I Must Go Back to the One Piece Takeaway Because ...

1. 2021-07-11: The correct Golf downswing is best executed with a fully coiled body, fully cocked hands, the tautness uncoiling automatically like the rotors of a helicopter along the plane.
2. 2021-07-11: The objective of the upswing MUST be to place the body in the COILED ALONG THE PLANE position. 2021-09-09: PLEASE REMEMBER THIS AND DON'T BE FOOLED BY THE OTHER DISCOVERIES THAT FOLLOWS. IT IS COIL, UNCOIL. IT IS THAT SIMPLE. JUST EXECUTE THE SECRET OF SOG. 2021-09-10: At Crestbrook learned, after a nice coiled turn where the weight of the club is felt at the top, JUST YANK the felt weight towards the ball and continue to turn to a picture-perfect finish. NO HAND MANIPULATION AT ALL. But the left wrist is firm and left arm is in full control. 
3. 2021-07-11: In a broader way, the one piece takeaway is the answer to achieve the correct COILED feeling. However, an explanation of the parts and sequences is in order.
1. The shoulders must start the turn.
2. The left and right hand must flick the club bank along the plane.
3. Continue and bounce the club back.
4. 2021-07-12: Using the shoulders and the wrists, coil-flick the club head to the top.
1. This is the same as no. 3 with the coil-flick phrase invented.

Putang-ina mo, One-piece Downswing pa la lang! 

2021-07-31: Grassy Hill Golf Club with Dean Suba and Ernie deBorja. One-piece takeaway, one-piece pull, then right palm it to a picture-perfect finish. 

2021-08-05: While practicing, leaving the left hand fully lifting the club - essentially making the club weightless -  makes a one-piece takeaway simpler to execute. The cocking also becomes automatic and one does not need to be aware of it happening. 2021-08-21: Wrap the right hand firmly to get a better bounce on the upswing. It is also a must for chipping. 

IMAGINE

2021-08-14:  First, execute the one-piece takeaway without thinking of the plane. Imagine, on the downswing, pulling with left shoulder the clubhead towards the ball with the sole purpose of hitting it forward (to burrow the ground) and through - finishing high and weight shifting intentionally forward. Right hand guiding.

CLUB-HEAD CENTRIC

2021-08-23: Mind, sight, feelings and emotions are all focus on the location of the clubhead. You see where the clubhead is, you feel its weight, your mind visualizes what you want to do with it and your emotions controls the tempo, strength and speed of its intended travel. In short,  it is the clubhead that one must focus on, think about - when rendering the golf swing.

2021-08-24: And here is the main reason why this MUST be done. It is not because it makes the shot crisper and so many other little pluses. IT IS BECAUSE ON THE DOWNSWING WHEN THE ONE-PIECE DOWNSWING IS EXECUTED (upswing forced the body to face backwards at this stage), THE BODY IS ALREADY PAST THE BALL POSITION WHEN THE CLUBHEAD REACHES THAT POINT (DUKOT move while the body is still facing backwards) - THAT THE WEIGHT SHIFT AND RESULTING SNAPPING ACTION (body faces the target) - BECOMES A U T O M A T I C .

Note that there will be times when the mental picture of the swing is like helicopter rotors on the plane with head sticking out. No problem,  the intent should be the same. Of course, the sticky hands is the result of a full throw of the clubhead at the upswing. 

STICKY LEFT HAND

2021-08-29:  On the downswing, when the left shoulder pulls the club head towards the ball, the left hand must be sticky and actively be pulling the club. This is true for all, even in putting.

Experiment if sticky both clasped hands will work better? Answer: No, it is only the left hand. And we can say, as a result, that the primary purpose of the upswing is to load up the sticky left hand.

2021-09-06:  The one-piece takeaway pronates / fans the clubhead to the top and the one-piece downswing pulls it back to the ball. By the way, this fanning motion brings the weight of the clubhead around the body - thus coiling the body fully and creating a stored explosive power. 

2021-09-08:  On the downswing, make sure that the body mass is already past the ball by the time the clubhead reaches it, thus ensuring a pulling action and consistent divot. Correct ball position is a big factor in achieving this objective. 

MUSINGS

2021-09-12: Cocked or arm-club straight at the top? Cocking may be longer but timing is off with YANKING. On the other hand, YANK is a simpler to execute and could also be long. Experiment this. 

2021-09-13:  The "straight at the top" is really the feeling of being aware of the weight of the club one is going to YANK towards the ball to get the desired distance and direction.  It is playing by instincts.

2021-09-16: LIMP LEFT WRIST

Problem: How come when I pull the club and shift my weight forward, the timing of the hit gets out of rhythm? But I remember eons ago that when I over-cock, it works! 

Answer:  The culprit is the stiff left wrist. THE LEFT WRIST MUST BE LIMPED ENOUGH TO MAKE THE TREBUCHET WORK! So one has to feel the weight of the club with the limped left wrist instead of the body alone.

