STUDY OF THE BASIC MOTION (STAGE ONE)
LYNN BLAKE
DEMONSTRATION AND EXPLANATION
I like what I see in this Basic Motion Stroke (12-5-1 / Hitting Pattern).
http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/index.p...urriculum.html
The Basic Motion (Stage One) involves a miniaturized Stroke (12-0) --
approximately two feet back and two feet through. It puts in place the Basic
Body Position and the Power Package alignments. It is a One-Accumulator
Stroke, and that one Accumulator may be either the Right Arm (Accumulator #1
/ Hitting) or the Left (Accumulator #4 / Swinging).
I have elected to begin the Stroke from the Half-and-Half Fix (10-8-C). Here,
the Body is in Standard Address Position, and the Hands are in their Impact
Location and Position. This is the second of four Address Position alternatives
listed in 10-9-0; namely, "Both at selected Impact" (10-9-0-2).
Let's examine this Selected Impact Address Position (10-9-B) and its Power
Package alignments and then the Basic Stroke itself.
THE BODY
1. Square Stance and Plane Line.
2. Feet close together with Weight slightly toward heels.
3. Appropriate Knee and Waist Bend.
4. Hips Square.
5. Head centered.
THE ARMS
1. In Normal Position, i.e., Left Arm Straight and Right Arm Bent (6-A-4).
2. Right Forearm On Plane (2-F).
3. Left Arm and Right Forearm Flying Wedges established and properly aligned
(6-B-3-0-1).
THE HANDS
1. Strong Single-Action Grip (10-2-B).
2. In Impact Location.
3. Left Wrist Flat.
THE CLUB
1. Forward-Leaning Clubshaft.
2. Clubface Square.
THE STROKE
1. Only one of the Arm Accumulators (Right Arm or Left) is active in this Stage
One. The Hand Action Accumulators (Left Wrist Cock and Uncock and Left Hand
Turn and Roll) are introduced in Stage Two (Acquired Motion). I have chosen to
use the Right Arm and the bending and straightening of the Right Elbow to lift
and lower the Left Arm (7-3) and to provide the Basic Thrust of the Stroke.
Thus, this is a Hitting Stroke. Had I elected to Swing, I would have used my Left
Arm to Pull the Club through Impact (Pull Minor Basic Stroke / 10-3-D). Also, I
may have used the Standard Address Position with an Extensor Action Takeaway
(6-B-1-D) to Flatten the Left Wrist (and Bend the Right) in Start-Up. Had that
been the case, Backstroke Arm Motion would have been minimal. Down stroke
action and alignments would have remained the same.
2. Note that my Right Shoulder moves little, if at all, throughout the Stroke.
That's because I am using my bending Right Arm -- and not my rocking Body -
- to move the Club away from the Ball. In Start Up, I apply Extensor Action
against Pressure Point #1 (heel of the Right Hand against the Left Hand thumb),
and I use my Right Forearm and bending Right Elbow to "Carry" (7-9) the Left
Arm and Club (Primary Lever Assembly) to the Top (Up, Back and In in a true
Three-Dimensional Start-Up). The Right Forearm Fans (about the Elbow) and
Traces the Straight Plane Line. Had this been a Swing, I would have used a
"Swing-Back" Motion instead of the Hitter's "Carry-Back" Motion. Also, when
using Standard Address position of the Hands, I would initiate Extensor Action
using Pressure Point #3 [Right Hand index finger] to pull the Left Arm and Club
shaft In-Line. But no matter which Motion is employed, the geometry of the
Right Arm and Elbow Action -- how they 'look' to an observer -- is identical. All
this is in stark contrast to most golfers whose Basic Motion is to freeze their
Right Arm and Elbow and then to rock their Body back-and-forth to move the
Club (Paw Minor Basic Stroke / 10-3-H).
3. During the Start Down, I Load my bent Right Elbow against Pressure Point #3
(Drive Loading / 10-19-A). From the Top, I simply Push radially (sidewise) the
entire Left Arm and Club Assembly through Impact (Right Arm Throw / 10-20-
B). When Swinging, I Load my Level Left Wrist against Pressure Point #2, the last
three fingers of the Left Hand (Drag Loading / 10-19-C). I then simply Pull
longitudinally (lengthwise) only the Club itself through Impact (Left Wrist Throw
/ 10-20-E).
4. At Impact, I have returned precisely to my Half-and-Half Fix Address Position
alignments. The Body -- including the Head -- has remained Motionless and
the Power Package (Arms, Hands and Club) has returned to its Impact
alignments. Compare Photos #1 and #14. They are identical.
