Alignment Golf vs. Position Golf
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/s...ighlight=pivot
http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/s...ight=the+pivot #31

That says it all, really.

Sequencing the Start Down
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/s...weight+shif t #31
Originally Posted by Andy R View Post

Am I correct in assuming that this 'dynamic' weight shift is mandatory for full shots? Or in other words, when looking at video of me hitting a Driver, must there be a visible shift to the left 2-4 frames prior to the hands starting down, and if I'm not doing this, am I not shifting your weight properly?
..
That's right, Andy. In Pivot Strokes, the Downstroke begins at the ground (the Feet) and sequences upward through the Knees, Hips and Shoulders. The Hip Action (Hips pull Shoulders) shifts the weight and maintains the On Plane Right Shoulder during the Start Down. This Body Action pulls the Arms, and the Arms pull the Hands (which have experienced a momentary static period that defines the Top).
Yoda

A pause at the top?
 

I already have asked about this - if this could be a good idea or not.

I now see that Tommy Armour writes:

One very simple tip will infinitely improve the timing of most golfers. Merely pause briefly at the top of the backswing.
:salut:

How about,merely pause briefly at the top of the backswing, hip slide => take out the slack (even for swinging), then pulling #4?

What do you mean by taking out the slack? How does that work?

The hips
 

The downswing starts from the ground up. But how active are the hips? There is a hip slide, but the (delayed?) hips rotation is perhaps not something to (over) focus on? It happens naturally? More important is to get the right forearm and right shoulder on plane pointing at the delivery line in the downstroke? Or...? :scratch: :oops:

Rembemer that you move the hips with the feet.

The right forearm is under plane from startdown. It is on plane through impact.

The hip bump etc
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/s...layed+hip+turn #2

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/s...ead.php?t=2463

The 'bump' is a Hip Slide with a Delayed Turn. Its purpose is to Shift the Weight and tilt the Spine -- the Axis for the On Plane Downstroke Shoulder Turn. Prior to the Downstroke Hip Turn, the Slide should be parallel to the selected Delivery Line, i.e., the true Geometric Plane Line (Swingers and Hitters) or the Angle of Approach (Hitters only) [7-12].

Both the Hip and Shoulder Turns are the result of the intent to Drive the Hands Down Plane (toward the Ball).

The Delayed Turn clears the Right Hip prior to or during the Start Up. The Slide clears it from the Top.

Yoda
..

Originally Posted by Mathew
I wouldn't mind adding another layer into this conversation by discussing the feet and the roles that the hip and foot action play in regards to the Pivot Train.

One of the reason why the Right Anchor, Delayed Hip Turn, Flat Left foot action should be employed because it is the ideal variation, is that if you have standard Knee, Hip action and Foot action - if the backstroke is not halted with the feet, people using this variation cannot use that same tension in the feet that halted the backstroke to launch the pivot train in the downstroke. When good golfers say they like to 'use the ground', but can't explain it, this is what they mean.

The hip action in the downstroke is very much a reaction to this. You cannot think - right, im going to slide here an inch or two and turn... The correct way is to use that tension in your feet per 7-17 to launch the pivot under your stationary head. 'Swinging from the feet' gives your stroke the maximum Swing radius.

..
Good post. Do you think you are "using" your feet or are you "feeling" the down-plane force of your hands and right shoulder going into the ground via your feet? 12 pb
..
The swingers pivot drives and creates a pressure against acc#4 at its associated pressure point(#4). You launch the pivot from the tension in your feet, your pivot (power package transport) moves the hands - specifically monitored by the pressure points - to the aiming point.... Mathew


Originally Posted by Mathew

You cannot think - right, im going to slide here an inch or two and turn...
..

Originally Posted by Yoda
Mathew is right on here. In my own case, unless I consciously monitor the situation -- which I rarely do -- I am totally unaware of the degree of Hip Slide. However, at one time I worked pretty hard on that Component and still do emphasize its 'parallel to the Plane Line' motion when I practice my Lag Loading via Downstroke Waggles. And here, there is enough lateral motion to transfer the Weight to the left side as the Body begins to Pull the Arms and Hands toward their Impact Locations.

What I am very aware of during the Stroke is being in position -- Centered and perfectly Balanced -- so that when I Drag my 'Wet Mop' down from the Top, the natural swinging DOWN of the Arms will (1) automatically put my Hands well in front of the Ball before Impact, and (2) automatically cause a definite Forward Lean of the Clubshaft all the way through Impact and well into the Follow-Through. I feel as though I am literally hammering the Ball into the ground. And I continue this Down Plane Thrust until both Arms are straight. Obviously, with the longer Clubs the Ball is located nearer Low Point, so the Down element is less dramatic, but it is still there.

All this includes the distinct sensation of my Lower Body and Left Shoulder returning to their Impact Fix alignments. During Start Down and into the Downstroke, I have a very strong awareness that I have moved into a rock-solid position from which I can "drive the Ball into the ground, not into the air" (6-E-2). Not just once in a while, but time after time. In fact, the feeling is that I really can't do anything else! From the Top, all I have to do is swing Down and through the Ball (and Plane Line!) until both Arms are straight, all the time dragging my Wet Mop -- the Clubhead Lag and its Pressure in my Hands -- along behind me.

I have worked diligently on this -- achieving automatically and without effort the Flat Left Wrist and 'Impact Hands' -- since my 'return' to golf two years ago and am happy to report that I am hitting the Ball better now -- by far -- than at any other time in my life.

And that's a good thing.


How good is this post? Amazing!

Enchiladas Verde, not to threadjack. But if one is to go to the Gallery of this here fine website, one will find some pictures of some decent players at Impact or Follow Through: Hogan, Nelson, Player, Buck, Mr. Kelley and a Lil' Green Man.

As you have so clearly stated above "the natural swinging DOWN of the Arms will (1) automatically put my Hands well in front of the Ball before Impact, and (2) automatically cause a definite Forward Lean of the Clubshaft all the way through Impact and well into the Follow-Through." Why are ball strikers of this superior quality in this "forward lean" position so DEEP into Follow-Through vs. some equally good players interms of resume who are more "in-line" at the same point in the Stroke?

