[Daryl]

Ben Doyle is a Master of his craft who helps each student achieve his or her own unique potential.

That said, his well-known preference is for the 3rd Edition's Basic Four Accumulator Pivot Stroke -- "a hypothetically ideal Pattern..." That Pattern (3rd Edition/12-4) features Maximum Component Participation and includes three caveats:

1. Almost any catalogued Component change will simplify it.

2. It requires "the most practice, fortitude and dedication."

3. It is for "the gifted competitor."

Following three hours of discussion, demonstration, correction and testing, I would very much agree that Ben Still prefers the Basic Four Accumulator Pivot Stoke. Maximum Hip Action and a lot of right arm.

I passed the Set-Up Pre-Shot Routine Test, the Sand Trap Test, the Impact Bag Test and the Tire Test (with flying colors I might add). I failed the Tee Angled in Ground Test. Ben said that if I can’t pass that test, then there is no need to continue until I can. But being the gracious and sympathetic teacher he is, we continued anyway.

During Hour #4 I got it. Ben said: “Hit it straight” and I did. He said: “Let me see a six foot fade at 160 yards with the six iron”, and I did. He said: “now give me a six foot draw” and I did. “Hit it high, and I did. Hit it low, and I did. He said Punch shot, and I punched it. He said “Pitch it” and I pitched it. Angled Hinging, Duel Horizontal and Vertical. He said: “Very good compression”. Ok, I’m a Ball Striker.

I went out that afternoon and shot one of the worst scores in my life. Hmm? Typical. Life. Ya gotta see the humor in it all. LOL.

Now; if I can only remember how I did it with Ben. (Oh, the DVD)