Elkington sequence

Originally Posted by strav

What components or principles of TGM do you see demonstrated or violated in the above sequence?

Steve Elkington is playing a little Cut Shot here (2-C-2). Actually, with the Ball located almost under his Left Shoulder and with the Clubhead very low and 'brushing the ground' just prior to Impact, it is apparent that he is playing a Lob Shot (2-C-3). This is a variation of the Cut Shot where the Ball is struck at or very near Low Point and hence no divot is taken. He is Tracing an Open Plane Line from an Open Stance (Open-Open / 10-5-D) with his Right Forearm and #3 Pressure Point (5-0), thus assuring he remains On Plane 'Through the Ball' (7-24). To attack the close-cut Flagstick, he has Opened his Clubface (Grip Rotation / 7-2) and is using Dual Vertical Hinge Action (10-10-E) to produce maximum Clubface Layback and a high, soft Shot (The Computer / 14-0).

To insure precision and minimize error in this most delicate shot, he starts from the Special Address Position (10-9-D). This means that the Body is in its Open Impact Fix position and the Hands are in the classic Standard Address location and condition (Hands mid-Body with Left Wrist Bent and Right Wrist Flat / 9-2-1 #1 per 10-9-A). His Head is Centered between his Feet (9-1-3) and remains Stationary through Impact (9-1-10) and the Follow-Through (9-1-11). He doesn’t Bob (3-F-7-C), and he doesn’t Sway (3-F-7-D). In addition to the Open Stance, his entire Body is Open to the Target Line (Special Fix 10-8-B) instead of the normal 'comparatively squared away' alignment (Standard Fix 10-8-A). These alignments automatically restrict the Backstroke Motion but allow for an unrestricted Follow-Through (Delayed Pivot 10-12-C). All this promotes the Underhand Pitch motion and Feel (2-N-0) so essential to maintaining the Clubshaft On Line and On Plane (12-3-0 #37/38/39) during the Release Interval (Sections 8-9/10/11).

Steve is Swinging here and thus accelerating the Club Longitudinally (10-19-C) from the Top (8-6 per 10-21-B). In other words, he is Pulling the Club lengthwise -- as if the Clubshaft were a piece of string --toward the Base Line (10-5-0) of the Inclined Plane (2-F). Although it is impossible to tell from the photos, it is highly possible that the Drag Load was accomplished by the 'gentle, even lazy' Float Motion of 10-19-B. He is using the Swinger's Standard Wrist Action (10-18-A) with its Start Up and Release Swivels and a Sequenced Release (Left Wrist Uncock - Left Hand Roll / 4-D-0) Triggered by the Left Wrist Throw (10-20-E). This is a Three Accumulator Stroke -- #4 (Left Arm); #2 (Left Wristcock); and #3 (Left Hand Turn and Roll) -- but not for maximum Power (2-M-1).

To this end, he is minimizing Effective Clubhead Mass by using a very light Lag Pressure (low Clubhead Acceleration Rate / 2-M-2-1) with a Short-Shafted Club that he makes shorter still by gripping down slightly (length of Lever / 2-M-2-2). In addition, to reduce Clubhead Speed, he employs a Side Power Package Assembly Point per 10-21-B (short Length of Stroke producing reduced Acceleration Time / 2-M-2-3). Further, he uses an Automatic Random Sweep Release (10-24-C) to increase the length of the Release Arc (Release Interval / 2-M-2-4), thus increasing the Clubhead’s travel time (from Release to Impact) and decreasing its travel rate (6-N-0) for the given Hand Speed (Pace / 6-P-0). This minimizes the increase in Clubhead Speed inherent in the Endless Belt Effect (2-K#6) and its characteristic change from Linear Speed to Angular Speed during the Pulley Wheel Encounter (7-23).

In the Start Down and Downstroke, he avoids the Golfer’s Public Enemy #1 – Clubhead Throwaway (6-D-0/1/2/3)-- and its inevitable Over-Acceleration, Quitting and inability to Sustain the Lag (3-F-7-B). Thus, near Impact, we are presented with the visual clues of a Three-Dimensional Compression (2-C-0): the Forward Lean of the Clubshaft (2-J-2) and the Flat Left Wrist (4-D-1). Through the Release Interval, the Head rotates naturally with the Body Turn. From Impact (8-10) to Follow-Through (8-11), the Dual Vertical Hinge Action holds the Flat Left Wrist perpendicular to the Vertical Plane and produces its abbreviated Rhythm (In Line Left Arm-Clubshaft Motion and Clubhead Travel per 2-G). Finally, with the Centrifugal Acceleration and Momentum phases complete (Law of the Flail / 2-K), the Clubshaft passes its In Line Condition with the Left Arm and Deceleration begins. At the Finish (8-12), the compliant Body has responded beautifully to Educated Hands (4-0, 5-0) and is poised and Balanced (12-3-0 #45).

Hats off to Steve Elkington and his very fine Golf Stroke!