Thanks for a super post.
12 pb

Nice finds Air!!!

Learning The Right Knee Anchor...And More
 

http://lynnblakegolf.com/forum/showt...ighlight=knees #4
Originally Posted by Yoda

Man, you and Patrick are diggin up some gold!

3 weeks to go
 

and counting. Meanwhile I enjoyed a 2 hours walk in 0 F. Strong legs must count for something, right..? =D>

Is this our MacDonald?
 

http://hickorygolfers.com/swings/mac...h/mdsswing.htm
http://hickorygolfers.com/swings/mac...h/mdsdrive.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24mFfHyqa4k

Strangely enough it seems like Macdonald is his first name.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macdonald_Smith

Leg Drive Mythology And Its Price
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread5901.html


http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread6241-3.html #24

The Hip Shift is the Weight Shift.

When the Weight shifts, the Hip Shifts.

When the Hip Shifts, the Spine -- the Axis for the Shoulder Turn -- Tilts (lower portion toward the Target / upper portion fixed by the Stationary Head). This enables the Right Shoulder to thrust and support the Hands directly toward the Ball. Now . . .

The Hands, in full command of the Hands-Controlled Pivot, can aim their Straight Line Thrust toward the Ball.

"The Power Accumulators are the two Arms and the two Hands."

And they must have a stable Lower Body to efficiently do their work.

Drill: From the Top of the Backstroke, throw a golf ball at a golf ball on the ground. Clear the Right Hip, then . . . Straight Line Thrust toward the Ball. No matter the actual Path of the Hands -- Straight Line or Circle -- that's the idea.

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread2672.html

A Start Down that begins at the Feet (and that ultimately pulls the Power Package downward toward the Ball) gives the Stroke maximum Swing Radius (7-17). A Start Down that begins from the Knees gives less. And from the Hips still less. And from the Shoulders, even less.

So, the longest possible Swing Radius begins at the Feet. A Start Down that begins from any other Component shortens the Swing Radius and therefore produces less Power for any given Hand Speed.

Regarding the properly executed Hip Slide:

It will not result in a Sway (4th Snare / 3-F-7-D). In fact, it is exactly this 'Hula Hula' flexibility that produces the Axis (Spine) Tilt (7-14) necessary for the Line Delivery Paths (10-23-A/B/C/D) and ultimately the Automatic and Snap Releases of 10-24.

Yoda

Not "our" Robert G. McDonald no.

Do you notice any similarity between his waggle and Mr Hogans? Perhaps it was just a common way of getting into your Startup back then or perhaps it was an homage to Macdonald Smith on Hogan's part?

Glad that is cleared up.
It's not Macdonald after all, but MacDonald. (But not McDonald)

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/index.p...20861548192705

:golf:

Downswing hip slide.
 

It's starting to make sense(?):

The golf swing is rotational (circular) and straight (linear).
To avoid flyouts and OTT the start of the downstroke has to be linear - keeping the right shoulder back but moving the hips slightly forward. If that's the right concept - all that remains to do - is to do it. But first things first..
:scratch: :golf:

Great finds air air. I copy and paste that stuff in my file now numbered Best of Lynn Blake No 6 I hope to put these files in the new Ipad 2 and take it to the range. Plan to work on one of these gems each time I go. I have enough saved to last me all this coming golf season.

I'm glad that this helps others as well... :golfcart:

Toward A Hand-Controlled pivot
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread5973.html

From the Address to the Top to the Finish, the Golf Stroke has a basic geometry. And from that standpoint, there is not much difference between what the great players do and what you do. Namely, they move the Club Up, In and Back on the Backstroke; Down, Out and Forward on the Downstroke; then, Up, Back and In to the Finish. So do you. More or less.

The only difference between you and them is that their Motion has more Precision-- probably a lot more precision -- in the component relationships that make up that Motion. In other words, like them, you already have a repeating swing. Unfortunately, unlike them, the results your repeating swing delivers leave a lot to be desired.

So, your challenge is to take the 24 Components (Chapters 7 and 10)using the Basic Pattern of either Swinging (12-2-0) or Hitting (12-1-0) and translate them one one-by-one (per Chapter 3) into their Identifiable Feel Equivalents (1-J).

The best place to start are the Components of Zone #1 (The Pivot 9-1), then work your way through Zone #2 (the Arms 9-2) and finally move into Zone #3 (the Hands 9-3). And the way to do this is through the Basic Motion Curriculum of 12-5-1/2/3. Again, your goal is to reduce each Mechanic to an Identifiable Feel that will then reliably and subconsciously reproduce that Mechanic. If you go too fast, your pattern will come unglued. If you go too slow, you are limiting your potential. It's up to you to find the right balance.

"In every program," said Homer, "some garbage must surface. Let today's garbage be superior to yesterday's."

But as these Feels are gradually integrated into your Total Motion, they need one 'Big Boss' Man. And The Big Boss in The Golfing Machine is the Hands. Now go back and read my first paragraph. Please. Thank you.

That first paragraph is the responsibility of the Hands. To keep everything working together in one coordinated way. To Trace the required Geometry of the Stroke from Address to Top to Finish. To sense and direct the Accumulation, Loading, Storage, Delivery and Release of Power. And to do it with Zero interference from any of the countless moving parts we humans possess.

You want a Hand Controlled Pivot? Follow the course I've prescribed. Translate correct Mechanics one-by-one into Describable Sensations. Integrate them into your Total Motion. Along the way, nail the Hands (Chapters 4 and 5). They will be constrained by a poorly constructed Machine, but even then they can make the best of it. But with a well-constructed Machine, their "yoke is easy and their burden is light."

One general.

Twenty-four responsive and well-trained troops.

Victory.
..

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread6010.html

Hand Controlled Pivot


The Turning On Plane Right Shoulder (10-13-D) being itself pulled by the Hip Action (7-15) with its accompanying Hip Turn (7-14), if any, is responsible for Power Package Transport.