5. Through Impact, my Right Elbow Drive-Out against Pressure Point #3 (and
possibly #1) has automatically produced Angled Hinge Action (10-10-C). That
is, the Flat Left Wrist has remained perpendicular (Vertical) to the Angled Plane
of the Stroke. This Action is executed as a 'No Roll' Feel and produces a 'Half-
Roll' of the Clubface at the end of the Follow-Through. In contrast, the
Swinger's Centrifugal Force Throw-Out will automatically produce Horizontal
Hinge Action (10-10-D). That is, the Flat Left Wrist will remain perpendicular
(Vertical) to the Horizontal Plane. This Action is executed as a 'Roll' Feel and
produces a 'Full-Roll' of the Clubface. All Hinge Actions MUST be executed on
the Straight Line Delivery Line. This is the essential requirement for all Golf
Strokes and why only Items #22 and #39 are capitalized in the Mechanical
Checklist For All Strokes (12-3-0).
6. My bent Right Elbow at Impact continues its Drive toward the Plane Line (NOT
toward the Target!) during the Follow-Through (1-L-10 and -15). The Angled
Hinge Action has insured that the Left Arm and Club shaft have remained In-
Line and that there is perfect Rhythm (RPM).
7. The Stroke concludes when my Right Arm has fully-straightened (6-G-0-C).
This is the end of the Follow-Through (Section 11), and because it is also the
end of the Stroke, it constitutes the Finish (Section 12). Since the Thrust has
continued Down Plane until the Right Elbow has fully-straightened, there
properly has been no 'Upstroke.' This despite the fact that the Club itself has
passed Low Point (opposite the Left Shoulder) and has begun its own Upward,
Inward and Forward journey to the Finish.
Work on your Basic Motion. Pay attention to each Component and its
alignments. This is the foundation of your Stroke and of your Game.
IT IS NO LESS THAN THE GATEWAY TO YOUR BEST GOLF.
BASIC MOTION CURRICULUM I
LYNN BLAKE
12-5-0 BASIC REQUIREMENTS
Use a slow, smooth motion up-and-back, down-and-out and up-and-in the
same distance in both directions and as continuously as possible.
Make no adjustments during the Stroke, for – or because of – Impact. NEVER
EVER. That is “Hacking at the Ball” and produces only “Hackers.”
Attach the items listed in the Three Stages, in sequence, without unnecessarily
interrupting the Motion. Carefully develop the Address Routine (3-F-5).
Execute the items, single or in short series, first without a Ball and then with a
Ball. Comply with 3-B, 5-0 and 12-3 – including The Triad.
Observe the special instructions at the head of each Stage list.
Where applicable, interpret the items per the basic Stroke Pattern, that is,
Hitting or Swinging. Either 12-1 OR 12-2 – not both at the same time.
The Strong Single Action Grip (10-2-B) is mandatory throughout.
A lesson begins where the last one left off.
Asterisks in list indicate items for an abbreviated version.
This Curriculum can stand alone for many students but may also serve as
preparation for a Basic Certificate course. But most importantly, MUST be used
in conjunction with all other G.O.L.F. curriculums.
BASIC MOTION CURRICULUM II
LYNN BLAKE
Yes. Most players wait far too long to get the Bending Right Elbow into action.
They have been led astray by the instruction to "Take the Club away with your
Shoulder Turn" and, by all means, "Preserve the Triangle."
This procedure is nothing more than a Paw Minor Basic Stroke Start Up (10-3-
H) with both arms frozen (Bent or Straight) and a Shoulder Turn Takeaway.
Though the Power Package is usually later assembled, the damage has been
done: The true Orbit of the Club head has been disrupted and, with it, the
required On Plane Loading of the Club head Lag. Without substantial realignment
at the Top, a true Three-Dimensional Impact with its maximum
compression has become impossible.
Instead, integrate the Magic of the Right Forearm into your Stroke by
practicing the Bending and Straightening of the Right Elbow. To do this, use the
Continuous Motion procedure of 12-5-1 (with Zero Pivot) and 12-5-2 (with
Minimal Pivot). Also, per 7-3, practice the Right Forearm Takeaway from Fix
(with Zero or Minimal Pivot) making sure to preserve the all-important
alignments of the Flying Wedges Assembly (6-B-3-0-1).
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-andthrough,
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 Wrist cock – 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
Club head 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.
Zero Out Pivot means don't move your Body -- Shoulders included -- and keep
the Left Arm and Club shaft 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!
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.
1. Use Angled Hinging for the Right Arm Only Stroke. Feel the On Plane
Paddlewheel nature of the Right Forearm action from Release(8-9) to Both Arms
Straight (8-11). The is the 'Underhand Pitch, Motion and Feel' (2-N-0) that
keeps the Club shaft On Plane.
2. There is no 'dual' Angled Hinge Action because the one Angled Hinge
governs both Club shaft and Clubface. For all practical purposes, Horizontal
and Vertical Hinging will always be 'dual.' That's because you need two hinges:
one to control the Club shaft and another to control the Clubface.
