Golflivesmatter

Who started the Golflivesmatter Stuff thread?

It's an unfair fight. You can delete my posts...but...attack me at will. Must be fun. And I think others reading these posts are fearful of expressing any opinions after seeing this mob attack.

Read through the posts...accused of lying constantly.

What did I lie about? Coming from a golf teacher that's pretty stout.

Well I "thought" this forum was an open discussion.

No I can't respond because if I post what I think you have control over my posts. I get it, there are rules. It just tells me everything about this thread. Thought control...and the luxury of telling folks who relate their swing that they are "lying"? OMG. WOW!

Whatever...I've been warned...I'm not allowed to defend myself. You're right. My competitive golf years were long ago, you know, before age slowed me down. Yes, you're right, I have no clue about my grip...others need to tell me what I'm doing. Ernest Jones and Percy Boomer are idiots. White flag....I'm an idiot.

Any way to post a video?

So...one more post. On another forum...not TST...a guy posted that he is trying to help new golfers. I posted the below link to a video by Erika Larkin. The response from the "swing guru", in a DM, was "stop posting videos that don't help people". You guys be the judge. Was my post off-limits?

17 posts and OUT I guess. I don't know "more" than anyone else...I relate what I do....what makes sense for me...and based on 35 years of golf, competitive golf, and help from top golf instructors...including citing books and videos that support my approach. I can't make anything up about the golf swing because it's a finite movement based on efficient body movement....like an MLB pitcher throwing a baseball....same logic.

Don't tell me what grip pressure to use. Get off your high horse dude...you are not the grip expert for me. I extended an olive branch...but that didn't work....because nobody knows anything but you. ... Breaking news from the obvious desk! Grip pressure increases at the transition!. Gee, why's that? Does it have anything to do with the weight of the club traveling one way while the body is transitioning against the weight the other way? I don't know...let's look at some charts! This is more insidious than the "Arm Swing" video. I've NEVER had a teacher tell me I'm full of garbage. In fact, I've had lengthy discussions with them regarding how to tap-into getting folks to "let go", let the subconscious play a role in the golf swing. Your teachings would be best suited to robots. Plus my pro played in the U.S. Open last year He has adopted my "insane" accomplishments into his curriculum, and he uses me for demonstrations. He wanted to know if I would be inerested in co-authoring a book with him, and do a series of videos. But of course he's an idiot...right? This is what's causing a decline in golf...over-instruction...and bad instruction. People make livings off "bad golf". There's so many "guru's" trying to fight for relevance to the point they feel compelled to invent controversial "tips" to generate "clicks" by taking what works, and flipping it to "it might not work". Then heads explode and the clicks come in. I don't tell others what to do, how to think, how to feel, I relate my own experiences...in an open forum...or so I thought. If that makes anyone uncomfortable then I must be hitting home. Otherwise, I implore folks to go to the range, just let go, relax...just swing, forget all the nonsense. You already know more than you think you do.

Why are folks telling me what my grip pressure "must be"? I don't think of grip pressure at any point in my swing. I let my hands decide what's needed. This is the feel side of golf that can't be taught. It's done through experimentation, and lots of it. It's also the "uncomfortable side" of golf, the idea of "letting go", trusting that your body and subconscious will figure out what's required to hit the ball. Believe me, I was a master of running through all kinds of swing thoughts before every shot. It didn't help...Overload. And so many thoughts I'd barely take a back swing for fear of losing "control" of the shot. And with all those thoughts, I had little time to actually focus on the shot at hand. Those days are over. It doesn't work. I think what I found is the decades spent studying the swing were ALL in my head...tons of documentation....but for some stupid reason I refused to relinquish control to myself to carry out the tasks. Like tossing car keys to someone. I could reply to you that "you don't really grab the club at the top because that would apply needless leverage and throw your club off it's natural arc, you just think you do". But I will never know what you feel, so making any comment would only be based on what I think / feel.

I'm pretty sure I got a lot more hate mail so I'll respond in one reply.

