Single Plane

The First Domino

August 20, 2019 by admin

In air navigation there is a rule of thumb called “1 in 60”. The 1 in 60 rule states that for 60 miles a pilot has traveled, for every mile that he is off-course is equal to 1 degree. This means that the farther you travel, the more off-course you would be.

The 1 in 60 rule is analogous to the golf swing where, for every mistake you make at the beginning forces you to compensate and correct throughout the entire motion. The problem with corrections during the golf swing is compounded when the entire golf swing is happening in less than a second. When you make a mistake early in the swing motion it creates a domino effect throughout the golf swing.

Take the address position for example. If you mis-align your hips, it affects your lower back (spine) affecting your shoulder position. You shoulder position affects the way your arms extend and your arm extension affects how you hold the golf club. Everything works together and the little things can cause big problems. Moe would often refer getting the little mechanical elements correct as “the Purity of Technique” – something I always personally strive for. Many of the problems in the golf swing are caused at the very beginning – the address – the first domino.

Let’s take a look at the Purity of Technique at address.

From the Down-the-Line Perspective, the clubshaft aligns with the trail arm and the lead arm is visible (1). There is no gap between the arms and the legs are relatively straight (but not locked)(2). The handle of the club (butt-end) is not visible under the trial arm (3). The plane of the club-shaft runs to the middle of the back (4).

Gripping the club correctly isn’t enough to ensure the proper address position. As a matter of fact, you can’t have a correct grip if the body position isn’t arranged properly – what Moe called Orientation.

Orientation relates to how the body is oriented that allows you to grip and stand correctly to the ball at the start. The way to achieve the perfect grip is by positioning the body correctly as well.

The tilt of the upper body orients the lead shoulder higher and extends the arms (1). This lowers the trail shoulder and places the trial hand into an “underneath” rotation (2). The club (head) is placed below the nose to allow the club to fully align with the lead shoulder (3). The lead foot is turned out slightly (4). With these details in place, the V of the trial hand points to the trail shoulder and the V of the lead hand points near the middle of the chest. Notice how I positioned the body before I discussed where the V’s were pointing. The V’s point correctly because of ideal body orientation.

Like dominos where the first domino sets off a chain reaction. When it comes to the purity of technique, your address position is your first domino. and every detail matters. This is the Domino Effect.

You can find out more about in my latest video Series “The Domino Effect” back to basics by going here:

THE DOMINO EFFECT DVD

Is Moe’s swing Left or Right Sided?

July 15, 2019 by admin

I hear this question often in one form or another. Here is and example from a recent Youtube comment:

“With the single plane swing is the release a right inward throw or a left outward pull?“ I find these questions difficult to answer with a simple “Right or Left” after spending the last six years studying the “inside” of the Single plane swing with 3D modeling. The problem with the question is that there is never a moment in the swing where the right side and left side aren’t active. Just because the part of the body isn’t moving, doesn’t mean its not doing anything. This becomes particularly obvious when you study motion and the Kinematic Sequence of the body.In other words, if the left side of the body is stopping – the act of stopping is also an activity. Think of his this way. When you are driving your car quickly and you stop, what part of the car is doing the most work? If you guessed the brakes, you are getting the idea of what is happening in the golf swing. Moving one part of the body correctly requires the body to stabilize other parts to accommodate proper movement. Let’s look at the example from the YOUTUBE question about the release. During the release of the golf club the lead arm / hand are slowing down as the bent trail arm is extending. This happens at the correct time (and place) because the Pelvis has rotated into a flexed and stable trail knee. When the pelvis is being stabilized, the lead side of the torso can also stabilize allowing the trail side of the body to keep rotating. You can not “inward throw” or “outward pull” if these variables are not present. There fore, the answer is that “both” the right inward throw and the left outward pull are occurring – it is just a matter of when and where. It is not one or the other. While I have used various analogies to describe specific motions in the swing such as skipping the rock with the trail hand and throwing a frisbee with the lead side, neither one describes the entirety of the motion. I would rather have you think of the golf swing differently. I would rather have you think in terms of backswing and downswing with a change of direction or transition in-between. Where I see the golf swing is largely misunderstood is that in each segment, such as the backswing, various parts of the body are moving and stopping. In other words, it is not one continuous motion. It is actually a series of movements blended into one. Take for example the backswing motion. In the first few feet of club movement the pelvis has rotated 20 degrees while the Torso has moved almost 50.

Take a look at the entire video of this back view. It demonstrates how during the backswing as the body is moving , the trail shoulder stops and the hands and arms continue. This is why Moe would describe the motion as In and Up.

You can clearly see how at a certain point the trail shoulder stops as the arms move and trail elbow folds up. This is why it is much more advantageous to study the movement of the body as it compares the model than generalize the movements.

