball being 12:00 and the bottom being 6:00.
I spent over 50 years being a scooper. I need things like this.
The part about the color was just for fun. White golfballs you know. But covered with dirt - that should also work.
After a random sweep I have found some oldies, but goodies that I want to have copies of in my thread:
Originally Posted by BerntR
Question:
What are the quality criteria as far as ball striking goes in basic motion?
I try to approach this as I would approach the short game. Solid ball contact, trajectory & distance control. With proper stroke execution. Just want to know if I have the right focus here. Maybe I should just pay attention to alignments an disregard the result?
...
Start with 3-F-5.
I like the "maybe I should" part...forget the ball.
Is my Left Wrist Flat?
Am I pointing at the Plane Line?
Did I arrive at the Both Arms Straight Position?
When the Right Forearm is placed ON Plane at Fix, it gives you a new Right Shoulder Location. If the Right Shoulder starts too high, as in 99.999999999 percent of golfers, you run out of Right Arm before you get to the ball. Most start with a straight Right Arm at Address and return to Impact with a straight Right Arm. It's really not powerful.
Hold the Right Forearm and Clubshaft in-line with a Bent Right Wrist on a horizontal Plane. Look at that relationship in the mirror, and then lower the Right Arm and club to the ball.
The best-case scenario is a video camera, a computer with software, and a monitor near the ball. This would eliminate the mirror parallax. In the mirror, the eyes are off Plane, making it difficult to draw conclusions.
YodasLuke.
..
Originally Posted by EdZ Clubface control. I don't care if you use your elbow or your toes to hold the club, if you impact the ball, from impact to separation, there is a hinge action - the type of action determines the efficiency of compression.
Closing only - horizontal
Closing and layback - angled
layback only - vertical
..
1) Good to have a target. You can do wonders for your short game while working on your impact alignments.
2) I like to start with the Taly to make sure I am using the proper alignments, then recheck as needed.
3) I like to use my sand wedge, but it's your choice. Just make sure it is never so flat a loft that you feel you have to help it in the air to fly onto the target you have chosen.
4) In that case I would do a combination of just working structure on the range, along with going out on the course with 3 or 4 balls as traffic allows.
There is often some confusion because the entire section 12-5 is labelled the "Basic Motion Curriculum" and includes 12-5-1 Stage One . Basic Motion. 12-5-2 Stage Two. Acquired Motion. 12-5-3 Stage Three. Total Motion. You can see the problem there with people referring to the whole curriculum as "Basic Motion". Those videos you listed are for the most part displaying some work in 12-5-2 Stage Two, Acquired Motion.
In 12-5-1 Stage One, Basic Motion , the list is very specific and says amongst other things, " 2 feet back and 2 through" . First with a short iron and then with a putter. It doesnt get any more Basic than that does it. Were talking about about putt here and not a very long one even.
O.B.Left
...
Hinge Action is defined by the book as:
Holding the Flat Left Wrist Vertical to one of the basic planes will impart the same motion to the clubface.
Those motions are
closing-horizontal hinge
layingback-vertical hinge
or closing and layingback angled hinge
This is exacly what's happening in basic motion....the travel of the clubhead is the same when power accumulator 3 is zeroed out, but the hinge action can vary for the shot at hand.
bray
..
There are two things you must learn to do. First, you must learn to keep your Left Wrist Flat. You say you are doing that. Look, look LOOK to make sure. Second, you must learn to swing through the Ball and not at the Ball. Swinging at the Ball is 'Hacking the Ball' and that produces only Hackers.
Here's how to get started. Take your normal grip -- hopefully it is a Strong Single Action per 10-2-B -- and a Square Stance. Be sure that the Stance is actually parallel to the Target Line. Put a Club down and check it out. There's a very good chance you are aimed to the right.
