Interview with Dan Whittaker

Today we have my interview with Dan, I lost the first minute of the interview because as you can see this is our first video interview. If you'd like to hear the first minute let me know and I will post the complete audio.

Before we go to the interview, here's an email I received from Brad:

Ralph -

Unbelievable post!

I greatly appreciate your investment and willingness to seek help from Dan. I learned more in that 20 minute video than some past lessons and golf instruction books I've consulted to help. It's impressive you'd take the time to help out a follower of your blog and seek such a quality golf instructor.

Would you be kind enough to share Dan's email address so I can provide him my gratitude?

Can't wait to begin working on the drills he laid out for me and start making some progress.

Thanks again and best regards,
Brad

Here's the interview

Untitled from Ralph Perez on Vimeo.

You can reach out to Dan via his email: DanWhittaker@btconnect.com

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The Gotham Golf Fix part 3

Today we have Dan explaining the concept of leveraged impact while swinging left on plane.



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The Gotham Golf Fix part 2

One thing I'd like you to notice about Dan is the passion in his voice. A telltale sign of someone who really cares about what he's doing. Here's part 2 of "The Fix".

More to come

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The Gotham Golf Fix part 1

I recently received an email from a loyal Gotham Golf reader and follower:

Hey Ralph -

Huge fan of your blog!!! Thanks for the continuous posts and knowledge.

Not sure if you entertain swing help questions, but I have been suffering from hooks (and the occasional push slice) for quite some time. I am a 10 handicap; RH golfer.

I get steep coming down, and then really shallow with an in to out path coming through. I've been working on some stack and tilt moves of late and that has only exacerbated the hooks, yet has helped me with better contact and distance control.

Any help with swinging left and eliminating these nasty hooks???

Keep up the phenomenal work.

Thanks,
Brad (a loyal reader)

Well we decided since Brad is a loyal reader we would do better than hand him a swing tip. We reached out to our friend and top instructor Dan Whittaker (aka DFW 1500 on Golfwrx) and what follows is the analysis and remedial drills.

Part 2 Tomorrow

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Seve at the Range

Here' Seve at the range during the 1996 Masters




That swing's got Mac O'Grady written all over it.

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Hinges

This Gentleman took the time to try to explain Hinge motions per The Golfing Machine.



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Martin Chuck 45 degrees

This is our friend Martin Chuck's audition for the Golf Channel Instructor Search. This particular video covers the essence of the stroke pattern I advocate: drag and drop, pivot power, the heave, harnessing inertia and swinging left on plane.




Great Job Martin,

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Swing Anchor Options by EA Tischler

I had never heard of Mr. Tischler until I stumbled upon this YouTube video. After watching it, I came away thoroughly impressed. I had never heard of the concept of ideal Pivot Points via swing anchor options. Mr. Tischler put together a pretty logical explanation/demonstration of this concept. Looking back on my own personal golf swing permutations I can empirically say that this is the way to go. Some play better from a centered pivot, some play better from a right sided pivot and some play better from a left sided pivot (stack and tilt(I imagine), Foley etc.).





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Paul Bertholy in depth Part 3

Here's a letter written to Paul by Nick Weslock. For those not familiar with Mr. Weslock, he was perhaps the best Amateur golfer in Canadian History . He made a career out of beating Pros. He was also Moe Norman's lifelong best friend
Here's a link for those interested in learning more about Mr. Weslock.

Nick Weslock

weslock0001


Here's the end of the interview:



For more information you can go to:

www.PaulBertholy.com

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Golf Channel Search--Rick Murphy

This one almost slipped by me. Here you have another piece of excellent work by Mr. Rick Murphy. I believe our friend Leo Hollaran GSEM teaches at Rick Murphy's Academy.



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Paul Bertholy in depth Part 2

We're going to continue with our exploration into the life and legacy of Paul Bertholy.

Moe enjoying a round of Golf with Doug Ferreri

Moe pictured with Doug Ferreri and a Student

Here's Part 2 of our interview

For more information on the Bertholy Method please visit:

WWW.PaulBertholy.com

Coming Soon----"TheScratchZone"
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Paul Bertholy in depth Part 1

Paul Bertholy January 1915-May 1998

(Moe Norman in bed studying Paul Bertholy's Manual)

Today we are going to have the pleasure of getting to know one of the most influential Instructors of the 20th. Century, The Late Mr. Paul Bertholy. We will be introduced to this teaching icon via the following interview with his protege and long time assistant Doug Ferreri. Among Doug's many assignments under Paul, he was entrusted with re-writing Paul's handbook "The Bertholy Method". The new edition is called "Golf Swing Construction 101 the Bertholy Method revisited", I HIGHLY recommend this book to anybody who is serious about working on their swing. If you don't believe me, listen to my interview with Lynn Blake, so that you can hear his experiences with Paul Bertholy.
The Book can be purchased HERE.

