One thing I notice when I allow my shoulders to rotate like this was that I was not making contact with the ground in front of the ball. The low spot is NOT opposite the left shoulder but is at address position.
This is what made me believe that I was doing the drill wrong.
If I only allow my arms to move (with the "right arm feeling like a piston") then I get more of a divot feel in front of the ball.
The levers length - arm and club are both for hitters or swingers the same length which is (hopefully) what you set up alignment wise at Impact Fix. Whether you swing or hit you hope to pass through Impact Fix with that same length from whatever your Address type is. If you do not hit the ground, then you have changed either the length of the lever (check that FLW and EA), or the Height of the machine (Bob) or Swayed the machine changing where the Low Point would have been.
If you keep the image simple, at Impact Fix you have a lower case "y" which is being lifted and taken through impact. If you start from Impact Fix its easy mentally to monitor Basic Motion. Start from say Standard Address and your "Y" becomes a "y" during the mini takeaway. If you don't take a divot it's likely you are going back to a Y at you hit the ball and so will most likely get all ball and not ball, big ball
The levers length - arm and club are both for hitters or swingers the same length which is (hopefully) what you set up alignment wise at Impact Fix. Whether you swing or hit you hope to pass through Impact Fix with that same length from whatever your Address type is. If you do not hit the ground, then you have changed either the length of the lever (check that FLW and EA), or the Height of the machine (Bob) or Swayed the machine changing where the Low Point would have been.
If you keep the image simple, at Impact Fix you have a lower case "y" which is being lifted and taken through impact. If you start from Impact Fix its easy mentally to monitor Basic Motion. Start from say Standard Address and your "Y" becomes a "y" during the mini takeaway. If you don't take a divot it's likely you are going back to a Y at you hit the ball and so will most likely get all ball and not ball, big ball
Thanks, Paul. This is so important.
There are two radiuses -- radii, whatever! -- involved in the Golf Stroke:
1. From Left Shoulder to Clubhead (the Primary Lever and actual radius of the Stroke); and
2. From Left Shoulder to Ball.
At Impact, these two alignments must agree. Otherwise, the player Stubs (Shoulder to Clubhead radius greater) or Tops (Shoulder to Ball radius greater).
Fortunately, pre-emptive measures (to assure the mandatory synchronization) may be taken at Address and during its Routine.
I hear, understand, and agree with what you're saying. Let me try to explain my initial question in a different way, however, since it sounds like I wasn't completely clear....
If my swing is orbiting (pivoting) around my spine and the ball is positioned directly below this center point, the radius of the circle is the distance between the ball and the spine. This also defines the low point of the circle. As long as the radius of the circle or the center point doesn't change, the divot should not be forward or rearward of the ball. My understanding of the Basic Motion Hinge Drill is to fix the radius and only change the hinge action (vertical, horizontal). I think I've convinced myself that I was doing the drill correctly by virtue of the fact that I WASN'T getting a divot.
If I were to change the orbiting center point to my left shoulder or, alternatively, move the ball further back in my stance, THEN I should see the divot taken forward of the ball since the ball will now be up-plane.
My initial question was related to what constitutes a "Zero Pivot" in this drill (and, in general). It's a little ambiguous because without a pivot how can you have any angular motion?
If my swing is orbiting (pivoting) around my spine and the ball is positioned directly below this center point, the radius of the circle is the distance between the ball and the spine. This also defines the low point of the circle.
Can't read past here, ckniker. We have "issues" . . .
Namely, with the basic definitions of Swing Radius and Low Point.
Until we agree on these basics -- yours definitely are not those of TGM -- further conversation, questions, observations, etc. result only in more confusion.
Yes, I agree (though not necessarily that I have "issues" ).
As a rank beginner to TGM, I am trying to understand the subtleties of the system and the language. I hope that I can quickly come up to speed. The fastest way I can think of (before I can schedule a lesson with a TGM instructor) is by asking questions here.
I'm not sure I understand your response in the thread I started about the Zero Pivot in the Hinge Drill.
"Can't read past here, ckniker. We have "issues" . . .
Namely, with the basic definitions of Swing Radius and Low Point.
Until we agree on these basics -- yours definitely are not those of TGM -- further conversation, questions, observations, etc. result only in more confusion. "
I am truly interested in learning more about TGM and have literally spent the last couple of weeks watching (and rewatching) every video of yours I can get my hands on. I purchased your Alignment DVD and the TGM book from Ben Doyle and have spent many nights going to sleep with it in my head.
With that said, I am trying to understand the system the best and fastest way that I can (by asking questions on your forum as it's the absolute best resource on the subject). I am technically minded and think I have a fairly strong aptitude for the concepts.
If there was anything in my forum questions that was inappropriate or incorrect, please let me know. It was not my intention to confuse or offend.
I have been playing golf for over 20 years but only within the last 2 have I taken it seriously. I have read and watched more golf books and videos than I care to admit. Candidly, TGM is the system that makes the most sense from a logical and technical standpoint.
Sincerely,
Chris
No problem here, Chris, and certainly no offense taken (certainly not by me, and I hope not by you). We just have to get our definitions straight for the thread to make any sense and for you to make the progress you seek.
Ask in the thread for further information. My participation will be limited because I'm off to California and a private school through the weekend. No worries: We've got a number of knowledgeable guys on board here, so I'm confident we'll all soon be on the same field.
lb
Ckniker and I exchanged the above PMs earlier this evening. All was and is cool here. Except as provided in our rules of decorum, we don't censure or condemn around here. That said, our Forums bear ample evidence that disagreements can be spirited!
What needs to happen here is a common definition of Swing Radius and Low Point.
My Post #7 above gives important information, but as I've stated in the above PM, Yoda is pretty much 'out of the building' this next week. So, please guys (you know who you are!) . . .
What changes notations should I make the 6th edition's 12-3-1 BASIC MOTION 2nd sentence where it reads : "Zero out the PIvot, Shoulder Turn and Accumulator #3" ?
-- involved in the Golf Stroke:
Hybrid Mode
