I think Jimmy could say the same about you.
Jimmy Ballard
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I think Jimmy could say the same about you.
Richie3Jack
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I hope people don't misinterpret. I think Jimmy is a really good teacher. I think he consistently helps a lot of golfers. But, I think there are other teachers that help even more golfers. There's not a lot of those teachers out there.
But, for me I think the risk of taking a step back is too great and this is a big reason why I suggest the OP stick with what's working for him.
'Don't ever mess with happiness.' - Jim Valvano
It's not that I think he won't learn from Jimmy Ballard, it's just that he's on a roll learning from Brian and if I was him, I'd stick with what is working with him.
NOW, Hogan was a guy that used to get a lot of lessons and thoughts from various 'swing gurus' back in the day. I think he deciphered the information and fooled around with it and decided what was good, what was junk and what was something to put on the back burner and come back to it later. But, I think the OP is in a different situation than Hogan was. I think somebody like Mickelson or Tiger could do well from this approach instead of just sticking with one teacher and treating everything they say like the gospel. But most amateurs I think are a different story.
3JACK
But, for me I think the risk of taking a step back is too great and this is a big reason why I suggest the OP stick with what's working for him.
'Don't ever mess with happiness.' - Jim Valvano
It's not that I think he won't learn from Jimmy Ballard, it's just that he's on a roll learning from Brian and if I was him, I'd stick with what is working with him.
NOW, Hogan was a guy that used to get a lot of lessons and thoughts from various 'swing gurus' back in the day. I think he deciphered the information and fooled around with it and decided what was good, what was junk and what was something to put on the back burner and come back to it later. But, I think the OP is in a different situation than Hogan was. I think somebody like Mickelson or Tiger could do well from this approach instead of just sticking with one teacher and treating everything they say like the gospel. But most amateurs I think are a different story.
3JACK
Tricky ... Absolutely you have to do it. You have a great hobby/quest going on as you learn from these 100 list guys and it's your time and your money . Drop whatever you learned from anyone for now. I think you may have to block all you know and accept what Jimmy says in order to give it a fair shot and then evaluate it based on what it's doing for your swing, but i'm sure you are used to doing that as you have gone through the teacher list and got a lot of ideas lodged up in the old coconut. There is also nothing you have learned from Brian that you can't put right back in when you choose to do so. I would love to have done what you have done. I have probably every book and video from the guys on that list. I try everything, and enjoy the search. After studying golf and teachers methods for a lifetime there is probably only two people or groups that i would pay for a lesson. Brian . or another GTE guy being one depending really on location ,and Jimmy Ballard the other. Wrong. Forgot Ben Doyle. I'd pay him also. Nobody else. Ballard is a legend. He's made millions bucking the system and selling a method. I have played pretty well doing my interpretaion of his method from all the sources i can muster without actually hands on from Jimmy. I'd love to see what he thinks i'm doing right or wrong. I would pay for the Ballard experience. Does this mean i won't see Manzella? Not a chance.
I suggest you play H. Haney's book 'Golf essentials' on cassette or CD on the drive over to Ballards in order to clear your mind of all golf thoughts. Start fresh and clear. Give it your best shot and i hope you report back about the experience.
matt kluck
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Henry Picard
Remember one thing, Hogan deferred to Henry Picard. Just a very acute observation.
MK
Remember one thing, Hogan deferred to Henry Picard. Just a very acute observation.
MK
self-mastery
New
Could someone explain how Trackman would "BLOW UP" Ballard?
Richie3Jack
New
Yeah, I don't really agree with this statement. It's been 14 years since I've seen Jimmy, but IIRC he had the ball flight laws correct back then when I saw him.
In fact, I wish I would've listened to him more about that.
And if he's teaching golfers a very consistent face, path, AoA and VSP, but it's not 'zeroed out', I still think that is a good thing.
