Morning ISGers..

I thought I’d just do a quick post to say that I had my first lesson with The Dart on Saturday. It was a shocking day for weather, but a good day for the clarity and understanding of the fundamentals of the golf swing. I don’t own a TGM book but I was keen to find out more and The Dart certainly helped!

We worked on the plane (I found it very interesting changing the direction of the plane – it instantly made me realise why I sometimes slice it), pressure and the pivot point/hand rotation (Dart feel free to correct my terminology!). I really felt like I had control over the ball and it gave me more choices of how to hit the ball depending on what ball flight I needed (obviously need more practice to increase consistency).

We then moved on to the flat left wrist and finally worked on bending the right elbow for more power – it was at this point that I started to get a little confused (it felt very alien to what I have been doing for 18 months) but I had been at the range with the Dart for about 2 hours!

So, did it help me?!

I played Wakehurst yesterday, a course that I find very difficult. Unfortunately I was a little hungover for the first 6 holes and was thinking about far too much with each shot. However on the last 10 holes I hit the driver 230-250m straight down the fairway (on every Par 4 and 5), hit all approach shots better than ever before and hit the greens on all of the Par 3’s. The best part was the ball flight was straight to a very slight draw.

If I could putt, I would have had my best back 9 score there!

I’m now really looking forward to working on all of the elements of the swing that Dart showed me, and if I could get the hang of using my right elbow for more power and keeping my wrist flat, I’d love to know how far my drives could go!

Thanks Dart!

Turned out that the post wasn’t that quick!

Turned out that the post wasn’t that quick!

All’s good and you’re on track – well done!

Keep the thread going with updates on your progression and if you’re seeing more of Dart before he moves on to the bush, get hold of the yellow book off Guru.

Great post!

I wonder how many are like crashlanding. Tons of ability just waiting to get free.

Is there a certain level of play that is required before trying to grasp the concepts of TGM, or is it worthwhile for someone in the “game improvement” level of pay?

I teach from tournament types to blue rinse brigade. For new comers to the game if they learn the correct info it saves years of pain. For those who have scrapped their knuckles and pulled their hair out, this same info just rids a lot of rubbish ideas and confirms what they were doing right to build more solidly upon.

If you read Fix Your Swing Parts one and Two and it makes sense to you, you are a long way further forward than many wasting time hitting balls with downswing black out:)

have to ageree a decent coach will do wonders…..

That goes for non TGM coaches too:)

It is never too soon to get a good idea – or too late. Right Guru?

Consider something new every day, young or old. Some of those considerings prove very useful ideas once the noggen has hatched their true meanings.

I have to admit that I am looking forward to my visit with Dr Mumford who gets the mental game and TGM. To hear his ideas will give a whole new slant to the mechanical end of things.

Terrys, I asked the same question before seeing Dart on the weekend. I’m not a low scorer (normally shoot between 18-20 over) but I can honestly say that my visit was extremely worth while!

Dart/Guru I’m assuming that the level of golfer isn’t the issue. It’s more important that the golfer has an open mind, is able to move on from old habits and I guess needs to be able to feel the differences?

Pretty much. Being able to become bodily aware to be able to use the ideas is right up there. Having patience with your bodys own learning speed too. Some people get it like lightening. Others the awareness needs maturing time. Anyone can do this. I think your post sums up 90% of those who visit. We just show you how to use the forces in motion and what to sense things with.

Update:

Amazingly my fade to slice that I used to hit on every driver has changed to a straight to slight draw! The difference is amazing as I stand over the ball with my driver – I actually start to think what plain, what rotation/pivot and what pressure do I need to get the ball in the middle of the fairway. I used to just hit and hope!

My Iron play is also better (happy that I made a 170m uphill par 3 at St Micks on the weekend with a strong side wind!) unless I forget to think TGM and end up back with my OTT swing where I get a slice to cut slice!

My big plan is to make sure I’m taking the same approach to my driver as I would with a 3i or a PW.

I also had a moment of clarity last night whilst practising chipping off the carpet and onto my sofa. I realised I’d been cutting across the ball from the outside in (which explains my misses). I spent about 45 minutes making sure I used the swing principles of TGM for the very small shots (about 2 metres) and all the balls ended up in the same place.

Hopefully I can use that chipping experience and the understanding I’m getting with the driver to be able to hit 3i to 7i better. It’s time to hit the range..

Any advice, as always, greatfully recieved!