Now start the Club swinging continuously over the top of the Ball as if you were going to hit a short Chip Shot. No more than three feet back and three feet through. Back and through and back and through and back and through. Continuous motion. Don't Cock your Wrists. Instead, just Turn and Roll your Left Forearm as you swing your Flat Left Wrist back and through and back and through. Turn and Roll and Turn and Roll and Turn and Roll and Turn and Roll. It is the Rolling of the Flat Left Wrist that gets the Club through Impact, not the Flattening of the Right Wrist. Please read that last sentence again. And one more time. Thank you.
As you continue this motion, be aware of the pressure created in the right forefinger as you swing down and through and down and though and down and through. Continue to be aware of that pressure and keep it 'pointed' at the Straight Target Line as you swing back and through and back and through. Turning and Rolling and Turning and Rolling. Keep pointing at the Line, 'Tracing' it with the Pressure in your Right Forefinger as you Turn and Roll and Turn and Roll the Flat Left Wrist. On each Downstroke, be very aware of theRight Hand Tracing and the Left Hand Rolling.
Now lower the Club behind the Ball and make the exact same Motion away from the Ball and through it. The Ball will go straight. If it did not, first make sure that you properly 'Traced' the Line. If you did not, try again. If you did and the Ball went to the right, Roll more. If it went to the left, Roll less.
Repeat until satisfied.
Yoda
..
Originally Posted by Cookjam
Yoda,
Could you give a little explaination of the sentence at the top of this section? It reads "Zero out the pivot, Shoulder Turn and Accumulator #3".
In addition, I see 12-5-1 as a syllabus for an exercise lesson. Is this true? There are 22 components, are they introduced one at a time during your practice?
..
It means don't move your Body -- Shoulders included -- and keep the Left Arm and Clubshaft in a straight line -- either by Gripping the Club in the Cup of the Left Hand or by using a Reverse Wrist Cock (FVU) per 6-B-3-B, as you move the Club back and through the Ball continuously, two feet in both directions.
This first stage of the Basic Motion Curriculum can indeed serve "as a syllabus for an exercise lesson." But it is so much more. In fact, it is no exaggeration to state that it is the Foundation of the Golf Stroke.
Finally, Homer's notes for a revised 7th Edition added a new first sentence for each of the three stages, and I suggest you write them into your book:
12-5-1.
"This stage concerns mainly the Basic Body Positions and Basic Power Package Component Alignments and Arm Motion Power Accumulators."
12-5-2.
"This stage introduces Body Motion and the Alignments and relations of the Hand Action Power Accumulators of the Power Package."
12-5-3.
"This stage should move slowly toward unrestricted motion but not to Full Power even with Long Irons and Woods. This stage is for the perfection of execution prior to Full Power."
Do not underestimate the benefit of each of these three stages and the skill that their progressive mastery will produce. They are your keys to a lifetime of Better Golf!
Yoda
..
The 'Two feet past the Ball' of Stage One of the Basic Motion Curriculum is the Follow-Through of Stroke Section 11. So, make sure you reach this point. If you can't, it's because you have not 'pre-positioned' your Right Shoulder (down On Plane) to allow a Follow-Through of this length. If not, then do so.
I also suggest 'Arms separate' practice. Focus on your Flat Left Wrist with the Left Arm motion and the Bent Right Wrist with your Right Arm motion. Then, put them together, and as you go through the Ball, make sure there is absolutely zero interruption in your Rhythmic Motion through Impact. Remember, you swing through the Ball, not at the Ball. The Basic Drill is without a Ball and with continuous 'back and through' and 'back and through' and 'back and through' motion. Periodically, stop at the end of the Stroke, and look, Look LOOK to verify that your Wrist Alignments have been maintained. Then, resume the 'back and through' continuous motion. This is the only Train out of Hackerville.
Finally, as you are learning, the 'sound' of Impact is diagnostic. A true 'Three Dimensional' Impact will sound like hitting a stone -- especially with these Basic Motion Chips and even with Putts. The more 'mushy' the sound, the greater the Compression Leakage.
You're on the right track now. Stay with it.
..
You are wise to use the Basic Motion Curriculum (12-5-0) to assemble
your G.O.L.F. Stroke. Homer Kelley was very proud of it and felt it would one
day become, in his words, "more popular than the book itself."
