Here are some interesting comments from Tom Tomasello from his July 1991 Golf Illustrated interview, the following excerpt from that interview is in regards to the swinging procedure, for Tommy that was a swinging procedure with right arm acceleration. The right arm trigger 10-20-B starts the downswing.
Delaware Golf
Thanks, DG, for putting up this interview. Given Tommy's status as an early GSED, it is unavoidably part of the TGM 'literature.' It is for that reason, and for that reason only, that I am writing this post. While Tommy was undoubtedly an effective 'hands-on' teacher, this interview contains many inaccuracies. I do not have the time for the debate -- heated or otherwise -- that would follow any specific comments. Therefore, I have reprinted the interview below and provided TGM reference numbers for those interested in studying The Facts and drawing their own conclusions. Since this is 'your' Thread, if you so choose, you have my permission in advance to ask that it be taken down. My comments appear in bold, usually at the end -- but sometimes during -- each of Tommy's responses.
Tomasello: Here we get into the terminology that scares people. You swing the club via two "divergent force vectors." This simply means that two different forces are being combined. One force is moving the club upward and downward. A second force is moving the club outward, away from you. The upward and downward force is provided by a straight-up folding and unfolding of the right forearm from its address position. You simply fold your right arm at the elbow to swing the club up. From there, you try to throw the clubhead into the ground by unfolding your right arm. The outward or horizontal force comes from the pivoting of the hips to the right rear on the backswing and the left rear on the downswing. This horizontal force throws the clubhead out away from you, on a horizontal plane. On the downswing, when you combine these two "divergent force vectors," the result is the movement of the club on the correct plane.
For THE FACTS on the Downward and Outward FORCE VECTORS, study 2-N-1.
Golf Illustrated: This "throwing the club down" with the right forearm--doesn't that go against everything we've been taught about the downswing.
Tomasello: Yes. The delayed hit is merely keeping the right wrist bent through impact.
For THE FACTS about the Delayed Hit, study the Trigger Types (10-20), particularly the Automatic Delivery Path and Wrist Throws. Also, study the Releases (10-24), particularly the Snap Releases.
All that stuff about leading the downswing with a lateral move of the lower body, driving the hips and legs toward the target to retain power--it's all terribly wrong! It seems to be what's happening, but it's not really what happens in the most efficient, centrifugal-force golf swing. The reality that most people can't comprehend is that in the centrifugal force swing there is no forward motion by any part of the body. There are just the two "force vectors" I've described.
For THE FACTS about lateral (or forward) motion of the lower body (Hip Slide and Axis Tilt or lack thereof), study the Pivot (7-12), Zone #1 (9-1 including all pictures), Shoulder Motions (2-H), Clubhead Line of Flight (2-N-0), Hip Turn (7-14 and 10-14) and Circle Path Delivery (10-23-E).
Golf Illustrated: Are you saying that the golfer has to do less with his body? Aren't there any physical requirements?
Tomasello: The only agility needed by the player is to be able to turn the hips--to pivot around a fixed point--and to lever and unlever the right forearm. The faster you can make these two movements, the greater the centrifugal force you'll build up and the farther you'll hit the ball.
For THE FACTS about simplification by omission, see Simplicy (1-B).
Golf Illustrated: And what about everything else: feet, knees, shoulders, hands, wrists?
Tomasello: All these body parts move, of course, but only in response to the up-and-down force of the right forearm and the outward force of the hip rotation.
For THE FACTS about Outward and Downward Forces, restudy Force Vectors (2-N-1).
Your shoulders, for example, turn only because your hips have turned. There is no "tension" or "separation" of the hips and shoulders.
For THE FACTS about sequencing the Hip and Shoulder Turns, study Hip Action (10-15), Pivot Lag (6-C-0 and 7-12) and Hula-Hula Flexibility (7-14).
Golf Illustrated: It sounds as if a student would have to unlearn most of what he's been taught.
Tomasello: The question is whether it's easier to learn to perform a sequence of actions or to learn to do nothing. Ordinarily it's easier to do nothing, but if you're used to doing a lot of somethings, learning to do nothing can be the toughest thing in the world. The hardest thing for the golfer is to apply no forward force to the swing with the right hand and arm, or with a lateral movement of the hips.
For THE FACTS about Three-Dimensional Impacts, including the Forward Dimension, study Linear Force (2-C-0), Plane of Motion (2-F), the Right Forearm Angle of Approach (Strokes-Basic 7-3) and On Plane Clubhead Lag Pressure (7-11, 1-L #10 and #11).
Golf Illustrated: What happens to the shots of a player who executes these moves?
Tomasello: The player will immediately hit the ball higher and straighter, and substantially longer. The flight pattern will be dead straight to its apex, with the ball falling a touch left or drawing fractionally as it descends.
Golf Illustrated: How long before a student makes significant improvement?
Tomasello: I can give you documented examples of golfers with no previous record of success who started winning tournaments at various levels almost immediately.
While there are no doubt cases of startling improvement, for THE FACTS about realistic expectations, study Instant Perfection versus Continuous Progress (The Preface) and Pattern Development (1-E).
But the learning is never-ending. The amount of time and dedication the golfer puts in determines how far he or she can go.
You know, it's a shame that Homer didn't site his references in the back of the Golfing Machine...where did Homer obtain his Mathematical/Physics/Engineering information (like "the law of the flail"), and how about golfing book references or how about AIs that made contributions to the book.
DG
I have provided information on this in the Preface/Introduction to the Book Forum under the Homer Kelley thread.
Hybrid Mode