3JACK
rogerdodger
New
There is a great song by Johnny Cash about a gm factory worker that steals a little bit of parts every day and eventually builds his own cadillac twenty years later. Going to a bunch of different teachers seems like the same thing. Ultimately you may have a bunch of parts from various instructors but will it end up helping? The pursuit of knowledge is one thing, however I know I have put parts in my swing that I thought would assist my pattern, only to be set back significantly.
curtisj76
New
It depends on what you want to get out of golf. It almost seems like a hobby of yours to see some of the top guys. If that's something you enjoy, go for it. If you are looking to just get better at golf, you have to ask yourself the question, "Am I completely satisfied with Brian Manzella?" If you are and he's done great things to your game, I would NOT go see Ballard. KISS (not that you are stupid) 
trickyric67
New
I would have to say that while I wouldn't clasify it a hobby, I have always believed that the pursuit of information is always a good thing. I have heard many things about many instructors from people who never met them that were wildly wrong. If I had listened to Chuck Evans I would never had gone to Brian and to be completely honest I work With Mike Jacobs when I am in Long island (I saw Mike first) and he told me I had to see Brian if I got the chance. I hacve no intention of leaving Brians teaching. But I would like to have the experiance with Ballard just once as I would and may go to California to see Ben Doyle just once in the near future.
for me it is just being able to see for myself,and you never know what nuggets you may pick up.
for me it is just being able to see for myself,and you never know what nuggets you may pick up.
westy
New
Jimmy
Ballard is a legend.
He has conviction, (which can be a dangerous thing), but I rate that way above someone who just goes with the flow, or someone who dosent divulge their 'secrets' as many appear to do.
I watched him present at MIT, and the man is a classic.
The MC announced him, went through his bio, then said "Ladies and Gentlemen, Jimmmy Ballard".............. Jimmy? ........ Mr Ballard.....? .......
Silence, Has any one seen Mr Ballard...?
Then BANG.... the door cracks open in the back of the auditorium and he bursts in, marches to the front, and into it.
No Bullshit, no La Dee Da. This is how it is.
The Conference title was 'Better golf Through Technology', and the first words out of his mouth were, "Technology, ha, ill give you technology....."
The proceeds to deliver his theory, and how it hasnt and will never change.
The answer is simple.
It blew me away. he was so into it.
Notwithstanding what he thinks,
Having his eyeballs on you is an opportunity.
Absorb and Apply....
Its only information, listen to what he says, and try it.
Imagine what he has seen in his life.
Ballard is a legend.
He has conviction, (which can be a dangerous thing), but I rate that way above someone who just goes with the flow, or someone who dosent divulge their 'secrets' as many appear to do.
I watched him present at MIT, and the man is a classic.
The MC announced him, went through his bio, then said "Ladies and Gentlemen, Jimmmy Ballard".............. Jimmy? ........ Mr Ballard.....? .......
Silence, Has any one seen Mr Ballard...?
Then BANG.... the door cracks open in the back of the auditorium and he bursts in, marches to the front, and into it.
No Bullshit, no La Dee Da. This is how it is.
The Conference title was 'Better golf Through Technology', and the first words out of his mouth were, "Technology, ha, ill give you technology....."
The proceeds to deliver his theory, and how it hasnt and will never change.
The answer is simple.
It blew me away. he was so into it.
Notwithstanding what he thinks,
Having his eyeballs on you is an opportunity.
Absorb and Apply....
Its only information, listen to what he says, and try it.
Imagine what he has seen in his life.
You have the right idea. Go. It shouldn't mean that your loyalty is questionable. It dosen't mean that you have to apply everything you hear to your golf swing. Use what works for you, and discard the rest. How often is someone too knowledgeable?
trickyric67
New
I am booked for 2 hours this saturday.
Love to hear how it goes. I've messed around with his stuff, and a lot of others as well. My observations of Jimmy, is that he will de-hook you if you have a problem going left, and you'll probably lose a little distance. However, you'll probably develop a fairly consistent fade with the occasional block right.
trickyric67
New
I am really doing it for the experience. But if I get some good nuggets that would be great too.
Richie3Jack
New
Hal Sutton
Sandy Lyle
Paul Azinger
Rocco Mediate
Jim Colbert (who was unbeatable for awhile on the Senior Tour)
Jesper Parnevik
He's taught a ton more than that as well.
3JACK
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