The Beauty of 12-5

Trig
If you haven't done so lately, take a long hard look at 12-5-0, 12-5-1, 12-5-2, and 12-5-3.

I start every range session progressing through this section and it really helps to get everything going in the right direction.
tongzilla
Trig,

Can you please highlight some of the pitfalls that people fall into when trying to utilise 12-5?
Martee
It is a thing of beauty....

I came up with a routine last year and used till I hurt my arm.

But I found that I could take it to the course. Hit a bad shot, just do a mini practice session (no ball of course) of a 1,2 and 3.

In doing this I can only recall once or twice hitting back to back bad shots.

I posted my routine in the practice forum along with some of the pitfalls.
Yoda
Originally Posted by tongzilla
Trig,

Can you please highlight some of the pitfalls that people fall into when trying to utilise 12-5?
We're talking about the three-stage Basic Motion Curriculum: Basic Motion (12-5-1); Acquired Motion (12-5-2); and Total Motion (12-5-3).

The first pitfall is failure to observe the boundaries of the respective stages. For example:

The Basic Motion is two feet back and two feet through. Unless this motion is made on the Putting or Chipping green, the Stroke is almost always too long. On the range, even after I demonstrate the correct length (and hit the ball no further than about thirty feet) the first thing I see from the student is a pitch shot. The Hands swing back at least waist high and finish at least waist high, and the Clubhead is above the Hands on both ends of the Stroke. This is Stage Two (Acquired Motion) not Stage One (Basic Motion).

So, in practicing Stage One and even Stage Two, go to the short game area. Give yourself a target just a few yards away. This is a Putt or a Chip Shot (with, at most, a few yards of carry). Practicing Stage One on the range is a very dull and expensive way to get the job done. But if you have no alternative, visualize a chipping green and a near target, otherwise your Stroke will be too long, and you will exceed the Basic Motion's boundary.
YodasLuke
Originally Posted by Yoda We're talking about the three-stage Basic Motion Curriculum: Basic Motion (12-5-1); Acquired Motion (12-5-2); and Total Motion (12-5-3).

The first pitfall is failure to observe the boundaries of the respective stages. For example:

The Basic Motion is two feet back and two feet through. Unless this motion is made on the Putting or Chipping green, the Stroke is almost always too long. Even after I demonstrate the correct length (and hit the ball no further than about thirty feet) the first thing I see from the student is a pitch shot. The Hands swing back at least waist high and finish at least waist high, and the Clubhead is above the Hands on both ends of the Stroke. This is Stage Two (Acquired Motion) not Stage One (Basic Motion).
The guy from Nashville had the same problem. But, I gave him such a short chip, he couldn't take it more than two feet back.
Trig
Originally Posted by Yoda We're talking about the three-stage Basic Motion Curriculum: Basic Motion (12-5-1); Acquired Motion (12-5-2); and Total Motion (12-5-3).

The first pitfall is failure to observe the boundaries of the respective stages. For example:

The Basic Motion is two feet back and two feet through. Unless this motion is made on the Putting or Chipping green, the Stroke is almost always too long. Even after I demonstrate the correct length (and hit the ball no further than about thirty feet) the first thing I see from the student is a pitch shot. The Hands swing back at least waist high and finish at least waist high, and the Clubhead is above the Hands on both ends of the Stroke. This is Stage Two (Acquired Motion) not Stage One (Basic Motion).
The other thing to note is Stage One has zero pivot.

Stage Two has zero pivot EXCEPT shoulder turn. Stroke length takes focus just as in Stage One and the right forearm goes no further than parallel to the ground.

So I think the major pitfalls are making the stroke too long and using pivot/too much pivot in Stage One and Two.
tongzilla
How many Accumulators should one use for 12-5-1?
Yoda
Once you know how far back and through to swing, the next pitfall is in knowing what to swing.

Start with your Hands only.

Swing continuously...Back and through and back and through and back and through. Keep your Feet Flat and your Head Stationary. The Left Arm should be straight, the Left Wrist Flat and the Right Elbow should bend. Your Body should move only as necessary to accomodate the motion of your swinging Hands.

When you've got this down pat, make the same motion using a dowel. Run the shaft up your the Left Forearm. This will help keep your Left Wrist Flat and your Hands swinging through 'Impact.' Without a Clubhead to flip or a Ball to hit 'at,' your Hands will quickly learn their assignments.

When you can do this, begin making the same motion with a Club (but without a Ball). Grip the Club down a bit, and anchor the shaft against the Left Forearm until you can keep your Left Wrist Flat and steady throughout the Stroke.

When the above steps have been mastered, you have prepared yourself properly for the execution of a Golf Shot.
12 piece bucket
Originally Posted by Yoda Practicing Stage One on the range is a very dull and expensive way to get the job done. But if you have no alternative, visualize a chipping green and a near target, otherwise your Stroke will be too long, and you will exceed the Basic Motion's boundary.
If the range isn't too busy, dump your balls out and chip to the range basket. Pick up 'em up . . . chip 'em again and again and again.
tradekid
Depending on their pricing structure indoor golf domes are great for this reason alone. There is a dome near me where they have a short game area which you can use for FREE. Unlimited balls. Then you can go to a hitting station where you're only charged by the amount of time you spend in the station. Again, unlimited balls. Besides, it's only 90 yards to the other side of the dome. I find hitting drivers in domes a waste of time.
Trig
How far should the follow through go during 12-5-2 Acquired Motion? I normally practice it with my arms going to Both Arms Straight. I do it both with and without a finish swivel but not sure this is correct. When I add the finish swivel, I get a bit higher ball flight and a bit more carry.

Homer references 6-4-A for the follow-through with 12-5-2 and I believe Both Arms Straight is the correct way to interpert this reference.

Please correct me if I'm wrong about this.
phimaynard
Originally Posted by Trig If you haven't done so lately, take a long hard look at 12-5-0, 12-5-1, 12-5-2, and 12-5-3.

I start every range session progressing through this section and it really helps to get everything going in the right direction.
Trig
I do the same since i have uploaded "A Lesson with Yoda - Collin Neeman"
video (specially chapter 1,2 and 3)
The video incited me to reread 12-5 chapters.
Right from this time ALL my practice sessions, start as yours and I can attest that you are totally right.
These are not only the best foudations for a solid golf swing, but my short game have really improved +++.
I stil have some problem with 12_5_3 (Pivot , Swivel...). But maybe this will be the subject of a futur post.
Thanks
Pm