2023 - The Year of Infinity

Preface

Although I started documenting my experiences way back in the '80s, my real golf quest started on August 29, 1998, at Richter Park Golf Course where I accidentally shot a 78 while playing with my late friend, Dan O'Reilly, and another walk-in couple, Denise and Bill. How I played that day was a total abandonment of my instincts and even later, I am not convinced that I have discovered what I was doing then. However, now I believe it was the slingshot action - not a golf technique - that made it happen then. Thus it was difficult to discover the golf technique that did it because it was never the technique in the first place. It was actually the total complete continuous golf swing, swung with abandon like a slingshot that was the secret sauce of my perfect golf game that very memorable day.

Of course, I would not be writing like this now if I have not yet found the solution to these problems.  Let us just put it this way, I had to spend 23 years, 20 months, 22 days, and reach the age of 78 to discover the secret of my scoring 78 in 1998! I found on YouTube a mention of the body part that starts the takeaway - the right rib! It was the Eureka moment for me. That mention worked well with my current knowledge and with a little tinkering, I was able to develop it into my own swing - the SOG swing. And why the title is the Stroke of Genius, I will leave the explanation at the end. As of July 10th here in Cancun in Royal Islander,  I can definitely say that the Hogan-style swing is now part of me. Today is my born-again golf day. 

However, today March 26, 2023 in Chicago, while lying in bed reminiscing that day in Richter Park, that 2nd par 5 hole, my third shot, I am looking at the ball and inside me I was telling myself, just let go, just let go, don't think how to hit the ball, just hit it and let go. I did and the ball just disappeared and went, but I don't know what happened and how I did it! Now I know. I pulled the club towards the ball and it released and unleashed my upper body to turn around and bring the full force of the clubhead on the ball. This is the secret of that day. It also is the secret for accuracy and power to the golf swing.

Now I have written that the objective of the backswing is to create a weight for the forward swing to pull, I am now adding that the objective of the forward swing is for the waist twist to unleash the power of the upper body like a trebuchet. Both instances, the lower body is the moving force. The upper body is frozen - one piece upwards and downwards. The path taken by the upper body is akin to the infinity sign.

Introduction

This is the Beginning. This is the year when there will be no more searching, the Perfect Golf Swing has been found. All the years past is now done, the Quest fulfilled. The Mental Block Obliterated. The Divot perfected.
Parts of the Golf Swing

The main thing that we should be careful about is assuming that the golf swing is composed of independent different parts. This is the farthest thing to the truth. The golf swing is one full inter-connected movement where one integral part, although can be described separately, cannot be taken out - of the whole coordinated and fully integrated movements.

Setup

These are the parts of the swing which can be left to the reader as their personal choices to discover. This may include the stance, grip, ball positioning, etc. This is up to the reader to learn.

Waggle

When the reader has positioned himself or he is done with the setup, this is the action that follows.

Waggle is the left wrist breaking on top of the right-hand palm. The right arm is kept straight and frozen to the right rib. Only the left arm waggles - in essence. And when this is done repeatedly, the plane magically appears ala Ben Hogan's plane. Hogan has a big waggle and it is necessary to be able to make the plane appear in the mind.

Right Ribs and Elbow (RRE)

At all times whenever physically practical, the right ribs and right elbow must be fused together. This position and feel are the essences of the golf swing. These are the body parts that initiate the takeaway as well as confirm when the imaginary slot at the top is reached. They are essential in all swings, e.g., chips, and pitches.

Extreme L-Setup

Essential to the Frozen Technique below is the incorporation of the Extreme L-setup. The L formed by the arms and club is so extreme that the clubhead looks up rather than lie flat on the ground. This setup does two things. It ensures that the club returns to the ball on the same spot at set-up. In addition, it makes the takeaway by the shoulders of the club intuitive and employs centrifugal force to bring the club up.

Stiff Triangle One-Piece (STOP) Takeaway

Self-explanatory? Not really. This section promulgates the frozen upper body with only the shoulders turning (along the plane) as the moving pieces. Also, just before the takeaway, the arms are fully hanging down and the grip gently resting on the hands (Extreme-L Setup). At the takeaway, the fused RRE then pushes the SHAFT upwards along the plane creating the bounce-back to start the downswing.

Putting It Al Together

Always remember, the main objective of the upswing is to create a "desired" counterweight that can be felt and pulled on the downswing back to the ball. Basically, everything is done by the shoulders. Turn counter clockwise for the upswing, feel the weight of the club, then pull the weight or the club towards the ball. Turn the shoulders clockwise to create the divot and photo finish look. It can also be tested later and see if the downswing can utilize the hips or body for a more powerful swing.

Today, March 26, 2023, there is a better explanation on the purpose of the downswing. It's main objective is to let the upper body (and shoulders) automatically turn around and unleash its power on hitting the ball. It acts like the trebuchet releasing the club like a slingshot to throw the ball forward with power.

OH MY GOD, THE SOG IS THE INFINITY STROKE! (2023-03-26: update this section to incorporate the trebuchet downswing)

The STROKE OF GENIUS is actually the entire smooth transition from the backstroke to the forward stroke connected with a bounce. It is the stroke with rhythm. And now we know the complete story - we can proceed to learn the details because we know the big picture.

So in golf, we know now how to execute the SOG. COIL with the left shoulder, wait for the bounce, and then paint the ball! We just have to learn how much distance and ball action (flight and spin) we cover from each club, from varying trajectories (ball positioning).

