Paul Runyan Short Game Fundamentals - LynnBlakeGolf Forums

Paul Runyan Short Game Fundamentals

The Other Game - Putting

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  #1  
Old 09-17-2011, 07:54 AM
fladan fladan is offline
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Paul Runyan Short Game Fundamentals
Just got back from Cuscowilla after spending two days with Lynn. We spent the majority of our time discussing and working on putting and shots around the green, as well as pitching and sand play.

Lynn is convinced, and I agree, that Runyan's fundamentals are the most consistent and easiest to apply when it comes to the short game. Opposing grip, ball off the left big toe, eyes over the ball and head centered between the feet are the basics for putting. Adjustment for shots around the green involve ball position and club shaft lean. I'd recommend picking up Runyan's book, "The Short Way to Lower Scoring", and/or "Short Game for Seniors" to anyone interested in making improvements to their short game (or a trip to Cuscowilla).

Lynn has also devised a practice program for the short game that is very effective. As a testimonial, my short game (putting in particular) has never been my strong suit - played yesterday and put in the new putting and chipping/pitching techniques for the first time and made seven birdies!!

If you can, get to Cuscowilla and spend a day with Lynn on the short game - you'll be glad you did!!
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Old 09-17-2011, 02:21 PM
O.B.Left O.B.Left is offline
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How would you classify the Runyan putting method in TGM terms fladan? A combo of Pick and Paw Minor Basic Stroke or perhaps PIck , Push if you employed Right Arm power?

Either way it might come as a surprise to some TGM critics to learn that Lynn does not limit himself to the teaching of putting and chipping per 12-5 The Basic Motion Curriculum. Which in my opinion is a curriculum to Total Motion using a sameness in method as you progress from putt to chip to pitch to total motion. It is not a prescribed , mandatory method for short shots or pitches. No Sir. Homer believed sameness was a great way to simplify and build a stroke from the ground up but he did define the alternative methods for short shots , which dont lend themselves to Sameness.

Some pros have a sameness as they progress through the shots some dont. To each their own. You have options. I personally tried the Zone 2 Only chipping methods but have reverted to my old Zone 1 Paw minor basic stroke (but with new insight). And Im goofing with Pick, Paw Runyan style too.


As a side note .....Homer identified Zone 3 (Hands) only putting and chipping, see the Peck Minor Basic Stroke . It was after all the most popular method of his day from Jones to Palmer. As long as the clubhead doesnt pass the Hands Fix position prior to impact you're good according to Homer if somewhat perilously close to flipping. Call it studied Throwaway if you will or clubhead swinging as opposed to Hands Swinging. Homer did. See 7-19 Lag Loading.

The point being made by some folks that you dont see "TGM" type chip and pitch shots on tour is ill informed in my opinion. As if there was only one way according TGM which is flat out incorrect. How could those guys miss the section of the book devoted to the Minor Basic Strokes? Or the combinations there of? How many guys on tour employ Paw putting? Do the long wand guys often use Push? Did Arnie use Peck? Does Stockton teach Pull? (it looks like Push but I think its Pull) . Does Michelle Wie use Paw , Pull in combo? Is that her problem with putting? Two accumulators , two zones? Complicated by the two different centers? Now Pick Paw Runyan style a fine method. Thats a compatible coupling of Minor Basic Strokes with one center to the motion.

Too much coffee this aft guys. Sorry for the rant.

Last edited by O.B.Left : 09-17-2011 at 03:11 PM.
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Old 09-17-2011, 02:47 PM
JerryG JerryG is offline
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Many, many thanks to both of you for the above posts. I'm off to the practice area.
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  #4  
Old 09-17-2011, 04:02 PM
fladan fladan is offline
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I would classify it as either Pick or Paw Minor Stroke. Both arms are bent equally and on plane so that falls into Pick, however, I feel the stroke through the shoulders, but Lynn said it was an arm/shoulder stroke.

Because the book is a catalog of possibilities, Runyan's methods fall perfectly in line with Golfing Machine philosophies - whatever works best for you - steady head is a must, the original left wrist position is maintained through impact (equivalent flat left wrist), while using one accumulator. I agree that basic motion is an effort to maintain the "sameness" into acquired and stage three motions.

With Runyan's method, you shorten the primary assembly (closer to your work) and greatly reduce the mass of the swing. And because the eyes are over the ball (but behind it in many cases) the clubshaft is much more upright allowing us to swing on a much more upright plane.

I find it so easy to chip the ball around the green, and I feel I can hit every putt on my chosen line. Great Fun!!
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Old 09-18-2011, 02:56 PM
O.B.Left O.B.Left is offline
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Thanks fladan

Its amazes me that some former experts think 12-5 Pull or Push , Zone 2 Minor Basic Strokes were the end of the story. They missed a few chapters there.

