Is there one way to swing a golf club? Is there a perfect swing?
Or, do you feel that you should just swing your swing and see how it goes on the golf course?
This is a question that has plagued golfers for centuries. When you watch the best players in the world on TV, it’s pretty crazy because no two of them have the same swing.
Some have the same tendencies or positions, but in general, players have their own unique swings. Not to mention, they can have different versions of their swing, just like Tiger Woods has throughout his career.
A book that is very popular in the golf world that breaks this down, the idea of perfect swing is The Golfing Machine by Homer Kelley. In this article, we’ll break down the book, some of its biggest lessons, and see if it can help you “swing your swing.”
The Golfing Machine Book by Homer Kelley
I want to start off by saying the Golfing Machine is not for everyone. In fact, it’s not for most golfers because it’s one of the most technical, if not the most technical, books you’ll ever read about golf.
To further solidify this statement, let’s just say it’s one of Bryson DeChambeau’s favorite books. He’s arguably the most “technical” golfer of any player on the PGA Tour, so it’s safe to say that it evaluates the swing at a very in-depth level.
Only read this book if you’re someone who loves the technical side of the game and really want to geek out on a golf book.
If you’re a casual golfer who isn’t looking to change up your swing and try to understand every part of the game, I wouldn’t recommend this book. But if you’re willing to go down the rabbit hole of mechanics, trigonometry, geometry, and more, then this book is for you.
Now that you’ve been “warned” let’s dive into some of the core principles of this book.
Who is Homer Kelley?
Homer Kelley is the author of The Golfing Machine, a controversial golf book that was first published in 1969. Now, on it’s 7th edition, The Golfing Machine instruction book is an all encompassing system to learn the game of golf.
Homer worked in the engineering department of Boeing Aircraft during World War II. Known by his peers to be a problem solver, he fixed tons of mechanical problems in his career. He used that information and applied it to golf.
After a horrible first time playing golf (something I think we can all relate too), he started applying his engineering background to the game. For the next 24 years, he learned as much as he could about the game of golf after having a successful second round. This is where developed his unique system to use physics (not feel) to create a more consistent golf swing.
According to Sports Illustrated, “After publishing The Golfing Machine, Kelley spent his life promoting it. He led seminars at PGA sections around the country, gave private lessons and wrote newspaper and magazine articles.
He also created a certification system for teachers that has three levels, ranging from a G.S.E.B. (Golf Stroke Engineering Bachelor) to a G.S.E.D. (Golf Stroke Engineering Doctorate). An instructor earned a degree by passing a take-home written test of more than 50 questions based on the book and then getting a recommendation from a previously certified Golfing Machine instructor who vouched for his teaching ability.”
What is the Golf Machine book?
Eventually, he self-published his 20 plus year of learnings in The Golfing Machine: The Computer Age Approach to Golfing Perfection. While I haven’t had the opportunity to read the first edition, many say it resembles a science textbook than a golf instructional book.
According to their website, “The Golfing Machine” textbook has been used worldwide since 1969 for teaching the game of golf. Created by Homer Kelley, The Golfing Machine golf instruction system gained a devoted following which has continued to grow for over 40 years.
Homer’s vision was to create an Authorized Instructor network, so instructors could share the knowledge contained in his book and ensure its proper instruction for golfers worldwide. Up to his death in 1983, Homer worked diligently to realize that vision.”
That’s right, it’s not just a book but an entire system that has a worldwide certified teacher program too. So if you read the book but want a set of professional eyes on your swing too, you can also find an instructor as well.
Principles of the Golfing Machine
The Golfing Machine breaks down the golf swing into 24 components and multiple variations of each type. Some of the components include grip, grip type, knee action, foot action, stance, and more. While the sections are broken down into different parts of the swing like setup, top of backswing, and the finish.
Based on all the different variations, there are nearly 450 quadrillion possible swings – all of which could create a great shot. But of course, it all depends on how they are paired together. The information feels like it’s straight from the engineering department, and not so much about how to become more consistent with the golf ball.