Just because you use your Pivot components properly doesn't mean you've all of a sudden got a Pivot-Controlled-Hands Procedure. Your Hands are still responsible for executing all the On Plane Geometry, and the Pivot Components must comply. In other words, they do their own work (9-1 and 7-12) as Power Package Transport, but they in no way interfere with the Hands in the process. And they definitely don't tell the Hands what to do.

Trust me: You don't Trace the Plane Line with your Pivot. You don't sustain Clubhead Lag with your Pivot. And you don't control the Clubface alignment withyour Pivot. You perform these Three Imperatives with your Hands. That said, mastery of the Pivot is crucial to a good Golf Stroke. In fact, that is why two of the Three Essentials, the Stationary Head and Balance-- both in the realm of the Pivot -- are so important.

But the Pivot, left to its own ignorance, can with its mass and momentum definitely prevent the Hands from doing their assigned work. That is a Pivot-Controlled Stroke.

Not the G.O.L.F. Hands-Controlled procedure that I described in my post.

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread6139.html

The Hands And The Three Zones

Any time you focus on the Hands and their alignments you are on the right track. The Hands are in Zone #3 (9-3). The Balance you mention is in Zone #2 (9-2). And my guess is that by rhythm, you mean 'pace' or tempo. Although 'pace' is not The Golfing Machine definition of Rhythm (see 2-G, 6-B-3-0and The Glossary) it is still important. If so, this is the speed of the Arms and Clubhead (Zone #2 / 9-2) Up and Back and Down and Out through the Shot. Hence, you are working correctly in all three zones of the Stroke.

Stay with it, and watch your Game improve!

..

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread2672.html

7-17 Swinging from the feet

The Hula Hula flexibility (7-14) refers to the independent yet coordinate movement of the Hips and Shoulders while maintaining the Fixed Pivot Center (the recommended Stationary Head or its alternate, the "Between the Shoulders" Center). The Line Delivery Paths and the On Plane Downstroke Shoulder Turn (10-13-D) require that the Axis of the Stroke (the Spine) be tilted, and this, in turn, requires the Downstroke Hip Slide (Weight Shift) of 10-14-A or 10-14-B. This is a move that is very easy to exaggerate (7-14) and thus produce the distorted alignments that makes it impossible for the Hands to do their job (7-12).

Ideally, you would work with a competent instructor to program the correct Pivot. Whether this is possible or not, I recommend imitating the pictures in 9-1. Be sure to look, Look LOOK as you go through the 'Body Only' Twelve Sections of the Stroke to make sure that you are doing it right.

Concentrate especially on clearing the Right Hip in Start Up (9-4) and maintaining the On Plane Right Shoulder in Start Down (9-7). These two Sections are especially crucial because players who have Pivot problems almost always lack the Educated Hands necessary to get them through an On Line Start Down (3-B, 5-0, 6-G-0 and 12-3-0). I would also practice diligently the DownstrokeWaggle (3-F-5). Monitor each of the Pivot Components (especially the Hips and Shoulders) in each of the Downstroke Sections (Start Down through the Follow-Through) as you simultaneously monitor The Hands to insure that they maintain their On Plane alignments per the Mechanical Checklist of 12-3-0. This will train the Pivot to accomplish its necessary functions and, at the same time, to "get out of the way of the Hands."

At the end of the day, you must return your attention to your Hands and their Flat Left Wrist, Clubhead Lag and Plane Line Tracing. Only in his way can you maintain the essential geometry of the Stroke (2-N-0 and 2-F) and achieve the Hand-Controlled Pivot of The Golfing Machine.


Yoda.
............

:read:

Pivot
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread2668.html

Regarding the properly executed Hip Slide:

It will not result in a Sway (4th Snare / 3-F-7-D). In fact, it is exactly this 'Hula Hula' flexibility that produces the Axis (Spine) Tilt (7-14) necessary for the Line Delivery Paths (10-23-A/B/C/D) and ultimately the Automatic and Snap Releases of 10-24.

The Hula Hula flexibility (7-14) refers to the independent yet coordinate movement of the Hips and Shoulders while maintaining the Fixed Pivot Center (the recommended Stationary Head or its alternate, the "Between the Shoulders" Center). The Line Delivery Paths and the On Plane Downstroke Shoulder Turn (10-13-D) require that the Axis of the Stroke (the Spine) be tilted, and this, in turn, requires the Downstroke Hip Slide (Weight Shift) of 10-14-A or 10-14-B. This is a move that is very easy to exaggerate (7-14) and thus produce the distorted alignments that makes it impossible for the Hands to do their job (7-12).

Ideally, you would work with a competent instructor to program the correct Pivot. Whether this is possible or not, I recommend imitating the pictures in 9-1. Be sure to look, Look LOOK as you go through the 'Body Only' Twelve Sections of the Stroke to make sure that you are doing it right.

Concentrate especially on clearing the Right Hip in Start Up (9-4) and maintaining the On Plane Right Shoulder in Start Down (9-7). These two Sections are especially crucial because players who have Pivot problems almost always lack the Educated Hands necessary to get them through an On Line Start Down (3-B, 5-0, 6-G-0 and 12-3-0). I would also practice diligently the Downstroke Waggle (3-F-5). Monitor each of the Pivot Components (especially the Hips and Shoulders) in each of the Downstroke Sections (Start Down through the Follow-Through) as you simultaneously monitor The Hands to insure that they maintain their On Plane alignments per the Mechanical Checklist of 12-3-0. This will train the Pivot to accomplish its necessary functions and, at the same time, to "get out of the way of the Hands."

At the end of the day, you must return your attention to your Hands and their Flat Left Wrist, Clubhead Lag and Plane Line Tracing. Only in his way can you maintain the essential geometry of the Stroke (2-N-0 and 2-F) and achieve the Hand-Controlled Pivot of The Golfing Machine.

Yoda
...
The Pivot as Centrifugal Accelerator and Launching Pad

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread5935.html


It is true that the Lower Body is neither a Power Source (the Accumulators 6-B-0/1/2/3/4) nor a Power Application (the Pressure Points 7-11). Instead, as part of the Pivot, it serves as Power Package Transport (7-12). Accordingly, the Pivot and its Lag play an extremely important part in generating Clubhead Speed.

