2-D vs. 3-D
 

Homer knew all about the true 3-D club head orbit but preferred 2-D training and talks about it in TGM book. On page 58 in the 6th edition Homer writes “Remember, a flat plane has a straight baseline. A circle is two dimensional and can lie on a flat plane (2-D Shaft Planes).

Homer also knew about the limitations of 2-D training and wrote on page 26 of the 6th edition Homer then writes that precision is lost unless start up is three dimensional. The club head moves Backward, Upward and Inward INSTANTLY AND SIMILTANEOUSLY. (3-D sweet spot path motion).

It seems Homer felt it was better for the golfer to monitor circular motion of the club head in 2-D with a flat plane and a straight base line using the club shaft for the plane references than using the club head (Sweet Spot) with the third dimension of depth and the true 3-D orbit of the sweet spot path back in 1969. Forty years later I wonder what his take would be now.

Using straight lines for tracing the plane and monitoring alignments does have its limitations for precision when dealing with the parallel to the ground and the base line alignments. This is where I see most of the problems with golfers understanding the correct depth (in) of the motion of the sweet spot path. Golfers also have a hard time with the up part of the motion in 2-D as well.

Monitoring the back swing Swing Plane in 2-D

Starting at address using the club shaft for the incline plane reference move to where the club shaft is parallel to the ground and the base line alignment. From there move the club shaft to the incline plane as the reference to the top of the back swing. If you go to the end you will again use the club shaft for the reference for the parallel to the ground and the base line alignment. Precision is lost with many golfers at the parallel to the ground and parallel to the base line sections. Many golfers also see the flat plane as more of a Merry-Go-Round than a Farris Wheel and precision is lost with too much in and not enough up.

Monitoring the back swing Sweet Spot Path in 3-D.

Visualizing a path of the club head (Sweet Spot) moving from address Backwards, Upwards and Inwards to the top or end. Starting at address move the sweet spot on that path. Most golfers have no problems seeing this 3-D path and precision is not lost.

Homer's 3-D Solution
 

Homer Kelley recommended that all instructors build an Inclined Plane for use with students. He himself said that until he built one of his own, he could not truly visualize the [three-dimensional] path that the club needed to take.

:salut:

Hey Purehitter

If I understand things correctly, which is suspect for me at the best of times, Id say Homer would not change anything. He having got it right the first time.

Consider this animation:

Go to the LBG Gallery, Free Videos, the drop down menu at the bottom of the page, scroll down to Animations, find 1-L-18. This is an animation that changed my perception of the plane for ever. Indeed it sort of sums it up at this point in my education anyways.



Per 1-L-18 "Changing the Plane Angle has no effect on the Plane Line."

When watching you'll note that given a Shifting Plane Angle the clubHEAD does travel a curve in 3D space (if you were to map it out) but with no effect on Mr Kelleys Flat Plane, straight Plane Line or our need to Trace it. No Leadbetterian oxymoronic curved plane concept!

I know what you mean about the club when parallel, sort of like contemplating the number zero, or year zero. But for that brief moment in time when one end of the club is not pointing at the plane line.........it is pointing somewhere.......and that somewhere is on plane to my way of thinking.

In perspective drawing (a 2D representation of a 3D object) parallel lines converge to a point on the horizon line. This is true for us optically as well, while not literally true as parallel lines are parallel after all (when seen from a non perspectival overhead view). Rail road tracks for instance when seen in perspective converge at the horizon line but are still in actuality appropriately spaced.

So in a golf sense, if you prefer, you could consider the clubshaft when parallel to the ground, to still be pointing at the Plane Line. To be precise at a point on the Plane Line where it bisects the horizon line (approx 16 miles in the distance depending on ones eye height). The "vanishing point" of simple one point perspective drawing. Not actually true but close enough for Leonardo and Michelangelo etc.

cheers
OB


http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/a...d=123637379 6

http://www.lynnblakegolf.com/forum/a...d=123637384 6

I like using the dual track adjustable swing plane trainer with many of my students to visualize the [three-dimensional] path of the club head. I use the dual track a little different as I do not have the shaft on the rail. I will set the dual track up in a very vertical position and have the golfer set up so that there is 6 to 8 inches of space between the club shaft and the rail. I will then have the golfer make back swings and have them maintain the space between the rail and the club shaft.

Most golfers will take the club head inside during the start up and hit the dual track rail the first few back swings but it does not take long for the golfer to understand how much up there needs to be so they won’t hit the rail on the dual track. I have found this is a great way for the golfer to not only see the 3-D start up move but to do it. After a few minutes I will have the golfer set up with the shaft closer to the rail of the dual track about 3-4 inches and make back swings.

I will then do the same process for the down swing. When it looks like the golfer is getting it I will have them set up with the shaft now about 18 inches off the rail and hit balls. Training the golfer this way with the dual track produces some of the fastest results I have ever seen in 10 to 20 minutes. You might want to get a dual track and try this. It will cost less than building a plane board and it is light and adjustable as well.