2021-09-23: Right now the perfect golf swing for me is this. 

1. Visualize the plane. 
2. Maintain a LIMP LEFT wrist with the right hand supporting the left hand.
3. Even if there is a feeling of disconnection, feel the one-piece takeaway and turn the left shoulder around the plane and COIL to the top. (Should be easier mental picture since the shoulders and arms the only ones in the picture. The club and left hand are not since they are allowed to move automatically with the limped left wrist) 
4. Then unleash the power on the ball position - making sure the LIMP wrist will cooperate in the process.

The Club Face, Slingshot Cock

Body Golf is a Golf swing that relies on the body mass to hurl the golf ball. As discovered in the previous posting, one important part to promote this body Golf, is the hands ahead of ball at setup. 

This is the only move where I have twisted my body to the fullest - when I first thought about it and tried it on June 3, 2021. WHAT IS THE MOVE? IMAGINE THE HELICOPTER SHOULDERS TO BRING THE CLUB UP. The left wrist powered club violently piercing the sky with the C-cocked wrist moving along the plane is necessary. UNWIND THE CLUB TO THE BALL, KEEPING THE HEAD BEHIND THE BALL TO BE ABLE TO HURL THE CLUB SMOOTHLY AROUND TOWARDS A PICTURE PERFECT FINISH. 

Being aware that you are using the MASS of the upper body instead of speed to catapult the golf ball is important if not necessary. The stiff left wrist on the forward swing facilitates this action.

STRETCHING

In order for the body to achieve this physical and mental STATE to perform this newly discovered BODY GOLF, proper stretching is necessary. Do this first before hitting actual golf balls. The grip way ahead of the ball at setup is necessary to achieve a correct right hand dominated cocked upswing - punctuated by backward but along the plane back swing. 

Three things to remember during stretching and the actual game:

1. At setup, lower the right shoulder and then feel the TUCKED right elbow.
2. Grip is way ahead of the ball at setup. AND THE EYES MUST BE BEHIND THE BALL AT ALL TIMES, ELSE THE BODY CANNOT OPEN UP AUTOMATICALLY TO A PICTURE PERFECT FINISH.
3. Use the right hand to lead while the left hand fully cocks the ball. Left wrist C-cock along the plane going up until it bounces back.
4. Body Mass Trebuchet to power the swing on the downswing. Butter-blade hit the ball and dig a divot.
5. Go back to no. 1 if the left wrist is not completely C-COCKED.
6. Finish picture perfect.

NOVEL CHIPPING 

2021-06-20: The enabler here is really the fully cocked left wrist. Call this the open and shut door chip. Open the door with a cock of the left wrist. Close the door with uncocking of the left wrist, the right just tagging a long (can also hit at the right timing). 

Butter Blade

To the learn the golf swing easy, just learn to dig a divot with the left hand - like slicing butter. Retain this skill as the Prime Move that must be in every golf swing. All the rest, one can learn by reading Hogan's Fundamentals of Golf book.

Tony Boy's Way

This is Tony Boy's inspired swing.

The right hand will lead the upswing up to the top with a perfect cock. On the downswing, the left wrist stiffens, while the body turns to bring the club face square to the target... passive no left hand manipulations at all. Just guiding the club to the ball while the body turns to face the target.. Be generous with the right hand on the hit.

By the way, the left hand is not leading here on the downswing. It is just being pulled - due to the proper wind back of the left hip - on the upswing.

GOLF SWING MEMORY JOGGER

1. At setup, lower the right shoulder and then feel the TUCKED right elbow
2. TRANSFER THE WEIGHT FIRMLY ON THE RIGHT FOOT AND USE IT AS A PIVOT BY PUSHING WITH LEFT WAIST THE CLUB HEAD. 
3. AT THE SAME TIME, THE RIGHT HAND COCKS THE CLUB. 
4. THE COMBINATION OF THE WAIST PUSH AND THE RIGHT HAND COCK MAKES THIS AN AUTOMATIC SOLID AND ONE PIECE TAKEAWAY.  
5. NO FURTHER MENTAL OR PHYSICAL TWEAKING IS NECESSARY - SO DO NOT THINK ANY LONGER. JUST KEEP A BLANK MIND AND AUTO EXECUTE THE FORWARD SWING.
   

NOVEL CHIPPING 

Set up with the hands way ahead of the ball. Use the roped arms and use only the hips to bring back the club. The left wrist can be used to cock. Frozen left wrist is a must on the forward swing ala putting. 

COIL, the PRIME OBJECT

Trebuchet and Stroke of Genius (SOG)

Trebuchet (the physics behind the swing) and Stroke of Genius (SOG) must be the same thing and each one should be an explanation of the other.  In other words, the two must back up each other. When one part is not easily explainable in one, we can look up in the other for explanation and validation. 

