I was perusing the GEA site about 6 months or so ago and kept seeing these "TGM" threads crop up from time to time. However, no one ever defined what that was or meant. I finally saw a reference to the Lynn Blake web site. I slowly gathered information and finally the yellow book. Basically, with a physics and math degree, TGM is a natural fit since I have always tried to analyze the game from a mechanics / geometrical perspective. I went in whole hog this past weekend with Lynn, Ted, and Lee at the SoCal LBGA. Now we get to see if I can apply what I have learned and improve over the next year!
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Steph
Distance is Magic; Precision is Practice.
I had been fighting the yips with my chip shots off and on for the past few years and had taken lessons from a number of pros. The advice I always got was keep your left wrist firm and you can't yip the shot, like I didn't know that. When I asked the pros how to keep the left wrist firm, I was told just keep it straight and use a ruler or comb inside my watch band, but even that didn't help.
I was looking online for solutions and came across the 4GEA forum, where I read about TGM and keeping the right wrist bent through impact. I thought TGM had gone away with Bobby Clampett's career, but nonetheless I went out and practiced chipping keeping my right wrist bent and I hit chip shots more flush than I had in quite a while. I then searched the web for more information on TGM and came across Brian and Lynn's sites. I called Brian for a lesson and was just blown away with his knowledge and the way he could simply explain cause and effect.
Sadly, I still have occasional problems with the short shots - years of bad habits are tough to break. However, I am hitting more solid shots than I did before and I have a clear road map of what I need to do to continue to improve.
TGM works for me because I need a reason why or how to do something, not just be told to do it. TGM provides the framework for the why and how and it works for me.
First heard of Chuck on the Golf Opinions board, then BM showed up there briefly, and was quickly banned there. Then I found Chuck again at the TGM board, and Brian again at FGI (whoops, banned again). Yoda surfaces from the swamp at Chucks site and TGM board, and Brian has his own site. Bought the yellow book. Kept lurking and working, seldom posting (you guys ask all of the intelligent questions I can't even begin to think of asking myself. Thanks to all for this).
The long and short of it is that I have gone from hacker city to clean, consistent ball striking. My scores have gone from the 100's to the 90's to the 80's without even a TGM lesson (that will be in the future, God willing).
Goal is to be in the 70's next year. THIS STUFF WORKS!!!
Kept lurking and working, seldom posting (you guys ask all of the intelligent questions I can't even begin to think of asking myself. Thanks to all for this).
The long and short of it is that I have gone from hacker city to clean, consistent ball striking. My scores have gone from the 100's to the 90's to the 80's without even a TGM lesson (that will be in the future, God willing).
Goal is to be in the 70's next year. THIS STUFF WORKS!!!
Two years ago, a poster in the golf channel forum by the name of arizona1984. I think he is mcjordan on this site. The guy just argued like crazy and made sense in a sea of ignorance. The journey took me to the yellow book, Evans, Manzella, Yoda. Enlightenment brought improvement. I hope to attend workshops in the future. Sincerest thanks to all in the TGM family.
At age 10 I began reading Jones (Ernest and Bobby), Hogan, Armour, Dunn, Bomer....
I became a PGA Professional 20 years ago. I want to get results with my students and my own game. Like many of the dedicated golf professional that post here, I expected more from myself than anyone else expected. I wanted to go the extra mile and find "The Truth".
Invested countless dollars and hours trying to find that truth (My golf library has over 1,000 books, some dating back to the turn of the century, and over 500 tapes on instruction alone). Some day my heirs will sell them off and make a fortune. Finally figured out there was no one truth, but many.
Added TGM to the collection about 1985. Knew all along TGM had the answers, but I didn't have all the pieces to the puzzle. Searched high and low for any information relating to TGM, still do. The long and winding yellow-brick road has brought me hear to the Emerald (now light green) City, with occasional visits to Manzellaland. Only difference is that I pay attention to the man behind the curtain; The Wizard of Yoda.
"There is no place like home." Thanks for leaving the light on.
June 2005 - I stumbled across a reference to TGM on the 4GEA site. Then went to Manzella's site and read the instructional articles and bought the Flipper video. Started to lurk on Lynns site daily. (HCP 12.5)
July 2005 - Bought the book from thegolfingmachine.com. Read it several times. Only focus was the 3 imperatives. Daily reading of Lynn's & Brian's forums as well as the archives.
Aug/Sept/Oct 2005 - Just absolutely love TGM. Read all forums daily. My consistency had improved vastly. TGM is the real deal. I dont even listen to or consider any other swing ideas. I now have TGM tunnel vision. If it isnt in the book I dont want to hear about it.
Oh yeah my HCP has dropped 5.5 strokes too. Now a 7.0 as of 10/31. All due to TGM. I love, Love, LOVE it.
Aug/Sept/Oct 2005 - Just absolutely love TGM. Read all forums daily. My consistency had improved vastly. TGM is the real deal. I dont even listen to or consider any other swing ideas. I now have TGM tunnel vision. If it isnt in the book I dont want to hear about it.
Oh yeah my HCP has dropped 5.5 strokes too. Now a 7.0 as of 10/31. All due to TGM. I love, Love, LOVE it.
Terrific post, JPs. Thanks for your inspiring story and for letting us know we helped along The Way.
However, I am hitting more solid shots than I did before and I have a clear road map of what I need to do to continue to improve.
Hybrid Mode
