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bilinguru

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Everything posted by bilinguru

  1. bilinguru

    bilinguru

  2. Really interesting thread. Talking about good posture, it's interesting to note how posture impacts putting. I was on the practice green for a couple of hours the other day, and I noticed that when I had a more upright posture, I took the putter straight back, whereas when I was more 'slouched' the putter head tended to hover more and wasn't as consistent. Of course the putter length has a lot to do with what posture you'll take, but just thought I'd throw that in there. Seems there is even greater variation in posture with regards to putting, which begs the question as to whether there is room for more variation in full swing posture.
  3. Thanks for your answers. Very helpful.
  4. Yeah, my folks aren't getting any younger and my nieces are growing up so fast that I worry I won't be the uncle I should be in their mind. Japan is a great place to live, but 15 years is a llllllloooooooonnnnnnnggggggg time.
  5. Sorry, about my oversight, (but not my questions,) in my last post. I didn't even notice that there were 7 pages of threads with many videos (brainfart). I still would like to hear what you have to say about wrist hinge though as it is something that drives me crazy sometimes.
  6. Good swing obviously. I'm new to the forum, but I'm just wondering what your purpose in posting this video actually is? As you list your handicap as pro and I see you are promoting a teaching methodology, I'm guessing it is maybe at the request of other forum members. I guess you are not seeking feedback as you say, "I will answer any questions you may have", as opposed to, "I look forward to your feedback." Either way it's cool, I just wanted to ask, as it wasn't clear to me. Anyway, to my question. I understand that to maximize clubhead speed, I need to create the widest arc possible without bending my lead arm and without my elbows getting away from my body. When I swing more inside, I find it much easier. Is this the sensation you are going for, and if so, how do you balance this and maintain the optimum swing plane? I also understand that to maximize lag, I need wrist hinge. Where I struggle is the timing and sequence of the wrist hinge. It looks from this (first) video that you begin the hinge about when your lead arm is parallel to the ground, or perhaps when your hands are about armpit high. Is that right? I realize you are not making a full swing here, more like a 3/4 swing, but I would like to hear your thoughts on that. (I only saw the 9 minute practice session video after I had started writing this, but my questions still stand) Actually to the point that your swing problems are covered by a DTL view only, I would really like to see both views. While you may think all relevant issues can be covered by a down-the-line view, a face on view would undoubtedly be helpful for others if not for yourself. And whether you trying to help others or interested in seeking other people's feedback, it's better to provide as much data (views) as possible. In the same vein, I personally like to see videos in real time. I am capable of slowing, pausing, rewinding video (even from YouTube) pretty well. It's almost impossible to get a feeling of the rhythm/tempo of a swing in slo-mo, and a nine minute video in slo-mo is tough to get through. Just my two cents. I would be really curious to see you hit your stock 7 iron or driver (from both FO and DTL) as you would normally hit them. A 'flying wedge' sounds like a cool shot I might need to hit once or twice a round. But, I believe I would benefit more from seeing a pro hit bread and butter shots so that I have a baseline with which to compare my own swing. Thanks for posting this and thanks in advance for any ideas you can help me with.
  7. This article is a few years old, but worth a read. http://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/camilo-villegas-here-comes-spider-man?page=4 I actually met him at The Canadian Open 4 years ago and he was a nice guy. He's actually pretty small, but he is in great shape and very friendly. Look, so many young players have come on tour understanding that there is a real benefit to having a marketable image. They get more advertising and sponsorship money, which gives them freedom to hire better coaches, trainers, travel first class instead of coach, etc. Why on Earth would they not take advantage of that? Look at Rickie Fowler! I would never in a million years dress like a giant orange popsicle, but do you know how many of those hats Puma has sold because of him, even before he had even won a tournament? The OP obviously would like to keep the game back in the 80's fashion-wise, but like it or not, and the modern game has some flair and quite a bit of showboating is par for the course since Tiger started his fist-pumping and Natalie Gulbis had her body painted for Sports Illustrated. To dislike that is a little hard to understand.