One important but easily overlooked part is the initial move of the projectile above. It is dragged first before it is hurled same as in golf. So it is wrong to think one is slapping the ball but, rather, imagine it like a slingshot. IN ACTUAL APPLICATION, COILING IS THE PRIME AND ONLY OBJECTIVE OF THE GOLF SWING. HITTING IS NOT.

Master the Chipping to be the Master of the Golf Swing

In order to learn the Trebuchet golf swing, we will use the chip as the test platform for imparting the Trebuchet effect to the golf swing. Since trebuchet or SOG is used in every physical activity, then mastering chipping will eventually lead to mastering all the golf swing, from putting to full shots, in any kind of environment and surface. So why does raising the club parallel to the ground work?

As a personal objective in learning the golf swing, we will only try to learn one personal standard, the Trebuchet COIL Golf Swing.  We will not try to learn to manipulate the swing to impart different flight characteristics to the ball but instead just let the weather affect it.  This way, we will simplify the game, and let other things follow our way.

Very important discoveries 

2121-04-29:  Rythm and Tempo like the LPGA Pros with One Big 360º Shoulder Turn - At an advance level, the helicopter shoulders, ala Fred Couples, with the club head going back then forward 360º may be an excellent way to accomplish the individual rhythm and tempo to the swing. It is imperative that flicking - with the shoulders- the clubhead around to the top, strong enough to bring the left shoulder to touch the chin must be the initial objective. 

2121-05-10:  All these new "ways" do not really work.  Just stay with the normal proven natural and personal swing. Do not dream any longer in lengthening the distance. It is better to be short but able to enjoy the game ... and nature.

Trebuchet Putting 

Let the body big muscles do the moving. Let the hands and arms move like the sling part of the trebuchet. Move back the putter with the waist, freeze, and throw the ball forward in one frozen move.

The Parts of the Swing (LEFT WAIST UPSWING and RIGHT WAIST DOWNSWING) with COILING, as the PRIME OBJECTIVE

1. At setup, lower the right shoulder and then feel the TUCKED right elbow.
   
   
2. LOOK FOR THE PLANE - which is inclined low from the shoulders, not the eyes. When felt, proceed below. NOTE: IT IS EASIER TO USE THE BACK OF THE LEFT HAND TO TRACK THE PLANE.
   
   
3. TRANSFER THE WEIGHT FIRMLY ON THE RIGHT FOOT AND USE IT AS A PIVOT BY PUSHING WITH LEFT WAIST THE LEFT BACKHAND ALONG THE PLANE. THEN DO SEVERAL SLOW MINI UPSWINGS TO TEST THE SYNCHRONIZATION WITH THE PLANE. 
   
   
4. WHEN SATISFIED, PUSH THE CLUB ON THE GRASS WITH THE LEFT HIP AND CONTINUE with a continuous flick of the left backhand following and ALONG THE PLANE (like the left hand throwing the cape over the shoulders) up to the extreme cock of the wrist which then pulls the LEFT shoulder down and around. Imagine the right arm - from shoulder to elbow - as the AXIS. Go around along the PLANE UNTIL THERE IS A PRONOUNCED TIGHTENING OF THE LEFT BODY MUSCLES - A FULL COIL and a FULLY COCKED GRIP.
5. TONY BOY'S TECHNIQUE: USE THE RIGHT HAND FOR TAKEAWAY AND COCKING WHICH AUTOMATICALLY SETS UP THE LEFT HAND ALONG THE PLANE. HIT WITH STIFF LEFT ARM TO SLING THE BALL.
   
   
6. Last, started by the BOUNCE AND TIGHTENED MUSCLES,  WEIGHT SHIFT TO THE LEFT AND FIRE THE RIGHT HIP TO SWEEP THE BUTT OF THE FULLY COCKED GRIP TO THE BALL TO PULL IT TO A PICTURE PERFECT FINISH. 
   
   
7. It is imperative that the downswing is started by the left waist weight shift that pulls the club towards the ball and continued by the right waist turn till the ball impact, thus, resulting in a picture perfect finish. REMEMBER, IT IS A SLINGSHOT.

MUSINGS

Putting and Chipping

Putting and chipping have identical techniques. EVERYTHING IS THE SAME except the actual implement used. So with this in mind, one can consider even the fringes of the green as actually part of the green. Anything where you can chip has to be considered like putting.  One can really shoot for the flag no matter where it is because all around it won't matter (except water).

This is Miyazaki MDX II MD-001 putter.  It changes the visualization of the putt - from dying into the hole - to passing on top of the hole.  Actually, the major difference between between the two concepts  is the width of the line. The former just a line going and dropping into the hole while the latter is the line imagined is as wide as the putter and it just passes over the hole.  This makes is so easy to target the hole because there is no need to be as detailed.

By the way, do not forget to use the billiard arms in putting. It is essential in straightening the actual ball path and ensuring that the ball behaves as imagined and intended. 

