Moe Norman

Plane The Trail Shoulder.. Is It Really That Simple?

July 17, 2023 by Tim Graves PGA

By Tim Graves, PGA

Moe at Address

Moe’s body and arm position at address allowed for him to reduce numerous variables in the golf swing.

When you can eliminate variables, you can become more consistent. In the picture above, you can see a red circle on his trail shoulder. The trail shoulder is positioned slightly above the red plane line. Once we establish this address position, it causes a smooth backswing and downswing….

Moe at Top of Backswing

As Moe takes the club back, the trail shoulder rides merely directly up the plane line. How does he do this?

By rotating his body and folding his trail arm. At the top of the backswing, you can see that the trail shoulder is slightly above the plane line, mirroring the position it started in higher up. With this simple movement, the hands are on the plane line, and the club shaft is correctly on the plane

Moe at Impact

Do you see anything similar here?

That’s correct. The trail shoulder has come right back down the plane line resulting in an up and down motion. Moe called this “the pendulum.”

The only difference between address and impact from this down-the-line perspective is the rotation of Moe’s hips and torso. In this picture to the right, you can see how the hips and chest are rotated open. This has to occur for the hands to lead.

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Hit More Fairways with Common Sense

September 7, 2020 by admin

There are practical and common-sense strategies that you can use on the course to help you improve your game and help you shoot lower scores. One such tip is almost so simple you’ll probably scratch your head and wonder why you didn’t think of it yourself.

When you play the game enough, you eventually learn that driving the golf ball into the fairway is one of the most important aspects of playing well and having fun. Alternatively, when you miss fairways and lose balls, golf can be a very frustrating and expensive game. Here is a simple tip that can help you hit your driver straight, find your ball in the fairway and even save a few bucks.

This tip is actually two steps. The first step is to select the place on the tee box where you have the best angle into the fairway. The Second step is to use the ball as an alignment aid.

Step 1: Tee box “angle”

It might seem unfair, but many times golf course designers align tee boxes toward hazards and trouble. Average golfers often fall for this trick by unknowingly going to the middle of the tee-box without understanding that there is possibly a better option. By moving to one side of the tee or the other you can improve the “angle” of your shot – thus increasing the possibility of hitting the fairway.

For example, if you see that the hole is located on the right side of the green and the best place to approach the flag is from the left side of the fairway, teeing the ball on the right side of the tee box creates a better angle to land the ball in the left side of the fairway.

Once you select the proper side of the tee box, the second step is to align yourself correctly.

Step 2: Align the Ball

Alignment to the target is difficult for most amateurs from especially from the tee. I often see amateurs hit really good shots but, since they are often mis-aligned, the ball flies into trouble.

Another tip to help you align accurately and hit more fairways is to use the ball as an alignment aid. You will find that most golf balls have a logo or marking on them. For example, the Titleist Pro-V1 has an arrow on the side and the Callaway Triple Track has three lines. By using the logo or lines on the ball, you can aim the markings toward your intended target in the fairway. The lines on the ball give you a sight-line and a visual reference toward your target.

Now, when you select the correct place on the tee box (tee angle) and align the logo on the ball to your intended target, you have increased your chance of hitting the fairway. Now just get comfortable and swing and you are two-steps closer hitting more fairways and playing great golf.

Moe Norman’s Lead Thumb – The Long and Short of It

April 29, 2020 by admin

The lead hand grip is more than just where you place the club in the hand. How you place the hand is just as important. If the golf swing were a jigsaw puzzle, I would consider the lead hand position my final piece.

When I first learned Moe’s Single Plane swing, was always intrigued by how comfortable he appeared at address. He was neither relaxed nor was he tense. it seemed that he was both. His lead arm was straight and rod-like as it aligned and extended with the club. His trial arm was straight but more underneath and soft.

The tilt of his body created a perfect alignment of the club to his lead shoulder as he lead arm extended. Much of his lead arm alignment was related to his unhinged or ulnar deviation and lead thumb positioned down the grip.