Crashlanding,

I think you just gave us the best advise you can get. What works at 2 mtrs. works at 20,120 and 220. Simple rules applied precisely.

Dart,

are you in Sydney still? Any chance of getting some of your time for a lesson?

terry

Terrys,

I will be here ‘till the end of the month. Just click on author on my article.

Always glad to see an ISG man.

I played 2 games of golf on the weekend, back 9 holes at Wakehurst and then 18 at Long Reef.

The good news is that I seem to have stopped the slice! I now aim slightly right (as opposed to how I used to aim way left!) as the ball is drawing nicely. If I remember to think about what angle swing plain to use and when to release it all goes well. My problem shots are now a push (I’m guessing my hands are rotating a little late) or a strong draw/slight hook when I’m guessing my hands rotate too early.

What I am getting is excellent contact, with 1 fat shot in 27 holes. I sculled a couple but I’ll put that down to lifting the head (and/or maybe a bent left wrist?). The driver is rocketing (helped by some nice bounces/tail winds etc) between 250 and 270 metres. To be honest I was hitting it too long on some holes, leaving me with 70-80 metre pitches which I’m just not used to. To give you an idea of how much Dart has helped, I used to hit 1 straight drive per round and all the rest would be a slice. I now seem to hit one slice per round…

So my contact, ball flight and swing are improving massively but I’m still scoring badly – I’m finding I have to re-educate everything I’ve learnt in 18 months and am lacking a little accuracy. I did chip in from 40 metres for a birdie which will keep me coming back for more! I shot a terrible 96 at Long Reef and know where I could have saved shots – 6 months ago I would have been really happy with that!

Unfortunately I haven’t made it to the range since my lesson with Dart, so I haven’t been able to do that much ball striking. Hopefully I get there this week.

Dart – do you suggest another lesson before you head off, or should I stick with some of the lessons on this site?

Chrashlanding,

You are doing great. You have enough there to break 80. More precision is required. That means time and application. My job is to make sure you don’t get distracted from and hold in balance the basics. Which you picked up in 1 Hr.

Another update!

I’ve just had a game and shot a 90 – so I’m almost at my first goal which is to break 90. This was made up of a poor front 9 (49) due to two reasons – one, trying too hard with TGM and having a lot of body sway. I realised what was wrong, and made sure I stayed steadier but ultimately I rehearsed a number of different swing planes and pivot points. It all came together on the back 9 where I shot a 6 over 41. It all fell into place…

The highlight was a par 5, I hit the driver really well (280 dead straight) and had 170 left (a short par 5) but my drive had left me without a clear line into the green (it was a slight dogleg and I was stuck behind trees). I had two options, one was a 3 iron punch under the trees. The second option was to try what Dart explained very well to me.. I changed the direction of the swing plane and pivoted a little later than usual. I ended doing what I wanted to do – a high fade that ran onto the green. My eagle put lipped out!

It’s starting to come together – and on all clubs now. I need a few more range sessions to sort out accuracy and “fine tuning” but I feel I’m on the right path!

Excellent work Crash.

I will explain that when he refers to pivot he means hinge pin the thing the hinge pivots around.

Dart, How often do you get up to Brisbane?
Or could you let me know of any TGM teachers up this way
I am up at Bribie Island but I imagine they will more than likely be in Bris so I will gladly travel to draw from their knowledge.

Unfortunately I am a visual type learner so I would not get the required results from reading the Treasured Yellow book.
Need to see it in action to comprehend correctly.
If this makes sense??

Iwish,

That makes heaps of sense.
Guru and I will be there early 09 and I wish like hell I could say there was some one near, but they are all traditional teachers.
I had hope for Clive Johnson but he was washed out to sea.

I like Tom Linskey but he is more Ben Hogan than ISG.

Leave your details and I might catch you after a fishing trip or some one else might join in. You never know how things go. Sydney is a nice place to visit. You can stay with us and we can show you the town as well as the swing.

Thanks for the reply Dart.
My contact details.
stephenandhelen3 – at – bigpond – dot – com
or 0414 742 909
Will have to see about getting down to Syd but work commitments are insane for the forseeable future and no time to spare for getaways.
Will see what I can do later in the year.

where do you get out fishing up here, Swanes???
My father in law and brother in law are out there at the moment…....
Bastards ;-)

Iwish,

You can do youself a lot of good just working the simple things very well.
I dream about the fishing. Mainly fly in the Gulf. My mate catches tuna on a fly rod.

My mate catches tuna on a fly rod.

an amazing skill