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Homer Kelley's Credentials

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Alford

Now, for the record, just what here HK's credentials again as he was
writing TGM? And are you inspired by the fact it took 25 plus yrs. for him to
finish it, or are you appalled by that time factor? Inquiring minds
want to know.

[Bold by Yoda.]

SuperDave, a.k.a., Inquiring Mind...

I continue to respond only as I see a benefit to the readers of this Site:

Credentials: Homer Kelley was a born 'problem solver' without an
engineering degree who worked for the Boeing Corporation, the world's leading
manufacturer of aircraft.

"There was no title for what I did."
-- Homer Kelley

During the last few years of his career, there was only one signature that
could release a B-47 as ready technically for sale. That signature was his.

Time Factor: By his own admission, Homer was not proud of the fact
that it took him so long. "You guys," he said to the five of us
gathered in his den, "could have done it much sooner." Sure. Sooner
as in 'never.'

Results (you forgot to ask about this): He got it right.

Be heartened, SuperDave. You've been at it fifteen years, and you've only got
another thirteen to go. Stay with it!

But remember The Standard:

Get it right.

Did he do anything new? BM#85

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Alford

>

What unique new thing did he contribute...?

There are many things, of course, but for starters...

Who else defined the Inclined Plane of Motion as being the Sweet Spot Plane
as opposed to the Clubshaft Plane?

Who else in Golfing History talked of the Shaft rotating around this Sweet
Spot throughout the Stroke instead of the other way around?

Who else defined the Three Planes of Motion of the Clubface and how
they can be controlled with the Flat Left Wrist held Vertical to each of the
Three Associated Planes?

No need to reply, SuperDave, because I'll provide my own answers:

No one.

No one.

No one.

I'm a little tea cup . . . BM#86

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Alford

HK would have defined the sweet spot of arm plane rotation for lifting a tea
cup from the table to one's lips and written about it in such a manner so you
need a certified teacher to understand what he really meant. Asked to
demonstrate, he would defer and have a student take over lest he spill the
tea.

Actually, SuperDave, Homer Kelley would have:

1. Described the act of lifting the tea cup directly to his lips as a Hand
Controlled Pivot;

2. Told you that the same 'tide' that was in the ocean was also in that tea
cup; and finally...

3. Would have spilled the tea himself in a deliberate, dramatic demonstration
of the Law of Hydraulics.

The truth is that Homer Kelley was one of those rare individuals who pass our
way only occasionally. He believed there were three motivators in life: love,
power and achievement. The first and last of these are manifest in The
Golfing Machine.

It is his legacy to us.

Honor & Respect BM#117

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archie Swivel

Yoda,

What in the world is your background and how in the world do you know all of
this? I am amazed and humbled by the s*%$ you rattle off on a daily basis.

Arch

Thanks, Arch.

I've been learning about G.O.L.F. for a long time.

And I've applied myself, both in the armchair and on the Practice Ground.

But by far the most profound influence behind the posts you read was the
personal instruction of my friend and Teacher...

Homer Kelley.

Spooky Smart BM#271

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mathew

I honestly believe that Homer was spooky intelligent. I remember once hearing
an old chinese proverb which has always been of great importance to me when
learning which I think has relevance here. The cup has to be emptied before
it can be refilled. See how often that this applies in your life and embrace
it because it is a true path of learning.

Mathew,

Homer Kelley was indeed 'spooky intelligent.' Without hesitation, I use the
word 'genius.' He was without a doubt the most intelligent and most fiercely
independent thinker I have met in my 58 years.

I realize this is not a philosophical thread, but I liked your Chinese quote
and wanted to add my own along the same line:

"The shell must break before the bird can fly."

-- Alfred, Lord Tennyson

We all must keep chipping away from within whatever 'shell' we find
ourselves. A life -- like Impact -- happens from the "inside out."

Quote:

Originally Posted by dss

This is my first post, and , sorry, but I am sure it will be a long one. This
is addressed to you, Brian, as I have a lot of respect for your opinion and I
understand from reading other posts that you have spent a good deal of time
with Ben Doyle. You undoubtedly know the book as well as just about anyone. I
am a very humble GSEB, and will be the first to say that my knowledge of TGM
has a LONG way to go. But, I have the rest of my life to work on it and I am
not on any specific timetable. But, I digress...