  8. The problem with separate rules of course (as newtogolf has already explained) is that, for an kid aspiring to become a professional golfer, he would at some point have to change his equipment and/or swing to make the transition from amateur to pro. It's hard enough learning this game without having to re-learn it. Imagine the chaos that would ensue at the American College level!
  9. Having a rule does not, in and of itself, preclude it from being changed, regardless of how long the rule has been in effect. The question is how will a change in the rules improve the game, and whether a change in the rule changes the nature or spirit of the game. Rules, as I see them, are in place to structure gameplay so that every competitor has equal footing on which to display his/her skill. Of course there are other reasons that ruling bodies add or amend rules. Imparting fines on players for unsportsmanlike conduct in the face of increased media scrutiny comes to mind as a rule that has been added to almost all professional sports (spirit). The groove rule was changed because it reduced the amount of skill required, to impart spin on the ball out of deep rough (skill). Clubfaces and balls are regulated to reduce the trampoline effect which would require course designers to continually lengthen and toughen courses to a point where only professionals could ever hope to play them (nature). The arguments against the long putter/ belly putter seem to be two-pronged. Skill, that a long/belly putter gives the player some sort of advantage. Nature, that the anchored swing runs counter to the idea of what a golf swing was intended to be. As far as skill goes, without more data showing that a player is guaranteed some kind of competitive advantage by using the belly putter I can't see how one can argue against it. They have been in play long enough that it should be possible to measure if this were true, (look at the champions tour.) The fact that a few guys on the PGA Tour have had some success recently is not definitive proof. It may be just coincidence. The argument that an anchored swing is not a 'real' golf swing is quite simply a debate between traditionalists and, for lack of a better term, progressives. There are no existing rules precluding this style of stroke. So, we are not talking about changing a rule or amending a rule, but adding a rule. Whenever you add a rule to a sport to preserve the nature of the game, you had better think it through carefully, because it can have many consequences down the road that are not obvious at the time the rule is put into effect. One person mentioned the situation where your ball is stuck under a bush and because of space restrictions the only way to make a forward swing is to anchor your wedge to your belly in order to get the ball back in play. Of course, you could limit the rule to putting. But, again, situations may arise that require the rule to be further revised that we simply cannot foresee. It's a bit of a slippery slope. I, for one, don't use a belly putter. But, I can foresee that as a I get older and perhaps run into back issues, using one may give me relief and make the game more enjoyable. Yeah sure you could limit the rule to the PGA Tour only. But will that include the European, Asian, Australian, LPGA, Junior and Senior tours around the world? I guess a lot more thought and debate needs to be put into the issue, but I suspect the longer the debate continues the less likely it will be that the USPGA will be able to realistically institute a rule banning it.
  10. It's been a great 15 years, but I'm actually thinking about moving back home in the not too distant future.
  11. Thanks iacas. Yeah, but there are even fewer of them here in Japan, so finding good deals on equipment is tough sometimes. I usually wait until I head to the states to do my shopping.
  12. Quote: LOL @ this thread - only golfers would start a discussion on stack & tilt when asked what is the "one best tip" for a new golfer. Here is the best advice for a new golfer: Only hit the clubs in your bag that you have confidence in. Every new golfer, not matter your skill level, will have one club that they love - be it a 7 iron, a 5 iron, 3 wood, etc. You are not good enough at this point to be worrying about distance control, and if you love your 3 wood, 7 iron, and wedge, you will play just as well hitting only those 3 clubs (plus putter) than you will carting around 14 clubs. One you have complete confidence in those clubs, try adding one more, then one more, etc. LOL @ this post. I agree the discussion went off on a tangent, but it's funny you told the OP he wasn't good enough to worry about distance control or carry a full set of clubs. He said he shoots 90.