For the Swinger, the Pivot is the massive Rotor that creates the circular motion necessary for Centrifugal Force (7-12), and at the StartDown, it 'Blasts' his orbiting Left Arm off the chest toward Impact (2-M-4).For the Hitter, it Transports the Power Package to the Top and then serves asthe 'Launching Pad' for his Driving Right Arm (2-M-4).

So, while Power is Applied through the Pressure Points (10-11-0/1/2/3/4) and Accumulated (6-B-0), Loaded (6-C-0), Stored (6-D-0) and Released (6-M-0) by the Accumulators, it is Delivered (6-E-0) by the Pivot.

And very often quite swiftly, at that!

..

:golf:

The Ball Will Do As It Is Told
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread5932.html


http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread5925.html

3-F-7-A Steering Anti-Steering Therapy: The Inside-Out Cut Shot
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread2835.html

In a geometrically sound Stroke (1-L #4, #6, and #16), the player insures the correct Clubhead Line of Flight (2-N-0) -- the arc inscribed on the face of the Inclined Plane by the orbiting Clubhead through Impact -- by Tracing (with the Lag Loaded [7-19] Right Forefinger #3 Pressure Point) the Straight Plane Line established at Impact Fix. He then insures the correct Clubface alignment through Impact by executing (with the Flat Left Wrist) one of the three Hinge Actions (2-G) so essential for Ball Control.

Unfortunately, players have discovered four magnificent ways to destroy this essential geometry. These Four Snares (3-F-7-A/B/C/D) are Steering, Quitting, Bobbing and Swaying. Each Snare disrupts the true downward-and-outward arc of both the Clubhead and Clubface and is symptomatic of a malfunctioning Golfing Machine. The first two are particularly destructive, and this post will discuss their cause and cure.

Steering (3-F-7-A) is the applied misconception that (1) the Clubhead should move through the Ball along the Target Line; (2) on a level or even upward path; and that (3) the Clubface should stay Square to that Line. Each individual's Golf Stroke tends to reflect his conception of the Basic Motion (Preface), and if the player doesn't know that the Clubhead should be swung down-and-out through Impact and Low Point or that the Clubface will normally be Square to the Target Line only at the Point of Separation of Ball and Clubface, then it is a virtual certainty that the correct Impact Alignments (2-J-1) will not happen.

Quitting (3-F-7-B) is how Steering does its 'dirty work.' In the subconscious attempt to divert the Clubhead from its true down-and-out orbit through Low Point -- and also in the misguided attempt to increase Clubhead Velocity by Flattening the Right Wrist (4-D-1)-- the player slows or even stops altogether his Hands during Release. This unintentional and improperly executed Pause Minor Basic Stroke (10-3-J) forces the Club to be swung up and in (below Plane) from the Wrists. The Upward Clubhead motion leads to Topping the Ball -- an embarrassing problem the player easily solves by hitting more 'under' the Ball -- Scooping! Which sad circumstance seems to be a bit more socially acceptable than Topping. Unless of course, it is perfected into its Art Form: A Mighty (but Powerless) Heave that causes about a foot of sod to simply flop over the still motionless Ball. After that jewel, nobody in the group will even make eye contact! ops:

The above 'Seems As Ifs' (Preface) are the major misconceptions in golf. That is, they are perfectly logical ways that should make the Ball behave as you intend but that are also perfectly wrong and will therefore never work. Interestingly, these misconceptions (individually and collectively) cause the Clubface to Close in relation to the Target Line. To avoid the inevitable Pulled Shot, the player begins to habitually aim well to the right of the intended Target Line. Then, when the Clubface dutifully arrives Closed at Impact, the Ball does not go to the right (as it should because that is where he is aiming) but instead is diverted -- more or less -- toward the Target Line. Not exactly a procedure you want to bet tomorrow's lunch money on.

And that brings us to the Inside-Out Cut Shot. This procedure is Anti-Steering Therapy -- and hence, Anti- 'Seems As If' Therapy -- because it educates the Hands to disregard the Flight Line with respect to both the Clubhead Line-of-Flight and the Clubface Alignment through Impact.

Let's go back to our player who has learned to compensate for his Pulled Shots -- the inevitable consequence of his Closed Clubface and Bent Left Wrist at Impact -- by habitually aiming to the right. He doesn't know he is aiming to the right, of course, and will in fact swear he is aiming straight at the Target! His Computer is playing a major league trick on him: Given a Faulty Procedure that can only send the Ball way left, aiming way right was the only way it could get the Ball flying anywhere close to the Target Line!

Note this well: In this 'Aim to the right' Alignment of the entire Machine, we are not talking about the Square Plane Line-Closed Stance Line combination of 10-5-C. Instead, it is the Closed Plane Line-Square Stance Line combination of 10-5-E. In other words, the player has unintentionally established a Clubhead Line of Flight (2-N-0) that will actually cross the Target Line in a true In-to-Out Stroke. This is not simply the normal Inside-Out Impact (from Impact Point to Low Point) of the normal Down Plane orbit produced by the Square Plane Line of 10-5-A.

What to do?

Enter the Instructor-Therapist and the Anti-Steering Therapy of the Inside-Out Cut Shot. Seeking to repair --- or more accurately, rebuild -- this malfunctioning Golfing Machine, the Therapist insists that the player hit Chip Shots to the right of where he thinks he is aiming. He also insists that the player keep his Left Wrist Flat and his Right Wrist Bent as he hits those Shots to the right.

Under the vigilant eye of the Therapist, the player is trained to Trace the Closed Plane Line (with his Right Forefinger #3 Pressure Point) that he has inadvertently erected during his Address Procedure (8-1/2/3). No fair Steering the Clubhead back to the Target Line! No fair Quitting with the Hands so that the Clubhead can be cowtailed into Impact ahead of a Bending Left Wrist and a Flattening Right Wrist! No sirree. The player has accidentally incorporated this Closed Plane Line into his procedure and, by golly, he now has to Trace it!

