This is a question I've had for a while, as I've heard it said that the imperitives are all that matter and the essentials are somehow less important.
One interesting thing I found in the dictionary is that essential is a synonym for imperative. I have to assume that Homer knew this and intentionally and carefully selected two words that mean the same thing.
So is one less important than the other or do they just deal with different things (physics vs. geometry perhaps)?
I did the same dictionary search too... to my mind the words are too similar to have any significant distinction. The problem with language is that its useage and meaning evolve with time. Whilst Homer may have had a subtle distinction in mind at the time of writing ( he was middle-aged and it was late 60s)... there is no real distinction in the words now.
If I can discern his intent then it seems that the essentials provide the scaffold/structure which make a hands controlled pivot possible and the fruit of that pattern are the imperatives.
I just do not think that a true hands controlled pivot can exist without a stationary post... it is mandatory or "essential" to make the concept work.
The imperatives can be attained with a pivot controlling hands pattern....
just thinking out loud... interested in your thoughts
The other piece of language that seems odd to me is the use of the word "vertical"... it may be an "English english" versus a "US english" thing... but common usage of vertical is to describe a plane at 90 degrees to the horizontal plane... Homer uses it as I would use the word "perpendicular"... ie. 90 degrees to any plane
I prefer to hear the word "perpendicular" rather than "vertical" especially when describing hinge action because the word " vertical " is already used for a hinge action... anybody agree... language update for the 8th edition?
and yes i do know how "dangerous" it can be to alter the language even when the message is the same... or even clearer!
Are the imperatives more essential than the essentials or are the essentials more imperative than the imperatives? --Sounds like a question only Bucket could do justice to. Homer was too deliberate and concise to have haphazardly made the distinction.
This is a question I've had for a while, as I've heard it said that the imperitives are all that matter and the essentials are somehow less important.
One interesting thing I found in the dictionary is that essential is a synonym for imperative. I have to assume that Homer knew this and intentionally and carefully selected two words that mean the same thing.
So is one less important than the other or do they just deal with different things (physics vs. geometry perhaps)?
Good question and one of those that continually comes up over the years. Certainly another area of the book that should be alot more clear and not promote confusion among the reader in regards to the differences between the two.
He certainly meant that the Imperatives are more important than the Essentials. Here is a direct quote from Homer Kelley in regards to this section of the book and referring to essentials and imperatives. I have bolded in black the section where his voice has added "life" or importance if you will - where he get's excited or feels like he's really making an important comment. I put in red - my own side comment regarding his discussion.
Starting off in 2-0 referring to Essentials he says "It's farther down the line than the imperatives - the flat left wrist and the clubhead lag and a straight plane line. See you can move your head, you can wobble a little and your rhythm can be off and you can still play a pretty good game of golf. If you bend your left wrist and you don't have a lag pressure point and a straight plane line- you can't - nothing in the book makes sense- It won't work- This is I think the reason behind that (why those are imperatives and more important than the essentials), with these three things- If you don't do those three things, The book will only confuse- the farther you go the more confused you get because nothing works."
One final clarification in regards to the above- when he says "you can't"- It seems clear to me - but to be conservative I have to say that it is my intepretation- he doesn't say it like "If you bend your left wrist and don't have a lag pressure point and a straight plane line- you can't.... play good golf. No- it's more like he starts to say "you can't"- pauses- doesn't want to finish the sentence in whatever way he was headed- erases the you can't - backs up and replaces it with "nothing in the book makes sense". So in typing it - if you were a transcriptionist and knew what he wanted to say you would type it as "If you bend your left wrist, and don't have a lag pressure point and a straight plane line- nothing in the book makes sense- It won't......."
Building a "strong, powerful, repeating golf swing" is like building a custom home. It starts with a sturdy, level foundation and floor (steady head). You'll also need strong, plumb walls (balance}, and a roof with good pitch (rhythm). The imperatives are the siding, roofing, windows and doors. You must have them, but you can choose them (components). Add some beautiful landscaping (extensor action) for curb appeal and you'll end a golfing machine.
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A mile from the place that golf calls home
It makes sense to me that the imperatives are more important, as those are the three things that control the three parts of the golf club.
So the essentials are a "must" for those who already comply with the three imperatives, play a "pretty good game of golf", and want to make thier games even more precise?
Are there other concepts or components that Homer considered more important than the essentials?
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