Close Encounters Tape - A Lesson With Lynn

[Yoda]

Joe,

I'm truly interested in what you would prescribe for the guy in Ben's video. I ask because I truly would like to know. I know that you have issue with "hands controlling" the pivot.

I would have him grip down on the shaft of a mid-iron and secure the grip to the inside of the left forearm with a velcro strap. Have him hit pitch shots with the pivot only, making sure he doesn't push with the right tricep. After he gets the hang of it, have him hit little pitch shots off the ground with a driver, gripping it normally.

Go back to the video and you will find that the Flat Left Wrist is not the problem. In fact, the student exhibits a good intellectual and physical command of that alignment.

Instead, the problem is an exaggerated Axis Tilt during the Start Down and Downstroke. He achieves this over-tilting of his spine (back and away from the Ball) by dropping his Right Shoulder severely Under Plane. This misalignment, in turn, is achieved by allowing his Head to drop back and down -- he Sways and he Bobs. The result is obvious: He continually hits 'up' on the Ball -- Scooping -- all the while doing a yeoman's job of maintaining a Flat Left Wrist.

In fact, he apparently has absolutely no sense of the correct Three-Dimensional Impact Geometry (Down, Out and Forward), much less how to achieve it. Thus, the cure is not more work on the Flat Left Wrist, but on teaching him (1) how the Body Pivot works in the correct Start Down; (2) how his Head should be positioned at Address; and (3) how to maintain that Head Position from Address to the end of the Follow-Through (Both Arms Straight position).

In other words, this student has Pivot and Stationary Head problems (Zone #1), not a Flat Left Wrist problem (Zones #2 and #3), and they must be treated accordingly.

[12 piece bucket]

Go back to the video and you will find that the Flat Left Wrist is not the problem. In fact, the student exhibits a good intellectual and physical command of that alignment.

Instead, the problem is an exaggerated Axis Tilt during the Start Down and Downstroke. He achieves this over-tilting of his spine (back and away from the Ball) by dropping his Right Shoulder severely Under Plane. This misalignment, in turn, is achieved by allowing his Head to drop back and down -- he Sways and he Bobs. The result is obvious: He continually hits 'up' on the Ball -- Scooping -- all the while doing a yeoman's job of maintaining a Flat Left Wrist.

In fact, he apparently has absolutely no sense of the correct Three-Dimensional Impact Geometry (Down, Out and Forward), much less how to achieve it. Thus, the cure is not more work on the Flat Left Wrist, but on teaching him (1) how the Body Pivot works in the correct Start Down; (2) how his Head should be positioned at Address; and (3) how to maintain that Head Position from Address to the end of the Follow-Through (Both Arms Straight position).

In other words, this student has Pivot and Stationary Head problems (Zone #1), not a Flat Left Wrist problem (Zones #2 and #3), and they must be treated accordingly.

Lynn,

You are precisely on point as always. I went back an reviewed. That guy had a very perverted idea of axis tilt. It was even present at address. Then from the top his left shoulder shot straight up in the air. With that pivot he had no chance of achieving any DOWNARD dimension. Even though his left wrist was flat. Zone 2 and Zone 3 can only be as good as Zone 1.

Very nice analysis. It's like EC says, "Just stand there and take it up with the Right Forearm."

Thanks!

Bucket

[MizunoJoe]

Go back to the video and you will find that the Flat Left Wrist is not the problem. In fact, the student exhibits a good intellectual and physical command of that alignment.

Instead, the problem is an exaggerated Axis Tilt during the Start Down and Downstroke. He achieves this over-tilting of his spine (back and away from the Ball) by dropping his Right Shoulder severely Under Plane. This misalignment, in turn, is achieved by allowing his Head to drop back and down -- he Sways and he Bobs. The result is obvious: He continually hits 'up' on the Ball -- Scooping -- all the while doing a yeoman's job of maintaining a Flat Left Wrist.