Furthermore, the Therapist -- better yet, The Exorcist -- insists that the Clubface not align itself in any way with the Target Line. To accomplish this, he demands that the Flat Left Wrist execute the 'Reverse Roll' Feel (7-10) of a proper Dual Vertical Hinge Motion (10-10-E). This keeps the Clubface Square to the Baseline of the Closed 10-5-E Plane (and nowhere near Square to the Target Line).

Despite the apparent simplicity of the instruction -- "Hit this Chip Shot to the right of where you think you are aiming." -- the player's overwhelming preoccupation with the Target Line at first causes his Shots to continue to be Pulled back toward it. This is because his Ignorant Hands (5-0) and faulty Computer Programming (Chapter 14) continue to exercise their Habits.

Undaunted, the Therapist continues to insist that the player totally disregard the Target Line and instead Trace the Closed Plane Line -- all the while keeping the Clubface Square to its Baseline through Impact. Gradually, the player's Hands become educated enough to do this. The Target Line is still there, of course, but he no longer attempts to keep the Clubhead on it or the Clubface Square to it. He finally has become totally (and correctly) preoccupied with his Plane Line and not his Target Line (3-F-7-A). Let's listen in…

Player: "Okay, I've learned to ignore the Target Line during my Stroke. I don't attempt to keep my Clubhead on it or my Clubface Square to it. Instead, I focus on the Plane Line. I feel like we've made some progress here, but if I keep doing this Inside-Out Cut Shot stuff, the Ball will keep going to the Right of the Target."

Therapist: "Correct. And when the Ball no longer goes to the left and when you have grown tired of seeing it go to the right, you are permitted to reposition your entire Machine to the left . Then you may begin Tracing the Square Plane Line of 10-5-A. Remember, though, you must keep your Flat Left Wrist and Right Wrist Bent through Impact just as you did while Tracing the Closed Plane Line (10-5-E). If you do this, you will find your Shots flying Straight toward the Target and your Pulled Shots will merely be a memory. If you don't do this, then the Ball will fly to the left, and your Computer will once again react by making you aim to the right. And that will bring about Plane Line confusion and the silent sabotage of the correct Impact Alignments."

Player: "Been there, done that. Let's see now…Left Wrist Flat, Right Wrist Bent. Move smoothly through the Ball -- no Quitting and hacking at the Ball -- while Tracing the Square and Straight Plane Line with my #3 Pressure Point…Hey! It went straight at the hole!"

Therapist: "Imagine that."

Yoda
..



:hello:

The Money Shot
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread6050.html

chuck wrote:

For those of you who didn't receive last months Newsletter the Instruction topic was How to have a "GOTO" shot. I would encourage each and every one of you to sign up for the Newsletter.

There is one more piece to add and that's the ability to hit a particular shot when under pressure. It doesn't matter what type of shot it is but every player MUST have this ability if they want to improve and stop the "bleeding"!

I was lucky enough to have spent time with the late Gardner Dickinson and during our times together we spoke a lot about pressure situations. Gardner was one of the few people that Ben Hogan spent a lot of time with and actually worked for Mr. Hogan during the off season of the Tour as a Teaching Professional at Tamarisk, in Palm Springs California. One day Mr. Hogan asked Gardner what his "GOTO" shot was. Gardner didn't have an answer so Mr. Hogan told him that every player has to have a "GOTO". Mr. Hogan then told him that his was a punch shot. Gardners swing was modeled after Hogan so he decided to incorporate this shot into his own game.

As Gardner and I were talking I suddenly realized that I didn't have a "GOTO" either so being a Hogan disciple I decided I would "master" this shot as well. Looking back it was one of the best things I could ever do for my game. I know that I can hit this shot under any pressure, in any condition, from any lie. What a great feeling it is to control your golf ball!

When I am teaching short game, and especially wedge play, there are only two shots that I teach. A "stiff-arm" pitch and the "knockdown" wedge. These are both reliable and accurate for the top players as well as the average player. There are virtually no moving parts so there is less risk of hitting poor shots.

I personally am not a fan of trying to hit "lob" shots with a big high swing and a bent left wrist...it takes too much timing and practice. Even the best players in the world only hit these type of shots perfect 50% of the time! You can still hit a "lob" shot with a "stiff arm" pitch with much more accuracy and reliability.

I recently had the privilege of working with a college player that was #1 on his team. From 100 yards and in he was getting the ball up and down 30% of the time. He used a lot of moving parts, big swings, flip the clubface, etc. After a Boot Camp on short game and learning the "stiff arm" and "knockdown" wedge play we charted his progress. His up and down percentage went to 80%!

Remember, wedges are for accuracy, NOT distance they are the scoring clubs. In fact, if you have ever seen video of Hogan and some of the "old time" players their wedge swings were quite different than their full swings. A much shorter motion and more of a "punching" action.



Great post, Chuck!

Guys, we're talking 12-5-2 here, from Fix per 7-3.

Hips and Weight Left. Virtually no Pivot.

Flat Left Wrist and Bent Right.

Left Thumb and No. 3 Pressure Point dead behind the Shaft.

On Plane Right Forearm and Forward leaning Shaft.

Right Elbow Bend Start Up.

Load the Lag at the Top, then...

Drive it all the way DOWN to Both Arms Straight (8-11).

Vary your Hinge Action and Rhythm (2-G and 6-B-3-0) for the Shot at hand.


Watch any tape with Lee Trevino and a wedge and you've got this shot. It's pureRight Forearm / Elbow Magic with Sustained Lag Pressure to Both Arms Straight.

Hit 1,000 of these babies before you play your next round. Then send Chuck your check.

Yoda

The Swinger's Rotating Lag Pressure
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread6054.html

Jim Cook wrote:

Yoda, "... loaded down against the first knuckle of the forefinger?" I've had a hard time seeing in the picture in the book. Isn't #3 the same as the end knuckle of the forefinger?



Jim,

Sit at a table with your relaxed hands in your lap.

Now, without changing this natural configuration -- fingers curved -- lift your Right Forearm and Hand and put them palm down on the table top.