Here is a picture of the Single Plane address where you can see the extension of his lead arm.

And how the hand is positioned when holding the club.

When the wrist is in the proper position, there should be no stress on the top of the wrist due to the extended lead thumb position. The thumb is long but not extended too far down the shaft. There is a gap between the thumb and the knuckle of the index finger where the fingers are tightly wrapped together under the club.When the wrist is in the proper position, there should be no stress on the top of the wrist due to the extended lead thumb position. The thumb is long but not extended too far down the shaft. There is a gap between the thumb and the knuckle of the index finger where the fingers are tightly wrapped together under the club.When the wrist is in the proper position, there should be no stress on the top of the wrist due to the extended lead thumb position. The thumb is long but not extended too far down the shaft. There is a gap between the thumb and the knuckle of the index finger where the fingers are tightly wrapped together under the club.

The extended thumb and wrist position at address translate into the proper hand action at the top of the backswing where the hinge of the hands leverage and support the club.

Another view of the hand position at the top of the backswing shows the pressure in the trail hand as well.

When the hands are positioned correctly they can work together and hinge correctly to the top of the swing. This allows the club face to move correctly where it moves in rotation with the lead arm.

Achieving the ideal lead hand position was the final piece of my Single Plane puzzle. With a little attention to the detail of where you place your lead hand, it might be your final piece too.

You can find out more about the lead hand position and every detail of the Single Plane Golf Swing in my latest DVD product, The Domino Effect – Back to Basics.

The Domino Effect – Back to Basics DVD

Moe Norman’s Lead Thumb – The Long and Short of It

April 22, 2020 by admin

Here is a picture of the Single Plane address where you can see the extension of his lead arm.

And how the hand is positioned when holding the club.

The extended thumb and wrist position at address translate into the proper hand action at the top of the backswing where the hinge of the hands leverage and support the club.

Another view of the hand position at the top of the backswing shows the pressure in the trail hand as well.

When the hands are positioned correctly they can work together and hinge correctly to the top of the swing. This allows the club face to move correctly where it moves in rotation with the lead arm.

Achieving the ideal lead hand position was the final piece of my Single Plane puzzle. With a little attention to the detail of where you place your lead hand, it might be your final piece too.

You can find out more about the lead hand position and every detail of the Single Plane Golf Swing in my latest DVD product, The Domino Effect – Back to Basics.

The Domino Effect – Back to Basics DVD

Successful and Satisfied Students – Graves Golf’s only Mission

December 27, 2019 by admin

If I had to summarize the success of Graves Golf this recent testimonial says it better than I ever could – and makes every bit of our efforts worthwhile.

Hi Tim,
I am going to send you two emails. The second has to do with my swing trainer. But before I forget to do this, I want to say a couple of things. I attended the one day single plane training in Anaheim with Pat on September 27th. And I just followed up with another one on one session with Pat on Tuesday, Christmas eve. I was the only student at the all day session. At first I was concerned about being the only student, but I just wanted to tell you what a fantastic time I had. This experience was supplemented by my 2nd session just a couple of days ago. I wanted you to know, which I am sure you do, that I think Pat is tremendous. He is smart, patient, funny and absolutely a tremendous representative of your golf philosophy and your company. Time literally flies by when I am with him. He constantly refers to you and to Todd regarding the positions, the process, how to practice, how to score better, etc. You have a great person in Pat working for you. And of course, he has no idea I am writing this to you. On a 2nd note regarding using your system. I picked up golf again exactly 20 months ago when my then 19 year old son stared working at a local golf course. I had played in my early 20s, but stopped for over 30 years when I started my company. I am now 65 and am an absolute fanatic of the game. I tried multiple different web training sites and took lessons from a pro on how to increase my swing speed. All of these were not only not helpful, the swing speed coaching just about ruined my low back. I stumbled across one of Todd’s YouTube videos regarding how a shorter backswing will produce better results. From there, I have completely adopted the system. I now regularly hit the ball further than I have ever done in the past. I make much better contact and much more consistent contact that I have ever been. I see improvement in my swing almost weekly. My scoring still sucks, but I am beginning to focus much more time on my short game, so I know the results will come. I know everyone says to concentrate on your short game, but when you are hitting every drive less than 200 yards, as I perviously was, you have to improve that part of the game as well. I truly love hitting golf balls now. I have so much more confidence that I will make solid contact and the ball will go (for the most part) where I am aiming, that the overall confidence in my game just keeps rising. Thank you and Todd for this. It is a great system, your videos and all of the content on the web site and YouTube are great as well. If you ever need a reference, I’m your man. Cheers,Nelson Greenwood

