By Tim Graves, PGA

From: D A J. <j…..40@msn.com>
Date: Mon, Nov 17, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Subject: Progress
To: Tim Graves <timg@gravesgolf.com>

Level 3 member here.  I was energized about my game after attending the Short Game and Mental Game Schools this past June.  As I worked on my game this summer, my subconscious brain told me to move on to the next part of the swing twice.  It was interesting that I was working on one part of the swing but my brain just yelled at me to move on.    I remember you saying more than once that a person may not be ready to move on for any number  of reasons.  I have had instructors move my hips into the correct position during a few schools that I have been to over the last few years.  The importance of this help finally hit me at the Short Game School this year.  When I began grooving this part of the swing, I began to take appropriate divots without thinking about it.  Ball striking became more consistent throughout the bag all summer and fall.  

Recently, as I was working on my trail hip movement, my brain told me to work on a little more wrist hinge at the top of the backswing.  Again, the brain was saying, “ok time to move on”.  Holy crap.  Ball striking just jumped to a whole new level.  Over the last two years I decided to golf more.   My driving distances moved from 220yds to 230-240.  In my last round this year, using the correct hip turn with a little more wrist leverage angle, I was driving the ball 270 yds the whole round.  My seven iron which was my 145-150 yd club went 165 yds every time.  My 100-105 yd gap wedge went 115 yds multiple times.  

I selected the single plane swing because I have had lead knee ACL reconstruction surgery, am living with a lead knee torn MCL and have had a compression fracture in my lower spine.  I have not had any knee or back issues using the Single Plane Swing.  I have been working on flexibility for range of motion this year as you talk about regularly.  

I was so excited after the last round that I had to write to you.  Graves Golf does a fantastic job of coaching people up.   Some people like me might be a little slow on the uptake, but tremendous progress is possible.  I will be 72 next spring and plan on my best season yet with more to come.

I hope that hearing from one of your students with positive results brightens your day a little. 

Many Thanks,

Dean J.