So Lynn's teaching a Runyanesque Pick/Paw combo then. Nice. Sounds very compatible with one Center to the motion..... a point between the shoulders. Pivot stroke . Zone 1 only. One accumulator. Nice and simple just add a consistent Hinge action (your choice but do it the exact same every time) and Bobs your uncle.

But it doesnt expand into a total motion , not with two bent arms. So its not a candidate for a curriculum to Total Motion which requires a Sameness throughout the progression from put to chip to pitch to total motion etc.

Totally fine by me in terms of how we actually play the game. Jack had that hunched over putting stance , cooked something different up for chipping too. I see a sameness in Phils game as he works through the shots. Having one straight arm in putting helps. Homers change in grip type from Zeroing out the #3 to not........ even he broke with sameness if you wanna get nit picky about it.

I just read Johnny Revolta's "Short cuts to better golf", 1949. Great read . He has what he terms the "Revolta method" which has some similarities to 12-5 in terms of sameness and progression. He also talks about "educating the hands". Being the "pro's pro" he taught this method to many a pro. The waggle itself , something Mr Hogan adopted from Revolta is an example of the Revolta Method. 12-5 is different in a lot of respects , including the waggle but I have a feeling Homer must have read the book.

Homer didnt invent everything in the book, he was more of a master of observation , definition in my opinion. A true researcher. Always asking "o.k. but why?"

If I was starting a beginner out in golf Id start him with 12-5. If I was a pro who'd lost his game I'd start my rehab with 12-5. But when actually hitting a putt or chip shot in a tourney Id probably go with my old Paw minor basic stroke just like most guys do on tour these days. There's something to be said for Sameness when learning or perfecting the game but you do have to employ what works best for you. Whatever that is.

Vive la 12-5, vive la Sameness, Vive la difference too. Hey "what ever gets through the night..."

Last edited by O.B.Left : 09-18-2011 at 06:56 PM.
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  #6  
Old 09-18-2011, 05:10 PM
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KevCarter KevCarter is offline
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Originally Posted by O.B.Left View Post
Thanks fladan

If I was a pro who'd lost his game I'd start my rehab with 12-5.
...and you would be VERY successful.

This thread really turns me on. I used to work for a guy who was taught bunker play by Revolta. Best I ever saw in person. Hook spin, slice spin, straight away roll out, he could do ANYTHING from a bunker. Never shared the secrets with me though...

1n 1983, one of my members flew Phil Rogers in for a weekend. I was lucky enough to watch a lot of their session. Mr. Rogers taught the Runyan short game. Impeccable. I can't wait to witness YODA's version. Can't get to Cuscowilla soon enough...

Kevin
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Last edited by KevCarter : 09-18-2011 at 05:13 PM.
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Old 11-06-2011, 07:51 PM
sedowney sedowney is offline
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Originally Posted by fladan View Post
Just got back from Cuscowilla after spending two days with Lynn. We spent the majority of our time discussing and working on putting and shots around the green, as well as pitching and sand play.

Lynn is convinced, and I agree, that Runyan's fundamentals are the most consistent and easiest to apply when it comes to the short game. Opposing grip, ball off the left big toe, eyes over the ball and head centered between the feet are the basics for putting. Adjustment for shots around the green involve ball position and club shaft lean. I'd recommend picking up Runyan's book, "The Short Way to Lower Scoring", and/or "Short Game for Seniors" to anyone interested in making improvements to their short game (or a trip to Cuscowilla).

Lynn has also devised a practice program for the short game that is very effective. As a testimonial, my short game (putting in particular) has never been my strong suit - played yesterday and put in the new putting and chipping/pitching techniques for the first time and made seven birdies!!

If you can, get to Cuscowilla and spend a day with Lynn on the short game - you'll be glad you did!!
I just got back myself, Yoda is the man! I love the Runyan technique, felt VERY awkward at first, but when your mind set on chipping goes from "please just get close!" to " why did that ball not fall in!? " that is how well I liked it.

I am still on cloud nine high after this weekend. Do yourself a favor and GO to Cuscowilla .

Shane
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Old 11-12-2011, 01:24 PM
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KevCarter KevCarter is offline
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Originally Posted by sedowney View Post
I just got back myself, Yoda is the man! I love the Runyan technique, felt VERY awkward at first, but when your mind set on chipping goes from "please just get close!" to " why did that ball not fall in!? " that is how well I liked it.

I am still on cloud nine high after this weekend. Do yourself a favor and GO to Cuscowilla .

Shane
Your talking to about 9000 jealous members!
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Old 11-12-2011, 08:39 PM
Taffy Taffy is offline
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I worked on my Runyan chipping today. So easy if you commit to it. Been working on the putting technique for months but resist the chipping for some reason! Decided to go to it today and stick to it. So easy and efficient.
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  #10  
Old 11-13-2011, 05:50 PM
Rick Murphy Rick Murphy is offline
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Hey....Taffy....thought I was going to see you today...and I missed seeing the use of the "Runyan" short game techniques. Maybe I will see you this week. It's good stuff. Glad you are putting these techniques in action !
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