[Daryl]

For the purposes of a newbie just getting started in TGM and trying out my first drill (the Hinge Action Education), what EXACTLY is a Zero Pivot?

Does a Zero Pivot imply that the only thing that should move are the arms ? (i.e. is the idea to get the feel of having no rotation around the spine?)

I tried this drill over the weekend, and can only assume that (if I was doing it correctly) the ZP causes a "feel" that will be felt only (or primarily) by "hitters" and not "swingers".


1) Hinge Action Education

Per 2-G: "For a Practice drill, Educate the Left Hand (5-0) to reproduce - with Zero Pivot - the three Hinge Actions, distinct and separate, while swinging continuously back and forth. First without a Club, then with a short Club, then with both Hands. Then with increasing Pivot motion using the Right Forearm per 7-19. Learning only one Action isn't so helpful because you won't know their differences.

Wow. This is why I love this Forum and Website so much. I mean; some people wait forever for someone to post such a great question, but at lynnblakegolf.com, it happens every day.

CKnicker, the Right shoulder is like a conduit through which the Pivot transmits all force and geometry to the Power Package. Move the right shoulder a little bit and as long as it doesn't directly influence the Power Package with Force or directed Alignment, then you've met the "Zero Pivot" requirements. Also, Variations in Right Shoulder Location can vary "Low Point" Location so, using Zero Pivot will maintain Low-Point opposite the Left Shoulder.

HK's intentions, although not spelled out, are for you to practice "Hinging" only around the "Pulley". That means no Straight, or Angled Delivery Path. It also means that you must know and understand all of the various Power Package Alignments for Release. Just you and the Pulley. You Have some options. Without Force and Motion from the Pivot, you'll isolate the Alignments of the Right Elbow, Hands and Clubhead/Clubface and be able to Practice them by preventing interference from an occasional poor Pivot Execution.

For Dual Horizontal Hinging you can practice Throwout by Tracing the Arc of Approach or you can add a little Layback to the Clubface by Tracing the Angle of Approach. For Hitting, use "Drive out" to practice Angle Hinging or use it to Trace the Arc of Approach to produce a Cut Shot (Dual Vertical Hinging - no Clubface Closing).

Anyway, the options are seemingly endless and can provide hundreds of Hours of fun and enjoyment and productive Practice.

Now, if only someone can show you what all of this means.