There is something beautiful in a stance like this: 

• Feet close to one another to facilitate automatic turning.
• Open the body approximately 45° to the target line with bending of the right arm is parallel to the target line.
• Amazingly, the putter shaft droops perpendicular to the T-line and so is my left arm (almost)! 
• It feels so good but looks kind of weird seeing both arms triangulate at the grip.

Remember, the visualization now is entirely different. The putt and chip now is like a train passing along the train tracks, yes, train tracks.

ALSO, IMAGINE ROLLING THE BALL FROM THE FRONT OF THE PUTTER GOING TO THE TARGET. This will help in accuracy since the setup is secondary.  It will also help in properly lagging the ball to the hole.

Another (may be better) is a point and shoot technique. Set the putter down pointed to the target line. Bring the putter back with the left waist. Freeze and pull forward.

PITCHING

My technique requires that the club shaft, at back swing, reach PARALLEL TO THE GROUND in all instances. 

• First, COCK the club parallel to the ground. Very important to note that raising is done by the flick or COCKING (after the left waist) of the wrist along the plane, just like a full shot. Remember the body turn is necessary. ALSO, THE STRETCHED LEFT ARM AND BACKHAND FOCUS "MEASURES" THE CLUBHEAD BACK TO THE EXACT BALL POSITION THAT PREVENTS SKULLING. THE LEFT BACKHAND TAKES IT BACK, THE RIGHT HAND TAKES OVER BUT THE LEFT ARM GUIDES IT BACK TO THE BALL. THIS APPLIES TO CHIPS AND PUTTS,, TOO. Then...
• 
  
• The "body first" pull technique applies in chipping too and it might be a good way to experiment on the full swing.
• 
  
• BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER THE GOLF SWING IS NOT A HIT BUT A SWING / PULL.  
• 
  
• To make this easier, pull the centrifugal weight and sweep the ball with left shoulder turn, not the right hip.
• 
  
• SOG APPLICATION TO THE GOLF STROKE: The right hand and arm is the mover that brings back the club. The COCKED left arm remains STIFF and slings back the ball.

MENTAL CHANGE TO TEST

Imagine pulling the ball with the club face vs. Slapping the ball - like I do now. Remember the feeling I got when the driver face was close but I hit anyway? The ball felt like sticking on the club face. Also,  the ball did not hook but went straight! 2021-05-31: I actually learned this already but I gradually forgot again.  I changed this Post today to reflect this knowledge.

 

2021 SOG Golf Swing

 

Introduction

This posting will be a self-contained tutorial for all my golf related swing.  It will explain and relate in some way how I got to where I am currently. Although I started documenting my experiences way back in the 80's, my real golf quest started in 1999 where I accidentally shot a 78 at Richter Park with my late friend, Dan O'Rielly and another walk-in couple. How I played that day was a total abandon to my instincts which I did not understand then but I am realizing slowly now.  I am still not sure but I think it is the catapult effect brought about by an extremely cocked left wrist (with abandon) that was the key.  It is only through a lot of continuous self discoveries that I realized I was actually creating an SOG (see other posting related to this topic) swing.

Aggressive Wrist Cock

For 99% of the golfers out there, taking a vigorous wrist cock may be the answer to understanding the correct golf swing. When the club is taken back and extremely cocked, the twisted body is pulled farther. This in turn turns a switch in the brain to pull the club with the body - hips turning - rather than starting the downswing with the hands. The feeling of the over cocked clubs leaves the mind hopelessly incapable of flipping the club back with the hands. It (the mind) orders the body to un-twist (turn the hips).

When the club is raised along the plane by the left arm, the left wrist MUST ALSO cock the club fully until the whole weight of the left arm and club is felt wrapped around the shoulders.  Feel the left shoulder and then execute the turn-around where the hips bring all towards the target - and a picture perfect finish. What will be felt is like the way Hogan described it in his book - the club will just be hurling itself towards the target.

2015-02-16: The caddie, I only know him as Jun 13, found something missing in my swing.  He noticed that I do not finish my swing. He demonstrated to turn the right hip at the end of my swing and face the target. At first at the driving range this was hard for me to execute.  However, the next time I went to the driving range, I started concentrating on cocking the club.  Cocking the club actually automatically forced me to unwind so that it was easy to just turn around my hips and finish as he suggested.  It worked.  When I played at Tagaytay Midlands with Vic Fernandez, Bong Obligacion and Joey Solis - I immediately found that confidence and played well from tee to green.  Of course, I still have the around-the-green problem so I did not really scored well. If there is anything that I can call the secret to my swing, it should be the full cocking on every shot.  It actually twisted my shoulders automatically and at the same time summoned an automatic full hit.  When the downswing is automatically initiated, it is just a matter of twisting my right hips towards the target. I should remember that the right hips is really the game changer tip but I cannot execute it without the fully cocking left hand (and the ensuing shoulder twist).

