[O.B.Left]

If the same question was posed to you (and not D what would then be your answer?

- the question being:

Could you explain for what purpose is the curriculum in 12-5 ?

And how can I prepare a stroke pattern for short and long chip shots and if this pattern will relate to the curriculum ?

12-5 is a way of learning golf...... incrementally. You build it from the ground up, slowly, with variations to the extent you are able. At the least you have a very usable simple methodology , like two or three accumulator drive loading for instance. But for the more talented it can lead to a master's level of execution. Especially when you bring in Hinge Action and other variations.

If you read 12-5-0 BASIC REQUIREMENTS you'll see you start with a short continuos motion back and through without a ball even. But even there, at the beginning there is something to master before you move on.......something quite profound actually.

As for your chip shot pattern........you have options , lots of them. Experiment , have fun with it, play around with it. 12-5-1, Stage One 10. lists Accumulator #4 , Left ARm Motion. A 10-3-D PULL Minor Basic Stroke. But if you're Hitting you could use Accumulator #1 instead, the Right Arm. Typically a 10-3-K BAT, Minor Basic Stroke. See the Minor Basic Strokes for more options for shorter shots.

You need to regulate the power for short little shots by employing only one source of power , one power accumulator but that source of power can be located in any of the Three Zones. Take putting for instance: Hands only putting (like Arnie used to do). Arms only , (left or right arm but not both) , or Pivot only (shoulder stroke). The latter though not listed in 12-5 is without doubt the most common method on tour and described in 10-3-H THE PAW Minor Basic Stroke.

Why did Homer prefer arm motions for 12-5-1 when he clearly understood the possible alternatives , popular ones as well? I can only speculate that he thought them to be better suited to the pupils progression through the curriculum. A "sameness" being present as you progressed.

Its sort of like Phil's putting stroke looking like his chipping stroke which looks like his pitching stroke..........there is a sameness there. Its built , built , built up. But if you or Phil for that matter developed a strong preference for a unique and different putting or different chipping stroke, a departure from the sameness so to speak.......if it worked better for you.........by all means do it! It's a game and one we are supposed to enjoy. It will require a little change when you move from one Stage to the other or from chipping to putting say .......not theoretically ideal but not unusual either.

Homer gave some serious thought to 12-5 so I wouldnt discard its prescribed components too quickly though. It formed the basis for the Bachelor level Certification test and is to my mind his greatest contribution to the plight of Joe Duffer.