Is TGM for me?
 

Hello. This is my first post to this forum. I am a 57 year-old beginner from Long Island, NY. I've played just long enough to have developed terrible habits: an inconsistent bottom of my arc (sometimes topping the ball, sometimes hitting fat, sometimes just right), and a rather severe out-to-in , too steep swing path. I attended Mike Hebron's camp when I first started, but I don't recall him using TGM principles in the brief time that he spent with us. Frankly, he spoke in riddles. I have also taken individual lessons with several local pros, but still haven't come close to breaking 100. Given my background:
1. Do you feel that TGM can help me? From reading comments from TGMers on other forums, my impression is that most are already excellent golfers. I have always been a good athlete for my size (5'8"), so this is frustrating me. I am willing to work on my game, but I have much more time to do so during the summer.
2.If you feel that TGM would help, would it be better for me to focus on being a swinger or a hitter? Could you explain why in layman's terms?
3. From the excerpts I've read, Homer's book seems too advanced for me. Is there a video, other than Mike Jacobs' "Explosive Golf" that explains TGM in terms that I would understand and be able to execute? I liked Jacobs' tape very much, but it only taught the swinger method. For example, would Ben Doyle's or Brian Manzella's tape be better for a beginner? Or, is there a better option out there?
4. Finally, can you recommend a TGM teacher on Long Island, other than Mike Hebron? I was thinking of giving Mike Jacobs a call, but he's quite far from where I live.and I don't know if his swinger emphasis would suit me.
5. SwingNorthtoSouth, I noticed that you are from the Island. I would particularly welcome your feedback.

Thank you all in advance for any insights that you can provide.

teach

Re: Is TGM for me?
 

Hi Teach,

Welcome to the TGM family!

Briefly, TGM will help anyone provided its principles are "absorbed and applied". There is an instructor's part and there is a student's part. Both must be in place.

If the instructor imparts junk and the student is diligent = disaster
Instructor imparts correctly and student is lazy = disaster

Good instructor + Good student = HEAVEN!

Whether you should be a swinger or hitter depends on your tendencies - physical and psychology. Mr Kelly advises to swing if you are fast and hit if you are strong.

Typically, hitters have shorter backstrokes (Stadler, Palmer, Perry) and the swingers have longer strokes (Els, Woods) due to the differences in how they load their swings.

So, if you have a short stroke and vice versa, I will not mess with it and instead work with what you have. It is far easier to improve when you change the things that require greater attention.

The 3 absolute things you need to have?
1. A flat left wrist at impact
2. A clubhead that trails the hands
3. An on plane swing (at least from impact to follow-thru)

Hope that helps! :D

teach,

You are lucky to have discovered TGM BEFORE making thousands of poor swings every one of which your subconscious will remember forever. Before you hit another golf ball, go to Brian Manzella's website and purchase the on-line lesson titled "Confessions of a Former Flipper". I forget the exact price, but it's less than $10.

Brian Manzella / Confessions
 

Brian did a great job with this video.

Buy it and watch it.

Over and over again.

http://www.manzellagolfforum.com/for...sp?FORUM_ID=10

hi teach,
welcome to the Forum and to golf. i agree with the previous posters. i am a golf teaching professional and am familiar with the names you mentioned. they are excellent instructors and very knowledgeable. that being said, being a good teacher, imo, means being able to break down concepts into their simplest terms so that the individual you are currently teaching understands them. TGM principles are excellent for everyone. how they are explained and applied make all the difference.
personally, i have benefitted tremendously from TGM and this Forum. i highly recommend Brian's tapes as well as Ben Doyle's tape.
stick with it it's worth the journey!
jim :D

TGM is for people who want more out of themselves than a quick fix.

BUT if it is a quick fix that you want...I think TGM can provide that as well.

We call them "Nuggets" -- and they don't just come out of your ears, you know :? :lol:

Just look to the "if you had one sentence..." (or w/e it's called) thread in The Clubhouse Lounge for examples of these great tips....or something so simple as "trace a straight plane line." Duh!!! (flashlight drills)....not hard right?

