Where to begin?

Brief introduction. 58 years old, ~1 hcp since 1973, have decided to investigate TGM (just acquired the book) and have decided to try to master "hitting". This is an exercise in learning more than it is an attempt to improve my game. For some bizarre reason I get more enjoyment from hitting good shots than I do from winning tournaments so I'm looking for more good golf shots.

I have started my quest by reading just about every thread and watching every video (I loved the Tomesello series). I have begun reading Homer Kelley in the order he suggested. I will read the entire book and then start over. But where to start?

My thoughts are that I should start with the grip followed by learning the flat left wrist. Flat left wrist will be a challenge for me because I have always known where my right hand was and used it to control direction and trajectory. I have always ignored my left wrist.

I was thinking chipping and an inpact bag. Then there are the dowels.

As it says in 1-E

A careless beginning can be disastrous

Suggestions for how to make this a positive experience would be appreciated.

chips and pitches are always the best place to begin.

Learn the Flying Wedges alignments and add some Extensor Action.

Listen for the 'click' of solid, downward, hands leading contact.

Originally Posted by golfmachine Brief introduction. 58 years old, ~1 hcp since 1973, have decided to investigate TGM (just acquired the book) and have decided to try to master "hitting". This is an exercise in learning more than it is an attempt to improve my game. For some bizarre reason I get more enjoyment from hitting good shots than I do from winning tournaments so I'm looking for more good golf shots.

I have started my quest by reading just about every thread and watching every video (I loved the Tomesello series). I have begun reading Homer Kelley in the order he suggested. I will read the entire book and then start over. But where to start?

My thoughts are that I should start with the grip followed by learning the flat left wrist. Flat left wrist will be a challenge for me because I have always known where my right hand was and used it to control direction and trajectory. I have always ignored my left wrist.

I was thinking chipping and an inpact bag. Then there are the dowels.

As it says in 1-E

Suggestions for how to make this a positive experience would be appreciated.

Sounds to me like you probably have a lot of the Imperatives covered if you are 1. Congrats on that! You may want to start by "dancin' with the girl that brung ya." TGM is the "duffer's bible." But you're not a duffer.

Maybe start by checking out a video of your Stroke both full, pitch, and chips. If you have a concern about your hands being educated, take a look at Chapter 4 and Chapter 5. Pay particular attention to the LEVEL Right Wrist, the Cocking and Uncocking of the FLAT Left Wrist. Then you may want to use the 12-4 STROKE PATTERN FORM - FOR STUDENT’S USE to catalogue your Current Pattern. All of the Components can be found in Chapter 10. Then if you are interested in Hitting look at 12-1-0 DRIVE LOADING BASIC PATTERN (HITTING). This will give you the Components for a Basic Hitting Pattern. See how your stroke stacks up.

Ask plenty of questions on the site along the way. There are plenty of people WAY WAY more qualified to help you than me. But my thought was, based on your game, you don't need to "re-invent" the wheel.

Good luck!

B

Originally Posted by 12 piece bucket Sounds to me like you probably have a lot of the Imperatives covered if you are 1. Congrats on that! You may want to start by "dancin' with the girl that brung ya." TGM is the "duffer's bible." But you're not a duffer.

Maybe start by checking out a video of your Stroke both full, pitch, and chips. If you have a concern about your hands being educated, take a look at Chapter 4 and Chapter 5. Pay particular attention to the LEVEL Right Wrist, the Cocking and Uncocking of the FLAT Left Wrist. Then you may want to use the 12-4 STROKE PATTERN FORM - FOR STUDENT’S USE to catalogue your Current Pattern. All of the Components can be found in Chapter 10. Then if you are interested in Hitting look at 12-1-0 DRIVE LOADING BASIC PATTERN (HITTING). This will give you the Components for a Basic Hitting Pattern. See how your stroke stacks up.

Ask plenty of questions on the site along the way. There are plenty of people WAY WAY more qualified to help you than me. But my thought was, based on your game, you don't need to "re-invent" the wheel.

Good luck!

B

Great Post Bucket,

As Mr. Kelley says,"first use of this system might be to understand your present game before you abandon, replace, or scramble it. It may not be all that bad."
Obviously as a one, your game is probably in good shape, follow buckets advice and I would add 12-3-0 mechanical checklist for all strokes.

Second bit of advice, ask as many questions on the forum as you need, the people here love to help, no question will go unanswered.


Todd

I agree with bucket and Todd. See what you have first. There might be a lot that you'd like to keep.

I have been playing quite a while and ranged from low 80s to 120s over the last 25 years. I began TGM to play better and more consistently which it has allowed me to do. I did as you did, read the book (several times) and then got on the TGM forums for more details. I highly recommend starting from chipping to pitching and then full swing for your flat left wrist work. I started there and my chipping and pitching are the best part of my game followed closely by irons (short to long) and then driver (still working on it).

Good luck. Don't let the book fool you, it is jammed with useful information that you don't get the first time.

Glad I didn't listen to some reviewer that said it was a waste of time. Definitely not.

The reviews I looked at were all negative at the start but I kept plugging along and all of sudden there were a bunch of positive reviews. You'd think that if you were trying to sell books you would at least mix the reviews or have the positives first.

I would like to thank everyone so far for their suggestions and experiences and I would also like to say that it is a pleasure to receive helpful suggestions as opposed to the attack philosophy that happens on other boards. This looks like a great place to go for help.