  13. Yeah, I don't think the writer was calling Phil a loser per se, rather that, when he lost, he did it with relative class and good humor. Agreeing to be interviewed after blowing up at the US Open, was an example. On the other hand, he has not agreed to be interviewed after some bad rounds, which is his prerogative. But, shows he's maybe not always so loveable in defeat. I'm a lefty, so I've followed Phil with interest throughout his career, as he is obviously a very talented guy and has done well in the Tiger Era. He also had the class to admit that he, and every other tour player making big bucks, owes Tiger a debt of gratitude for how he has expanded the popularity, and purses, of pro golf. He is often compared to Arnold Palmer, who had his Army of adoring fans, even though he lost some heartbreakers and was outdone often in the Jack era. But, Phil can be schmaltzy sometimes and likes to hear himself talk sometimes. I remember seeing a video of Phil telling a joke to a group of guys (in a practice round or Pro Am or something) and the joke was pretty awful, but everyone busted a gut as if it were the best joke they'd ever heard. I suppose it's easy to develop the idea that you're pretty awesome when you are surrounded by people who think you can do no wrong. Some have called him FIGJAM (F**k I'm Good, Just Ask Me) which is an indication that his ego is not in any danger of being described as small. His DVD's, secrets of the short game, were pretty helpful for me, but part of me felt like he came off a bit arrogant. But, more than that, he came off as someone who is truly passionate about the game. He's endured quite a bit of hardship the past few years, with health problems for his wife, mother and himself. A lawsuit with some nitwit in Canada who says Phil has an illegitimate child and his wife had an affair with Michael Jordan He's handled all that with class too. So, in the end, I'd say I'm a fan. I would like to see him win a US Open, which is the one he says he covets more than any other and which has eluded him so far. He's definitely going to the Hall of Fame. So, loveable? Some say yes, others may so no, but loser? Uh, no.
  14. Oh I just thought of an announcer that bugs me. Rich Lerner. When he sticks to calling the play, he's alright, but I am very tired of his For The Love of the Game segments and the way he milks personal stories for cheese especially if there is any connection to the military, shamelessly strokes sponsors and tour officials and never misses an opportunity to overdramatize things that aren't that dramatic. I know it's TV and a measure of this stuff is necessary, but man does he overdo it. And before anyone starts in on me for mentioning the military. I support anyone who has the courage to fight for their country, but I don't like how people try to exploit them for ratings.
  15. Hi everyone. I'm a 46 year old Canadian living and working in Japan for the past 15 years. I own and operate an English Conversation School in Kobe with my wife who is Japanese. I have an MA in Linguistics. I have been playing golf since I was 15 or so and am crazy about the game. I had my handicap down to 4.5 several years ago, but was sidelined with an injury for close to a year and am just now getting it back to respectability. I wish I had more time to dedicate to my game. The Sand Trap looks like a good collection of knowledgeable people, so I look forward to some good exchanges and hopefully picking up some ideas that will help me get my game back on track. Keep it on the Short Grass.
  16. Yeah, I was wondering when someone would mention that the thread was in the wrong place, but as it was the guys first post, I didn't say anything. I guess the amount of time you spend on fundamentals would depend on how much the student knew when he started. As far as anyone knowing more than me...hey, it looks as though many of the people who post here are knowledgeable and experienced golfers, that's why I joined the forum. Thankfully, as ironically LuciusWooding pointed out elsewhere, there is a block option, so I can filter out the vitriol and sarcasm and get to the useful nuggets of info.
  17. Oh and to say GAPS is a waste of time is astounding to me. In Ben Hogan's Five Lessons, a 127 page book including the summary and review, he spends the first 60 pages on it. If you know more than Ben Hogan, I would love to take a lesson from you.
  18. This thread has gone from giving a guy a few tips to get him going, to debating the best teaching approaches. Poor guy. Yes, get lessons from a pro. Which pro? Depends on you. Are you a cerebral kinda guy who likes to analyze things? Are you a hands on kinda guy who doesn't want to hear a lot of theory but would rather get in there and hit the ball? Do you like video, teaching aids or not? There are so many guys out there. Seems to me, you want a guy that can offer some proven results, i.e. satisfied students who can attest to improvement in their games in a reasonable amount of time.