I am proud of the Graves Golf team is always working to help our students find their fastest path to great golf. As the earth makes a final rotation for 2019, it makes for a great time for reflection. Speaking of rotation, let’s go full circle to the beginning of the year and review five great moments.

7. The Feeling of Greatness – 28 (more) Interviews

Heading into our second year of production, the Feeling of Greatness Documentary is entering into Post-production after the team, lead by Barry Morrow – Academy Award writer for Rain Man and Producer Nathan Edwards, acquired twenty-eight additional interviews of Moe’s family and friends. You can find out more about the Moe Norman Documentary at www.thefeelingofgreatness.com.

Website: http://www.thefeelingofgreatness.com

6. The AAI Golf School

With the help of Paul Monahan, Graves Golf’s Performance expert, the Alert Attitude of Indifference School (AAI) has become one of our most popular offerings. Here is what students are saying about the GGAAI school:

Student: Rich R.

Just a short note of appreciation to Paul, Chandler, and yourself for a wonderful experience at the recent Alert Attitude of Indifference school in Phoenix.
You recall that I questioned the value of the school and was not certain that it was worth the time or money.
The exercises, drills, and practical applications were extremely valuable to apply immediately and build on in the future.
If anyone is doubtful about the value of the training – I suggest they visit with some of the folks who have attended the school.
A former doubting Thomas
Again thanks for a wonderful experience
Rich R

Student: Jack G.

I am a 69 year old low teen handicap golfer who is “stuck” to get the next 5-6 shots off my handicap. If frustration and confusion are part of your game, the tools acquired at the AAI School instructed by Paul Monahan with assistance and coaching from Tim Graves and Chandler Rusk – May be for you………I now have a toolbox that will provide me the skills to get out of my own way (Stop Overthinking), replace frustration with gratitude and get back to the basic concept of why I took up the game 40 years ago – To Have Fun!!! Isn’t that why Moe was so successful? Because he “played the game” and had fun!!
You will leave this school with a new appreciation of yourself, your life and your golf game.
Jack G
To find out more about the next GG AAI School – you can visit the school pages here: http://moenormangolf.com/schools/2-day-alert-attitude-of-indifference-school/

5. Todd Graves YouTube Channel

Moe Norman and the Single Plane swing expand to YouTube this year with the Todd Graves Channel. The channel gained over 10,000 subscribers in just four months. The channel is a great creative outlet for teaching people about the uniqueness of the Single Plane instruction.

http://www.youtube.com/c/ToddGravesGolf

4. Excalibur and H3

On a mission to help golfers lower their scores by improving the most important scoring part of the game, Tim Graves developed the Excalibur and H3 putting trainers designed help you implement the Graves Golf fundamentals.

Purchase it here: http://bit.ly/2MxCBVV

3. The Swing Thing

This year Graves Golf Introduced the Swing Thing – a product designed to teach the proper sequence of the golf swing and one of the most difficult parts of swing motion – the release. It is impossible to swing the “Thing” incorrectly. The design helps you feel swing plane when you Plane the Chain.

Purchase it here: Right Handed: http://bit.ly/39mfMOO Left Handed http://bit.ly/39kVa9i

2. The Single Plane Life

Why do you play? Is golf important to you? This year we introduced the Single Plane Life. The Single Plane Life is a life where you have fun playing golf again which makes you enjoy your time playing golf. Great golf, fun on the course and with friends, this is the Single Plane Life.

