I'm a firm believer we can memorize anything, it's simply a matter of consistent review.
Most of the people who say they "can't memorize" have never really tried. They are stalled at the port of 'think they can't'. Stuff the 'learning disability': I don't believe it for a second.
Here is the way I go about it . . . inch by rock-breaking inch. No lazy. Just lift club and break rock. I break things down into small pieces and memorize bit by bit.
For example, in memorizing the 21 points in 1-L, I wrote them down on four 3 X 5 index cards, five points to a card except six on the last. I labeled these cards '1-5,' '6-10,' '11-15,' and '16-21' and kept them in my TGM book. I would briefly review them (like flash cards) from time to time, usually concentrating more on one card than the others.
I also photocopied (in 50 percent reduce mode) these cards laid out in a vertical column. I then cut it out and folded it up 'accordian-style' and carried it in my wallet. Then, whenever I had a spare minute or two -- waiting in a post office or fast food line, for example -- I would pull out my little fold-out and review a card or two. Or maybe just mentally recite one or two.
In the car, I would practice reciting them -- out loud -- in their own little 'blocks,' say '11-15' or '6-10' and always including their number. And I used the little memory tricks, too. For example, 1-L-#8 -- "No portion of the lever assembly swings forward independently." -- I see the bottom 'o' of the '8' swinging forward independently of the top 'o.' I even used the list as a sleep aid -- -- at night or on airplanes, starting from #21 and going backwards. I rarely made it past #17 or so.
After a while, I had memorized 1-L -- and 12-1-0 and 12-2-0 (the Drive and Drag Stroke Patterns) and 12-3-0 (the Mechanical Checklist For All Strokes) and 12-5-1/2/3 (the Basic Motion Curriculum) and so on. That foundation helps me every day in my teaching, speaking and writing.
No magic.
No genius.
Just plain ol' grind it out one-day-at-a-time effort.
I certainly agree with what Denny is saying, but a few comments on memory . . .
I'm a firm believer we can memorize anything, it's simply a matter of consistent review. As Justin was saying if you start basic and lay a foundation you will be able to use it to link more specific information to. Like anything that feels overwhelming, it's important to start with baby steps.
There are many memory experts that say if you review on this schedule in less than 2 years you will own the information for life.
1. 1st review
2. 2nd review: within 24 hours
3. 3rd review: within 1 week
4. 4th review: within 1 month
5. 5th review: within 6 months
6. 6th review: within 1 year
Also, there are guys like Harry Lorayne that lay out various memory techniques in books. I've used some of this in memorizing German words. An example, I could not for the life of me remember what löschen meant (to extinguish/cancel). So it took me another 5 seconds to picture a "loser" getting nailed with a fire extinguisher. I'll probably remember what that word means for life now because it's just a vivid and odd visual. Interestingly, topics that are "not to be spoken about here by gentlemen" are the one's in which the visuals are most effective. As one memory expert puts it, feel free to use whatever images will work because know one is going to get into your mind, it's your own domain (or something like that).
I used to think using notecards was a waste of time, I am now a believer. When I would have to learn 150-200 German words in a couple of days (far from my expertise), notecards helped a helluva lot.
Matt
Another trick is using a technique called a mnemonic device. In beginning astronomy classes, students will use the following to remember star classification types.
OBAFGKMRNS
The phrase used to remember the above letters is "Oh Be A Fine Girl, Kiss Me Right Now Smack!"
In college one of my friend's brothers was a Naval Aviator and and to remember what type of jet he flew, she associated "F" with February and 14 with the day of my birthday. So, by associating the jet type with my birthday was how she memorized the jet type he flew "F14".
The same principle Matt refers to and using mnemonics can be applied to memorizing the TGM book.
For example, 1-L-#8 -- "No portion of the lever assembly swings forward independently." -- I see the bottom 'o' of the '8' swinging forward independently of the top 'o.'
Now that is creative, I love it!
__________________
"In my experience, if you stay with the essentials you WILL build a repeatable swing undoubtedly. If you can master the Imperatives you have a champion" (Vikram).
The reason you can't sustain the lag is because you are so eager to make the club move fast (a reaction to the intent of "hitting it far"). So on a full shot you throw it away too early, which doesn't happen for your short chip. (bts)
Not all of us have the memory ability of Lynn or Justin .