Wow! So much to learn still.

But remember that this is the same theory that is on display when we say that there is no upswing or downswing. It is one motion that cannot be described independently of one another, something that cannot be split apart. THE GOLF SWING IS A CONTINUOUS INTER-RELATED MOTION and CAN NOT be picked apart. In short, the RRE and PLAT are the golf swing - combined. 2022-08-28: But can we imagine it clearer if we say the golf swing is a compendium of several stacked TREBUCHETs coiled from early cock, body muscle pull, leg pull - and the uncoiling in reverse on the downswing?

PUTTING

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:

1. Feet close to one another to facilitate automatic turning.
2. Open the body approximately 45° to the target line and the right forearm is kept parallel to the target line.
3. Amazingly, the putter shaft droops perpendicular to the T-line and so is my left arm (almost)! Since this line is perpendicular to the target line, use it to align the putter to the target.
4. It feels so good but looks kind of weird seeing both arms triangulate at the grip.
5. Remember, the visualization now is entirely different. The putt and chip now are like a train passing along the train tracks, yes, train tracks.
6. The RRE is employed and it controls the movements of the putter. The RRE body brings back and rolls the ball forward. 2022-09-23: The left arm is kept stiff and only supports (PALM FACING SKY) the weight of the club. Address the ball at least one and a half inches apart. The ball rolls nicely, pretty straight, and with no yips.
7. 2022-09-13: Don't let the eyes be on top of the ball since you will guide using RRE the movement with the shaft rather than the putter head. The eyes over the ball promote a push-right motion imparted on the ball. The other way corrects it. 2022-10-04: And the hit is not a hit but a pull of the ball towards the (don't forget RRE) hole and keeping the rails of the pointed at all times (towards the hole).
8. 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 (maybe better) is a point-and-shoot technique. Set the putter down and pointed to the target line. Bring the putter back with the RRE. SOG and pull forward with the RRE.

Remember to always apply the smooth stroke with the smooth transition - the SOG. Execute the billiard stroke - aiming to where the putter is pointed.

2022-09-13: USE THE SHAFT TO MOVE THE BALL

SHANKING

The RRE prevents shanking, don't forget; more especially on short shots like pitching.

CHIPPING.

Use the same technique as putting. Guide with the left hand only. COIL and UNCOIL with the RRE. 2022-08-31: The RRE is more the shoulders turning back and pulling the left arm with it. 

PITCHING PARALLEL TO THE GROUND (PPG)

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

1. 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. 
2. Remember the body turn is necessary.
3.  ALSO, THE STRETCHED LEFT ARM AND BACKHAND FOCUS "MEASURE" THE CLUB HEAD 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. 
4. Then... the "body first" pull technique applies in chipping too and it might be a good way to experiment on the full swing.
5. BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER THE GOLF SWING IS NOT A HIT BUT A SWING / PULL.
6. To make this easier, pull the centrifugal weight and sweep the ball with the left shoulder turn, not the right hip.
7. SOG APPLICATION TO THE GOLF STROKE: The right hand and arm are the mover that brings back the club. The COCKED left arm remains STIFF and slings back the ball.
8. 2022-09-13: USE THE SHAFT TO MOVE THE BALL

HISTORY

1. 2022-08-04: Played with Winston, Paul Dumlao, and Rolly Alzona. Still no personal swing. Tried Extreme One-Piece takeaway and HIT but cannot get going. The helicopter swing worked but that is not right.
2. 2022-08-13: Next time try the SOG Bounce. It is really easy for the takeaway also. Do the BBS, freeze for the one-piece takeaway, feel the right elbow resting on the right rib, bring the club head along the plane, let it bounce, and HIT!
3. 2022-08-27: Kids Philippines. The latest upswing technique works but I lose the mental picture of the downswing. I have to try the cock-first-move (2022-08-28 posting) to it next time.
4. 2022-09-02: Played with Paul Dumlao at Crestbrook. I fully practiced my LOAD & PULL SWING but it is impossible to be thinking in actual play. Best to learn and rely on muscle memory. USING THE SHAFT TO PUTT AND CHIP WORKS.
5. 2022-09-05: Found out, on practice at the yard net, that the REVERSE-COCK is the common denominator to a solid golf swing!
6. 2022-09-13: While practicing using the net - the newly found reverse-cock swing - I noticed that my muscles are starting to tighten up, and even my left-hand grip is solidly gripping the club. The effect is solid hard hits that I suspect lengthened my distance.
7. 2022-09-18: Perfected the Reverse-Hit.
8. 2022-09-24: Norwich Golf Course, FFACT President Cup. Still trying to be mechanical in the golf course is not ideal. It is time to play the course and just leave the rest to muscle memory. Next time, just think of the shot needed, load the weight... and pull. No specific mechanics needed... except the left-hand use and the RRE to make the plane appear.
9. 2022-10-06: At Grassy Hill - just found out that seniors get a discount. But most important, it is hard to bring to the course things you think will work on paper. What may work is just use the big muscles, like "rock the cradle".

GOING FOR DISTANCE

2022-07-13: Forget looking for a better distance until 2024. Get used to the new swing first.

2023-03-26:  The power has now been discovered. It is the waist twist on the downswing that hurls the upper body like a trebuchet and unleashes the golf ball like a slingshot.  Today, the secret has been discovered! THE INFINITY WAY.