3. In the shorter Non-Pivot Strokes, Swingers should use the Magical Right
Forearm Takeaway (7-3) on the Backstroke; then, on the Down stroke, use the
Minor Basic Left Arm Pull Stroke (10-3-D) to Pull the Club through Impact. In
the longer Strokes -- from the Top -- they should emphasize the Right
Shoulder Turn thrust of the #4 Accumulator (6-B-4-0/A/B/C) to 'crank up the
gyroscope' of Centrifugal Force.
Hitters -- with or without Shoulder Turn Thrust -- should use the Right Arm
Throw (10-20-B) to Trigger the Release, and then use Right Elbow Drive (6-B-
1-0/A/B/C) to Push the Club through Impact. If you are more comfortable with
this latter action, then use it and learn The Joy of Hitting. A technique that
emphasizes Right Arm Power is more natural to most of us, and because of the
active sensing of Muscular Thrust -- as opposed to the passive sensing of
Centrifugal Force --it is the best way to learn to use the Right Forefinger #3
Pressure Point. The key to the effective use of the Right Arm is learning to
straighten it without Flattening the Bent Right Wrist. Experiment and see which
way works best for you.
BASIC MOTION CURRICULUM QUESTIONS
LYNN BLAKE
Left Wrist Action (7-18 ) is independent of Plane Angle (7-6). For Swingers
using Standard Left Wrist Action, the Start Up Swivel places the Left Palm On
Plane almost immediately.
That said, I did not necessarily advocate Standard Wrist Action. I simply said
'Turn and Roll.' Even with Single Wrist Action, there is a degree of Turn and Roll.
Only with Zero Wrist Action would there be none.
Remember, too, the problem I'm trying to solve here: Failure to allow the
Clubface to properly close through Impact. This is Steering (3-F-7-A), the
Game's #1 Snare. And if the Left Wrist (Clubface) doesn't Turn going back, it
won't Roll going through.
Remember...
LEFT HAND:
CLUBFACE.
RIGHT HAND:
CLUBHEAD.
Also, for all Hitters and 'Manipulated Hands' Swingers (which is almost
everybody else), a Ball Positioned forward of the Straightaway Position tends to
produce Fades and Slices. That fact, combined with the lack of proper Left Hand
Roll during Release and Impact, causes an Off-Center Impact -- the Clubface
contacts the Inside-Aft Quadrant (2-B) of the Ball instead of directly in the Back,
i.e., through its Centerline. Similarly, a 'back of Straightaway' Ball position tends
to produce Draws and Hooks.
So, if you're fighting a Fade or Slice, make sure the Ball is Back in your Stance
rather than Forward. And, keeping your Left Wrist Flat, Level and Vertical (4-
A/B/C-1) in Fix, align the Clubface more Closed (which will tend to make it
contact the Center or Outside-Aft Quadrant of the Ball). Properly executed, this
will produce Clubface Alignment-Club head Path divergence and the Draw you
are looking for.
Most players wait far too long to get the Bending Right Elbow into action. They
have been led astray by the instruction to "Take the Club away with your
Shoulder Turn" and, by all means, "Preserve the Triangle."
This procedure is nothing more than a Paw Minor Basic Stroke Start Up (10-3-
H) with both arms frozen (Bent or Straight) and a Shoulder Turn Takeaway.
Though the Power Package is usually later assembled, the damage has been
done: The true Orbit of the Club head has been disrupted and, with it, the
required On Plane Loading of the Club head Lag. Without substantial realignment
at the Top, a true Three-Dimensional Impact with its maximum
compression has become impossible.
Instead, integrate the Magic of the Right Forearm into your Stroke by
practicing the Bending and Straightening of the Right Elbow. To do this, use the
Continuous Motion procedure of 12-5-1 (with Zero Pivot) and 12-5-2 (with
Minimal Pivot). Also, per 7-3, practice the Right Forearm Takeaway from Fix
(with Zero or Minimal Pivot) making sure to preserve the all-important
alignments of the Flying Wedges Assembly (6-B-3-0-1).
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-andthrough,
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 Wrist cock – 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
Club head 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.
I've been trying 12-5-1 Basic Motion for a while. I decided to take it to the
range and hit balls with it. I would take a short swing back and through the ball,
about two feet on each end. All the while trying to feel pressure points #2 and
3, watching my hands, watching and feeling for a flat left wrist all with very
little lower body motion. After a while, I could hear a nice sharp crack and the
ball would fly. I then seemed to want to add the follow through ( like 8-11). I
was using my 9 iron and occasionally my 7 iron.
My questions: Am I doing it correctly? How long should I do it? And I'm
assuming 12-5-2 Acquired Motion is next?
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.