I think the good thing about TGM is that it is complete and it is accurate.

....and at least you know (I quickly have come to believe anyway....) that while the path you are on may still not be straight (not many are), it is the right path to be on. You just have to keep walking down it and you'll reach the end- someday.

I also think that if you get a great TGM instructor (from what I've heard) you can get as much information as you'd ever need, and as simple or complex as you want to hear it.

Stick with it teach. It's good stuff. And no the information will not confuse you or "fill your head with gobbledy-gook."

The only people who say that are the people who give up on sorting through the info. that's been HANDED to them.

-Paul

TGM is for everyone
 

TGM is for every golfer, but then again every golfer is different. Some are analytical, some are innovators, some are creative tweakers, some want immediate results etc etc. For optimum results they need TGM to - to a certain extent - come as a package customized for the receiver.

I think there is a path to TGM for every golfer, but their individual path will be different. Some never find their path. Others lose it.

My initial path was though Ben Doyles video, the book and the TGM-related boards.

Finally a few lessons with Ben in CA followed by the Bash in Destin with Yoda, YodasLuke et al equipped me with a map, a nuclear-powered torch and a network of fellow pathfinders.

I am all in.

Re: Is TGM for me?
 

BTW teach...

Check here for a list of TGM instructors if you haven't already.

http://www.thegolfingmachine.com/instructors.htm

Thank you all for your encouragement. I have decided to take the plunge. I spoke to Ben Doyle yesterday and ordered his tape. I also left a message with Brian and will undoubtedly order material from him as well. Right now I am nursing a rib injury, so I will use my down time to study. I'm just going to need to discipline myself so that I don't try to absorb too much at once.

I will undoubtedly have many more questions as I embark upon this journey. I'll let you know about my progess (and struggles) along the way. Hopefully, I will mesh well with one of the local TGM instructors.

teach

Good to hear sir.

I'll be happy to answer any questions you have.

Don't be afraid to ask.....ANYTHING. If you've done A. and now B. is happening or w/e.

Ask. Everyone here's pretty damn good.

-Paul

Thanks Paul. By the way, it's cool to see a Hendrix photo on a golf site, although I was more of a Clapton guy at the time.

teach

After browsing thru this forum for some time I ordered the yellow book 2 months ago. I can report now, that the journey looks promising: Just understanding low point and its implication when adressing the ball, has improved my distance ( gained 1 to 1 1/2 club) and most important my consistency. I have dropped my hcp from 10 to 8. I am excited. Thanks to you all who regularly post on this forum. :D

The Thrill Of Victory
 

Your post is music to my green ears, plgolf. A 20 percent drop to a single-digit handicap is quite an accomplishment. We at LBG are proud of your progress and happy to have been part of it. :mrgreen:

Now, keep on posting! Writing is the best way I know to clarify your thinking, even if it's only to ask a question. In fact, I urge each of you who only read (but don't post) to get out of the grandstands and into the game. We have an unlimited number of spots on our Team Roster and on the field. You can be in on the next play. Come on down...your jersey is waiting!

Clapton is great too. I like most classic rock.

There's some good new stuff...but it can't touch the oldies. I'm 20...but I'm proud to say that I know what good music is when I hear it.

Clapton was overrated...lol :D

He always sounded like a white dork playing the blues.... lol :D

The golfing machine will give you everything you need and more.

It will give you everything you need. How good you want it to be is entirely up to you.

Re: Is TGM for me?
 

Good luck teach,

IMHO, Yes, get Bens tape, yes get Brians Flipper video. Both are full of good info. Keep reading the TGM websites, they are invaluable. Also, do get the Book if you don't own it. It may appear 'advanced' at first but it is like a large oyster shell that opens itself a little bit more each time you read it and inside are many 'pearls' waiting to get out. If Mike Jacobs is too far for you consider Rick Nielson, GSEM at Randalls Island Golf Center, near Manhattan. Both Rick and Mike are class acts and can teach both swinging and hitting.

Best,
Triad