What is the Cause of Shanks and Mishits? Simple but hard to digest. It is the shoulders over-rotating and go off alignment with the plane. This is hard to detect. Usually the misalignment is cured by over-cocking the club and that is why the resulting late hit cures the misaligned shoulders. However,  when there is no cocking, the shoulders are late in correcting its alignment to the plane and the contact to the ball is met with an open clubface. Mishits or shanks occurs.

2020-06-15: STROKE OF GENIUS (SOG) APPLICATION IN THE GOLF SWING - The full cocking is the most important part of the upswing. It doesn't matter if the shoulders does not fully go up as long as the cocking is fully done. And it (COCKED wrist) is NOT subjectively released to take the divot. Yes, the delayed centrifugal release is caused by the SOG. The club/head is automatically released by centrifugal force which gives the extra power to the swing. 

2021-04-06:  IS EXTREME COCKING NECESSARY? Well, in my case it is. If not extremely cocked, my short irons go awry. Therefore, it must be incorporated in my swing at all times starting today. Change my upswing to instead of the left shoulder turning and pulling the body muscles taut, let the left extremely cocked hand do the work.

With the left fully cocked wrist pulling the body turn and creating the torque,  AN AUTOMATIC STRONG LEFT HAND HIT RESULTS. THIS MUST BE INCORPORATED IN MY SWING!

The V-angle Golf Principle

V-angle Golf is the belief that the very essence of the "correct" golf swing is the V-angle's inclusion in every swing.  Golfers may incorporate different ways and do other things but they all hit the ball the V-angle way. By the way, the V-angle is the use of the resulting angle in the golf swing where the vertex or the point of the V is pulled towards the ball. Then the clubhead is catapulted (reaction to the pull) to actually hit the ball and take the divot. That said, one can make a rule that states: every other part of the golf swing must complement the V-angle.  If not possible, do not even try it.

This is how the conversion to the left and pull technique versus the right and hammer golf can be achieved. It is a very difficult transition, even impossible to many.

THE V-ANGLE IS THE ANGLE CREATED BY THE SHOULDERS AND THE LEFT ARM ON THE TAKEAWAY WITH THE LEFT SHOULDER BECOMING THE VERTEX OF THE ANGLE.  The purpose of the angle is the one that is significant.  It creates the lag that professional golfers have.  And imagining the left shoulder as the vertex of the angle AND THE POWER MOVER OF THE GOLF SWING makes the average golfer ABLE TO EASILY execute the golf swing like a professional golfer. 

The angle must be made parallel to the plane.  It has to be parallel so that one can use the left shoulder to pull the club towards the ball with ease and with self confidence. THIS IS ONLY ACHIEVED BY A CORRECT TAKEAWAY HABIT.

The Parts of the Swing

LEFT HAND ONLY UPSWING with right hand actively guiding and SOG WAIST TURN DOWNSWING

• First, at address, LAY THE CLUB FACE FLAT ON THE GROUND. This may feel upright at the beginning but it is not. 
  
  
• Then lower the right shoulder and feel then feel the TUCKED right elbow. LOOK FOR THE PLANE - which is inclined low from the shoulders, not the eyes - and when mentally found proceed below. NOTE: OFTEN TIMES IT MAY BE EASIER TO USE THE BACK OF THE LEFT HAND TO TRACK THE PLANE with the right hand actively guiding the club along the plane and ultimately ensuring the extreme almost backhand cock.
  
  
• THEN DO SEVERAL SLOW MINI UPSWINGS TO TEST THE SYNCRONIZATION WITH THE PLANE.

• Third, WHEN SATISFIED, PUSH THE CLUB ON THE GRASS WITH THE LEFT HIP AND CONTINUE with a continuous flick of the clubhead following and ALONG THE PLANE (like the left hand throwing the cape over the shoulders and  the right hand actively guiding the club along the plane and ultimately ensuring the extreme almost backhand cock) up to the extreme cock of the wrist which then pulls the LEFT shoulder down and around - imagining, the right arm from shoulder to elbow - as the AXIS and going around along the PLANE UNTIL THERE IS A PRONOUNCED TIGHTENING OF THE LEFT BODY MUSCLES created by the EXTREME COCKING.

• NOTE: Pronate naturally and cock with the left hand the club WITH SOLE PURPOSE OF CREATING A CENTRIPETAL FORCE resulting to a BOUNCE (don't forget the idea is to achieve extreme cocking).

• Fourth and last, started by the BOUNCE AND TIGHTENED MUSCLES, continue to pull AND SWEEP the centrifugal weight with the left shoulder OR LOWER BODY - not the right hip - and AUTOMATICALLY supinating - WITH DELIBERATE RIGHT HAND FORCE OR JUST A NATURAL PULL- the clubhead THROUGH THE BALL AND TOWARDS THE target.  2021-04-09: CORRECTION - TURN THE HIPS TO THE TARGET TO POWER THE SWING AND EXECUTE IT USING SOG.
  