Bacon Strips not Pork Chops

June 18, 2019 by admin

I recently posted a video on youtube discussing Moe’s address position and the importance of Shaft lean into impact. I mentioned the importance of taking a divot and one of the comments on the post mentioned the following:

“But MOE never took a divot, or very rarely did he. He even said it himself”.

I replied: “Moe took divots albeit shallow. As Moe said “Bacon strips, not pork chops”.

Then he replied:

“Todd Graves – maybe sometimes but I can show you a video where he said he doesn’t take divots and that he could , “ put your Casio watch on the ground and I could hit off of it and not break the grass.” Also, I have seen many of his hitting clinics on video and he rarely ever takes a divot. He said he would sweep the grass.”

Let’s set the record straight.

While Moe might have said he didn’t take a divot, what he felt he did and what he actually did were quite different. I have not doubt that Moe could have hit a golf ball off of a Casio watch face. This doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t take a divot. Moe’s swing was perfectly shallow into impact. He compressed the ball perfectly. Yet, when the ball was on tight turf, he took a shallow divot. Here are some pics that tell the story.

Once again, there is a difference between feel and real and you must be cautious between what you hear Moe say and what is actually happening.

The Keys to the Lower Body – the Brakes of the Single Plane Golf Swing

February 17, 2019 by admin

It is well understood that the movement of the hips and lower body are an important part of swing movement, rotation and speed, one factor that is misunderstood is the importance of the stability of the lower hips as you move throughout the swing.

In essence, the lower body is a support system for the upper body and in many ways, the lower body is the braking system for the engine of the upper body. So how exactly does the lower body both move and support the upper body? It’s all in the knees.

Single Plane Backswing Trail knee

As you rotate into the backswing, the trail knee braces the leg so the pelvis can turn. But keeping the knee still is critical as it limits the amount of hip rotation. If the one straightens it can cause an over-rotation and too much pelvis movement.

Once you have reached the top of the backswing with the trial knee stable and hips rotated, the stable trail leg moves your pelvis into the flexed lead knee.

Move into Flexed Lead knee

Once your lead knee is flexed, your lead side has put on the brakes. You must keep the lead knee flexed and in position throughout the rest of the through-swing and into your release. Keep in mind that as your lead knee is flexed your pelvis can continue to rotate into the through-swing.

Lead knee flexed, trail foot down

As you continue to rotate through the ball into the finish with the lead knee flexed and trail foot is down, another limit has been created in the movement of the pelvis. Weight had moved into the lead foot and with the trail foot down and the pelvis limited, the upper body can separate from the lower body and produce maximum amounts of speed. By keeping the lead knee in position and the trail foot down, you have created the braking system for the lower body so that the upper body can generate power.

The rotation of the pelvis, while only 40 degrees rotated closed in the backswing and 35 degrees open at impact (at total of 75 degrees) tends to be one of the most difficult movements in the swing as we age therefore it must be something that you continue to develop and maintain as you get older. (I recommend showing the above photo to your personal trainer and mention that you need to be able to achieve this position). It will also take stress off of your back.

To find out more about the Single Plane Swing in 3D, visit Singleplane3D.com.

New Year, New You

January 20, 2019 by admin

Hello Single Plane Golfers.

Welcome to 2019. We are readying our company for a fantastic year. I wanted to share with you some ideas about your training that you start making some plans to play your best golf this year.

Practice is only as good as the quality of it. Therefore, I wanted to introduce you to my training levels where the highest levels reflect the most productive and effective use of tools, time, energy and effort.

The Levels of Swing Training & Practice

Level 1: Unproductive Practice

On the Range
Hitting balls Using ball-results as measurement
Estimating and making Assumptions
Reliance on Feelings
Troubleshooting: Guessing

Level 2: Training Aids and Tools

Using Ball-flight results as measurement
Use of Training Aids
Reliance of Feelings
Troubleshooting: Guessing

Higher Levels of Training / Speed up the process of habit building (Developing Training Routines – all high performers do this)

Level 3: Video Feedback

Using Model as measurement / Comparing on Video
Perceptions and Adjustments
Must have understanding of Model
Must have way to compare directly to model (video)
Focus on Model not Ball-flight Results
Troubleshooting: Matching the Model / Adjust

Level 4: Video Feedback and Use Training Aids (Combine Level 2 and Level 3)

Using Model as Measurement
Perception and Adjustment
Training Aids Allow for Focus on Motion / Ensure correct positions
Focus on Model not Ball-flight Results
Troubleshooting: Using Aids / Video to Measure and Match the Model

Level 5: Ideal Training – Biofeedback with Training Aids with Video

Using Body Motion is the Measurement
Instant Motion Feedback
You instantly Feel as You Practice
Perfectly Match the Model
Focus: Process and Motion not Results
Use Video Feedback Tools
Troubleshooting: Adjust Body Position / Develop Motion, Strength and Flexibility

