Been reading it the last couple days and I really think this is probably one of the best I've read in a long time (and I've read them all). Not a book that is going to give you step by step instruction on grip, etc, but does go into good detail on how to get throught the ball which is obviously the most important thing that isn't really talked about much in instuction books. Great book with a lot of good insight. Highly suggest picking it up!
Bobby Clampett "Impact Zone" initial review
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JohnThomas1
New
Worked out the video d/load Brian and watching Never Hook Again as i type. Super information!
johngolf33
New
Happy Easter! I just read Clampett's new book, "The Impact Zone." In the equipment section he writes about how cavity back game improvement irons move the center of gravity back and lower compared to conventional blades. Because centrifugal force tries to line up the center of gravity, he claims that these game improvement clubs help to promote clubhead throw-away. I was wondering what you thought about this.
johngolf33
New
Good point. You know once I got a putting tip from Lionel Hebert (PGA Champion 1957) and for those who did not know him he was a great putter. He kept his left wrist and his left arm bent because he felt it could not break down from that position. The back of his left hand never changed relationship with the putter's face.
If I'm not mistaken, the sweet spot being further away from the shaft makes it want to catch up to the shaft even more, making it a little tougher to maintain lag pressure.
Reminds me of a time that I went to a demo day at a driving range that I frequent. The pro was trying to get me to hit some Macgregor VIP blades. I hadn't been playing long at the time, and I knew that blades were for "players", and told him as much. Well, he talked me into hitting them, and I hit them so well, I couldn't believe it. Made very good contact; it seemed that I couldn't hit them fat if I tried. Makes me wonder if increasing the offset in clubs was a band-aid that's done more harm than good.
Picked the book up and have been reading. I like the thought of low point four inches in front of the ball. It's funny, but when I do my best ball striking at the range, I will actually look at a spot in front a couple of inches in front of the ball. I just can't seem to trust that during a round though. I need to try it for a full 18 and see what the results are.
I agree, great book, read it while watching the Masters. Don't focus your eyes four inches forward, try to make your hands go four inches forward, a forward aiming point. I watched Ben Doyle's video again, the book simplifies the teaching, but does a great job explaining and giving credit to the golfing machine. The emphasis on dynamics vs. style is very good and something I have to fight all the time. It is amazing how trying to obtain impact with a flat left wrist, forward leaning shaft and divot after the ball will improve the appearance of the swing. Good book, can't wait for Brian's. If as good as the DVD and this site, it will be extraordinary.
I hear you Dodger, but I think that sometimes you have to trick the mind. Bobby even makes reference in his book to what I think a lot of people's problem is, and that is they become to ball bound. When I pick a spot in front of the ball, I lose that tendency to swing at the ball versus through the ball. I understand the aiming point concept, but when I'm staring at that ball I can't get it out of my coconut
Michael Jacobs
Super Moderator
Great Book
What a great book, nice to see a book hit the mass market with ideas about aiming point, hand monitoring, the correct definition of a hand controlled pivot, and a tribute to the golfing machine and most of all Ben Doyle. Great Job!
What a great book, nice to see a book hit the mass market with ideas about aiming point, hand monitoring, the correct definition of a hand controlled pivot, and a tribute to the golfing machine and most of all Ben Doyle. Great Job!
BC and putter specs
Does BC's putter setup recommendations require special adjustments when selecting putters?
I have a "few" putters. When soling them on a flat surface, with one exception, all have a noticeable shaft lean away from the target. This has always suggested to me that when the player forward presses the hands even with or slightly ahead of the ball there will be a reduction in loft hopefully resulting in the effective loft expected by the putter designer. However, to the best I can measure, placing the hands forward enough for a flat left wrist as BC recommends eliminates any positive loft.
Does BC's putter setup recommendations require special adjustments when selecting putters?
