Hello everyone. I am a 57 year-old beginner from Long Island, and have been playing just long enough to have acquired almost all of the classic beginner flaws: a very inconsistent bottom of my arc (sometimes resulting in topped shots, sometimes resulting in fat shots), an overly steep downswing, and an OTT out-to-in swing path. In short, I am a hacker. I have taken many unproductive lessons with conventional instruction, so I have decided to turn to TGM. Right now I am nursing a rib injury, resulting from swinging absurdly hard at the driving range, so I am using my down time to study TGM. So far, I have watched tapes or DVDs by Ben Doyle, Chuck Evans, and Mark Jacobs. I have also ordered Brian's "Confessions of a Former Flipper." That hasn't arrived yet, but I'm very much looking forward to it. I have also just finished Homer's book. My next step will be to start taking lessons with an AI. My questions are:
1. Can anyone recommend an AI on Long Island or NYC who can teach both swinging and hitting equally well? I have received recommendations on Yoda's forum for Mark Jacobs and Rick Neilson, but they both apparently focus more on swinging. Mike Hebron is actually closer to me, and I know that he is very highly regarded, but I went to his camp when I first started, and was not thrilled (He talked in riddles).
2. Speaking of hitting and/or swinging, Homer said that if you are strong, hit; if you are flexible, swing. Well, I am 5'8", 140 pounds and not very flexible!
What about those who are neither strong nor flexible? What might you suggest would be best for me? This question is why I'd like an AI who is comfortable with both approaches. I'd like to see which style feels better and will have better long term results.
3. I've been lurking on this and other TGM forums for a while, and have seen numerous references to drills with dowels, flashlights, rackets, hula hoops, magic of thr right forearm, etc. Is there a video on this or any other site that demonstrates classic TGM drills in a comprehensive fashion?
Thank you so much for your help. I apologize for the length of this post.
gumper
1. Can anyone recommend an AI on Long Island or NYC who can teach both swinging and hitting equally well? I have received recommendations on Yoda's forum for Mark Jacobs and Rick Neilson, but they both apparently focus more on swinging. Mike Hebron is actually closer to me, and I know that he is very highly regarded, but I went to his camp when I first started, and was not thrilled (He talked in riddles).
2. Speaking of hitting and/or swinging, Homer said that if you are strong, hit; if you are flexible, swing. Well, I am 5'8", 140 pounds and not very flexible!
What about those who are neither strong nor flexible? What might you suggest would be best for me? This question is why I'd like an AI who is comfortable with both approaches. I'd like to see which style feels better and will have better long term results.3. I've been lurking on this and other TGM forums for a while, and have seen numerous references to drills with dowels, flashlights, rackets, hula hoops, magic of thr right forearm, etc. Is there a video on this or any other site that demonstrates classic TGM drills in a comprehensive fashion?
Thank you so much for your help. I apologize for the length of this post.
gumper