[Yoda]

It's because of this insight (Release Motion) that Homer moved Hinge Action to Zone 3.

In the first six editions, Homer Kelley placed Hinge Action in Zone 3 (Ball Control: Hands/Direction/Purpose). During his lifetime, it was always there. Twenty-three years after Homer's death, it was Joe Daniels, the owner of TGM and the sole editor of the 7th edition, who moved Hinge Action to Zone 2 (Club Control: Arms/Force/Power).



His justification was that the migration was Homer's intent. Well, perhaps it was. I wrote a post (shortly after publication of the 7th edition) that explained how such a dramatic shift in Zones could be justified for Horizontal and Angled Hinging (but not for Vertical Hinging). But, as I stated then, even that argument was a stretch, because Zone 3 was (and is) the "Hands Lane" wherein "the alignment of the Clubface through Impact" is a critical component.

And should we really kick the Flat Left Wrist and its Clubface Control (1-L/C per 1-L #3 and 7-10) out of the Hands Zone? Adding to the confusion is this new line in the 7th edition's introduction to Zone 2 (9-2): "Zone #2 is the Clubhead and NOT the Clubface (Zone #3) activity." [All emphasis Homer's.]

Obviously, whether Homer intended to make the change or not, such a seismic shift in one of TGM's three major concepts required that much conflicting text be revised. But, Homer didn't make those very necessary and painfully obvious revisions, and he was a fanatic when it came to the 'ripple effect' of a proposed change (which, to my mind, signaled his true intention). Unfortunately -- or fortunately, take your pick -- neither did Joe.

So, what to do?

Simple . . .

If you've got the first six editions, do nothing.

If you've got the 7th, go to 9-2 (page 125), take a pen and line through "#10 Hinge Action" as a listed Zone #2 Component. Then, go to 9-3 (page 131) and add that same Component to Zone #3.

There now, don't you feel better? Humpty Dumpty is all back together again: Six Components in Zone #1; twelve Components in Zone #2; and six Components in Zone #3. All with no conflicting concepts or text to worry about.

And that's a good thing.