See Tim’s video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0qCxxD2xJg

1.The Acquisition of Moe Norman

This has been an exciting year for Moe Norman as well. For the past twelve years, the Moe Norman brand has been in great hands thanks to Graves Golf. After a brand purchase arrangement with the Moe Norman Estate, Graves Golf has acquired all of the intellectual property rights to Moe Norman. Now the future is in our hands as well.

The Concomitant Relation of Swing Plane, Lag and Release

November 29, 2019 by admin

I don’t know a golfer on the planet who doesn’t want to add 20 yards on the end of their average drive. This equates to a club-head speed increase of approximately 8 miles per hour which, for most golfers, is a dramatic 10% increase.

Increasing your club head Club-head speed by 10% is a function of many factors which contribute to how efficient we use our bodies to release the speed in the correct location of the golf swing. In other words, if you have great technique, you can easily produce speed.

Moe would often discuss how he would “lead and lag” and included this as one of his magic movements of his swing. In this picture he was exaggerating his demonstration of this feeling.

Moe Norman — Moe Demonstrating Leading and Laging

This feeling is only felt (excuse the redundancy), by proper movement and hitting the ideal positions of the body where the arms and hands can efficiently move. To understand why the technique of these factors are directly connected is so important, you must realize the relationship between Swing Plane, Lag and Release.

Swing Plane

Swing Plane is created by positioning our bodies correctly so that when the arms moves the club, they moves in a way where the club-head can move on an arc and path that can accumulate speed. This accumulation of speed is also called “timing” where, as the body rotates and the arms move and hands hinge, the club is moving in a semi-circular path around the rotating body.

The initial swing plane is referenced at address (the Single Plane) where the club shaft is aligned with the trail arm. This extension of the arms creates a spatially wide radius for the hands to move the club around the body.

Single Plane Top of Backswing — Swing Plane at Top of Backswing

When you move the hands and arms correctly with the rotation of the body, the extension and timing of the hands and arms move in a way where the club can make a path of least resistance back and down. A better way to say this might be to say – that the club is able to move on it’s fastest and most efficient path.

Lag

Technically, lag is where one thing leads as another thing follows another or lags behind. Therefore, during a downswing, the body moves first, the arms and hands move next and the club follows. One important aspect of lag is the leverage angle formed by the hand hinge which creates and angle allowing the club-head to lag behind the hands. This angle, after lagging behind in the downswing, will release to produce speed.

The angle formed by the hand hinge allows the club head to lag far behind the arms when the arms pull the club down in the downswing.

This angle is related to the grip and how the hands put pressure on the club as well as wrist hinge and how the trail arm folds.

Feeling Swing Plane and Lag

When the arms pull the club, the club head will lag behind the hands where the mass of the club head is being pulled by the shaft. This creates a Feel where you are pulling on the club but the club-head is staying behind. The pull of the club is related to how the pressure points of the hands are aligned to the shaft and the face angle.

The hinge of the lead arm pulls on the shaft when the torso rotates and pulls the arm. The trail hand supports the club and will eventually “skip a rock” as it moves through to release the club through impact.

The Body Pulls the Lead Arm, which pulls the hand which pulls the club

Release

Release is dependent on a number of factors including how the body leads in the downswing and the lag being maintained in the downswing. When the body rotates ant the trail arm extends the club is released through the ball. The trail arm has extended from its bent position (see picture above) and at the point of release, both arms are straight.

The Position of release is dependent on how well the arm stayed bent in the downswing and the stability of the lead leg so that the upper body can continue to turn as the trail arm extends.

In summary, Swing Plane, Lag and Release are all related to producing speed and timing of the golf swing. When you begin to move correctly and the club moves on plane, the hands hinge correctly and your body is able to efficiently “pull’ the club into the downswing.

As you pull and the pulling side of the body begins to stop, the trial side and take over as it rotates. The trail arm extends and releases the leverage created in the backswing and downswing.

Similar to cracking a whip, release is a place where the speed of the club reaches its fastest point after impact.

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