  
• Tip to Tip: a technique where the tip of the club, the clubhead, is the focus. The clubhead is brought up and down towards the ball to create the fastest velocity as possible,  i.e., tip to tip.

MUSINGS on My Current Game

Putting and Chipping

Putting and chipping have identical techniques. EVERYTHING IS THE SAME except the actual implement used. So with this in mind, one can consider even the fringes of the green as actually part of the green. Anything where you can chip has to be considered like putting.  With this in mind, one can really shoot for the flag no matter where it is because all around it won't matter (except water).

I am currently using this Miyazaki MDX II MD-001 putter.  It changed my visualization of the putt - from dying into the hole - to passing on top of the hole.  Actually, the major difference between  between the two is the width of the line.  Before it was just a line going and dropping into the hole but now the line is as wide as the putter and it just passes over the hole.  This makes is so easy to target the hole because there is no need to be as detailed.

By the way, do not forget to use the billiard arms (SHADE LEFT) in putting. It is essential in straightening the actual ball path and ensuring that the ball behaves as imagined and intended. However,  there is something beautiful in my stance now. I open my body approximately 45° to the line and my right arm is parallel to the target line but amazingly, the putter shaft droops perpendicular to the T-line and so is my left arm (almost)! It feels so good but looks kind of weird seeing both arms triangulate at the grip.

Remember, the visualization now is entirely different. The putt and chip now is like a train passing along the train tracks, yes, train tracks.

ALSO, IMAGINE ROLLING THE BALL FROM THE FRONT OF THE PUTTER GOING TO THE TARGET. This will help in accuracy since the setup is secondary.  It will also help in properly lagging the ball to the hole.

PITCHING

My technique requires that the club backswing reach PARALLEL TO THE GROUND in all instances. 
First, raise the club parallel to the ground. Very important to note that raising is done by the flick of the wrist along the plane, just like a full shot. Then...

The "body first" pull technique applies in chipping too and it might be a good way to experiment on the full swing. BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER THE GOLF SWING IS NOT A HIT BUT A SWING. AND THE TAKEAWAY SHIFTS THE CENTRIFUGAL WEIGHT TO THE LEFT. 

To make this easier, pull the centrifugal weight and sweep the ball with left shoulder, not the right hip!

HOGAN'S PLANE

The plane is low and inclined from the ball towards the shoulders. It would have been easier to mentally incline it towards the eyes so it can be "seen" easily but in that position, the clubhead return to ball raises it a little high and invites topping or a necessary downward correction. KEEPING THE PLANE RESTING ON THE SHOULDERS PROMOTES A TRUE PLANE-TO-PLANE RETURN.

TRAIN TRACKS 

Imagining the golf swing as a train traveling towards the target rather than a slap on the ball - PROMOTES A TRUER BALL FLIGHT and very apparent in putting and chipping. 

GOLF UPRIGHT SWING

This is just a reminder for me why I am changing my flat plane to a more upright (relative to my usual flat plane with the club face pointing upwards) where the club face is correctly flat on the ground. 

During my last game (Tradition at Oak Lane, March 14, 2021 with Dean and Winston), I realized I must impart an active and strong swipe at the ball to get any decent distance. 

Well while practicing at home the next day, I also realized the value of the slow MINI big waggles AND SLOW UPSWING (Morikawa?) which makes the upswing-along-the-plane very easy to do. If this is easy, then I can go back to the more standard "upright" plane. When I experimented with this, to my surprise,  the club automatically cocked at the top WHICH RESULTS IN AN AUTOMATIC STRONG HIT AT THE BALL!  WOW, PROBLEM SOLVED.

THE LEFT BACK HAND UPSWING AND HIT - ACTIVE SUPINATION AND PRONATION

2121-03-17:  This is very important concept that is hard to put on paper right now. It involves the active use of the left hand backhand in the upswing. The downswing or hit is also the active left hand. Right it looks like it should be use in all shots that is why it may invalidate and replace all the teachings I have so far laid down in this section.

2121-03-21: DO NOT FORGET THE RICHTER 4-WOOD FLIP AND "FORGOTTEN AUTOMATIC" HIT. 

Go back to the V-angle to execute the Richter swing.

1) usual stance and plane visible 

2) Cock first (very early and when physically possible).

3) Wind up the backswing with the left shoulder,  i.e., v-angle swing. NOTE: THE LEFT SHOULDER MUST TURN BACK!

4) HIT hard with the left shoulder. 

2021-03-30:  IT IS THE SHOULDERS STUPID. And the trebuchet hurls the golf ball, not hit it.

