Brian, I am like you - a flipper for 42 years (I'm 55 now), that is, if I actually hit the ball. And also like you, I wear bifocals (very thick lenses too), but I don't need bifocals to look at the ball on the ground. But unlike you, I have yet to discover what true compression looks and feels like. I am not a long hitter at all (drives <200 yards and sliced, 8i 90 yards, pw 60 yards). I average 44 putts per round too. That all needs to change in 2011 big time.
I have KevCarter, JerryG and others helping me with Basic Motion right now. Even that is difficult to avoid throwaway (see my YouTube videos under jkpassage).
You are in the right place. While the information is often highly technical, just glean what you can and go from there.
Jeff P.
Stay with it -- it is very much worth it!
I normally wear contacts, but have them out preparing for eye surgery. I have't played golf in regular glasses ever, let alone bifocals! You basically either tilt your head to see through the proper part of the lens or the ball is very distorted. Neither optimal...
I actually enjoy the technical aspects of TGM. I'm in marketing and product development, but I started my career as a systems analyst -- understanding broad processes by decomposing them into components and then designing new processes and systems. TGM is tailor-made for my personality.
There will always be good days and bad days. On the good days there isn't much need for swing thinking; Address the ball. Everything looks and feels OK. Do the motion. It is on the other days that our image of the swing mechanics makes the biggest difference. What we try to do when something in the stroke is broke is depending of our understanding of the mechanics involved.
With an inadequate understanding things tend to get worse the harder we try to fix it. Typical examples are the slicers who produces their biggest slice when they absolutely can't affort a leak towards right field. And the hooker(*cough*) who snaps the drive when they absolutely can't afford a curved ball off the Tee. And the typical trap that most golfers with a history has been in several times: The more we try to fix the swing on the course the worse it gets.
With an adequate understanding there is a better chance that we get back on track, or at least keep the problems under control and save the score until the stroke returns. And I also believe playing and practicing with an adequate understanding of cause and effect gives promise of long term improvement.
Most people will experience improvement if they take a few lessons and practice a lot. Or simply play and practice a lot. Very often their best doesn't get any better though. They're still the same golfer with the same swing and the same limitations. But they're in good form. That's all.
I've come to believe that fundamental long term improvement goes hand in hand with a better understanding of causes and effects in the golf stroke. Knowing what you're doing can make a big difference.
1) standard flip where I have the wrong image that I'm swinging around my spine -- I slow my hands and the club head passes them.
2) right hand gets confused and pushes the club head through versus pushing PP #1. Do this one and you can hit it fat, hit it thin, darn near miss it! This one usually happens with the driver. I swear I can hit like a top spin forehand with a driver with this flip.
3) This last one is my real nemesis now. I'm not even sure if "flip" is the right term, but the club head passes my hands. I don't know if this is "running out of right arm". Here is what happens. I manage to screw up either my hip action (no slide) or not get my right should down the plane (maybe more like over the top). I'm trying to push, but, well, there's no way to hit the ball without flipping the club head into it versus driving through it. I lose about 10 yards on the shot, it's usually toed, and moves with hook/draw action. Playable, but no where near the compression I'm capable of...
So, I'll be dragging my wet mop all winter and be looking to "do well with dowels" to combat the evil flip. Basic motion for a few months is bound to help, too.
There will always be good days and bad days. On the good days there isn't much need for swing thinking; Address the ball. Everything looks and feels OK. Do the motion. It is on the other days that our image of the swing mechanics makes the biggest difference. What we try to do when something in the stroke is broke is depending of our understanding of the mechanics involved.
With an inadequate understanding things tend to get worse the harder we try to fix it. Typical examples are the slicers who produces their biggest slice when they absolutely can't affort a leak towards right field. And the hooker(*cough*) who snaps the drive when they absolutely can't afford a curved ball off the Tee. And the typical trap that most golfers with a history has been in several times: The more we try to fix the swing on the course the worse it gets.
You are right there. If you understand the mechanics, you are way ahead.
One thing, it's better to stop trying to think through the swing. Better to concentrate on something like an Impact point or tracing. Just give the conscious mind something to do and let the subconscious take over.
I believe in the four stages of learning physical behavior -- unconsciously incompetent, consciously incompetent, consciously competent, unconsciously competent. Driving is a great example. You don't remember driving home from work today. You did it very competently, but you didn't "10 and 2" it like a student driver thinking about every lane change, etc.
Your golf swing (any athletic endeavor, really) should be the same -- select the pattern to fit the situation, visualize the shot then step in and execute.
The drills in slow motion I think are a great way to get to feel the swing and ingrain the motions and feels. Basic Motion also being a great way to isolate the mechanics and feel of impact.
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