In fact, he apparently has absolutely no sense of the correct Three-Dimensional Impact Geometry (Down, Out and Forward), much less how to achieve it. Thus, the cure is not more work on the Flat Left Wrist, but on teaching him (1) how the Body Pivot works in the correct Start Down; (2) how his Head should be positioned at Address; and (3) how to maintain that Head Position from Address to the end of the Follow-Through (Both Arms Straight position).

In other words, this student has Pivot and Stationary Head problems (Zone #1), not a Flat Left Wrist problem (Zones #2 and #3), and they must be treated accordingly.

I didn't say his problem was lack of a flat left wrist on his tire and crate efforts - his problem is that he's jabbing at it with his right hand. This will cause flipping in the full swing. He has to learn to use the pivot ONLY to move the hands, and using the mid-iron with the grip against the forearm will encourage the feeling of moving his left side with the pivot without the need to add right hand effort. He needs to get his mind out of his hands and onto the pivot. Aiming point should not be mentioned, because he will thrust his right hand at it, as is proven in the video.

Also notice that in tape #3, Ben physically moves him through this "perverted tilt" which you mentioned, telling him to tilt until the left elbow is past the row of balls.

[DOCW3]

Go back to the video and you will find that the Flat Left Wrist is not the problem. In fact, the student exhibits a good intellectual and physical command of that alignment.

Instead, the problem is an exaggerated Axis Tilt during the Start Down and Downstroke. He achieves this over-tilting of his spine (back and away from the Ball) by dropping his Right Shoulder severely Under Plane. This misalignment, in turn, is achieved by allowing his Head to drop back and down -- he Sways and he Bobs. The result is obvious: He continually hits 'up' on the Ball -- Scooping -- all the while doing a yeoman's job of maintaining a Flat Left Wrist.

In fact, he apparently has absolutely no sense of the correct Three-Dimensional Impact Geometry (Down, Out and Forward), much less how to achieve it. Thus, the cure is not more work on the Flat Left Wrist, but on teaching him (1) how the Body Pivot works in the correct Start Down; (2) how his Head should be positioned at Address; and (3) how to maintain that Head Position from Address to the end of the Follow-Through (Both Arms Straight position).

In other words, this student has Pivot and Stationary Head problems (Zone #1), not a Flat Left Wrist problem (Zones #2 and #3), and they must be treated accordingly.

Other posts on "creating or achieving" axis tilt made me curious about why it is not a component. My search led to 2-H: "On Plane Right Shoulder Motion is possible only by tilting the axis-the spine. See 7-14." I am "in neutral" with the mysterious hips awaiting the additional video. Hopefully it contains instruction relative to the axis tilt deficiency.

DRW

[YodasLuke]

I am 70 yrs old and have been a low single digit player for over 50 yrs. I have played and socialized with the very best professionals and amateurs in the world. I have had instructions from U.S. open winners to teaching only pro's.

I took lessons from Luke at "the swamp". I paid for the 5 lesson plan, took 2 and have not returned in 6 months. I learned so much in those 2 lessons that one morning, plus what I learn on LynnBlakeGolf.com that I don't feel the need to go back.

Last week I viewed the "close encounters-a lesson with Lynn. It is without a doubt the finest piece of golf instruction i have ever benefited from. I have no special allegience to Lynn B. or Ted Fort, as I hardly know them. But, I feel indebted to them for what I have learned from LynnBlakeGolf.com. They could make a lot more money for themselves without out these free lessons on tape. They are a proven quality now and worth paying for!

Thank you, Frank. We truly appreciate your kind words.

[EdZ]

A wonderful series Lynn - great stuff!

hinge action with an open hand
hinge action with a fist

A classic! - EdZ

[Yoda]

A wonderful series Lynn - great stuff!

Hinge action with an open hand.

Hinge action with a fist.

A classic!

Thanks, EdZ. I know you've been busy, but we've missed you. C'mon back as soon as you can.