2021-04-21: I discovered the art of coiling. Start with the left hand flip and follow right away with coiling the left shoulder and left WAIST until fully coiled. Execute the waist turn to hit the ball. The right hand actively (80%) facilitates the extreme cocking. IT IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE PATH OF THE BACKSWING TO VISUALIZE. Do you want a Nicklaus upright backswing or a more circular one where the bottom will become the divot? BUT IT IS A MUST AND A FUNDAMENTAL REQUIREMENT FOR THE CLUB HEAD WEIGHT TO REACH THE EXTREME COCKING AS EVIDENCED BY A BOUNCE ON THE INVERTED WRIST! AND, REPEAT AND, YOU DON'T,  REPEAT, DON'T UNCOCK ON THE DOWNSWING. YOU JUST SWEEP THROUGH. NO PAUSE AT ALL FOR UNCOCKING NECESSARY. ESPECIALLY FOR CHIPPING! Emulate Jason Day's chipping and Rory McIlroy drive. NOTE 2121-04-11: THIS REVISES MY THEORY ON SOG BECAUSE IT POSTULATES A NO FORWARD DISCERNABLE REQUIRED MOVE OF THE SMALL MUSCLES. IT ACTUALLY PROMOTES A FROZEN SMALL MUSCLES MOVEMENT.  THE HANDS IN THE UPSWING AND "ALL WAIST TURN" IN THE DOWNSWING. 

MASTER CHIPPING TO MASTER GOLF

This section is primarily to learn the art of the stroke, for chipping and, therefore, golfing. Apply the power of the trebuchet at all times and in every instance. 

V-Angle = Richter Swing

Introduction

This posting will be a self-contained tutorial for all my golf related swing.  It will explain and relate in some way how I got to where I am currently. Although I started documenting my experiences way back in the 80's, my real golf quest started in 1999 where I accidentally shot a 78 at Richter Park with my late friend, Dan O'Rielly and another walk-in couple. How I played that day was a total abandon to my instincts which I did not understand then but I am realizing slowly now.  I am still not sure but I think it is the catapult effect brought about by a limp left wrist (with abandon) that was the key.  But that is jumping ahead.  First let us start the tutorial.

The V-angle Golf Principle

V-angle Golf is the belief that the very essence of the "correct" golf swing is the V-angle's inclusion in every swing.  Golfers may incorporate different ways and do other things but they all hit the ball the V-angle way. By the way, the V-angle is the use of the resulting angle in the golf swing where the vertex or the point of the V is pulled towards the ball. Then the clubhead is catapulted (reaction to the pull) to actually hit the ball and take the divot. That said, one can make a rule that states: every other part of the golf swing must complement the V-angle.  If not possible, do not even try it.

This is how the conversion to the left and pull technique versus the right and hammer golf can be achieved. It is a very difficult transition, even impossible to many.

So What is the V-angle?

THE V-ANGLE IS THE ANGLE CREATED BY THE SHOULDERS AND THE LEFT ARM ON THE TAKEAWAY WITH THE LEFT SHOULDER BECOMING THE VERTEX OF THE ANGLE.  The purpose of the angle is the one that is significant.  It creates the lag that professional golfers have.  And imagining the left shoulder as the vertex of the angle AND THE POWER MOVER OF THE GOLF SWING makes the average golfer ABLE TO EASILY execute the golf swing like a professional golfer. 

The angle must be made parallel to the plane.  It has to be parallel so that one can use the left shoulder to pull the club towards the ball with ease and with self confidence. THIS IS ONLY ACHIEVED BY A CORRECT TAKEAWAY HABIT.

The Parts of the Swing

LEFT HAND ONLY UPSWING (PRONATE AND SUPINATE)

• First, at address, LAY THE CLUB FACE FLAT ON THE GROUND. This may feel upright at the beginning but it is not. 
  
  
• Then lower the right shoulder and feel then feel the TUCKED right elbow. LOOK FOR THE PLANE - which is inclined low from the shoulders, not the eyes - and when mentally found proceed below. NOTE: OFTEN TIMES IT MAY BE EASIER TO USE THE BACK OF THE LEFT HAND TO TRACK THE PLANE.
  
  
• THEN DO SEVERAL SLOW MINI UPSWINGS TO TEST THE SYNCRONIZATION WITH THE PLANE.

• Third, WHEN SATISFIED, PUSH THE CLUB ON THE GRASS WITH THE LEFT HIP AND CONTINUE with a continuous flick of the clubhead following and ALONG THE PLANE (like the left hand throwing the cape over the shoulders) up to the extreme cock of the wrist which then pulls the LEFT shoulder down and around - imagining, the right arm from shoulder to elbow - as the AXIS and going around along the PLANE UNTIL THERE IS A PRONOUNCED TIGHTENING OF THE LEFT BODY MUSCLES.

• NOTE: Pronate naturally and cock with the left hand the club WITH SOLE PURPOSE OF CREATING A CENTRIPETAL FORCE resulting to a BOUNCE.

RIGHT ARM DOMINANT

• Fourth and last, started by the BOUNCE AND TIGHTENED MUSCLES, continue to pull AND SWEEP the centrifugal weight with the left shoulder OR LOWER BODY - not the right hip - and AUTOMATICALLY supinating - WITH DELIBERATE RIGHT HAND FORCE OR JUST A NATURAL PULL- the clubhead THROUGH THE BALL AND TOWARDS THE target.
  
