Thoughts on Mike Hebron and Mike Jacobs (GSEDs)?

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jamesdr

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Hello All. I hope this is the right place to post this. I'm pretty new to the forum and to TGM in general, and was hoping some of the members and/or Brian might have some thoughts on Mike Hebron and Mike Jacobs, two instructors with their GSED here in the New York metro area. I ask because I have become increasingly drawn to TGM in the past couple of months, and I am looking for someone to work with on a regular basis starting this season.

I know Hebron is a highly respected teacher who has published a lot, and done a lot of research on learning, but I was wondering if anyone had any insight into his teaching method, and how he is as an instructor. Jacobs I don't know much about other than he is relatively young (mid-late 20's) and refers quite a bit to his work with Ben Doyle on his website. Any information anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated.

In case it helps with replies, I have done most of my learning from books and videos thus far, started playing about 5 years ago, play to a 7 handicap. Like a lot people, I'm looking for a better understanding of the golf swing, and how to improve my own mechanics based on my tendencies etc. Thanks in advance for any replies, sorry for the long post.
 
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Brian Manzella

Administrator
I know Michael Hebron very well and actually supplied the Hogan pis to him for his latest book "Secrets and Lies."

He always wants to know what I think about this and that about the swing, so we know is is smart enough to ask me ;).

I don't know Jacobs but he is a Ben student who hasn't strayed far from Ben's methods, so at least you know what you are getting, mechanics wise.

Go to both and pick one.
:D
 
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TheHeat

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I have Mike Jacobs' DVD, "Explosive Golf". It is very good on the basics. A seemingly minor thing I picked up from it, but very important, is his method of lining up to the ball. Even Brian commented on it when I had my lesson with him. One caution though. His DVD teaches a pure swinging method. I don't know if he teaches anthing about hitting at all.
 
Burner

Burner

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quote:Originally posted by TheHeat

I have Mike Jacobs' DVD, "Explosive Golf". It is very good on the basics. A seemingly minor thing I picked up from it, but very important, is his method of lining up to the ball. Even Brian commented on it when I had my lesson with him. One caution though. His DVD teaches a pure swinging method. I don't know if he teaches anthing about hitting at all.
Click to expand...
TH,

Please explain.
 
F

ForeRight

New
One other thing about Jacobs is that he teaches pivot controlled hands. He says to initiate and bring the club back using your core (points to his sternum). There is nothing of the right forearm pickup in the DVD but I'm sure that doesn't mean that he won't teach it.
 
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jamesdr

New
Thanks for the info. Another question about Jacobs: Does he offer specific drills, especially ball-hitting drills, to engrain the concepts, or does he focus more on the feelings you should have? Thanks.
 
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Brian Manzella

Administrator
Jacobs is a Ben student and Ben teaches this 'inside moves the outside' takeaway.

It may not be optimum as far as precision, but you can really wallop it that way.
 
jr33

jr33

New
Mike's dvd is based on Bens pattern and there is nothing wrong with that. It has drill's that Ben used in his classic how to build a golf swing. Example sand trap drills ect... good dvd
 
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EdZ

New
Agreed - The Jacob's DVD clearly has Ben's influence and does a great job of teaching his pattern. I would recommend it.
 
jr33

jr33

New
Building something similar to the wall of china in the sand. You drag the club back using your center. It gives you the basics setup, grip ball position, take away, down swing, snap release, follow thru with rotate the hosel around the sweet spot and the finish that is about it. It is not as detailed as Bens or Brians but it is a good dvd for somebody starting out.

Brian I will send you one if you like for free.
 
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300Drive

New
quote:Originally posted by TheHeat

....... One caution though. His DVD teaches a pure swinging method. I don't know if he teaches anthing about hitting at all.
Click to expand...

I'll take a copy!!!! Pure swinger here.
 
jr33

jr33

New
I new that post would get me that response, Are you the same 300 drive at yoda's site? The dvd is so Brian can review it. 300 I will trade you a copy of the dvd for[?] If your are the guy from yoda's site you can already guess what I am after, let me know
 
3

300Drive

New
quote:Originally posted by EdZ

Agreed - The Jacob's DVD clearly has Ben's influence and does a great job of teaching his pattern. I would recommend it.
Click to expand...

Edz, as a fellow swinger, do you like the "core swings the club" concept?

What do you like best about this dvd?
 
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EdZ

New
I think that it is the best way to learn to 'let the club do the work', and to 'swing the clubhead', to use two well known concepts.

Once you can really 'allow' the club to swing, you'll be better if you keep the "mind in your hands" rather than simply having your arms limp and going along for a ride.

IF you are going to go with the totally limp arms and complete pivot control, your setup becomes absolutely critical (not that it isn't already, just that you will be 'doing' nothing at all, so "what you set, is what you get")

That said, I like to focus on my hands, SWINGING my hands as if they are the 'rock' on a string from between the shoulders to PP#1. I maintain CONTROL because I "know where my hands are". Just like you had a tennis racquet in your hands.

The pivot is creating the 'whip' that is moving from your left foot, up through your unwinding body, to your hands - lag pressure -

If you swing your hands and arms only, ala Flick, you simply have a shorter 'whip'. Less power, more control.

That is the trade off between pivot control and hands control and ideally you will have a balance that you don't have to 'think' about. Just like you don't 'think' about throwing a baseball beyond a focus on your HANDS.
 
oztrainee

oztrainee

New
quote:Originally posted by jamesdr

Hello All. I hope this is the right place to post this. I'm pretty new to the forum and to TGM in general, and was hoping some of the members and/or Brian might have some thoughts on Mike Hebron and Mike Jacobs, two instructors with their GSED here in the New York metro area. I ask because I have become increasingly drawn to TGM in the past couple of months, and I am looking for someone to work with on a regular basis starting this season.

I know Hebron is a highly respected teacher who has published a lot, and done a lot of research on learning, but I was wondering if anyone had any insight into his teaching method, and how he is as an instructor. Jacobs I don't know much about other than he is relatively young (mid-late 20's) and refers quite a bit to his work with Ben Doyle on his website. Any information anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated.

In case it helps with replies, I have done most of my learning from books and videos thus far, started playing about 5 years ago, play to a 7 handicap. Like a lot people, I'm looking for a better understanding of the golf swing, and how to improve my own mechanics based on my tendencies etc. Thanks in advance for any replies, sorry for the long post.
Click to expand...

I think the best thing about all the GSE'x' guy is, they are not teaching position golf. They are teaching impact but they look at impact as a gateway rather then a position, where most golf pro when they are teaching "impact" they want you to look at it as a position.
I have seen Mike Jacob tape, he focus on a lot about the function of the golf club, namely the sweet spot and the design of the golf club, those are very important information in golf, if you are having a correct thoughts you will stand a better chance to swing correctly. I think learning from the GSE'x" is good as they will help you to get rid of a lot of illusion, and they are pretty much focus on the imperative of a good golf swing and not just the shape.... "the inner part of the golf swing" If you clean up the inner part, you look good on the outer.
 
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Jim Kobylinski

Super Moderator
bump....

I rented the Explosive Golf DVD from NetFlix (for those that have a subscription its there) and i HIGLY recommend that you rent it, IF you want to learn about swinging.

I am really starting to learn swinging and have recently morphed into a pure swinger for the longer clubs at least. While i was watching the video i could really tell what components he was using and that it seemed really like what Ben teaches and some of the moves is what brian taught me (i assume he learned from ben). I loved the video and Mike even credits Ben as well.

What's funny is that his assistent in the video, jeffrey is his name, has almost a carbon copy of Mike Finney's swing. Uncanny...b-e-a-utiful stuff.
 
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