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.
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
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)
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
__________________
When James Durham recorded 94 at the Old Course at St Andrews in 1767, he set a course record that lasted 86 years. Golf: A curious sport whose object is to put a very small ball in a very small hole with implements ill desiged for the purpose - Sir Winston Churchill
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.
BTW teach...
Check here for a list of TGM instructors if you haven't already.
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.
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