I have a "few" putters. When soling them on a flat surface, with one exception, all have a noticeable shaft lean away from the target. This has always suggested to me that when the player forward presses the hands even with or slightly ahead of the ball there will be a reduction in loft hopefully resulting in the effective loft expected by the putter designer. However, to the best I can measure, placing the hands forward enough for a flat left wrist as BC recommends eliminates any positive loft.
kmmcnabb
New
I have read half and it is great, great, great. It is an easy read and you can spot Ben all the way through. I plan to give it to my friends as a Christmas present this year. They may not thank me now but they will later when they "smarten up".
Anyway, on putting, I think Bobby recommended striking putts with your putter and adjusting to get the right loft by observing the ball. I found that with my putter and my left wrist flat that I had delofted quite a bit. I have now adjusted a bit and now my putts tend to roll better with less skidding.
I still can't putt but they roll much, much better.
Great book and well worth the read.
Anyway, on putting, I think Bobby recommended striking putts with your putter and adjusting to get the right loft by observing the ball. I found that with my putter and my left wrist flat that I had delofted quite a bit. I have now adjusted a bit and now my putts tend to roll better with less skidding.
I still can't putt but they roll much, much better.
Great book and well worth the read.
Impact Zone
I got the book a couple of days ago and read it from cover to cover. All in all, a superb book, much better than the mass market golf books. However, as a TGM student and daily visitor to this site, I was a little disappointed that Clampett didn't go into greater depth on how to actually develop lag and also prevent throwaway. The drills section was pretty light. Maybe I was just expecting too much.
Bruce
I got the book a couple of days ago and read it from cover to cover. All in all, a superb book, much better than the mass market golf books. However, as a TGM student and daily visitor to this site, I was a little disappointed that Clampett didn't go into greater depth on how to actually develop lag and also prevent throwaway. The drills section was pretty light. Maybe I was just expecting too much.
Bruce
tbarbertab
New
I spoke to Bobby briefly at the Ginn Open in Orlando last week, congratulating him on the book. He commented that Rick Smith had read the book and thought it was one of the best he'd read....I'm 3/4 the way through and think it's superb. Great stuff!
Jared Willerson
Super Moderator
I agree with above, got the book today and think Clampett does a great job of describing "dynamics".
The example he gave about the guy who had a "good looking" swing, but can't play a lick is me a little bit too. Paying attention to the change of direction and the pivot produced some really solid shots today. Something that I can really work on, not paying attention to style and focus more on the substance of dynamics.
The example he gave about the guy who had a "good looking" swing, but can't play a lick is me a little bit too. Paying attention to the change of direction and the pivot produced some really solid shots today. Something that I can really work on, not paying attention to style and focus more on the substance of dynamics.
Hey! I resemble that remark.
I bought his book, and I love the putting drills. They are very focused on both a flat left wrist and the target. Man, if you can putt the ball on line with consistent impact, it shouldn't take long to become a darn good putter.
I like the section on aiming point, but I think it's a little weak on loading and pivot. I think it is a great book for people who can't visit Brian, Jim or Tom. My wife is just beginning to take up golf. She is working with a pretty good local instructor. I wish he would teach her in the sequence Clampett uses, but alas to keep his beginners interested, he starts them with full swing and moves in from there. I personally think that's a faulty plan. I also know that if I open my mouth to my wife, it will lead to nothing good.
Steve Khatib
Super Moderator
It is amazing to me to see a lot of guys who criticise Ben Doyle and his great work jump right on board the bandwagon and praise Bobby Clampetts book.
Come on you two faced morons Credit where credit is due: Bobby could not have written that book without Ben Doyle in fact you probably would have never heard of him.
Bobby emphasised dynamics yet these bandwagon TGM fakes teach positions and switting anyway.
Great job Bobby, I cant wait for a book to be realesed from one of these guys so called models, but dont try and justify your junk via Clampett because its not the same and you all know it!
Come on you two faced morons Credit where credit is due: Bobby could not have written that book without Ben Doyle in fact you probably would have never heard of him.
Bobby emphasised dynamics yet these bandwagon TGM fakes teach positions and switting anyway.
Great job Bobby, I cant wait for a book to be realesed from one of these guys so called models, but dont try and justify your junk via Clampett because its not the same and you all know it!
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