Doin' What You Can
 

Alex,

I know that two trips stateside in a space of four months is a tough nut to crack, but we would love to see you there. :salut:

I would love to be there. I am trying to work a few things out to see if I could go but if not I am sure I will be back at the Swamp before the year is out (or will see you at the UK event)
Alex

So, for those of us who couldn't make it and spent the weekend shoveling 4" of global warming debris out of our driveways, how was it??? Any interesting stories??

many interesting stories...
 

8cork was very shankful for the exorcism of his demon.

Being invited to Brian Gay's party for his 10th wedding anniversary was a true highlight of the trip. He has a beautiful family and a beautiful home.

Rooming with 12piece... words cannot explain. My wife calls him 11piece, as he's one chicken leg shy of a full bucket. He's a role model for anyone that has spent time behind bars. :laughing9

You could get 10 years at Leavenworth...
 

Not to mention for anyone who has spent time in bars... :occasion: :eyes:

Great Clinic
 

One of the happenings that was so impressive about the instructors
was the way that they could hit the ball. Very few instructors that
I know are able to perform what they preach. Lynn, Ted and Jeff
would boom 300 drives, stripe irons and do all the specialty shots
with ease. They could tell you what to do and then hit the shot
to show you what it should look like and what to expect. These where
three of the very best instructor all in one place. Hands on instruction
was there. I figure that I hit about 1700 balls in three days.

Some of the highlights for me:

Chipping and Pitching - The proper set up and dragging the wet mop.
The specialty shot that Ted uses, with the grip in the left hand palm
and the vertical hinging. Lynn showed a preset pivot drill that was
very impressive. Jeff showed how to go to both arms straight with
authority. Very impressive.

Putting - Lynn, Ted and Jeff showed their perferred styles and explained
the feelings and objectives. Lynn has a very interesting observation
about the right shoulder being down enough at address to accomodate
the length of the putt. Another very interesting point was how the
pivot point would change from the left shoulder to hands if the
left wrist was bent at address.

On the tee - Lynn covered a lot of topics, such as flying wedges and
address, hinge arrangements to work the ball, the wrist throw, the
finish swivel and many more. Ted covered "hitting" with dowel alignments
and gave excellent examples of closing and layback. Ted also has
an excellent knowledge of "Swinging" and gave me some very good
instruction. Jeff showed me what he actually did in the gallary section
of the forum. His knowledge of club fitting is the very best. Jeff
brought the Henry Griffith club cart so that students could try different
combinations of clubheads with shafts. There was no appearance of
trying to sell clubs, but a genuline effert to help. Jeff is an excellent
instrutor and boy can he hit the ball.

Listening to Lynn, Ted and Jeff, discuss among themselves the theories
and the various pressure point applications was somthing to behold.

These guys are not good, they are better than that!

I sure got a lot out of the clinic and would strongly recommend that
the experience would be great for you.

Donn Kerby

Donn Kerby and the Second Groove
 

Thanks, Donn, for your comments and for being part of our special group at Falcon's Fire. Coming from a fellow golf professional, your words are especially appreciated.

Personally, I will never forget looking at the face of your 8-iron and seeing a depression the size of a quarter right in the sweetspot.

:shock:

I then looked at the 7 and 6-irons. I kid you not, folks, the depression was very obvious and very there, just above the second groove.

Just where Hogan said it should be.

You told me you hit 300 balls a day, 7 days a week.

I believe it...

Holes in Clubfaces don't lie.

:salut:

And they don't lie about a man's love and devotion to the game either. Donn is as solid a guy as the impacts he produces. You couldn't meet a nicer guy.

We gave Donn a hard time about them holes . . . but those holes are about pure devotion to the most beautiful game. Be proud Donn!!! I know Mr. Hogan is your man . . . you are "digging the same dirt."

It was great meeting you! You are good people.

Colonel
 

I have just elevated you to General in my mind. I know that
your are a Major General on the forum and such a nice guy
to meet in person. You are on my hero list.

Donn

A few thoughts from a High Level . . .
 

I have had time to incubate this school thing a bit. I am not prepared to get into the details of instruction and theory yet. However, there are a few points that I would like to make and hopefully for people to understand.

First and foremost, Lynn Blake is stock of the highest quality. Lynn could not be a more generous and thoughtful man. He is well spoken. Well read. And his ability to communicate is second to none.

I had the opportunity to walk with him and 8cork at The A.P. Invitational and follow Brian Gay. Brian hit shots with amazing precision. Brian was doing Start Down Waggles throughout the round as a part of the preshot routine Lynn taught him (Address Routine). He missed a bucket full of putts inside 10 feet. After the round Lynn helped him on the range, perfecting the start down with the slide hip turn. 8cork told he that he missed a camera shot that would have been great . . . Lynn and Brian right beside David Leadbetter and Ernie Els.

Without question . . . Lynn Blake BELONGS on the most hallowed practice grounds in the world.

During Lynn's 4 hour lecture on the principles, geometry and physics of the Machine without notes, I couldn't help thinking several times two things: 1. This man is amazing. 2. Leadbetter, Haney, Butchie, etc. etc. COULD NOT give a lecture of this quality with months to prepare . . . Lynn basically did it impromptu. His knowledge of the Machine is unparalleled. The passion and love he has for the Machine cannot be contained.

Another observation is . . . . Lynn has surrounded himself with two of the most quality guys you could ever meet. Ted Fort and Jeff Hull are in an elite class with regards to instruction, communication, knowledge but most of all genuinely great human beings. Lynn, Ted and Jeff can flat out strike a golf ball pure as the driven snow. I took some footage of all three . . . It don't get no better'n'nat.

I think that we all must begin to realize a few things. First, we are truly blessed to have access to the information that Lynn gives us . . . and for FREE on the internet to boot. There ain't many people left that actually spent time with HOMER KELLEY. I have spoke to 4 . . . all were great and are great . . . but Lynn is without question in my mind THE BEST. Those that spent time with Homer ain't no spring chickens either. So NOW is the time for someone to bear the torch before time is up.

Homer Kelley said that he wanted to have 100 instructors at HIS LEVEL of understanding and knowledge of the golf stroke. I have to think unfortunately that we are A LONG WAY from the goal line on that. The contention among those with the Machine and outside of the Machine is well documented. I believe that the GOSPEL is here at LBG and a few other very select places. Eddie Cox, Mike O-that's right, David Orr, Drew (drewitgolf) Silver Surfer Chapman, Ted Fort, and Jeff Hull... I can't thank y'all enough for what you have done for my understanding and my game. I will continue to broaden my Yellow Horizons here and with those guys because I believe the information given here to be of the "virgin" pressing . . . the best and most purest form.

The stage has been set for LBG. Things around here are going to mushroom. We can all say we were here when it all started happening . . . from that fateful day in 2004 when Lynn was sick and found the old TGM website...to 4000 members today...to PGA TOUR proven success. The principles of the Golfing Machine and the Legacy of Homer Kelley has been and will continue to be well served by one Lynn Blake and the amazing instructors he has surrounded himself with.

We have all been blessed. Thanks to LBG and thanks to Mr. Kelley.