  19. The linked article posted by iacas provides a quiz for instructors. While it is definitely a good questionnaire for finding a good stack and tilt instructor (and I think stack and tilt is a good methodology) it is not the ONLY methodology out there. I agree with BigDude that an instructor that doesn't focus on the four fundamentals Grip, Alignment, Stance and Posture with a new student at the beginning is not a quality instructor. If you are not set up correctly, you can't make a good swing. Probably next, the instructor should explain ball flight laws and then, and only then, should they get into the mechanics of how you should take the club away, weight distribution/transference, tension/flexion, etc. My two cents.
  20. Great question. Freddy is the coolest guy, with a sweet swing. Such a shame his back prevented him from winning more. I guess I like guys who play the game well with good humour. I really like Jonathan Vegas. What a nice guy he seems to be and he has the game. Hopefully he'll start playing more consistently to back up that win he got last year. Luke Donald has managed to suffer through being world number one with no majors to his credit (read media monkey on his back) quite well. It looks as though that Rory (or Westwood) will supplant him as No. 1, but I get the feeling Donald will not get ruffled by this. He's well spoken, humble and just goes about the business of playing solid golf without doing or saying anything stupid. Ernie Els is another guy I thought has handled himself well, and he isn't shy about saying what he thinks. Graeme MacDowell, Paddy and Darren Clarke all seem like genuine guys. I guess my answer is, I like Irish golfers! LOL!
  21. I agree that golf instruction tips in magazines and on GC shows can do more harm than good. That being said, it's odd where useful tips that can really make a difference can come from. But, they can boggle the mind too. One expert will tell you one thing, and another expert will tell you the opposite - in the same magazine! It's kind of like reading newspapers. I disregard a lot of the Op/Ed stuff in newspapers, but I read them anyway. Once in a while, someone will say something that will resonate. It would be a shame to miss out on a swing thought or drill that might be the one that shaves strokes off your game, simply because most of the stuff you read is junk.
  22. Good looking swing. Only comment I would make is that your heads dips significantly. You seem to be able to get the club on a good plane, though. Question, what is your standard miss; a slice or hook?
  23. Great topic. I think different putts take longer to read than others. I like to break down really long putts (40 or 50 feet, say) into 2 or 3 sections to help me lag it up there. Putts with a lot of slope or multiple slopes also take longer because of the obvious difficulty, but also because if you judge it poorly, the next putt can be very difficult (taking more time). The feeling that everyone is watching you, which makes you feel pressure to hurry up, is because they ARE watching you. It's your turn! But that doesn't mean they are thinking you are slow. I've never had anyone tell me I putt too slow. Once I have chosen my target. I do the same thing every time and it takes about 12 seconds. I take two practice swings, one looking at the hole to gauge weight, and one looking at the ball. I step in, take one more look at my aim point and let it go. On the odd occasion when I felt I was taking a bit too long reading a putt, or had backed off for some reason, I usually say sorry. But every time, the guys I play with have always been very gracious and said something like, "Hey, no worries. Take your time." What bugs me is playing behind guys who are playing for money and grind over every putt, even 6 inchers. Between each putt, there is usually a good bit of celebration or heckling as the case may be, which adds even more time to the process. I don't think you have anything to worry about k-troop.
  24. Quote: @bilinguru - the only reason I quoted your post about the rules of golf is that I didn't fully understand your point. I'm guessing it was to make sure everyone has a baseline of knowledge when debating this topic. Other than that, I have no problem with your posts (those which I have read). I will admit, I haven't read all the posts. Thanks for that. Yeah that's what I was trying to do. Could have been clearer I'll admit. Cheers!
  25. Quote: Guys, you know there's a block button, right? Protip: hover over the person's username, and "block member" appears in the drop down menu. I've used it myself to great effect, and it beats getting sucked into useless arguments. Yeah, great advice. I suspect many things bug the hell out of him. Anyway 'Blocked' is definitely the way to go with guys who in one post say they will refrain from commenting on anything I will say and in the next post doing just that.
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