Here's the interview:
For those that want to download this for the ride home or their ipods, go Here for instructions




Part 2 Tomorrow

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Golf Channel Search--Lynn Blake

I would like to personally thank those readers who have made donations to this site, I really appreciate your support. I won't name any names since some choose to remain anonymous. We have some really exciting things coming in the future as we continue to make this the best golf blog on the planet.
Thanks Again.


Apparently Mr. Blake has joined the Golf Channel Search. Here's his entry and you know the drill by now. Unfortunately this type of instruction flies in the face of popularity, because the average hacker isn't looking to build a swing, they're looking for a quick tip or some other sort of instant gratification.



Quite a presentation.

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Moe Norman Interview

I got a kick out of this one:





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Willie Carter

It is with deep sadness that we announce the Passing of Willie Carter.

William A. Carter has spent a lifetime as an educator, beginning as a physical education teacher he worked his way into an administration role as an Elementary School Principal in Middletown, NY for 22 years.

“Willie” is known for being a strong advocate of children and youth activities. He is best known for his organization of talent shows at the Orange County Fairgrounds and his Youth Clubs which involved more that 3,000 local young people.

Willie has been honored for his work with youth by many organizations. In June of 2003 Mount St. Mary College honored him with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Human Letters. In November of 2003 he also was honored as being one of the ten most distinguished men in Orange County. Willie’s most recent accomplishment came on February 7, 2004 when he was honored by the Major General Irene Trowell-Harris Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen.

After his retirement as principal of the Mechanicstown Elementary School he became a businessman, opening his own Indoor Golf Center; amply named Willie Carter’s Golf Center.

Willie Carter’s interests in golf developed when he was a youngster. Growing up in a time of discrimination, Willie pushed hard to develop his talents as a outstanding golfer. He learned how to play from the legends of the game. Growing up in Mamaroneck, NY he caddied at the famed Winged Foot Golf Club and was taught by Tommy Armour, Craig Wood and Claude Harmon.

During a time when things just weren’t done, he found a way. From a young person caddying to a Masters Degree from college, Willie followed his “Impossible Dream”.



Our thoughts and Prayers go out to the Carter family.

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The Law of the Flail

Here's the late Tommy Tomasello explaining the "Law of the Flail" (once again I've embedded this from Lynn Blake Golf)

LynnBlakeGolf.com

Golf Channel Search--Manzella

Here's another one of the instructors we endorse Mr. Brian Manzella, I believe Brian would do a great job as a Golf Channel Instructor.

--Once again go Here scroll down to the instructor and when the video appears you click "Like". Let's get them there and let them battle it out in the next round.





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Swinging the Rope again

Today we're going to let Mr. Chuck Evans, GSED explain his version of the Rope Drill (really not different from ours).
For this next drill, you can simply take a piece of rope and hold it like a club. Go the top of the swing and allow the rope to rest on the top of your right shoulder. As you start down, you will "feel" like the rope stays on the shoulder as you take your hands directly downward to the ball, or at the "aiming point." This is called "rope handle technique" in The Golfing Machine. As you can see in the photo right, the "end" of the rope is "lagging" my hands.
clubhead lag
A properly lagging clubhead produces a strong downward thrust, which adds distance, trajectory and consistency.

Note: Chuck and I were supposed to sit down and have an interview, unfortunately Chuck suffered a Heart Attack last week. I ask our readers to keep Chuck in your thoughts and prayers.

Now watch the following videos and compare the swings to swinging a rope.

Here's Hogan



Here's a young Pat Perez generating over a 130mph clubhead speed.



Here's Peter Ellebye



Ellebye's problem we believe, is that he has what we call a pivot stall. He should give Gregg McHatton a call and get it straightened out.

What do they all have in common? The club appears to be riding on their shoulders at the start of the downswing. Why? Because the hands are the last thing to move, it's all part of proper sequential motion. The same applies to the rope.

Here's the Man Himself in Power Golf: (Click on the image to enlarge)

1. take it back--
2. let it land on your back--
3. And pivot it through to the finish.
   

You'll really start to understand how much work is exerted in a properly executed swinger's motion. Your core muscles will let you know if you're doing it correctly.

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Michael Martin

This is some quality instruction. If you're like me and think this is good, go to the Golf Channel next top instructor search and give Michael a thumbs up. Go HERE and scroll down to Michael's name, click on him and click like when the video comes up (you will have to enter your email address).
I also believe this will answer the question Joe posted yesterday with regard to the path.