Remember, the purpose of the Curriculum is best served if the Motion is kept
continuous, i.e., back-and-through and back-and-through and back-and-through,
as you integrate each Component. Use 'breaks' in the process to rehearse the
Address Routines of 3-F-5 and 2-J-1.
You have observed that Pressure Point #1 is not listed in the Curriculum. Nor
is Pressure Point #4. However, you will find Accumulator #1
(the Right Arm) and Accumulator #4 (the Left Arm) as Items #12 and #9
respectively in Stage One (the Basic Motion per 12-5-1). The
Accumulators are normally actuated by their "same numbered"
Pressure Points (7-11). So, when the Study References are given to 6-B-1
(Power Accumulator #1) and 6-B-4 (Power Accumulator #4), the references to
Pressure Points #1 (10-11-0-1) and #4 (10-11-0-4) are implied.
As stated in 12-5-0, the items in each of the Three Stages are meant to be
interpreted per the Stroke Patterns of 12-1-0 (Hitting) and 12-2-0
(Swinging). In other words, if you are learning to Hit, then the Right
Arm becomes active, and Pressure Point #1 becomes its Direct Drive. If you
are learning to Swing, then the Left Arm becomes Active, and
Pressure Point #4 becomes the Direct
Drive.
Pressure Points #2 and #3 are listed (as Items #14 and #15 in 12-5-1).
Their associated Power Accumulators (#2 and #3) are not introduced into the
Curriculum until Stage 2 (the Acquired Motion per 12-5-2). The Swinger
uses Pressure Point #2 to drive the #2 Accumulator -- the Wristcock -- but
normally only as actuated by Centrifugal Force. The Hitter drives the #2
Accumulator with Right Arm Thrust (2-P) using either Pressure Points #1 or
#3. Finally, the Clubhead Lag must be assigned to one of the employed
Pressure Points, and this is almost always #3. For both Hitters and Swingers,
this constitutes the Indirect Drive of the Club through Impact.
Yoda
It's often difficult to find what you want when searching because there is so much. I'll continue to build up my own archive of a more basic and simple nature. Any suggestions? Just post them if you like them. (But not the more heavy stuff please).
I guess it is kind of childish, but some were cheering me on to keep my posting score up. I lost some ground during my "depression", but the last few days I've probably been a little "manic" and posted like a mad man. Well, mission accomplished. I'm now on top for the daily average: 4,12 to Yoda's 4,02 - but who's counting..? I'll try to slow down now, if not, there must be something wrong after all..!!??
Now I can rest on my laurels.
With your palms facing each other, on the putter, turn your right hand 45* clockwise (turned) and roll your left hand 45* counterclockwise (rolled).
Your grip should now be hard to bend in any direction so everything moves as a assembly. The stroke is made by moving your shoulders.
Now as a next step. Your right hand fingers are now in front (closest the hole) and your left hand fingers are behind (away from the hole.)
Pull the backstroke with the right hand and pull the forward stroke with the left hand. For many, pulling is much smother than pushing.
You may also want a reverse overlap on the left index finger.
..
Originally Posted by bgolfing View Post
Brian has the reputation as being one of the best putters on tour. Any insight on what he works on?
..
Originally Posted by yoda
From the Address Position shown in these photos (which I took at the '07 Honda), Brian Gay simply makes a Paw Minor Basic Stroke. That is, his Arms are bent and frozen (Power Package zeroed-out), and his Stroke is a 'rocking' shoulders (body-only) motion imparting Angled Hinging (10-3-H). Note the Arm alignments (both Forearms On Plane), and also the Grip: Reverse Overlap with Left Hand Rolled; Right Hand Turned; and #3 Accumulator Zeroed.
The Runyan putting grip feels awkward at first, but you'll soon get used to it. Stay with it until then. It works!
New day.
The snow has melted, so it should be set for play tomorrow. When wearing so much clothes the swing will be somewhat restricted, so that makes it even more important to try and make the swing so smooth and easy as possible. Easy to say, for that is always a challenge, but it's well worth some consideration.
