Forearm rotation position at address

[Sonic_Doom]

With love in my heart -- -- I strongly discourage the use of 'Lead' and 'Trail' as a substitute for 'Left' and 'Right' on this site.

One of the first problems Homer Kelley encountered in seeking the universal solution to the Golf Stroke was the lack of a common Golf Vocabulary with agreed upon definititons. So, he set out to give us that Vocabulary. And one of the early stumbling blocks had to be this issue of 'Right or Left'. I don't know his actual thought process, but it is not hard to imagine why he chose the solution he did.

His System for removing forever the Mystery of Golf was based on the "construction, operation and adjustment" of a Machine -- a Golfing Machine. And the choice of operating perspective -- from either the Left side or the Right -- is the designer's choice. The Machine itself is indifferent. Homer chose to use the Right side perspective for his Golfing Machine because it applies to the overwhelming majority of golfers.

Then, for consistency and simplicity in presenting his concepts, he chose to use the terms 'Right' and 'Left' -- as defined in the dictionary -- in describing the functioning Components of his Golfing Machine. In my opinion, he rejected the terms 'Lead' and 'Trail' -- assuming he considered them at all -- because their descriptive definitions can be much more ambiguous, especially when applied to the various Components during the Golf Stroke. Had he chosen to use those terms, we would have had to agree on our own definitions not found in the dictionary. For example, which Arm 'leads' on the Backstroke? And which Arm 'trails'? Does the situation reverse on the Downstroke? Similar decisions must be made for the various Body parts and the Hands. For example, does the Right Shoulder 'trail' going back? Does the Right Wrist?

My point is that the use of substitute terms can easily lead to unforeseen complications when considering their dictionary definitions. And in developing his Universal Golf Language, Homer's primary concern was that his own Vocabulary defintions be found readily in a standard dictionary.

Bottom Line: Whatever the terminology, the decision of 'Right versus Left' cannot be avoided, and Homer chose the simplest possible solution.

I, for one, am glad he did. Anatomically, we each have a left and right side of our body (left and right foot, knee, hip and shoulder). We each have arms (left and right arm, forearm and elbow). And we each have hands (right and left hand and wrist and fingers). The 'lead' and 'trail' adjective applied to all the operating components of The Golfing Machine -- particularly given their respective functions on the Backstroke and the Downstroke -- would have been both 'too much' and often an oxymoron (a contradiction in terms), e.g., when the 'trail' side 'leads' in the Backstroke and the 'lead' side 'trails'.

Now, admittedly, the arbitrary decision to define the Machine in 'Right Hand' terms can make things initially a bit more difficult for Left Handers. But the problem shouldn't be insurmountable. After all, they have been dealing with 'right hand bias' all their lives.

A similar situation exists in the world of music. Most music is written for instruments tuned to the key of 'C'. But trumpets come tuned to the key of E Flat, and that is three 'flats' away from 'C'. So what do the trumpet players do? Demand that the music be re-written? No...

They learn to transpose -- on the fly.

And that is what 'Lefties' must do if they are to discover the treasure that lies within the covers of The Golfing Machine.

Homer Kelley gave much to the Golf World and asked little in return. In fact, I know of only two requests he made of others regarding the study of his book:

First, if you disagree with any Principle or Procedure found therein, prove your point. In this he asked nothing more than adherence to the standard he applied to himself.

Second, use the Terminology that he so laboriously created. Describe it and amplify it any way you wish. But...

Don't replace it.

On this site, I ask that you honor that request.

I understand that, on other sites, there are often miscommunications between Right-Handed and Left-Handed players.

But not here...

Because we all speak the same language.

Lynn, I really appreciate such a detailed response. Obviously this has come up in the past and your reply shows your patience and understanding with newer members to the forum-a true teacher you are!

I have no issue with respecting the terms and language of TGM.

Thank you, CW