I think this is like asking why so many poor ball strikers who are good around the greens aren’t better ball strikers. Some people have it all and some just master parts of the game. The rest of us are just trying to learn to play the game
You have qute a few players with good short game and a mediocre long game.
Then you have quite a few players with a good long game and a mediocre short game.
Those who are pretty good in all disciplines are the best golfers. I believe it’s as simple as that.
Good putting isn’t about P4 or wrist rotation, physical abilities or any other technical issue. It’s about willing the ball into the hole. And believing you can do it. Even though you know that even the best putter in the world will only make this put one out of four times.
The long game requires an engineer’s mindset. That’s the mindset you need to develop a stroke pattern that produces reliable results most of the time. The putting game requires more of a salesman mindset. Sales people play a lottery game. They loose more ofthen than they win a sale. But they know that the harder they try the more often they will be lucky. You have to be able to give your best shot every time even though you know that you will miss this putt 9 of 10 times. You need the mindset of preparing and expecting the best possible outcome, yet accepting failure very often.
Putting is about stroke quality to, but I’ve seen far too many poor ball strikers doing well on the green to believe that the stroke pattern is the cause and not the effect on the greens.
To be honest, I do not have the best mental package for sinking putts. I tend to think to much in terms of percentages on the greens. If I have a low percentage putt I tend to not try hard enough to get the ball in the hole. The better I play from T to G the fewer putts I make. But I’m working on it!!!
As the name of this thread is "Let’s Talk Lag’s Golf Machine’, we all know, who have read the epic pages of this thread, that Lag grew up with a Golf Machine background through his tuition in his earlier years.
I wanted to post a video of another player who grew up under the eye of The Golf Machine ideas and logic- Bobby Clampett
We don’t get to see much of Bobby as a golfer because he suddenly lost his form in the late 80’s and became involved in other areas of golf and ceased playing for a long time, but he was unbelievably gifted as a player when he was younger
I have had the good fortune of playing several rounds with Bobby, even as recently as last year when he came to town and we just went out for a social hit with his wife. I won’t hesitate to say he is a real gentleman and very honest to talk with on a broad avenue of subjects with a great understanding of the game of golf.
The swing below is a recent one but the ‘younger’ technique still shines through. I thought it would be great to see the swing of the first Golf Machine poster boy as it incorporates many ideals about how and why this great LTLGM thread began.
A lot of the same stuff is still there… the drag back off the ball, nice hand attitudes… the head moving down nicely trying to pressure into the ground, grip, set up and finish appear unchanged. Excellent shoulder rotation…take note guys… you know who you are!
Unusual foot action with the left foot. He starts with the left foot flared out, then it rotates to the right very squared up, then it slides around counter clockwise into finish… very unusual. I would be interested in his logic for this. I think Kenny Perry does a similar thing, so maybe they come from the same theoretical place on that.
My first initial thought would be that he is rotating the foot back (clockwise) on the downswing to increase resistance into the left leg, but I know he is not using a flat or level shoulder rotation… so this might be why. I would wonder why he doesn’t simply start with the foot more square because it seems that would only help his turn (which is still very good) and eliminate having to make that move. I can’t imagine Bobby doing anything in his swing that is accidental or happenstance.
His hips really turn a lot post impact to try to get the torso working more around… hence the left foot rotation. A lot of fine strikers have used a similar foot action. Palmer comes to mind quickly.
I thought those two little moves he made before taking it back were interesting. Kinda like he was trying to raise the handle up for a different plane angle or something? Seemed to be deliberately adjusting something there?
Sam Randolph and I had an interesting meeting of the minds today… I always learn a lot talking to Sam… and even though it rained all day, even in the desert… we watched some video’s of Snead, also discussed a lot of Gerry Hogan’s ideas, as Sam worked extensively with Gerry. Also watched Gerry’s DVD the one with the angels… that was fun.
When the rain broke for a hour, we ran out to hit a few balls… about 3 each, and then we had a 36 hole putting contest. Results will be posted in the secret putting forum!
Then Sam got out the ping pong balls and we played a few mini holes with those… that was really fun… it’s just like balata golf again, curving and shaping shots, and you can hit the low risers and everything. It’s a great way to understand ball flight laws. Full swings with an 8 iron go about 20 yards max… but all the shape is there… and spin… really a blast… highly recommended. We took some videos I’ll post when I get a chance…
Lag,
What are your views on the value of the Snead/Melhorn squat being more efficient and/or beneficial than the more common Hogan/DeVicenzo style lean in transition… It would be great to get your specific views on the differences and benefits as the are.
Cheers,
BOM
I don’t think I have seen too many people really do that properly. I think it’s a difficult move. I really like it in principle, and if I could do it myself properly, and figure out a sure fire method for students to drill it into their swing DNA, then that would be great.
What it really does is save hip rotation. There still is a downward pressure into the right foot, and this is where people get this move wrong in my opinion. They go left trying to get “that look” but they lose pressure in the right foot therefore they lose ground leverage to accelerate their torso post impact properly.
I suspect there is a major flexibility issue here to be able to pressure down, have the hips move left while staying closed, then quickly fire them around through impact which is wonderful.
The Mehlhorn/Snead squat is really easy. Anyone can sit in a chair, and it does all it needs to do. All the right intentions are there. Going left happens, but we certainly don’t need to be rushing over there. Using the pressure build into the right leg as a springboard effect to proper weight transfer is very good stuff when done properly. Basically I think it’s a viable move, historically supported by many fine strikers, and easier to do, feel, and repeat.
Three good golfers- Three different looking releases
Thought it would be a good discussion as post impact really means something AND post impact is an after-shock of pre-impact and impact positions- so what’s going on with these three? Whos missing their chi?