  
• Tip to Tip: a technique where the tip of the club, the clubhead, is the focus. The clubhead is brought up and down towards the ball to create the fastest velocity as possible,  i.e., tip to tip.

MUSINGS on My Current Game

Putting and Chipping

Putting and chipping have identical techniques. EVERYTHING IS THE SAME except the actual implement used. So with this in mind, one can consider even the fringes of the green as actually part of the green. Anything where you can chip has to be considered like putting.  With this in mind, one can really shoot for the flag no matter where it is because all around it won't matter (except water).

I am currently using this Miyazaki MDX II MD-001 putter.  It changed my visualization of the putt - from dying into the hole - to passing on top of the hole.  Actually, the major difference between  between the two is the width of the line.  Before it was just a line going and dropping into the hole but now the line is as wide as the putter and it just passes over the hole.  This makes is so easy to target the hole because there is no need to be as detailed.

By the way, do not forget to use the billiard arms (SHADE LEFT) in putting. It is essential in straightening the actual ball path and ensuring that the ball behaves as imagined and intended. However,  there is something beautiful in my stance now. I open my body approximately 45° to the line and my right arm is parallel to the target line but amazingly, the putter shaft droops perpendicular to the T-line and so is my left arm (almost)! It feels so good but looks kind of weird seeing both arms triangulate at the grip.

Remember, the visualization now is entirely different. The putt and chip now is like a train passing along the train tracks, yes, train tracks.

PITCHING

My technique requires that the club backswing reach PARALLEL TO THE GROUND in all instances. 
First, raise the club parallel to the ground. Very important to note that raising is done by the flick of the wrist along the plane, just like a full shot. Then...

The "body first" pull technique applies in chipping too and it might be a good way to experiment on the full swing. BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER THE GOLF SWING IS NOT A HIT BUT A SWING. AND THE TAKEAWAY SHIFTS THE CENTRIFUGAL WEIGHT TO THE LEFT. 

To make this easier, pull the centrifugal weight and sweep the ball with left shoulder, not the right hip!

HOGAN'S PLANE

The plane is low and inclined from the ball towards the shoulders. It would have been easier to mentally incline it towards the eyes so it can be "seen" easily but in that position, the clubhead return to ball raises it a little high and invites topping or a necessary downward correction. KEEPING THE PLANE RESTING ON THE SHOULDERS PROMOTES A TRUE PLANE-TO-PLANE RETURN.

TRAIN TRACKS 

Imagining the golf swing as a train traveling towards the target rather than a slap on the ball - PROMOTES A TRUER BALL FLIGHT and very apparent in putting and chipping. 

GOLF UPRIGHT SWING

This is just a reminder for me why I am changing my flat plane to a more upright (relative to my usual flat plane with the club face pointing upwards) where the club face is correctly flat on the ground. 

During my last game (Tradition at Oak Lane, March 14, 2021 with Dean and Winston), I realized I must impart an active and strong swipe at the ball to get any decent distance. 

Well while practicing at home the next day, I also realized the value of the slow MINI big waggles AND SLOW UPSWING (Morikawa?) which makes the upswing-along-the-plane very easy to do. If this is easy, then I can go back to the more standard "upright" plane. When I experimented with this, to my surprise,  the club automatically cocked at the top WHICH RESULTS IN AN AUTOMATIC STRONG HIT AT THE BALL!  WOW, PROBLEM SOLVED.

THE LEFT BACK HAND UPSWING AND HIT - ACTIVE SUPINATION AND PRONATION

2121-03-17:  This is very important concept that is hard to put on paper right now. It involves the active use of the left hand backhand in the upswing. The downswing or hit is also the active left hand. Right it looks like it should be use in all shots that is why it may invalidate and replace all the teachings I have so far laid down in this section.

2121-03-21: DO NOT FORGET THE RICHTER 4-WOOD FLIP AND "FORGOTTEN AUTOMATIC" HIT. 

Go back to the V-angle to execute the Richter swing.

1) usual stance and plane visible 

2) Cock first (very early and when physically possible).

3) Wind up the backswing with the left shoulder,  i.e., v-angle swing. NOTE: THE LEFT SHOULDER MUST TURN BACK!

4) HIT hard with the left shoulder. 

2021-03-30:  IT IS THE SHOULDERS STUPID. And the trebuchet hurls the golf ball, not hit it.

IS EXTREME COCKING NECESSARY?

Well, in my case it is. If not extremely cocked, my short irons go awry. Therefore, it must be incorporated in my swing at all times starting today,  April 6, 2021. Change my upswing to instead of the left shoulder turning and pulling the body muscles taut, let the left extremely cocked hand do the work.

With the left fully cocked wrist pulling the body turn and creating the torque,  AN AUTOMATIC STRONG LEFT HAND HIT RESULTS. THIS MUST BE INCORPORATED IN THE SWING!