Forward aiming point?
 

I am new to TGM. Recently watched Ben Doyle on this site and he kept trying to get the guy to have a forward aiming point for his hands at impact. I went out today and that is all I focused on and really hit the ball well. Just wondering where in the book, this forward aiming point is discussed? Is it specifically discussed or is it a teaching thought that was "invented" by Mr. Doyle or other TGM instructors?

trial and error
 

The Aiming point concept is described in 6-E-2, but I guess you have looked that up yourself.

The normal suggestion is that you find your aimingpoint for the different clubs by trial and error at the range.

For most the aiming point will be the ball or even behind the ball for woods, and then move forward for the shorter clubs and wedges.

Toward A Unified TGM Terminology
 

Mr. Doyle's 'Aiming Point of the Hands' is his own verbiage. It is known in TGM as Impact Hand Location (or Impact Fix Hand Location). References can be found in 6-E-1 (replaces Flat Left Wrist procedure in the 7th edition) and 6-E-2 as described in The Fix (7-8 ). The TGM concept of Aiming Point is the Aiming Point of the Thrust (not of the Hands) and may be found in 6-E-2. It is the Indirect and Automatic Equivalent of the Impact Hands Location procedure. Both procedures produce identical Hand Location and Flat Left Wrist alignments at Impact.

I know this is off-topic, but I'd just like to point out something you said which I find is very important. By focusing on hitting the ball with my hands instead of the clubface, I have improved my ballstriking exponentially.

Hi exgolfpro,
To echo (hello - hello - hello...just kidding), Lynn...

Aiming point, per Homer, is a the place where you direct the thrust -and absolutely is not where Ben is advocating (again per TGM). However, either aiming point or impact hands location should,all things being equal, allow you to arrive at the same location at impact.

Again, aiming point is simply a location you direct your thrust at - either the plane line or delivery line (I believe 2-J-3), but both are separate concepts and such, should be interpreted as such.

Breaker 1 9 . . . this here is Sugar Bear comin' atcha. . . Copy? Copy? Hey good buddy what's your 10-20 on Cross Line Thrust? We are headed strong DOWN South East highway 7-23 CROSSLINE. . . Copy.

If 7-23 says that Normally, Delivery “THRUST” is “Cross Line” – Delivery “MOTION” is “On Line”. Even at Low Point, because Delivery Path Angle (direction) is ALWAYS the alternate Target Line (7-2-3) even with Circle Delivery Path (1-L-9, 1-L-10). Study 7-11 and 7-19. If the THRUST is out yonder to right field . . . then would the could the Aiming Point actually NOT be ON THE GEOMETRIC PLANE LINE???? An Aiming Point on the Deliver Line (Alternate Target Line)?

Go ahead break . . .

It doesn't matter since it will go THROUGH the same geometric plane line. Remember all lines are drawn on the Inclined Plane.

Comin' atcha loud and clear. . . Break . . .

I disagree. In the 6th Edition, 11-23 From "Top" position, drive hands on "Straight Line" at the Aiming Point. Surely Mr. Doyle is describing this "in his own words" and at the same time accurately conveying Homer's intent.

I can see more and more confusion in these forums if writers don't indicate which edition they are using.

Hi weight,
I strongly disagree with your assessment. Lynn is merely saying (explaining) that Ben's description is not inline with The Golfing Machine as written by Homer. Aiming Point and Impact Hand Location are separate concepts in TGM, which I believe (not that I want to speak for Lynn), is what Lynn is pointing out.

Defining 'Aiming Point'
 

The problem is not with the 'edition', it is with the definition of Aiming Point.

The Aiming Point is defined in 6-E-2 and in the Glossary. It is that point on the Plane Line at which you direct Thrust in order to have the Hands arrive in their Impact Location. And, barring special situations, the Hands will always arrive at Impact ahead of the Aiming Point (which is typically the Ball).

For a visual, see Photo 9-3-10 (in any edition). Note the difference between the Aiming Point -- as illustrated with the ghosted 'arrow' extending from the Delivery Path to the Ball (that is the direction of Thrust) -- and the location of the Hands at Impact (well in front of this Aiming Point).

Ben's term -- "aiming point of the Hands" -- describes the location of the Hands at Impact. This concept is defined in 7-8, not 6-E-2.

Both concepts produce identical Impact Alignments...

One directly (Impact Hand Location).

And one indirectly (Aiming Point of the Thrust).

Sorry for the late reply but I've had a hard time finding this 'ghosted arrow" you speak of. Is it the black vertical arrow immediately below the hands in, for example, 9-3-6 through 9-3-9, pointing directly at the top of the ball?

If the thrust is directed in the direction of this "black arrow", what directs it, if not the hands?

personal house cleaning
 

After further reading/study I no longer require any answers to these questions.