Here's our friend Billy McKinney demonstrating "Swinging Left on Plane" with a 9 to 3 type of motion




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Impact Drill

Here's our friend Bill McKinney demonstrating an impact drill that I incorporate in my daily practice routine.

Here I am doing the drill, I have been working on this on and off for a few years, it's not easy because the tendency is to try and "add". Out of the 3 swings I took I only executed the first one correctly (the 3rd. one was almost good). These little swings actually require more focus and precision than full swings. I went a little further than Billy and developed some momentum, which made it easier. Give it a shot and you'll see.




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Golf Channel Instructor Search

It looks like Gotham Golf Friend Mike Jacobs has submitted a video for the Golf Channel Instructor search. Let's show Mike some love and endorse him. Once he gets to the next level, let him battle it out with Shawn Clements and the following instructors who we endorse:

Brian Manzella, English Turn

Martin Chuck, Tetherow Golf Club
Michael Martin, Fort Worth Texas

Here's Mike's Video

In order to vote go HERE and scroll down to the respective instructor click on his/her name and and vote, you will have to submit your email address in order to like a video. However you will only have to enter your email address once.

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The Flail

Here we are again with our recommended training aids. Today we are going to introduce you to the flail. The directions are to make one out of Pine, I made mine out of PVC. As you can see there are valuable Training Aids that can be made at home that won't put you in the poorhouse.




Bobby Schaeffer's Golf Flail

* Drill and insert 10-32 by 2" machine screws and cap with 10-32 locknuts and washers. Test to make sure the wood can pivot.
* Cost: $6.00


Below we have Marc Miner demonstrating and explaining



I didn't quite like Marc's demonstration so I took it upon myself to demonstrate how I use the flail.




Below you have Rick Nielsen demonstrating in Slow Motion



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Primary Lever and Upward Thrust

I promised I would post a video response to our discussion about Pete Cowen's spiral staircase pivot. Let's review this and hopefully we can all learn something.
First let's review the discussion:

Erik J. Barzeski said...

If you do nothing but move down and forward in the downswing, you're going to lack the upward thrusting that provides power and helps to get the clubhead out of the ground.
August 28, 2010 7:44 AM
NYC Lagster said...

Upward Thrust? Can you elaborate.
Ralph
August 28, 2010 10:36 AM
chrisgolf said...

Ralph wastn´t it you on the weightplates with 400 pounds at impact? ... must be some use of Groundforces...
August 28, 2010 6:07 PM
NYC Lagster said...

Yes Chris,
But it is a touchy situation, you want to be bent at impact an straight at separation. That's .00045 sec. or 3/4 of an inch. I agree that you want to thrust in order to take advantage of Primary Lever. But if you are to err it should be to the side of being bent too long. I will post a video with regard to this issue this week.
Thanks for Posting

Ralph
August 28, 2010 6:55 PM
NYC Lagster said...

I re-looked at it again, it seems Pete is pushing off on to his left side through impact. I must be missing something.

Ralph


Now let's define the Primary Lever, the picture below should suffice if not go Here, for a thorough definition

Now here's a video clip with Gregg McHatton explaining, what I was trying to explain in the Cowen Post. Click on the image to be re-directed




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Swing Update

Here's what my swing is looking like these days. I still have a lot of work to do. This was a nine iron, I figured it traveled about 140 yds. in the air. I'm hitting an Mizuno MP-32 (if it matters)




Here's a rare overhead view




Here's a frame by frame of the Downswing sequence:

1. I probably want to widen my stance slightly, however I will not go to the point where my pivot is restricted
2. I didn't realize how "Stacked" I am, although this is a 9 iron I probably need more secondary axis tilt for my longer irons
3. I'm going to work on getting my elbow in front of my navel at release, it's pretty close to there now but I would like to have the shaft more parallel to ground. Right now it's a little droopy.
4. I have a little leakage at the top during transition, I probably should eliminate that.
5. From the top view I noticed far too many Grey Hairs,.Forget about the Grecian Formula the Lagster would prefer to age gracefully. ;0)
6. All things being equal, I could probably live with that swing
   

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Ben Doyle II

Here's a lesson with Mr. Doyle. I found this pretty entertaining. Watch Mr. Doyle try to cure this guy's over-acceleration. I embedded this from Lynn Blake Golf.

