Yoda's Secret
 

First of all, can we stipulate that the 'finger down the shaft' is not exactly a new idea? I don't know how old you are, EdZ, but I dare say you were still in kneepants -- if you were yet born -- when I first heard of Gene Sarazen's 'After 40' Finger putting stroke in 1960. That would be 44 years ago, and there's no telling how many years he had been using it before that. Another great player whose 'extended forefinger' substantially pre-dates your drill is Nancy Lopez -- no longer a spring chicken -- who has used it almost every day of her golfing life. So, again, not exactly a new idea.

Second, no disrepect intended, but if I read your 'extended forefinger' drill, I don't remember it.

Third, what's new about the Grip I independently came up with (a few weeks before the Pine Needles Workshop and not on the spur of the moment as 6bee1dee's post suggested) is the way the Forefinger is positioned at the back of the Shaft. Very importantly, it is not "extended down the side of the shaft" as in your drill. Instead, it is 'crooked' at Right Angles. This puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the tip of that Finger -- far more than your simply extended finger -- and thereby produces an unmistakeable Pressure Point #3 Feel.

Beyond that, and just as important in promoting the proper support for the Frozen Right Wrist, it also drives the heel of the right hand into the Left Hand Thumb, thereby creating susbstantial pressure at Pressure Point #1.

And all this pressure -- both against #3 and #1 -- is established before you swing the club, not just during the Stroke.

So, any resemblance between my drill and yours is coincidental and very faint. That's the real story behind this new twist on an old idea.

Yoda's Secret GM#237
 

EdZ,

We're not talking about the 90 degree Flying Wedges Alignment. We're talking about the tremendous difference in the crooked positioning of the Forefinger itself. Do you see it? Have you tried it? It is this positioning that creates so much pressure at #1 and #3 and that make this drill so effective.

Yoda's Secret GM#238
 

Yay! Isn't it great?

When I go back to my 'regular' Grip, I never hit the first few as solid as I was hitting them with the Finger Grip. Nor do I feel nearly the control of my Hands, especially in those delicate little shots that require a slow, constant Hand speed. This one is a real 'keeper!'

Yoda's Secret GM#239
 

EdZ,

I'm not trying to beat a dead horse here, but as a point of interest...

Peggy Kirk Bell, the famed LPGA Professional and owner of Pine Needles Lodge and Golf Club, attended our Workshop. Each year many hundreds of women attend her hugely popular clinics known as The Golfari. She was on the front row as I began introducing the 'Forefinger' idea, and she piped right up and said that using an extended forefinger down the shaft was one of her standard techniques.

"For putting?" asked I.

"We have them hit drivers with it!" said she.

"Where did you get the idea?"

"Tommy."

"Tommy?"

"Tommy Armour."

:oops:

Yoda's Secret GM#248
 

The drill stabilizes the Grip (1-L-#3) and is effective for both Hitting and Swinging. Hitters use the 'Bent' Right Forefinger to actively Thrust the Primary Lever Assembly (Left Arm and Club) while Swingers use it to passively sense its Centrifugal Acceleration (1-L-#7). Both use it to Aim the Lag Pressure and Trace the selected Delivery Line (1-L-#10 and 6-C-2-A).

Short Putts and Chips ( Basic Motion 12-5-1) emphasize the Arm Motion Power Accumulators (Right Elbow and Left Arm). Hitters accelerate the Club radially with an Active Right Elbow (Bat Minor Basic Stroke 10-3-K) while Swingers accelerate the Club longitudinally with either the Left Arm or the Right (Pull Minor Basic Stroke 10-3-D). Shoulder Motion is Zeroed Out. The Minor Basic Stroke may be combined with the ponderous Push Major Basic Stroke (7-3) for its minimum Mechanical Advantage and potentially maximum Distance Control. Otherwise, it is combined with either the Pitch or Punch Major Basic Stroke (10-1 or 10-2) and a Fanning Right Forearm Motion.

Pitch Shots (Acquired Motion 12-5-2) introduce Body Motion and the Hand Action Power Accumulators (Left Wrist Cock / Uncock and Left Hand Turn / Roll). Pivot Motion is minimal, but Shoulder Motion may be used to assist both Hitters and Swingers to accelerate the Primary Lever Assembly through Impact.

Hitting or Swinging, remember that the Geometry is the same for all Strokes from Drive to Putt. So, direct your #3 Pressure Point (Right Forefinger Lag Pressure) strongly Downward in a Straight Line Motion toward the Ball. Keep your Left Wrist Flat, your Right Wrist Bent and make no attempt to Steer (3-F-7-A) the Club toward the Target. Finally, remember to execute a definite Left Wrist Hinge Action (1-L-#4, 2-G and 7-10) as you Fully Extend your Right Arm to the end of the Follow-Through, the Both Arms Straight Position (1-L-#15).

When you work in the above Stages One and Two (Basic and Aquired Motion), you are perfecting your Motion 'Through the Ball' . In so doing, you are mastering Golf's Moment of Truth -- from Release to the end of the Follow-Through. When this normally 'Blacked-Out" Interval has been illuminated by your full attention and brought under conscious control, Stage Three -- Total Motion -- becomes a piece of cake.

Yoda's Secret GM#258
 

1. Both Arms Straight.

2. Left Wrist Flat, Uncocked and Vertical to the Plane (Angled Hinge Action).

3. Right Wrist Bent, Level and Vertical to the Plane.

4. Right Forearm, #3 Pressure Point and the Sweet Spot On Plane (pointing at the Plane Line).