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Director of Biomechanics and Sports Science, The Golfing Machine, LCC
Mr. Kelley describes the properly designed Central Stroke Pattern in The Golfing Machine, 7th edition, 1-H, as an “ocean liner”. He states in 1-H:
“Every separate item in the Stroke is properly understood only when learned and mastered separately and its separate identity maintained. The Golf Stroke is one piece like an ocean liner—not like an Indian dugout canoe. Proper design and assembly is required.”
In order to improve the skill acquisition development of the student golfer, there must be complete clarity as to how the human body truly functions in order to combine “parts” into sequences of skillful poses that constitute a well-executed Central Stroke Pattern. A Central Stroke Pattern is the golfer’s display of a unified “whole”. The “parts” that are utilized to create the specific execution display of a Central Stroke Pattern are the anatomical components that constitute the “Three Zones” (The Golfing Machine, Chapter Nine).
If we do not have full appreciation as to how the “parts” of the system must comport and adapt to fully participate in the orchestration and execution of a Central Stroke Pattern, then there is no point of reference by which evaluation of the quality of use of components may be undertaken.
The human body is, in general circumstances and conditions, a fully assembled, fully functional, articulating, integrated, comprehensive physiological organism. It arrives to the golf course, practice range, and/or lesson tee, ready for use. However, even though it is “fully assembled” as a physiological system, it is not yet assembled and prepared for golf participation until it is posed and comported into specific alignments and arrangements, combined to reconfigure the anatomical structure in a “ready for G.O.L.F., one piece ocean liner”. Therefore, with the golfer properly comported into a “golf ready” pose, where all the “parts” are assembled and arranged, the basic shape of the “ocean liner”, docked in its port, ready for operation, commences. This “ready for motion” arrangement of the biomechanical system is the Golf Baseline Position™ or GBP. GBP reflects the 8-3 Adjusted Address Position, after all pertinent Impact Fix alignments and checks have been completed.
The “ocean liner” now established is a TGM “ocean liner”. Its appearance is not for aesthetics of presentation, its appearance is engineered for function. Every “part” has been strategically maneuvered into a precise alignment to service and support the mission: an uncompensated, skillful Central Stroke Pattern execution. After all, this “ocean liner” must travel, it must move, maneuver, and operate in a cohesive integrated manner. The “ocean liner” is not a house boat. It is structurally designed for “mobility-based service”.
Therefore, as the “ocean liner” operates fulfilling its mission of a “mobility-based service”, the “parts” that constitute the “whole” perform functions designed to transport the golf club, in a specific manner of operation that “causes” the golf club to collide with the golf ball, to produce a specific ball behavior display, relative to goal. Each and very “part” plays a vital role in the process of the choreography by which the “ocean liner” is transported. This transportation process is the result of the execution of a pattern of interconnected poses, by the biomechanical system, which summate forces INTO the golf club with the goal of producing 6-F-1 "Right" Timing.
The keys to this process focuses upon how the “parts” are arranged and utilized as constituents of a “whole”. These keys can be summed up in the acronym: A.R.T™: Alignment, Rhythm, and Timing.
• If the “ocean liner” is constructed properly and arranged in precise harmony relative to the scientific principles of G.O.L.F., then there will be satisfactory Alignment.
• If the “ocean liner” is engineered with a design that is “lawful” to the science of G.O.L.F., then these functional Alignments will operate in a manner of effective “utilization”, through the execution of a pattern of interconnected poses of choreography by the biomechanical system, such that the Alignments being “utilized” operate with “well-orchestrated coordination”, which reflects a state of desired Rhythm.
• Rhythm is integral for desired performance. Rhythm is present when all Three Zones interact with seamless integration, with a performance display of efficient, and effective functionality of the “ocean liner”. Thus, demonstration that Alignment utilization is being “harnessed” effectively to goal occurs when the display of the Central Stroke Pattern incorporates a symphony of Rhythm.
• Finally, if there is quality Rhythm present, then during impact there will be a much higher expectation for the resultant display of optimal Timing.
Alignments properly formed are a key aspect by which the biomechanical system is structured into an “ocean liner”, prepared and ready for its “mobility-based service” mission. As is the case with a “mobility based service”, which is utilization of the “ocean liner”, the vessel must be so constructed with strategic stability so that all transport operations may meet the demands of service. Assignments for “service” and directives for function as it pertains a proficient execution of a Central Stroke Pattern, commence with placing the “parts” into various “assemblies”, precisely Aligned, ready for “utilization”, in a well-orchestrated, coordinated manner (demonstrating proper Rhythm), to increase the required impact conditions for the creation of “Right” Timing (6-F-1).
By studying the anatomy and the biomechanics by which the human body functions, we can better appreciate how all the “parts” work individually, and then in combination, when placed into specific “arrangements” and “assemblies”, relative to desired G.O.L.F. functions. The design and “type” of “ocean liner” created matters greatly. The “whole” can be re-evaluated, re-configured, and improved for functionality, “part” by “part” as long as the designer (Authorized Instructor) is fully versed in the geometry, physics, and biomechanics by which A.R.T.™ is used and applied. This is a fully integrated process by which technique and performance are combined (fusion) for optimal engineering for each and every golfer student.
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