Look at your Right Hand and Forefinger and get ready for Anatomy 101:

The back of your hand to the knuckle (the'bridge') is the metacarpal part of the hand.

From the knuckle to the first joint of the right forefinger is the proximalphalanx.

From the first joint to the second joint is the medial phalanx.

From the second joint to the end of the finger is the terminal phalanx.

The No. 3Pressure Point is the fleshy pad of the proximal phalanx in contact with the Clubshaft and ideally directly Behind it.

When Swingers go to the End (10-21-0-3) of the Stroke, the Clubshaft goes to parallel to the ground or even below. Though the No. 3 Pressure Point and Clubshaft remain firmly welded together -- there is no 'slippage' -- the movement of the Club to parallel or beyond causes the Top of the Shaft to Load against the knuckle of the hand.

So, the No. 3 Pressure Point Loading has now "Rotated" from Behind the Shaft to the Top of the Shaft. This is the Swinger's Rotating Lag Pressure Point of 10-11-0-3. Remember, though, nothing has actually moved!It is simply a change in the Loading Pressure sensed in the Right Forefinger and Hand, specifically in the proximal phalanx.

The Loading now firmly established against the knuckle, it must be maintained through the Retracing from End to Top (10-21-0-1), and then through the StartDown (8-7), Downstroke (8-8 ) and Release (8-9). From Release, however, the Swivel of Standard Left Wrist Action (10-18-A) snaps the Clubshaft into its Flat, Level and Vertical Condition (4-A-1, 4-B-1 and 4-C-1) for Hinging (2-Gand 7-10) through Impact. This Action causes the No. 3 Lag Pressure Loading to 'Rotate' -- remember, there is no actual 'movement' in the contact point between the No. 3 Pressure Point and the Shaft! -- from the Top of the Shaft to once again directly behind it. This condition, along with the Left Thumb also directly Behind the Shaft (10-2-0), establishes and enables maximum On Plane Thrust Support through Impact. (10-2-0/B).

Hitters should experience no such Loading change. Their No. 3 Pressure Point Loading will remain at the back of the Clubshaft throughout the Stroke.

This is an area of much Fog in The Golfing Machine. Now you're in the clear!

Yoda

Magic Of The Right Forearm and Elbow Action
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread6019.html

HungryBear wrote:

OK, I take that to mean substantial lag pressure from #3 at impact is good. So if I may extend my question? At the top and during delivery I have little lag pressure, just enough to feel the alignment. The acceletation at the top and much of the way down is "pulling" of the left ahnd due to #4 . This is another problem in my old computer I am trying to get out. For years I had pulled with the left hand to long and wand up with a left arm in lign with the shaft. That was very wrong? becayse thye left wrist winds up as uncocked and the right forearm point beyond delivery line. By emphasing the right forearm on plane the left arm must point inside/below the plane so the left wrist remains flat and passes thru level at impact? What is "strange" in this new feel is that acceleration seems to switch from left hand at start down to right hand near (below waist level) and thru impact. OH, I do use #1 pressure point to "stretch my left arm throughout the swing, but I do not use it i a way that acts on the club-shaft. Can it be assumed that this extension pressure at all times is good?



HB,

The Lag Pressure Feel is good not only at Impact but from Start-Down all the way down to the Both Arms Straight Position (Follow-Through 8-11). And I do mean you should feel like you are going down, down down all the way to Both Arms Straight. On my best Strokes I feel Lag Pressure to the very end of my Finish. Remember, the Clubhead Lag has no release point (6-C-2-A).

Everybody thinks they understand the Plane Line. You know...We 'trace' it. We'point' at it. We swing 'along' it.

Here's my message: Obliterate it!

You don't swing 'down along it!' You swing down and through it. Remember, this is just a line on the face of an Inclined Plane that actually extends into theground. And in that ground is another Plane Line, the Low Point Plane Line. You don't 'see' that one on the top of ground.

That first Plane Line is easy. You're always reminded of that one because it usually sits on top of the Target Line. And when we get to it we usually just skim right along it! But this one -- this Low Point Plane Line -- you've got to think about and then take the Lag Pressure all the way down to it. It's one ofthe best things you'll ever do for your game.

Now, even though you now know this, the problem isn't going to automatically go away. Two stumbling blocks remain:

1. You've got learn to do it subconsciously, and that takes purposeful practiceand Translation per 1-J and 3-A/B;

2. Your Magical Right Forearm/Elbow Action (7-3) is no doubt nowhere near what it could be. Therefore, you don't have a 3-dimensional Backstroke(Up, immediately as well as Back and In). As a result, you don't have a truly 3-dimensional Downstroke (Down, Out and Forward 2-F). Read that last paragraph in 7-3 until you know it by heart.

And then do what it says! Practice that Right Forearm/Elbow Action from Fix. First without a club. Then with a club -- or better yet a headless shaft or a wooden dowel -- but without a ball. Then with a Ball but only with the Basic Motion (12-5-1). Again, start from Impact Fix (8-2 and 7-8 )and get the Club Up and Back with your Right Elbow and Forearm.

Stay on your Left side as you do this. Stand still. Stationary Head. With your Left Wrist Flat and your Right Wrist Bent (Impact Alignments), use that Right Elbow to take the Right Forearm Flying Wedge (6-B-3-0-1) Up the face ofthe Plane. From the Top, Load the Lag, and Drive the whole Power Package assembly and its Lag down to the Both Arms Straight Position. These arethe Key moves.

When you have it, go to Stage 2 (Acquired Motion). Hit thousands of ballswith your sand or pitching wedge with no bigger Stroke than 12-5-2. Think about that Magical Right Forearm and Elbow. Take the Club Up in Start Up. That's why it is called Start Up!

Feel the Lag Load at the Top. Take the Lag all the way down to the Both Arms Straight Position. Make sure at the Finish that your Left Wrist is still Flat and your Right Wrist is still Bent. You can't think about all those things at the same time! Choose one, and work on it for a while. Then move to another. But The Golfing Machine is all about obliterating the Plane Line with your Loaded Lag and your Flying Wedges Assembly with its Flat Left and Bent Right Wrists. Once you've got that down, Total Motion (12-5-3) is a piece of cake.