I know what the words mean and how to get my students to demonstrate the concepts.
I agree 100% wholeheartedly.
And for those of you who think anyone can memorize that entire list really do not know how the human brain works in regards to memory, memory damage, or learning disabilities.
Everyone's different. As long as you know what you're doing with the information you have (the book) and can APPLY IT you have a chance at being a great teacher.
__________________
I'm not a TGM or PGA certified Pro, but I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night
And for those of you who think anyone can memorize that entire list really do not know how the human brain works in regards to memory, memory damage, or learning disabilities.
Everyone's different. As long as you know what you're doing with the information you have (the book) and can APPLY IT you have a chance at being a great teacher.
I never said my 10-point checklist was a pre-requisite to becoming a great teacher. I was asked what could be done to help one prepare for Authorized Instructor training, and I offered the list, somewhat tongue-in-cheek due to its obvious overload. Certainly, there have been many effective teachers who never heard of The Golfing Machine, much less committed to memory much of its contents.
However...
Homer Kelley himself did require that those who came to him for GSEM training memorize items #1, #2, #3, and #8 in my Checklist. In addition, we were to familiarize ourselves with the Twelve Session Normal Course Curriculum, and we were to answer in writing his 50-page test bank of 529 questions covering each chapter of The Golfing Machine. All this was a pre-requisite to his training.
My own checklist included a few additional items, such as the 12 Sections of the Stroke -- certainly not difficult -- and the Mechanical Checklist For All Strokes and the Basic Motion Curriculum as long-term goals to strive for.
People think it is easy to become a Professional Golf Instructor, and they are right. There are few barriers to entry and the quality of instruction over the decades reflects that reality.
Homer saw it a different way.
It takes many years of dedicated study to become qualified to even begin to practice professsions such as medicine, dentistry, the law, and accounting. Why should becoming a qualified and competent Professional Golf Instructor be any different? Why should proficiency in what is truly a complex discipline come without the requisite pricetag of time and study?
I have met very few teachers -- great or not -- who when pressed, will not freely admit, "If I could give all my early students their money back, I would." It takes a long time to learn to teach effectively, even when you have the correct information. And rote memorization by itself is not the answer...I am not saying that it is. However, it can and will greatly compress the years required to truly be the Master of your Discipline.
Those who say that such memorization is unnecessary have not done it. Therefore, as effective as they may be as teachers, there is no way they can judge how much more effective they could be if they had truly internalized the Stroke Components, their Variations, the Basic Motion Curriculum, and the mission-critical alignments of the Hands in each of the Twelve Sections of the Stroke.
I have done it.
Was it easy? Hell no, it wasn't easy. I worked my butt off.
"How did you do it," I asked Homer. "How could you write such a book?"
Said he, "There is the sweat of blood on every page."
I know I am a better teacher for having followed Homer Kelley's advice to memorize those elements of The Golfing Machine that serve as its foundation.
My message in prior posts was that you don't have to do it all at once. Simply begin...
Take it one step at a time.
And before you know it...
You will have accomplished much more than you ever dreamed possible.
Let me qualify this by first saying this . . . I'm probably one of the top 5 biggest book nerds on this and other sites. I have or have copies of every edition. I have typed the 6th into a word file. I have for the most part read each edition but I'm half way throught the first and haven't read the 2nd. I have read the 6th from cover to cover 3 times. And read the 7th.
However . . . I haven't memorized much of the book . . .
What exactly is the intent of the memorization? I'm not saying that I wouldn't do it. I probably will . . . but to what ends does it serve? Is this a "to be teachers" task? Or just a task that any serious student should take?
What exactly is the intent of the memorization? I'm not saying that I wouldn't do it. I probably will . . . but to what ends does it serve? Is this a "to be teachers" task? Or just a task that any serious student should take?
[Bold emphasis added.]
Bucket was writing his post as I was posting mine. He deleted his because he felt his question had already been answered. I have taken the liberty of resurrecting it -- it's fun to be an Administrator! -- because his post asks a very up front and to-the-point question I want to answer.
What is the intent of memorization?
