[Yoda]

Trig,

Can you please highlight some of the pitfalls that people fall into when trying to utilise 12-5?

We're talking about the three-stage Basic Motion Curriculum: Basic Motion (12-5-1); Acquired Motion (12-5-2); and Total Motion (12-5-3).

The first pitfall is failure to observe the boundaries of the respective stages. For example:

The Basic Motion is two feet back and two feet through. Unless this motion is made on the Putting or Chipping green, the Stroke is almost always too long. On the range, even after I demonstrate the correct length (and hit the ball no further than about thirty feet) the first thing I see from the student is a pitch shot. The Hands swing back at least waist high and finish at least waist high, and the Clubhead is above the Hands on both ends of the Stroke. This is Stage Two (Acquired Motion) not Stage One (Basic Motion).

So, in practicing Stage One and even Stage Two, go to the short game area. Give yourself a target just a few yards away. This is a Putt or a Chip Shot (with, at most, a few yards of carry). Practicing Stage One on the range is a very dull and expensive way to get the job done. But if you have no alternative, visualize a chipping green and a near target, otherwise your Stroke will be too long, and you will exceed the Basic Motion's boundary.