Question 18

Dear J.

I teach the technical advantages of Moe Norman's swing when he was a young man, not his idiosyncratic movements, nor do I teach a method. I use as much as possible from your existing swing that is correct. Methods can be learned but all too often have you looking and feeling uncomfortable long after you have learned the method. You may be able to use the method on the driving range, but playing that way may not be possible because it is not you. I believe that because I only change what is technically required for improvement you can learn faster easier and take it to the golf course and play lower scores very quickly. I don't care what you look like and neither does the golf ball.

The following are some instructional differences between the Kuykendall Toss and IMA technique :

The Kuykendall Toss full swing has absolutes They are an abbreviated stroke restricting the back swing to shoulder height, keeping your right heel on the ground completely through the stroke, an extremely wide stance, and the grip aligned between the thumb pad and heel pad with the left hand pointing in the same direction as the club face so that when you look at your hands at address you not see any knuckles on either hand. The club is placed 6 inches to a foot behind the ball, and ball position varies from your right or rear chest to forward shoulder. The backstroke is initiated by pulling your rear elbow into your side and rotating your right shoulder. The down stroke is initiated by a sit down motion and driving the knuckle of the right hand toward the intended line of flight. The release motion is a rotation of the hands and does not want the left hand bent back toward the left forearm.

The IMA technique consists of a full and complete backstroke to parallel if possible, full shoulder turn while remaining in balance, stance width dependent upon individual balance requirements, typically hip width to shoulder width for the inside of the heels.the right foot heel can remain on the ground at impact or roll in and be off the ground. The grip lays on top of the heel pad of the right hand and underneath the heel pad of the left hand. Depending upon your physical strength and hand dominance, the left hand can range from the v of your hand pointing toward your chin or your right shoulder. The right hand will be placed on the club so that you can achieve maximum extension and shaft angle on plane without rotating your hand/ forearm, not everyone is the same. I don't particularly care how you take the club back its the movements down that are influencing what happens to the golf ball, the down stroke is initiated by a simultaneous movement of the weight transferring to your forward leg while bringing your hands down on plane to the golf ball. Your right elbow will move in front of your right hip and the shaft line will be directly to the ball and bisect the shoulder and hands, meaning that they are on one plane to the golf ball. The release motion is a straight line flexing and extension of the right and left wrist. I absolutely want your left hand to bend back toward the left forearm after separation of the ball from the club face.

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