A few years ago, before I had the pleasure of studying TGM, I met a fellow at
a driving range in Cleveland who was an accomplished ball striker. Also, this fellow
happened to have 3 PHD's in engineering, metallurgy and aeronautics. He also
was fluent in 5 or 6 languages. He made his living by studying tecnical
papers and journals from other countries, translating the findings into
English, then advising companies here in the states how these findings might
have applications to their production. Impressive? I'd say so... a VERY
bright guy. Anyway, I had 'the book', but did not understand it, but he had
never heard of it. I asked him if he would like to read it, and he took it
back to his apartment that evening (he lived across the road from the DR). He
returned it to me THE NEXT DAY, having read it completely the night before.
He also left me a short note, which I will quote..."Kelly's book is a
sham. If it seems that it contains great, realizable truths about the golf swing,
that is because the reader lacks a background in mechanical physics,
kinematics, and elements of physical- system modeling and subsequently is
easily impressed by Kelly's efforts to clasify discrete (itty-bity)
phenomena. If you limit yourself to Kelly's own conceptual framework, you can
show the gaps and mistakes in his delineation. Further, when you bring to
bear in analysis, understanding of the golf swing milieu beyond Kelly's, his
discussion is vapid. If you want insight, save this note and ask me about the
following points: (the following are within Kelly's conceptual framework)1)
power accumulators: vertebra and ring and middle fingers of right hand (also
equal and opposite reactions) 2) Acceleration: m x v = momentum, a = ^v over
t 3) gravitational field framework, 4) Radius: scapular articulation
5)Periodicity: time period T of rotational oscillation. 6) Gyroscopic action:
continuous, steady state momentum vs. inertia.
The following are beyond Kelly's framework: 1)Swinging vs hitting: arbitrary
distinction discounting synergy (leading edge in tension, trailing edge in
compression): 2)Big picture: trying to express the spatial nonverbal,
analytically. 3) Statics vs dynamics: sensory phenomena associated with low
and high angular velocities (weight vs momentum).

Unfortunately, I never had the chance to discuss this with him, as I moved
away from Cleveland (thank God!)

Again, this is directed at Brian, but anyone with a scientific background
that could decipher some of this, if you would, I would be very grateful.

Wow! What an 'authoritative,' damning quote. It's late, and there may well be
other things that the morrow may bring, but for now, let me say this:

I have studied The Golfing Machine for 25 years -- not 'overnight.' I
am no dummy, and while I have no PhD degree, I do have a Bachelors Degree
from Georgia Tech. And before my Maker I will unequivocably state that I
have yet to find the first thing in The Golfing Machine which, when
correctly executed, does not work. Further, I am a far better Ball
striker at the ripe old age of 58 than I was at 28. Or 38. Or 48. Today, I
actually had a gallery as I striped Tee Shot after Tee Shot beyond the yellow
flag at 250 carry. No Hook. No Fade. Just dead Straight.

And I was able to do that because finally, after all these years, I
truly understand The Golfing Machine.

Too bad 'Mr. Brilliant' didn't have an extra night for the 'read.'

Golf Lies and Video Tape BM#293

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doug

Quote:

Originally Posted by dss

DSS

Cute little story, but not original.

Mac Ogrady has told it a 1000 times.

Thanks, Doug. Now everybody knows this post wasn't 'real.'

And even if it was, all anyone must do is read the words of Mr. 'Baffle'em
with B.S.' to know that it is wrong.

I chose to use the post to make my own point: The Golfing Machine is The
Truth in Golf Instruction.

It has no equal.

Yoda Jr. Proudly! CE#39

Quote:

Originally Posted by MizunoJoe

Then wouldn't Homer be Yoda and this person be Luke?

Point taken.

From the moment I stepped off the airplane that rainy night in January 1982, Homer Kelley was always Yoda to me. I had flown to Seattle to be personally trained and authorized by him as a GSEM.

He said he would meet me, and as we spilled from the plane into the terminal, I looked to my left and there he was. A little guy in a mid-length green jacket and porkpie hat -- standing humbly but resolutely just outside the ropes amid the waiting family and limo drivers -- and holding chest-high a little handwritten cardboard sign that read "G.O.L.F. "

Yoda.

Looked like him. Talked like him. Was like him.

Proudly, Yoda, Jr. works for me!

One for the Road CE#63

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4greenfields

To: Chuck, Yoda, Gofingrandy and all other contributors,

I have been lurking for some time now. Reading, learning, playing with hinges, dowels and all manner of ironmongery and hardware.

