Bertholy

[Yoda]

I believe there is a connection somewhere somehow between Yoda, HK and Paul Bertholy.

I was a student of both Homer Kelley and Paul Bertholy. First Homer (in January 1982) and then Paul (in September 1983). To my knowledge, they never met, nor did they correspond in any way. I would be surprised if either knew of the other's exisence.

During my three days with Paul, he showed me his golfing library. In fact, he gave me two books, one of which was Golf (1927) by Bob MacDonald. Interestingly, modern-day guru Jim Hardy has credited that book as the inspiration for his Two-Plane Swing concept.

After that visit, I wrote a thank-you letter to Paul and his wife, Missy, and shared my thoughts on the experience. I'll see if I can't dig it out of the files and post it in the Clubhouse Lounge (Young Yoda thread).

[Yoda]

mmm, the only book I know of that Bob MacDonald wrote was
Golf at a glance : the pocket pro.
Publisher: Chicago : Bruce-Roberts, 1931.
Is that the one you speak of. If so virtually impossible to find.

Nope, the book is Golf, written by Bob MacDonald and published by Wallace Press, Chicago, in 1927. The author's name is listed on the front cover as Bob MacDonald. His photograph appears inside the book above the name Robert G. MacDonald.

The book is not quite coffee-table size, but it is close. It is richly illustrated and contains line drawings, posed stills (illustrating both 'how to' and 'how not to') and action sequences taken from motion film.

The man was a supreme Golf Stroke Mechanic and well ahead of his time. In the pages of his book can be found such concepts as the left shoulder as the center of the swing arc; the right forearm/elbow pickup; the hands-controlled pivot; the left arm flying wedge (though not termed such); and a startlingly accurate description of the interaction of the left arm and right shoulder during the downstroke (the #4 Power Accumulator). Also, his drills for learning the correct action of the Pivot and the independent Arm Swing are among the best I've ever seen.

[drewitgolf]

Robert G. (Bob) McDonald wrote both books referenced above. He also wrote Golfer's Handbooks: The Game, The Irons Shots and Putting, The Grip, Stance, and Swing, The Rules Simplified (4 volumes) in 1948.

[12 piece bucket]

Nope, the book is Golf, written by Bob MacDonald and published by Wallace Press, Chicago, in 1927. The author's name is listed on the front cover as Bob MacDonald. His photograph appears inside the book above the name Robert G. MacDonald.

The book is not quite coffee-table size, but it is close. It is richly illustrated and contains line drawings, posed stills (illustrating both 'how to' and 'how not to') and action sequences taken from motion film.

The man was a supreme Golf Stroke Mechanic and well ahead of his time. In the pages of his book can be found such concepts as the left shoulder as the center of the swing arc; the right forearm/elbow pickup; the hands-controlled pivot; the left arm flying wedge (though not termed such); and a startlingly accurate description of the interaction of the left arm and right shoulder during the downstroke (the #4 Power Accumulator). Also, his drills for learning the correct action of the Pivot and the independent Arm Swing are among the best I've ever seen.

Hey Stinky! Could you tells about them drills? Or is it double-naught-spy type info?

[KOC]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...I0/dscsite5-20

$299.99

[12 piece bucket]

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...I0/dscsite5-20

$299.99

You want a copy? We can talk . . . PM me.

[ColtsFan]

Hey Stinky! Could you tells about them drills? Or is it double-naught-spy type info?

KOC,

All of Paul's drills can be found in this book for $30.00
http://www.paulbertholy.com/ Doug was his assistant for years and put this together. Just strated working on some of the drills. Very much Hogan/ Garcia type swing

[Yoda]

All of Paul's drills can be found in this book for $30.00
http://www.paulbertholy.com/ Doug was his assistant for years and put this together. Just strated working on some of the drills. Very much Hogan/ Garcia type swing

I owe a tremendous debt to my personal teacher, Paul Bertholy. In addition to his several Training Programs, he instilled many verbal nuggets that, to this day, I pass down to my own students. Most especially, I demand that they repeat out loud certain words and phrases during lessons, as did he.

