[Mike O]

Mike/Martee,

Appreciate your comments...

My perspective has to come from Tomasello...I believe some think Tomasello strayed from the true teachings of TGM (Dave, Don't worry about what others think- you know what you know- that Tommy was a great teacher and helped you and others play the game well- you don't need to defend him- once you get past that you'll be much better)...

with the 7th edition information, I believe Tommy was really teaching from the book the way it's presented in the 7th edition. (I don't think TGM really changed much at all from 6th edition to 7th edition- the essence of the thing is exactly the same)

Tommy was in contact with Homer up until the end, in fact, I believe Tommy was the one who arranged Homer's speaking engagment in front of the PGA the day he passed away. I guess some of you know that Homer passed away in Tomasello's arms. (Agree)

Tom taught 12-2-0 the way that it's written as a vehicle to understand the pivot in a swinging action. (12-2-0 is just a basic pattern, an example if you will- to say that it's written "as a vehicle to understand the pivot is a huge jump- without some clarification of the context that you're talking)

Tommy definitely followed building the swing in stages per 12-5-0...on cassette tape from my 1993 lessons with Tomasello on the driving range at Deer Track...Tommy had me start the downswing by triggering the downswing with the right forearm then generating the release with pivot thrust by way of the left hip (a pulling action of the left hip, review the Tomasello chapter series for left hip references). With the 7th edition comments in 12-5-3...for me, it makes sense what Tomasello was doing...he was making me aware of the left hip prior to adding Full Power with the uncocking action of the right elbow through the throwing action of the right forearm. Why? Tommy didn't want the student to apply so much attention to the uncocking of the right forearm that they would lose track of their pivot condition by stopping their left hip from sliding at the beginning of the downstroke or quit their left hip action in the rotational phase of release. Once you had the feel for the pivot, to add Full Power, Tomasello added the uncocking action of the right elbow through the right forearm, the pivot now just responded to the uncocking of the right elbow through the magic of the right forearm. (Dave, nothing wrong with the description of your lesson or what you were working on- but in regards to 12-5-3- I would think "Full Power" just means the amount of thrust/pressure point pressure used during the procedure. Part of my reasoning for that is your reference to 10-3-D and Homer's use of 10-11-0 right after "Full Power" as opposed to a reference to 6-B - Accumulators)

I recommend watching the chapter 5 video in the Tomasello chapter series before responding to this post. It probably wouldn't hurt to read 10-3-K, 10-D-3, 12-5-3 and 7-3 too.

On the lesson tee with Tomasello, I asked Tommy where in the book does it say start the downswing with the right forearm (truat me, at the time I was as curious about this as many of you are), Tomasello's response, 7-3. Second comment from Tommy, The MAGIC OF THE RIGHT FOREARM.

DG

Dave,
See my comments above in bold- for what their worth- not necessary to respond. The first comment in bold above is just a comment on the name of my post "Selling the System"- Homer knew that if "people" i.e. AI's, Students, himself, etc. were fanatically "Selling the System" it would hurt G.O.L.F.'s chances or delay its ultimate success- let them come to the system, if they are interested then help, answer, etc. but don't fanatically go out to convert everyone- it'll hurt the system, progress etc.

I think that advice is good advice- i.e. "you - Dave- will lose more people and have less people listening to you if everytime the topic of Tomasello comes up you "fanatically", "sell" the guy. Or repeatedly bring up a Golf Illustrated Article Interview. Just my opinion- but I offer it in a constructive way and one that I think would help you and Tom's legacy- at the same time I could be off base.

Finally, your comments on Tommy "following" the 7th edition- again- to me- I think you missed the point that Martee was pointing out. Tom taught the principles of TGM- any particular application for the lesson at the driving range might have all sorts of specific variations but you wouldn't want to lock yourself into any particular corner.

In the meantime, keep using your particular pattern as I know you've had some great success with it and the information that Tommy provided to you and others.