fbpx

TSS Pin Training Method

"Advanced techniques are the basics mastered." From the 17th century Samurai Code

Details

Learning golf is a step-by-step process. One should start with the shape of the swing, than work on the solid impact - sweetspot precision, and finally strive for precision to the target. At TSSGolf we have specialized our focus to help golfers primarily with the second step, impact precision, which is the heart of the golf swing and the key for any further advancement.

We provide a training method described in our books and two training aids. Sg3000 is an universal and very practical training aid meant for golfers at any level, from casual recreational ones to most dedicated students. It is an excelent tool for the first two steps, namely for working on the swing shape, and, of course, for what we actually developed it, for practicing impact precision.

TSS Pin training aid and method is meant for dedicated and disciplined golfers. It is best used in combination with sg3000 as described in our video eBook.

— Ernest Dras

Micro technique in Slow Motion

The following drill is designed to teach students the sensation of making minute adjustments in their bodily position as they align the small hole on the pin at various locations on the club face—heel, toe, center, high, low…

While the ultimate goal is to consistently achieve sweet-spot precision, it has been proven that occasionally integrating differential practice can be highly beneficial in reaching this objective. Differential practice involves intentionally targeting different areas on the clubface, such as the top, bottom, toe, and heel, rather than just repeatedly aiming for the sweet spot. This technique has shown to be highly effective in increasing clubface awareness and the ability to correct mistakes, such as off-center contacts, when they occur.

Based on Ben Hogan’s slow motion drill

Slow Motion practice is a training method employed by numerous top golfers both past and present. One of the most notable and well-documented examples is Ben Hogan, making it fitting to refer to it as Ben Hogan’s slow motion drill.

Snapshot from the footage of Ben Hogan taken at the Seminole Golf Club

Snapshot from much older footage of Ben Hogans’ slow motion practice

Another older footage of Ben Hogans’ slow motion practice demonstration

 
In the above video, a crucial detail is not visible. It is widely acknowledged that top golfers, particularly Ben Hogan, possess(ed) the ability to consistently strike the ball with the sweet spot every time.So, as said, we can’t see, but can clearly understand that in the above footage Ben Hogan is hitting dead on the sweet spot every time during the slow motion drill. If one is not a completely accomplished golfer, he will not be able to do that, and that is why he can benefit from a specially designed precision impact drill.

Micro technique #1: The Sweet Spot

While the Micro technique encompasses more than just hitting the sweet spot, it is the fundamental aspect, the most challenging to master, and thus the most critical. A top tour professional emphasizes its significance in the following statement about the golf swing:

“It’s about hitting the ball in the center of the club face and hitting it hard.”
Bubba Watson
 

FACTS: Elite players make contact with the ball—hitting the sweet spot—with a tolerance of just 1/16 of an inch. A tolerance of 1/8 of an inch still permits good golf performance, but exceeding that threshold becomes problematic.

edge coin

1/16 of an inch is equivalent to the thickness of a dime

 

Macro technique vs Micro technique

 

Currently, 99% of all instruction focuses on Macro technique—shoulder rotation, hip movement, stance, grip, and so forth. Changes made to Macro technique are easily noticeable to observers with the naked eye. In contrast, alterations in Micro technique are not visually evident on the golfer's body.

A golfer's Macro technique serves as the foundation for executing their Micro technique, analogous to a surgical table serving as the platform for a surgeon's precise work.

The table upon which the patient lies can be positioned lower or higher, and it may also be slightly tilted. However, these specific adjustments are of secondary importance. As long as the table remains within reasonable limits, a skilled surgeon can adeptly adapt to its configuration and effectively perform the operation with their surgical tools. While the positioning of the table holds significance, it is essential to emphasize that the surgeon's mastery in precisely manipulating the surgical instruments holds far greater importance.

Surgeon at work

Surgeon at work

 

Similar to the surgeon's skill in handling the knife, a golfer's Micro technique is significantly more crucial than their Macro technique. Some golfers may successfully emulate swings that closely resemble Tiger Woods', yet they remain far from attaining his ability to control ball flight. This disparity arises from the vast difference in mastery of Micro technique.

Tiger8

A wear pattern on Tiger Wood's
8 Iron used in 2005

Testing The Solar Sweetspot Training Method

Rick Malm approached us with a desire to test the training method presented in Ernest Dras's book: "Slow Practice Will Get You There Faster: Link between Ben Hogan's mirror practice and his slow-motion drill." As an expert in biomechanics with extensive experience in various sports and a scientific background, Rick provided a valuable opportunity to thoroughly assess the training method.
 

Rick Malm

Rick Malm (SSC Golf)

Rick Malm’s test summary: “Why was I attracted to this training method? Nobody understands how to teach this subject and it can make a difference of a win or loss at long drive world championship for my clients, and for me it means the difference of hitting fairways and greens as well as losing golf balls in the rough. I wish I would have learned this teaching technique before I started playing golf and other sports.”
 
 
 

Comparison of Rick’s full-speed swing sweet spot accuracy
in a time span of a few months.

 
 

The entire testing process is meticulously documented in a Case study (Adobe Reader is required to play the videos). Any dedicated golfer who follows the steps outlined in these training process descriptions should be well-equipped to achieve substantial progress in the pivotal realm of Micro technique—sweet spot precision. As a result, they can expect a marked enhancement in their golf scores, akin to the remarkable progress accomplished by Rick.

Case study + PT2100 Training Aid

 

eBook

Click for TSS slow motion practice Case study

 
 

Go To Store

 
 

  • Can TSS Pin teaching device be used on other clubs beside the driver?

    It is meant to be used primarily with the driver. The feel and the new acquired awareness will translate to other clubs.

  • Are there any other prominent examples of slow motion practice beside Ben Hogan?

    Some other famous golf professionals using Slow Motion practice:

    Harvey Penick (from his Little Red Book; in his days he was coaching Tom Kite, Ben Crenshaw and many other top golfers)
    "THE SLOW-MOTION DRILL is a drill you can do at home, and it takes much patience and many repetitions, but the time you spend at it will pay off on the golf course. Mickey Wright practiced this drill often. As an all purpose drill that is good for whatever ails your golf swing, this is probably the best. You can do it indoors, so you can do it in bad weather or at night. When 1 say slow motion, 1 mean really slow, slow motion. lf you think you are doing it in slow motion, do it even slower... As an all-purpose drill that is good for whatever ails your golf swing, this is probably the best."

    Butch Harmon about Tiger Woods
    "The best way to make a radical change like that is to take slow-motion swings, sometimes exaggerating the movement. Then you repeat it over and over. When Tiger and I worked on his swing in '97, he didn't want to do drills, which for many players are useful. But he was a fanatic about repetition, and I have video of him making lots of practice swings in slow motion. For a swing change to work, you have to ingrain the feel of it. You can't do that by hitting balls, because the golf swing lasts only a couple of seconds."
    http://www.todaysgolfer.co.uk/tips-and-tuition/swing-setup/video-tips/2009/march/nick-price-my-10-rules-for-being-a-great-driver/

    Golf Channel - Brad Brewer

    Especially after the release of Ben Hogan's videos presented above a few years ago, now many speak about slow motion practice. If you enter "slow motion practice golf" keywords into Google, you shall find innumerable hits.

     

  • 1
Cookies make it easier for us to provide you with our services. With the usage of our services you permit us to use cookies.
More information Ok Decline