I'll copy my notes from Cuscowilla, so I can review what I have to focus on.
From my notes:
-The MacDonald exercises were perhaps the most important element in getting me a brand new swing. The brush - brush motion back and thru and how the knees and hips work is basic. That also means that I now will be lifting the left heel 1-2 in. off the ground in my (longer) shots.
-I had to leave my belief of being a hitter - and that meant that the adjusted address position has come in instead of impact fix at address.
-There was a lot of aiming with sticks at the baseline (the magic right forearm and flying wedges?)
-We did some Taly training. Let the arms and hands do the work, not the wrists.
-Do not waggle over the ball with the wrists only - waggle both flying wedges just like when training with the Taly.
-Then learning the finish. The arrow thru the ears (shaft) must be at right angles to the baseline, not pointing backwards to the right of it.
-A stronger 3 knuckles grip.
-Learning to have my left shoulder pointing more to the right at set up.
-In my case it's advisable to have a somewhat closed stance to the baseline.
-High hands, but avoiding to have the left wrist uncocked at address.
-Don't just do this with the longer clubs, but give yourself space also on the shorter shots with a wedge.
-The right arm bent with a limber right elbow - not sticking out too much.
-Learn to drag the wet mop in both directions, so that the takeaway also has its lag in the mark time rhythm of the MacDonald exercises/brush- brush technique.
-At impact let the shoulders be square to the target line instead of moving to the left. Right shoulder lower than the left.
-Then the tricky part for me: The rolling of the left arm in the downswing/thru stroke.
-The importance of the last 3 fingers of the left hand and downtoning the right index finger.
-A better position at the top.
-The down stroke waggle
-A lot of club throwing.(real throwing of clubs on to the range - I'm pretty good at it)
-How to start down.
-Learning to kick in the right knee in the downstroke/thru stroke to get the ball in a better path and to get the weight a lot more into my left side than I have been doing.This is especially important for me because I had problems performing the left hip bump.
-A somewhat more rounded backstroke.
-Trying to avoid hitting straight down the target line but have a feeling of going a little accross it from in -to out (the delivery line) - just the opposite way that I had always done (avoid OTT, out-to-in)
-Then extensor action and a lot training: shot after shot with different clubs - a lot of drives. And corrections and comments when I didn't get it right and trying to do it more and more correctly.
-Keep the head stationary. Don't let it be drawn to the right when doing extensor action.
-With the driver the ball is more forward than I was used to. Peg the ball up so that half the ball is over the head of the driver on the ground.
-Also chipping and pitching. The short bread and butter shot, cut shots, knock down shots, bunker shots, putting.
-If the divots are too deep - move the ball more forward in the stance.
-And a geometrical slideshow and some practical shot making on the course.
Here is a great old post from YODA about Brian's putting along with some pictures he posted. Really good stuff! ...
Quote:
BRIAN GAY PUTTING LYNN BLAKE
From the Address Position shown in these photos (which I took at the '07 Honda), Brian Gay simply makes a Paw Minor Basic Stroke. That is, his Arms are bent and frozen (Power Package zeroed-out), and his Stroke is a 'rocking' shoulders (body-only) motion imparting Angled Hinging (10-3-H). Note the Arm alignments (both Forearms On Plane), and also the Grip: Reverse Overlap with Left Hand Rolled; Right Hand Turned; and #3 Accumulator Zeroed.
I took more photos yesterday, the day before the 2009 U.S. Open, and BG's Stroke and Address position (including Centered Head, Grip, Ball Location, Hands Location, zero Shaft Lean and slightly Open Stance) haven't changed a bit. I'd post them now, but unfortunately, I left my download gear at home. I'll put'em up next week.
Reverse Overlap (10-1-C)
Left Hand Rolled (4-C-3 as a position)
Right Hand Turned (4-C-2 as a position)
#3 Accumulator Zeroed (6-B-3-B)
I really learned the importance of keeping both arms on the same plane as the shaft from these pictures.
Finish STRONG Brian!
Attached Thumbnails:
__________________
I could be wrong. I have been before, and will be again.
Linear Mode
