Vertical arm drop
 

Is TT's procedure of initiating the downswing by bringing the arms/hands down from the top and reconnecting the right elbow to the side (if you take your hands back beyond right shoulder height) referenced in the Yellow Book. I believe he recommends this move as the 1st one in the transition from backswing to downswing while staying fully turned.

Chapter Video #1 and Letter Video #2
 

When I asked Tomasello about where in the book does it say to start the downswing with the right forearm. His response was 7-3 the Magic of the Right Forearm. Watch the two videos I referenced earlier in this thread. Chapter series video 1 and Letter series video 2. Tommy references the Magic of the Right Forearm at the end of Letter series video 2. In Letter video 2 when Tommy says you do it with your hands, reference section 5-0 where Homer says "Learn to SWING THE HANDS, MONITOR THE HANDS".

DG

AMEN:salut:

I think Letter video 2 is the best video in under standing the magic of the right forearm. If you do just as Tom says it’s magic.

Tim

I still haven't reconciled the differences between the Australian tapes and the video letters. My swing is based off of the video letters.

Take it from the TOP
 

I believe the letter series fills in what's missing from the Australia video. Both video series integrate well...

What's missing in the Australia video (shot in 1989) is the emphasis on uncocking the right elbow from the top...however, I have video of Tommy approximately a year earlier and he mentions uncocking the right elbow from the top during an extensor action demonstration. If you listen closely to the Australia video...chapter 9 (Hitting and Swinging)Tommy says the phrase...."One smooth motion"...which indicates to me that he is throwing the club from the top using Longitudinal acceleration...Longitudinal=Running or placed Lengthwise.

DG

Hi DG and ChangeMySwing,

I agree with ChangeMySwing that there appears to be a difference in the Australian Video where Tomesello appear to connect the elbows to the hip and then execute a 'hit it' procedure directly at the ball. In the video letter series, he execute a karate chop to the ground, much like the CGS procedure.

I am a beginning golfer and still finetuning my swing. I like what Tomesello teaches and would like to know if there is really any difference between the above two procedures (or if one is merely a drill).

Appreciate any help where possible.

cheers,

daniel

Here is where the confusion lies...in the Australia video Tommy is demonstrating the swing in slow motion...two motions are happening at the same time...the right forearm moves down at the same time as the right elbow uncocks. The Australia video emphasizes the right forearm moving down where as in the Letter series video Tommy emphasizes the uncocking motion. You really need to watch both series to understand the full motion. To prove my point...watch the letter #2 video...watch where Tommy's swing ends up when he talks about high speed cameras capturing the swing in slow motion...Tommy ends up at the same release point as the Australia video. As Tommy says, "It's an illusion"....both swings end up at a snap release point. Why? Because it's the same swing. Taught two different ways...I have been watching the Australia video for 13 years, I know all of the subtle differences.

DG

DG,

Thanks for your reply and clarification. I've seen a very slow-mo clip of Hogan's downswing and he also connects the elbow to the hip and than seems like a pull with his left hand. Very much like what Tomesello describe and taught in the start of the downswing in the Australian series.

However when I try to execute a karate chop to the ground first, it appears that I am getting more of a sweep release type of action, like the CGS swing.

Both works, I guess. But you say I should end up with a snap-release type of action with both procedures. I've got to review the videos again.

Thanks a million for your help.

cheers,

daniel

Daniel - if you are seeing a sweep when using the right hand karate chop move, chances are good that your pivot and/or address position needs some checking. Possible your aiming point is off as well, but less likely IMO.

Hard to say without seeing your motion, but check your right forearm position at fix/right hand grip to make sure you aren't coming in with too high a right forearm. For the pivot, you are likely roundhousing to some degree. Pratice some shots with your right foot drawn back to get the feel for that karate chop coming from the inside without your shoulders opening too early. That will combine well with the 'down and out on the plane' that Tomasello is talking about in letter #2.

Another image that may help is to work on what feels like cross line hip motion - "like kicking a soccer ball" to use Wally Armstrong's image. Take your right hip back over your right heel, diagonally through over your left toes.