For example, from your link to http://www.paulbertholy.com/whatthepros.shtml, here is one of my favorites. I use it in virtually every lesson:

"When missing a shot never scold yourself, but punish yourself with a conditioning program pertinent to the correction of the fault."

Personally, I say, "Punish yourself with a conditioning drill."

For example, today I was working with Sean Elliott, New Jersey State Junior Champion and long-time student of Bill Castner, Master PGA Professional. The ball went left.

"What was the problem, Sean?"

"Plane?"

"I agree. What is your punishment?"

"Start Down Waggles?"

"You got it. From the Top, gimme two or three. And when you're done, take the motion through the Downstroke and Release. And from there, through Impact and Follow-Through. Finally, take the entire On Line Motion to the Finish. Can you do that for me?"

No answer.




Just the prescribed motions.



And then the CRACK!!! of perfect compression and a ball sent screaming toward the target.



This is when Mr. Pennick would say...

"Sean, I hope that made you as happy as it did me."

And it did.

[alex_chung]

I owe a tremendous debt to my personal teacher, Paul Bertholy. In addition to his several Training Programs, he instilled many verbal nuggets that, to this day, I pass down to my own students. Most especially, I demand that they repeat out loud certain words and phrases during lessons, as did he.

For example, from your link to http://www.paulbertholy.com/whatthepros.shtml, here is one of my favorites. I use it in virtually every lesson:

"When missing a shot never scold yourself, but punish yourself with a conditioning program pertinent to the correction of the fault."

Personally, I say, "Punish yourself with a conditioning drill."

For example, today I was working with Sean Elliott, New Jersey State Junior Champion and long-time student of Bill Castner, Master PGA Professional. The ball went left.

"What was the problem, Sean?"

"Plane?"

"I agree. What is your punishment?"

"Start Down Waggles?"

"You got it. From the Top, gimme two or three. And when you're done, take the motion through the Downstroke and Release. And from there, through Impact and Follow-Through. Finally, take the entire On Line Motion to the Finish. Can you do that for me?"

No answer.




Just the prescribed motions.



And then the CRACK!!! of perfect compression and a ball sent screaming toward the target.



This is when Mr. Pennick would say...

"Sean, I hope that made you as happy as it did me."

And it did.

Ahh Start Down waggles.....I still 'punish' myself by doing them all the time. Its usually takes about a couple of pracitce swings and bang everything falls back into place again. I just need to remind myself to do it all the time though.
How are Sean and Bill doing with their GOLF Strokes nowadays?
Alex

[mrodock]

I owe a tremendous debt to my personal teacher, Paul Bertholy. In addition to his several Training Programs, he instilled many verbal nuggets that, to this day, I pass down to my own students. Most especially, I demand that they repeat out loud certain words and phrases during lessons, as did he.

For example, from your link to http://www.paulbertholy.com/whatthepros.shtml, here is one of my favorites. I use it in virtually every lesson:

"When missing a shot never scold yourself, but punish yourself with a conditioning program pertinent to the correction of the fault."

Personally, I say, "Punish yourself with a conditioning drill."

For example, today I was working with Sean Elliott, New Jersey State Junior Champion and long-time student of Bill Castner, Master PGA Professional. The ball went left.

"What was the problem, Sean?"

"Plane?"

"I agree. What is your punishment?"

"Start Down Waggles?"

"You got it. From the Top, gimme two or three. And when you're done, take the motion through the Downstroke and Release. And from there, through Impact and Follow-Through. Finally, take the entire On Line Motion to the Finish. Can you do that for me?"

No answer.




Just the prescribed motions.



And then the CRACK!!! of perfect compression and a ball sent screaming toward the target.



This is when Mr. Pennick would say...

"Sean, I hope that made you as happy as it did me."

And it did.

My favorite post to date, this is just plain awesome!