Let's not get into experience of helping, coaching others. I was taught by a now Golf Magazine Top 100 instructor along with my best friend who was #2 man on his golf team. I went from shooting a zillion to high 80's in one summer. I played collegiate golf. I've helped many folks on my teams, as well as those who've been subject to crack-pot golf pro's who make a living off of over-teaching to the point their pupil could barely swing the club due to 100's of instructions..."don't do this...that's wrong...do that...think about this". Other guys on here know exactly what I mean. I can't even imagine telling someone to think about 100 LBS of force...it's beyond useless information. Besides, I believe folks can figure out how much pressure to apply to hold a club to keep it from flying down range. They don't need you to tell them. Maybe consider letting folks find out for themselves? Experiment? Then there's the Arm Swing thread. OMG...it's like I'm in the Twilight Zone of what NOT to do. If you're goal is to attack everyone on here about anything to do with the golf swing you're doing a disservice to the game...and bullying folks into submission will drive away folks from this forum.

My club pro hits about 50 balls with his left hand only during warm-up, as well as a guy who's on track to get his PGA card. My pro teaches folks to swing with their left-hand only with the lightest grip possible to relax, to allow the wrist to easily release, and learn body rotation.. He teaches this way because right-handed folks naturally try to force / manipulate the club with their right hand which deflects the natural arc, basic physics of a golf swing. Hey, maybe others play very well by activating their right hand, but it's not part of any thought for me. You guys are feisty on here...that's great! But really? You don't care what someone relates they are doing? OK whatever. Have I seen you on tour? What are your credentials?

It's just that Couple's swing is probably the smoothest and most commented upon. While you have the data and I don't, I certainly agree the pro's grip pressure is more constant. It's smart to eliminate variables. Good so far. All I can tell you is what I do and feel, I'm not talking in the abstract. I don't feel 100 pounds of force on any swing. There may well be 100 lbs of force, but it's irrelevant to focus upon. Let me ask you this: If you were asked to pick up a 5 lb weight, you need to lift a "dead weight" in your direction. If that same weight is on a string, and I asked you to swing the weight like a tether ball by turning your body in circle, using centrifugal force, it's still 5 pounds....but the revolving around your body on a wider arc based on body turn. That negates the weight because the weight is moving in the same direction, not towards you or away, which of course would cause problems. The weight will feel nearly weightless.

100% correct. No...1,000%.

I'm new here so I don't want anyone to get the wrong impression I'm jumping on anyone. Typed words lack inflection which can lead to misunderstandings. Plus, I try to relate what works for me, what I have done. I see a lot of spirited discussions which is great! So... I don't know how folks measure grip pressure, especially because address grip pressure may be far different within the swing. Is it measured at address, top of back swing, and/or at impact? As I stated, Couple's right hand comes off the club after impact. It actually must come off because the butt of the club is traveling away from the right hand. which is not holding on with any tension. Same for Vijay as stated. As for "grip pressure" discussions by any pro, the reverse could be true to....they say firm...but firm to them is maintaining just enough pressure to not let the club fly out of their hands.

Oh please...like a 65 year old guy is seeing 100 lbs of pressure on his body. Who told you that? I went to an outing where Couples talked about swinging freely, with loose hands/wrists. Swung every club the exact same way...rhythm...timing....he said that was key to looking like he was doing "nothing".

Physics...not science. The rubber grip provides plenty of friction...then add a glove....amazingly enough, my hands know just how much pressure is required to hold onto the club so it's not flying down the fairway. I really don't get your point. How do you explain Couple's and Vijay's right hand coming off the club at impact?

Really? I don't feel 100+ pounds of pressure. I heard that somewhere too, but the body is turning with the force...kinda like riding in an airplane at 500 mph.

My 2 cents. The firmer the grip the less one feels the weight of the club. Firm grips promote tension, upper body - arm control, and slower releases which runs counter to swinging from the waist down with a whipping action at impact. A light grip promotes feeling the weight of the club which is key to golf. Couples' right hand comes off the club at impact, so does Vijay's, and others. If I asked someone to toss me a golf ball from 10 feet, they wouldn't grab it...instead, they'd bounce it in their hand to feel / gauge the weight, have a loose wrist, and flick it to me.

If I placed an 18" wide board on the ground and "dared you" to walk on the board...you'd say I was nuts! Now if that same board was raised 10 stories between two buildings...suddenly the simple task of walking on the board wouldn't be so easy.