To my mind, it is quite simple:
How can you teach the five alignments at the Finish unless you know them? And how can you know them unless you can recite them?
How can you teach the seven alignments at The Top?
How can you teach the four alignments in the Start Up?
How can you teach the six alignments at Impact Fix?
How can you guide your student step-by-step through the Basic Motion Curriculum unless you stone-cold know it?
After all...
You are the Teacher!
It is your job to know.
In his June 1981 G.O.L.F. Bulletin for Authorized Instructors, Homer Kelley wrote:
Self 1 and Self 2, right and left brain, ball-and-striker sports and the play-pen seem to have one thing in common. That is that Geometry and Physics have, early and late, had no advocate therein. The one obviously out-of-place member of that group that might some way be redeemed, appear to be the ball-and-striker sports inasmuch as The Golfing Machine is dedicated to removing at least one of these sports from the playpen syndrome.
Nothing has changed. To a large extent, Golf Instruction remains in "the Playpen." What has been missing all along is precision. And only The Golfing Machine can supply that precision.
So, our job as Instructors is to become true Authorities and, in time, to liberate Conventional Instruction from its Playpen status.
And if we don't -- because we are either unwilling or unable to pay the price to trulyknow our subject -- then...
What exactly is the intent of the memorization? I'm not saying that I wouldn't do it. I probably will . . .
Now I would like to make a point. And that point is that you already have memorized much more than you think! And you have done it "by accident." My position is that if you did it "on purpose," you would enjoy even greater benefits.
The Proof:
Bucket, you are hereby asked to take the following test. You may NOT consult your book. You are 'on your honor' -- do not go there! -- and you are to post your answers exactly as you are able.
Pencils ready...
Open your test booklets...
Begin.
1. List the 12 Sections of the Stroke...in order.
2. What is the subject of 2-F?
3. What is the subject of 2-G?
4. What chapter explains the 24 Components?
5. What chapter explains their Variations?
6. What two chapters refer to the Wrist Positions and the Hands?
7. What chapter explains the Power Package Concept?
8. List the Four Power Accumulators.
9. List the Four Pressure Points.
10. What chapter lists 21 points that explains the operation of The Golfing Machine?
11. List the Three Imperatives...in order.
12. List the Three Stations.
13. List the Three Functions of the Club.
14. What is the Star System Triad?
15. List the Three Zones.
I could go on, but you get my drift.
And now, Bucket, I am waiting to grade your test. My guess is that your score will support my thesis.
Mike O we got us another target it looks like!!! You got any gas for the weed eater?
1. List the 12 Sections of the Stroke...in order. Prelim add./fix/add./start-up/backstroke/top/startdown/downstroke/release/impact/follow-thru/finish
2. What is the subject of 2-F? uh I know 2-k is flail . . . 2-j visual eqiuv. . . hmm. . . .clubhead line of flight?
3. What is the subject of 2-G? force vectors? is that even one of 'em? naw I think one of them g or f is hinge action.
4. What chapter explains the 24 Components? 9
5. What chapter explains their Variations? 10
6. What two chapters refer to the Wrist Positions and the Hands? 4 & 5
7. What chapter explains the Power Package Concept? 6
8. List the Four Power Accumulators.
1 right elbow 2 left wrist cock 3 left wrist angle 4 left arm and shoulder angle
9. List the Four Pressure Points. 1 heel pad of right hand on shaft or left thumb 2 last 3 fangers of left hand 3 first knuckle right index fanger 4 left arm meets left tit
10. What chapter lists 21 points that explains the operation of The Golfing Machine? 12
11. List the Three Imperatives...in order. flat left wrist straight plane line club head lag pressure point
12. List the Three Stations. address/top/finish
13. List the Three Functions of the Club. inclined plane = shaft lag pressure point = clubhead flat left wrist = clubface
14. What is the Star System Triad? three imperatives three functions three stations
15. List the Three Zones. zone 1 body control pivot zone 2 power arms zone 3 alignments hands
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Aloha Mr. Hand
Behold my hands; reach hither thy hand
Last edited by 12 piece bucket : 10-14-2006 at 11:47 PM.
-- at night or on airplanes, starting from #21 and going backwards. I rarely made it past #17 or so. 
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