I had the opportunity to spend an hour and a half with Lynn today at Rick Murphy's. We worked like dogs, let me tell you! Building on what Rick and I have been working on, Lynn was able to get me to free up my swing and get me to "swing" again. I have watched the videos, read the posts, etc, but let me tell you- there is no substitute for Lynn in person. I learned a lot, and know that now Rick and I are going to get me rocketing forward with my game.
I must add this. I have been working with Rick Murphy for 4 months or so. When Lynn was coming I asked Rick if I could set up a lesson with Lynn. "Of course" was Rick's position. Rick encouraged it, supported it, and facilitated it. I feel extremely fortunate to have a teacher like Rick. If I was Rick I would have said, "Why do you need Lynn? You have me." None of that with Rick. It sure feels good to have Rick and Lynn both working to make me a better player. Thanks Rick and Lynn. True professionals both.
Okay, wasn't expecting this. Thanks Tom.
Since we're now in "open kimono" mode, I'll share this PM I sent Tom after my arrival back in Cuscowilla tonight:
Tom,
I so enjoyed our time together today. You were a joy to work with. You had zero Address issues (body, arms or hands). Can't tell you how rare that is for me! Obviously, you and Rick have done substantial work here.
Happily, I quickly discovered that you had total physical 'access' and could 'do' whatever it was I asked you to do. My job just got a lot easier!
Moreover, you wanted to learn and offered no resistance to my suggestions. Your spirit told me we could 'give it a go' -- that you would not judge our work by the next swing -- and that the risk (of my own credibility and ultimate goal for you) was therefore minimal. On that foundation, we established the requisite Student-Teacher relationship. Thanks for that.
During our preliminary discussion, you told me you felt "way in and then over the top". As a result, you had developed a persistent fade that was costing you a lot of distance. You had done a ton of work in a number of areas -- all worthwhile -- but something was missing.
After watching you mmake nunerous swings for about ten minutes -- first with an 8-iron, then a 6-iron, and finally a driver -- here's what I saw we needed to do:
First, a static alignment: a more forward Ball Position, especially with the driver. You needed to position your Centered Head 'behind' the Ball. Then, unlock your lower body (Zone #1 / Body Control). Left Heel lift and Right Hip Turn are key here. (We could not have made the progress we did had you not already spent considerable time learning to keep your Head centered and stationary.)
Second, unlock your Flail (Zone #2 / Power Control). This included a freedom of Arm Swing and the correct "wrinkling" -- -- of the Left Wrist. On both sides of the Swing: the Top and the Finish (goal posts!).
Finally, achieve On Plane right forearm and Lag Pressure Point tracing through Impact. Here, we rotated your Plane Line slightly to the right to encourage the feel of in-to-out Right Forearm "underhand pitch, motion, and feel" (Zone #3 / Direction).
You were magnificent, Tom. Especially in today's cold, windy, and less than ideal conditions. Watching that golf ball start slightly right, then turn hard and hold its line into that strong left-to-right crosswind made my day.
I'm now back all safe and sound at Cuscowilla. Would love to have you here at some point. Long game. Short game. Mental game.
"This is the beginning of a beautiful friendship".
Lynn , wrinkling of the left wrist? You mean the Flat left wrist is not literally flat? Its got some bend and wrinkles to it at Top, given a "normal" slightly turned left hand grip at Address, which cocks , UP and therefor bends a bit in the process? All while the Pivot turns IN. The Hands and PIvot going two different ways?
Hmmm so the left arm isnt on plane at top given that bend? What the duce?
This took me some time to see, it aint easy, "no it aint easy". But once you get it... it'll be easy. Honestly.
Lynn , wrinkling of the left wrist? You mean the Flat left wrist is not literally flat? Its got some bend and wrinkles to it at Top, given a "normal" slightly turned left hand grip at Address, which cocks , UP and therefor bends a bit in the process? All while the Pivot turns IN. The Hands and PIvot going two different ways?
Hmmm so the left arm isnt on plane at top given that bend? What the duce?
This took me some time to see, it aint easy, "no it aint easy". But once you get it... it'll be easy. Honestly.
I am not going anywhere else, done.
I know the conumdrum to which you refer, O.B., and I agree and understand. We'll leave that one alone for now.
For the rest of us . . .
The Left Wristcock "wrinkles" to which I refer occur at the base of the thumb, not at the back of the hand. Unless, of course, your left hand is Turned on the Club, e.g., the 'strong' grip of Freddie Couples. In which case you will have both a Wrist Bend and a Wrist Cock, i.e., a Double Wrist Cock. This condition is especially noticeable at the Top of the Stroke.
The Flat Left Wrist concept is one of an In Line Left Arm and Clubshaft at Impact. The Flat condition can be either visual or geometric. If the Left Hand is Vertical ("Neutral") in the Grip (and therefore Vertical at Impact), the Left Arm-Clubshaft unit will be in-line and the Left Wrist will be visually Flat.
If the Left Wrist is Turned ("Strong") in the Grip (and therefore Turned at Impact), it may appear to have a slight Bend. Nevertheless, as long as the Left Arm and Clubshaft remain in line, then the principle has been satisfied, and the Wrist is considered geometrically Flat.
Talked to Yoda today about drag the wet mop and my progress. On the phone he reiterated the need to clear the right hip (a movement I had became sloppy with). Went out to play and used that Reigger forward press and turned that right hip out of the way. Thru in some flail and a some gorgeous shots ensued. Heck, even hit some good pitches! We talked about level left wrist and light lag pressure to loft the ball. It works. Thanks, Lynn, for your time today!
Talked to Yoda today about drag the wet mop and my progress. On the phone he reiterated the need to clear the right hip (a movement I had became sloppy with). Went out to play and used that Reigger forward press and turned that right hip out of the way. Thru in some flail and a some gorgeous shots ensued. Heck, even hit some good pitches! We talked about level left wrist and light lag pressure to loft the ball. It works. Thanks, Lynn, for your time today!
-- of the Left Wrist. On both sides of the Swing: the Top and the Finish (goal posts!).
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