First time I've heard that one, Ed. You never can tell where the next 'dowel idea' will come from. I find new drills and miscellaneous teaching applications for them all the time!
That said, readers often ask for 'the basics' of the training. Or, in the words of my good friend drewitgolf, how to "do well with the do-wels." Here is a primer that will help.
Start with two dowels (5/8" X 48"), and take one in each Hand. Grip down 8-10 inches on each, with the Left Arm Dowel under the Left Hand heel and the Right Forearm Dowel in the Right Hand cup (lifeline). Holding the dowel in the cup of the Right Hand will feel a bit awkward at first, but you'll soon get used to it.
1. Align the Left Arm Dowel so that it passes directly under the Flat Left Wrist and Forearm. Thus, both the Left Arm and the dowel will lie in the same Vertical Plane -- the Plane of the Left Wristcock Motion. Maintain this alignment throughout the exercises. [Remember, Cocking and Uncocking the Left Wrist are Vertical Motions, even when executed on an Inclined Plane.] Note that the Left Arm clearly is not on the same Inclined Plane with the dowel at Address. Instead, because the dowel is gripped under the heel of the Hand, the Left Arm points well below the plane of the dowel.
2. Align the Right Forearm Dowel so that it is On Plane with the Right Forearm. Bend the Right Wrist -- but do not cock it! -- so that the top of the dowel points well to the left of the Right Forearm. [Remember, Bending and Flattening are Horizontal Motions whereas Cocking and Uncocking are Vertical Motions.] Maintain this alignment throughout the exercises. Note that the Upper Right Arm clearly is not on the same Inclined Plane as the dowel. Because the Right Arm is Bent at the Elbow, the Upper Right Arm points well below the plane of the dowel.
3. When the Left Arm Dowel and the Right Forearm Dowel are brought together, the Left Wrist remains Flat (and the dowel continues to be In-Line with the Left Forearm) and the Right Wrist remains Bent (and the dowel continues to be On Plane with the Right Forearm). Accordingly, at Address, your Right Elbow will be Bent and your Right Forearm will be below your Left.
Static Exercises. Grip both dowels in the manner described for 3-5 minutes each day for the next three weeks. Look at each independent of the other. Study them -- in front of you waist high in the Horizontal Plane and also on the Angled Plane of the Stroke. Position them one-against-the-other in an Impact Fix. Position them one-against-the-other at the Top. Position them one-against-the-other at the Finish. Look, LookLOOK and make sure you are maintaining their respective alignments.
Dynamic Exercise. Hold your Left Arm dowel in its Impact Location and take your Right Forearm dowel (and its Frozen, Bent Right Wrist) in a 'direct path' -- on the Plane established by the Right Forearm -- to the Top (of the Straight Line Delivery Path [10-23-A]). Make sure that your Right Forearm Turns and Fans and that the Right Wrist maintains only its Right Wrist Bend (and does not Cock). Then return it on the same 'direct path' to its Impact Location touching the Left Arm dowel. Keep your Head still. Watch yourself make this move in a mirror (front and down-the-line view). Repeat this move -- your new Basic Motion -- over and over until it becomes second nature.
Your game will change.
Promise.
Hi Yoda
Is it posible to post some pics oif the positions of the dowels please.
I would love to see you in action with the dowels doing these drills.
Thanks Addam
Hi Yoda
Is it posible to post some pics oif the positions of the dowels please.
I would love to see you in action with the dowels doing these drills.
Thanks Addam
Lynn, this morning I looked at this Drills & training aids thread. While looking at your great discription and the video, I searched for more drill information.
I found a Very Well written description of drills for the dowels to practice indoors. I can not find the thread seems like it was written by Z- something and you praised his contributions.
Thanks Yoda, that is exactly what I was looking for. These drills and well written descriptions are great. Trying to work on drills this winter in Michigan to develop the "lag" and forward leaning shaft. We have a indoor hitting dome 2 miles away, 75 yards long, but great to get the "drag the mop" feel.
Any other drills you recommend on this wonderful site would be appreciated.
Had 4 hours with Ben Doyle Easter Sunday 2000. Had 2 hour lesson with Tomasello in Myrtle Beach in 2003. Can't decide if I am a Hitter or Swinger!
I have every revision of TGM including the original paper back and now the 7th edition.
I've been spending some time trying to reap the rewards of Dowel Training.
A question about the Left Wrist and Grip has arisen.
The left wrist only cocks and uncocks.
While doing this exercise, I think I realized that my LH grip was wrong.
I had the back of my hand lined up perpendicular to the Aimline at impact..
I'm wondering if the back of my hind should be more parallel to the Aimline.
This makes sense to me because if the Left Wrist only cocks, then the back of the hand would have to be parallel to the Aimline.
I'm also curious if the back of the Left hand and Back of the Left Forearm should be a perfectly straight line or if there is some flexion at impact.
This new setup feels different when I take a full swing because my Left wrist doesn't want to rotate, but I think that limitation might give me more consistency through impact.
The end position feels much more like the 2nd EdZ drill:
* Stand at address, no club, arms hanging, in balance
* make a fist with your left hand, and point your thumb to your right (away from the the target)
* make a 'V' with your right hand, split your middle and ring fingers, ala 'spock' (live long and prosper) and put that 'V' over the base of your left thumb
Your hands will look like this: -|
I just wanted to know if I was on the right path or if I was taking the "Left Wrist only Cocks/Uncocks" too literally.
I've been spending some time trying to reap the rewards of Dowel Training.
A question about the Left Wrist and Grip has arisen.
The left wrist only cocks and uncocks.
While doing this exercise, I think I realized that my LH grip was wrong.
I had the back of my hand lined up perpendicular to the Aimline at impact..
I'm wondering if the back of my hind should be more parallel to the Aimline.
This makes sense to me because if the Left Wrist only cocks, then the back of the hand would have to be parallel to the Aimline.
I'm also curious if the back of the Left hand and Back of the Left Forearm should be a perfectly straight line or if there is some flexion at impact.
This new setup feels different when I take a full swing because my Left wrist doesn't want to rotate, but I think that limitation might give me more consistency through impact.
The end position feels much more like the 2nd EdZ drill:
* Stand at address, no club, arms hanging, in balance
* make a fist with your left hand, and point your thumb to your right (away from the the target)
* make a 'V' with your right hand, split your middle and ring fingers, ala 'spock' (live long and prosper) and put that 'V' over the base of your left thumb
Your hands will look like this: -|
I just wanted to know if I was on the right path or if I was taking the "Left Wrist only Cocks/Uncocks" too literally.
thanks,
Bryan
If you read it as "only the left wrist cocks -not the right "does it make any more sense?.
The left wrist cocks along the line of the right wrist bend.
The left arm rolls to the chosen hinge roll proceedure- so it takes the wrist with it- so the left wrist UNCOCKS and ROLLS.
Any help?
Here is a primer that will help. 
Hybrid Mode