Your thoughts on Extensor Action (6-B-1-D) are good, but do you really understand the Flying Wedges (6-B-3-0-1)? Those alignments are crucial to your understanding your Machine, how it all works together and how you can utilize the Power Package structure to Drive the Lag Down and Through.

Finally, read 3-F-6 and do your best to get better and better at those things.

You won't get better all at once. But get better you will. And it will gradually dawn on you that you really are doing it. And then the fun really begins!

Yoda

How Much Bend
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread6011.html

MizunoJoe wrote:

Yoda,

How far past ball separation does your right wrist stay TOTALLY bent?


..

The Flat Left Wrist and Bent Right Wrist Alignments are established in Impact Fix (7-8 ). The amount of 'Flat' in the Left Wrist is an absolute -- there is only one Flat! -- otherwise the Wrist is Bent or Arched. However, the amount of Right Wrist Bend can vary. It is normally determined by (1) Ball Location --the further back the less Bend and the further forward the more Bend -- and by (2) the Right Elbow Location of the Major Basic Stroke employed (10-3. However, at the player's option, any desired degree of Bend (between minimumand maximum) can be arbitrarily selected. That precise degree of Bend is then 'frozen' and held throughout the Stroke (to the end of the Follow-through perthe discussion below).

In the classic Adjusted Address (8-3), the Fix Alignments are reversed -- the Left Wrist is Bent and the Right Wrist is Flat -- to gain certain advantages(7-9). However, once the Stroke gets underway, the Flat Left Wrist and Bent Right Wrist Alignments are re-established in Start Up (8-4) by the selected Loading Action (10-22) and then maintained to the end of The Follow-Through(8-11), the Both Arms Straight Position.

This includes the Impact Interval (8-10), during which the Flat Left Wrist executes the selected Hinge Action (7-10) by remaining Vertical to one of the Three Basic Planes. That is, either the Full Roll Feel of Horizontal Hinging; the No Roll Feel of Angled Hinging; or, the Reverse Roll Feel of Vertical Hinging.

In Short Shots, where The Follow-Through is also your Finish (8-12), then you should be able to "look, Look LOOK " and verify that your Impact Fix Wrist Alignments have been maintained, i.e., the Left Wrist is still Flat and the Right Wrist is still Bent. In Full Shots, after the Follow-Through, the Left Arm folds and the Left Wrist Swivels Palm Up against the face of the Inclined Plane and Bends. Similarly, the Right Arm remains straight, the Right Wrist Swivels Palm Down against the Plane and Flattens. At the Precision Destination of The Finish (2-N-0), the Fix Alignments of both Wrists are then restored.

All this is the Geometry of Wrist Alignments during the Stroke, including Impact, Hinging and Swiveling.

Yoda

Locked And Frozen Wrists For Hitters And Swingers
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread6017.html

Are the Frozen Right Wrist and the Locked Left Wrist Hitting procedures? That would definitely be the traditional view. Hitting is all about Muscle Power, Thrust and Structure, and the terms 'Frozen'and 'Locked' -- while jarringly hard -- seem right at home in that environment. At the same time, they are at odds with the "soft hands" and "flexible wrists" widely viewed as the Swinger's birth right. So much so, in fact, that to suggest otherwise is revolutionary (if not heretical).

But then Homer Kelley was that kind of guy.

As discussed in my previous post, the term 'Locked' -- Webster:"rendered immovable" -- was slated for Homer's 7th edition. It denotes only that the Left Wrist -- other than in the Standard Adjusted Address(10-9-A) -- is 'Locked' into its Flat condition, i.e., it cannot produce any Horizontal Motion (Bending or Arching). Instead, it can produce only Vertical Motions (Wristcocking and Uncocking) and Rotational Motions (Turning and Rolling). To that extent, the Left Wrist may be considered 'Unlocked.'This Left Wrist 'Locked' in its Flat condition may be a tough concept for Swingers to handle, but to the extent they deviate from that precision alignment, quoting Homer, "They will pay a price."

The word 'frozen' is probably even more controversial. What could be 'tighter' or 'harder' or more the antithesis of the lyrical Swinging Motionthan something that is 'frozen?' So much so, that Homer himself had a hard time applying the term to Swingers early on. But as he came to a full understanding of the importance of the Flying Wedge Alignments and Structure (6-B-3-0-1), his view changed -- I have this discussion on tape -- and he came to believe that the Frozen Right Wrist serves Swingers equally well as Hitters. From the Third Edition's 10-18-0 'General' Section (applying to both Hitters and Swingers):

"...the Right Wrist, if it moves at all, moves in accord with the Left Wrist. Ideally, it should be frozen in its Impact Fix Position --preferably from the Top of the Stroke to well into, or through, theFollow-Through." [Bold by Yoda.]

The term 'frozen' -- Webster: "rendered immobile" -- denotes that the Right Wrist is 'locked' -- that word again -- in its Level and Bent condition. In other words, it cannot produce any Vertical Motion or any Horizontal Motion (other than its Impact Fix Degree of Bend). Instead, it can only produce only Rotational Motions (Turn and Roll). To the extent the Right Wrist deviates from that Frozen condition, the Clubface will be misalignedat Impact.

The bottom line is that, as usual, Homer said exactly what he meant in terms that were unmistakably clear. Through Impact, your Left Wrist must be Flat, Level and Vertical, and your Right Wrist must be Bent, Level and Vertical. The best way to achieve this Ideal Impact Alignment is to permit during the Stroke only Left Wrist Vertical and Rotational Motions and Right Wrist Rotational Motions. And the way you do that is to Lock your Left Wrist in its Flat Condition and Freeze your Right Wrist into its Bent and Level condition early in the Stroke and then maintain those conditions until the end of the Follow-Through.

Interestingly, I have thus far not mentioned Grip Pressure. That is because, within limits, Gripping ‘light’ or ‘tight’ is the player’s option. What matters is that the essential Wrist Conditions be maintained throughout the Stroke. And that requires a highly developed kinesthetic sense of Wrist Alignments, not necessarily a tight Grip.