For more information about Biofeedback training visit : www.singleplane3d.com

Level 6: Direct from Coach: Lessons, GGA Schools, Online Coaching

Match the Model
Combine Body Motion and Ball-Flight Results
Use Training / Video and Bio-feedback Tools
Match the Model
Troubleshooting: Refer to Coach for Guidance

Highest Level Training / Maintain / Improve – Make it Stronger

Level 7: Ball Flight Result Practice

Model is mastered – Video is Proof
Repetition is the Goal
Make is Stronger
Troubleshooting: Refer to Fundamentals / Minor adjustments

Level 8: Maintenance and Improvement

Off the Course Routine to Stay Fit and Flexible
Easily Identify if Something is Not Correct
Easily Fix Something That is Incorrect
Ideal Training Regimen for Off-season and On-Season
Occasional Visit / Feedback from Coach to “Check-in”

Obviously the goal is to attain the highest level of practice as much as possible. When I asked Moe why he kept practicing he would confirm his reason, “To make it stronger”. Moe was at level 7 and 8. Interestingly, even though Moe was the best, he kept practicing and knew the importance of repetition.

The Short Cut….

December 16, 2018 by admin

Do you know the most common question golfers ask us?

“Is there a shortcut to making swing changes and improving my game?”

The simple answer to the question is “Yes!”

The short cut – are you ready for it?….. is all about FEEDBACK.

Most think it is about practice…. but does practice actually help??

Should instructors encourage you to practice?

You might not believe it, but golf instructors debate about this al the time. Many golf instructors believe that you should avoid the idea of teaching the importance of practice – that it takes away from the enjoyment of the game. They argue that the game is about teaching golfers how to play not about teaching them how to swing.

Our position is that you really can’t have fun and play well if you don’t have a good swing. Furthermore, building a great golf swing is part of the fun. We also believe that teaching the golf swing is about helping golfers “shortcut” the learning process (practice), not avoiding it. Let’s explain in two sentences.

Golfers struggle and get frustrated (and score badly) because they are unskilled.

Skill is acquired through practice.

All skills require practice and we can’t think of a game that requires more practice than golf. This might explain so many are frustrated with the game and why in recent years, more have quit the game then started new. It simply takes too long to get good. The question we should be asking is not whether we should be teaching golfers to practice but rather how can we help them learn to practice correctly and effectively and get better faster…

Don’t take my word for it, listen to Dan Coyle, author of the book The Talent Code. Dan, who researched talent hotbeds describes the acquisition of talent in three important processes:

• Deep Practice–Everyone knows that practice is a key to success. What everyone doesn’t know is that specific kinds of practice can increase skill up to ten times faster than conventional practice.

• Ignition–We all need a little motivation to get started. But what separates truly high achievers from the rest of the pack? A higher level of commitment—call it passion—born out of our deepest unconscious desires and triggered by certain primal cues. Understanding how these signals work can help you ignite passion and catalyze skill development.

• Master Coaching–What are the secrets of the world’s most effective teachers, trainers, and coaches? Discover the four virtues that enable these “talent whisperers” to fuel passion, inspire deep practice, and bring out the best in their students.

These three elements work together within your brain to form myelin, a microscopic neural substance that adds vast amounts of speed and accuracy to your movements and thoughts. Scientists have discovered that myelin might just be the holy grail: the foundation of all forms of greatness, from Michelangelo’s to Michael Jordan’s. The good news about myelin is that it isn’t fixed at birth; to the contrary, it grows, and like anything that grows, it can be cultivated and nourished.

The way we see it is that you don’t need to practice harder, you need to practice smarter get help along the way. We can relate to these three factors in my experience as well.

In our experience the students who are the most willing to practice and enjoy the process have the most success.

Deep practice is getting into the place where real learning occurs. This is where feedback happens and feelings are well….felt. Let me give you an example.

In a recent school, we had been sitting in the meeting room for about an hour. One student asked “when are we going to hit some balls on the range?” We responded with a question, “We will let you hit balls on the range when you can reassure me that you are measuring and getting feedback on every swing. Are you able to do that?”

The reason we have a great golf swings is not because we are more talented than any of our students. We have simply spent more quality time working on my golf swing. It come down to the quality of your practice, now how much you practice.

We put in the quality then I made is stronger with repetition. Most students put in the repetition but not the quality.

Our teaching habits have changed over the years. We find it almost impossible to watch people practice ineffectively. We start to get nervous and we usually jump in and stop it. We then ask “what are you working on” and “how do you know if you are getting it?”.

We are now heading into 2022. You have a choice. You can go another year wishing your golf game improved and guessing at the outcomes or you can make a transformation in your approach. This is what we are suggesting is that you take a giant leap by making some major changes. You can do this by understanding Dan Coyle’s three principles of talent. Learn how to Deep Practice, Get Passionate about it and Get Help from a Master Coach.

Now take some action on these principles and get practicing – correctly.

To find out more about how to practice correctly, deep practice and your short cut to improvement – please see: CLICK HERE

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