LynnBlakeGolf.com

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Ben Doyle

A couple of months ago one of our readers wrote me and asked me to recommend an instructor for her nephew who had aspirations of being a Playing Professional. I asked her where she was located and she told me Northern California. Without hesitation I said, "Ben Doyle". She spent about a week trying to contact him and reached out to me and asked if I would call him. I said I would and placed a call to the tee line where he teaches. I was fortunate enough to catch him at the right time and spoke with him about our friend and her nephew. I told him I would have her call him. Eventually they hooked up and I wonder how things are going. Ben is the Dean of Golfing Machine instructors, he is my mentor's mentor and the first authorized instructor of The Golfing Machine. Here is a nice tribute to Ben's career.



Here's something I borrowed from Lynn Blake Golf

LynnBlakeGolf.com

Ben is giving Lynn a dose of West Coast Pivot ;o)

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The Hands

Let's rerun this one more time:






For those who don't know him, here's the late Tommy Tomasello with an explanation of the role of the hands.




And here's a drill by John Dunigan



If it looks familiar, it should. Remember the drills I did with "The Hat".

Interview with Martin Chuck PGA, CPGA

Today we're going to have the pleasure of talking to Mr. Martin Chuck PGA, CPGA. Besides being a creative inventor Martin is also a top notch teaching professional with a great lineage and a wealth of experience. As a young man Martin worked directly with George Knudson and later with Mark Evershed, he also played DIV I golf at New Mexico State alongside Rich Beem. I find that Martin's greatest attribute is that he is a great human being (he's so soft spoken I had to increase the volume on the interview) and it's always a pleasure to interact with him.

Here we have Martin providing some instructional feed back to someone via a Youtube video.




And here's the interview:



In case you haven't caught on by now, Martin is the inventor of the "Hottest Training Aid" out on the market right now. It's called the Tour Striker (click on the link to be re-directed) and yes he's the guy who appears with Gary McCord in the infomercial.


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Swinging The Rope with Bill Mckinney ,PGA GSEM

What You Need:
1.42" of 1" cotton or nylon truck rope
2.duct tape
3.Wrap ends in duct tape to secure the ends for safety.

Cost: $2.00 - $3.00

Here we have our friend and Gotham Golf Follower Bill McKinney PGA,GSEM demonstrating the proper way to execute the rope drill.




In this next video we have Rick Neilsen PGA, GSEM demonstrating these principles. Notice how the limp rope takes on the appearance of a solid steel bar as it telescopes out, seeking it's in line condition.





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Interview with Mark Evershed

Today we're going to have the pleasure of meeting Canadian Teaching Legend Mark Evershed. Mark is a protege of Moe Norman, George Knudson and Tom Tomassello. He's also mentored quite a few of the a great Canadian Teaching Pros, including Martin Chuck and Sean Foley. In this day and age of BS artists and Snake Oil Salesmen, Mark's candor is a breath of fresh air.



Here's the interview:



Mark has made the following offer to our readers:
Email him your full name and you will recieve a free one week membership to his academy. Check it out at: www.evershedgolf.com. If you read Mark's inspiration, I guarantee you will walk away with a great deal of respect for the man and what he stands for.
Mark's email is: tgs1@cogeco.ca

Simply email him and mention Gotham Golf Blog.

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How to play a Tillinghast course

After watching the current flock of PGA tour Pros try to take on Ridgewood Country Club, I walked away thinking to myself; Whatever happened to shot-making?. Obviously a lost art in the age of "Bomb and Gouge Golf." Anyways, I came across a video of somebody putting on a clinic on how to play a Tillinghast course. Anybody who plays difficult, undulating, well defined golf courses with contoured greens and penal misses will appreciate this.


Trevino ranks tied for 3rd. in my Greatest All Time Ball Strikers list. Here's the top Three:

1. Ben Hogan
2. Moe Norman
3. Lee Trevino/George Knudson
   

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Chipping Lesson with Rick Nielsen

It just so happened that my good friend Juan Campos Esq., was having problems with his chipping and pitching. Juan had just missed the cut in the Met Senior Open due to some unforced errors around and near the greens. He wanted me to look at his stroke and I suggested we let Rick look at it and film it for the Blog, so here you have it. Enjoy






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Setup Routine with Rick Nielsen PGA GSEM

Here's another one of my BS sessions with Rick Neilsen, enjoy.




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Kelvin Miyahira Webinar Part 3

In this part of the webinar Kelvin talks about his research into "Release Types".





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Kelvin Miyahira Webinar Part 2

Kelvin Miyahira

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Kelvin Miyahira Webinar Part 1

Today we have part 1 of a webinar conducted by Kelvin Miyahira and Rick Malm for Gotham Golf Blog. We originally did this on dimdim and found that there was too much lag time associated with the real time activities and the audio wasn't good as we expected. We wound up having to edit it and re-post it in a different format. We plan on ironing out the kinks and providing this type educational/interactive format in the future.

Here's part one:





Part 2 tomorrow

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