That said, the Hands are best viewed as strong, Educated Clamps attaching the Club to the Arms. Per 1-L #3, there should be “no wobble in the Clubshaft attachment.” The player with Uneducated Hands might do well with a lighter Grip Pressure because he may then be less likely to ‘horse’ the Club out of the correct alignments that Centrifugal Force is trying its best to produce.

The skilled player, on the other hand, can use the tighter Grip Pressure to give his Educated Hands a more complete control of the Club throughout the Stroke. The Tight Grip is especially effective as resistance against the terrific forces of Impact Deceleration. Remember, per Isaac Newton’s Third Law (2-C-0), the Ball hits the Club just as hard as the Club hits the Ball. Said another way, and summing up this entire discussion…

Impact is a place for Science, not “Seems as ifs.”

Yoda

What is the difference between a closed stance and pre-turned hip?
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread5989.html

The easy answer to your question is that the Closed Stance relates to Component#5 (Plane Line) and the Pre-Turned Hip relates to Component #15 (Hip Action). As separate Components, they have and deserve their separate identities.

Here's more detail, including why those separate identities are important:

The Stance Line concerns the positioning of the Feet -- Square, Open or Closed -- as it relates to the Plane Line. In turn, the Plane Line is defined -- Square, Open or Closed -- in relation to the Target Line (the Ball Line of Flight). Thus, there are nine possible Stance and Plane Line Combinations.

The Hip Action Component defines the work done by the Hips in leading -- or being led by -- the Shoulder Turn (in both directions). The Delayed Hip Action(10-15-B) is one of four Hip Action Variations, and it can be executed in relation to any of the nine Combinations of Stance Line and Plane Line -- not just Square-Closed (10-5-C) or the Open-Closed (third option of 10-5-D) or Closed-Closed (10-5-E).

In its separate identity, the Delayed Hip Turn serves two primary functions. First, it inhibits Overswinging. By postioning the Pre-Turned Hip as desired, the player can automatically limit the amount of Shoulder Turn possible and thus limit the length of the Backstroke. This is in contrast tothe Closed Stance (in its own separate identity) which encourages the Maximum Hip Turn -- even more than the amount it is already pulled 'Off theLine' at Address -- and therefore the Maximum Shoulder Turn and MaximumTotal Motion of the Stroke.

The second function of the Delayed Hip Turn is to better enable the Hands to Trace the Straight Plane Line during Start Up. Failure to Clear the Right Hipblocks the proper On Plane Path of the Hands. When this happens, the Hands simply go around the impeding Hip, and the Clubhead Oribit is destroyed. The Pre-Turned Right Hip assures that the Hip is, in fact, Cleared and that the Hands can then Trace the selected Plane Line. This function is the same regardless of whether that Stance Line is Square (10-5-A), Open (10-5-B) orClosed (10-5-C) or the Square and Open Stance Line Combinations of the Open(10-5-D) and Closed (10-5-E) Plane Lines.

In the Closed Stance, the Right Hip is pulled 'Off the Line' at address for each of the available Three Plane Lines (Square, Open and Closed), and it therefore serves to clear the proper Path of the Hands during Start Up. However, the Delayed Hip Action would serve the same purpose not only for the Closed Combinations, but for the Square and Open Combinations as well. Also, it serves to prevent Overswinging with all three Plane Lines, whereas the Closed Stance Combination encourages the opposite.

Yoda

Address Routine
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/thread2731.html

The Master Move
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/s...ht=master+move

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/s...ht=master+move

The Hand-Controlled Right Shoulder


http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/s...ht=master+move

Power Package Delivery

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/s...ht=master+move

The Crossroads

Hip Action and the On Plane Right Shoulder


Power Loading

The Rational Approach
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/s...nehand+in+hand

Learning Extensor Action
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/s...ighlight=pivot

Learning Extensor Action

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/s...ht=master+move

Extensor Action And Weight Shifts

This thread could be a best selling book!!!

It's amazing how much good stuff there is to be found. I'm just picking out things I need to know, but there is much more ..

I still believe Yoda could make a series of books that would really give TGM
/ Alignment Golf the breakthrough it deserves.
:golfcart:

Formatting Fundamentals When Quoting Other Posts
 

Air,

I appreciate your comments and work ethic in resurrecting these posts, all of which are just as fresh and accurate as they were the day they were written.

As you can see above, I've done a little formatting work on your last few posts and would ask that you do the same in the future. The formatting provides two things: first, the correct attribution of the post authors; and second, much greater clarity and organizational ease for the reader.

Bambam wrote an excellent post a while back describing exactly how to do this. Please employ its rules. If you have any problems doing it, PM Bambam or me and we'll lead you through it.

http://lynnblakegolf.com/forum/showt...9138#post79138

P.S. You can also click on 'edit' on one of your own posts and take a look at exactly how I've implemented the formatting. It's so simple! Then, click 'save' to restore the post.

Ok, I'll try to get this right.:salut:

Golly I can hardly keep up copy and pasting everything to my Best of Lynn Blake file.
These post would make a good book. I see them cleaned up and then assembled in a paper back spiral bound book or punched like I do some of them and put them in a three ring book. I appreciate you doing the. The one thing I have noticed is how much is posted and written about basic motion. It is easy to dismiss practicing basic motion and also macdonalds. I would like to see more on acquired motion. In my search there seems to be a lot less. Moving from basic to acquired seems like a big jump. Thanks for finding this stuff. If all of this stuff were even indexed and available on line as an ebook. With all of the "pads" out there how great would it be to have a Lynn Blake File on your pad of these "pearls" I plan to put mine on the ipad 2 and take it to the range. Then I can pick a section and work on that. Ben Doyle talks about "driving thoughts, cooking thoughts, tennis thoughts etc. He pointed out that you had to be in golf thoughts. What better golf thoughts than these. Eve on the ball and mind in those educated hands. Educated with the proper pure golf thoughts.

Hinge Action Versus Swivel Action
 

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/s...ighlight=pivot


To Twist Or Not To Twist -- That Is The Question