I just wanted to come out of the woodwork and declare that the stuff you guys are posting here is scandalous...........ly brilliant!! :wink:

How can I ever recover from all the garbage, lies, half truths, old wives tales and "golfing science" lore that I, and I'm sure a great deal of others, have had to endure since we took up this game.

I did my best, I went to several PGA pros, I read extensively, from Hogan to Leadbetter, and Pelz to Wiren.

Progress was faltering, slow, backwards at times but most of all it was frustrating. One Pro would say one thing, another would say the exact opposite, - one of the swing Gurus would have yet a third thought and all the time I was floundering in the mire. I kept hitting a brick wall and could make no progress at all.

I then discovered and bought a copy of The Golfing Machine. It may as well have been written in Sanskrit. I tried and tried but kept stumbling. I persevered but there were no blinding flashes of light. Some titbits here and there helped but I couldn't hang it all together sufficiently to actually make a real swing change that put a satisfying grin on my face.

Then I discovered this site, read and followed the topics and suddenly the place is awash with light. I am nowhere near au-fait with all the terminology, geometry or principles but things are beginning to really come together.

I play a lot of links courses. So having worked my way through the dowel I started my swing renaissance with my 8-iron pitch and run and chip shots. The swings have been no more than 3 ft. back and then "down, down, down".

My #3 pressure point has been working overtime. Hell for years the World and his mother has been telling me to keep my right arm, elbow and shoulder OUT of my swing.

To suddenly read that the Right hand controls the clubhead and the Right forefinger and Right forearm control the club shaft and a properly constructed left hand grip with flat wrist controls the club face just blew me away.

I tried some of the routines at home, decided I couldn't wait any longer so on my way home early a couple of days ago I took my 8 iron and shag bag to the practice chipping green.

An hour later, having put some of yours and Homer's writings into play, I set up with 100 balls and a 30 – 35 foot bump and run shot.

Not 1 fat shot, not 1 duffed shot, not 1 shot that didn't leave a very makeable putt and I even had to empty the hole several times with balls dropping on such a regular basis.

The consistency, the feel, the confidence and most of all the satisfaction that I achieved was something that I don't think I will forget for a very long time.

Living in Dublin Ireland, my nearest AI is probably hundreds if not thousands of miles away. I simply could not have made the progress that I am now showing without this site and all the stupendous posts.

Please be assured that I, for one, am in awe of the time, commitment and passion that your posts, threads and articles take. Please accept my humble and gracious thanks and PLEASE PLEASE don't stop!

To all the valued contributors - keep up the good work – we in the non-TGM wilderness would be lost without the help.

Paul

AKA – 4Greenfields, ShamrockSlasher, Slasher, Irelander et al.

Thanks, 4G,

You didn't have to write your post, but you did. And each of us 'regulars' on the Site appreciate it.

I'll tell you one thing:

Nobody would have been more pleased with your progress than Homer Kelley himself. He knew his information was accurate. He spent forty years making sure that it was! At the same time, he knew that his talent lay in problem-solving. He was The Researcher whose job was to identify the Laws and Principles that govern The Golfing Machine and to catalog the Components and Variations necessary for its operation. His mission was to 'solve the problem' for once and for all time and to get it down for others to use.

The 'problem' -- "The Project," as he liked to call it -- turned out to be much more difficult and much larger than he had thought:

"Never did I feel I was more than a week away from finishing! But The Way could only lie down as the ten trillion ways swept over it!"

"This book should have been written 200 years ago," he told me.

Well, maybe so. But who could have written it? No one before Homer. And certainly no one after. And how do I know? Because nothing anywhere close to the genius of this work has ever been produced -- before or since.

His work was almost complete -- only the 7th edition ("the last," he said) remained. He knew the difficulty of The Golfing Machine and that he needed a network of Authorized Instructors to assist students in understanding its Science (the Engineering System) and then integrating it into their Game (the Feel System). He had only just begun to devote his time to building that Network when, on Valentine's Day 1983, while addressing an assembly of PGA Professionals in Macon, Georgia, he died. His work done, there were only 19 Authorized Instructors to carry it on.

For a variety of reasons, none of which make any sense in the light of the genius of his work, The Golfing Machine has basically lain dormant these past twenty-one years. Now a new ownership has taken the reins, and we have this living, breathing thing called the Internet. Together, they offer the potential for a renaissance that could revolutionize professional golf instruction throughout the world. I am humbled to play at least a small part in these early days of that rebirth. But most of all...

I am excited by the vision that, pulling together, we could finally make it happen!