The book does its best (in a rather complicated way, I might add) to demonstrate how this works with certain PGA Tour players, too. Again, there is no way I could possibly explain all 24 components, variations and all the other information in this article.
Instead, I’ll outline some of the most relevant information and concepts that Homer Kelley’s teaches to give you an overview. For a full detailed breakdown of his method, you’ll want to purchase the book and read it a handful of times.
Here is a good overview video about how the method works in the golf swing from Martin Chuck, who is the inventor of the Tour Striker Academy.
Let’s begin…
Swinger vs. Hitter in the Golfing Machine
One of the biggest parts of his teaching is the idea that you are either a swinger or a hitter.
A swinger of the golf club creates acceleration and impact with centrifugal force. By maintaining a stable center of gravity, a swinger can create an axis of rotation for the golf swing.
Meanwhile, a hitter creates club acceleration and impact with muscular force of the right arm. Essentially, the swinger pulls the clubhead down to impact position. But the hitter has more of a push motion instead.
For most of us, this is a foreign concept, but it kind of makes sense. I like to think that the “hitters” of the golf ball use more force than natural rhythm and tempo. While a swinger is someone like Freddy Couples who has a “push motion” at the ball at impact without any jerky motion.
Ball Flight Laws
One part of the book that I think most golfers can agree with is the concept of ball flight laws in the golf swing. Essentially, every force creates an opposite and equal reaction.
For example, if you come into impact from the inside on the downswing with an open face, it will result in a push slice ball flight. Conversely, a shot that comes with a closed clubface from a neutral path will result in a straight shot that draws.
Of course, there are tons of other factors including amount of curve, trajectory, distance, and more. But I think that most golfers would agree that the path and club face at impact will determine the starting line and shot shape.
In the book, he goes down the rabbit hole with terms like “Geometrically oriented liner force” and more to explain this concept. But for this article, we’ll keep it simple and say that 1 of 9 shots will occur based on path and club face at impact.
Grip in the Golf Swing
Another core concept that golf instructors can agree is on the importance of the grip. Homer goes in-depth explaining a fundamental, neutral grip for both the right and left hand.
He takes it to the next level when he goes into the three pressure points that make the grip complete. While most of us think about grip pressure in general, I doubt that many of us have thought about the individual pressure points as well.
In the book, he claims that there are three pressure points:
- The first pressure point is the index finger of your left hand.
- The second point is the index finger of your right hand.
- And the third point is the right pointer finger on your right hand (these are all assuming that you’re a right-handed golfer).
The right grip position with proper pressure, especially on the three pressure points, play a massive role in the rest of the golf swing. Again, this is one of the concepts that I think most golfers can agree on, as it’s the only part of your body touching the golf club.
Click here to learn more about mastering your golf grip.
Hands in the Golf Swing
Another concept that is part of the glue of this book is about the role the hands play in the golf swing. The author goes into detail about the hinge motions and different deviations that can occur based on your hands and forearms.
Stance and Backswing
Once the grip and hands are taken care of, the next point is about creating proper posture and stance in the golf swing. Homer talks a lot about the importance of balance and stability throughout your golf swing and goes very deep about the setup.
He goes into things like:
- Proper rotation in the backswing.
- Aiming and getting your target line in the proper position.
- Why you need to keep your knees flexed throughout the swing.
- How the rotation of your hips creates the proper amount of geometrically oriented linear force.
Again, this is where it gets really tricky, as he breaks down each of the 24 components with more information than you can process.
FAQs About the Golfing Machine
Do you have more questions about the Golfing Machine by Homer Kelley? If so, hopefully, we’ll answer them in the frequently asked questions below.
Is the Golfing Machine method like the stack and tilt?
No, it’s not like the stack and tilt method, which is all about impact position.
According to Golf Monthly, “This means that you start the swing with 60% of your weight on your left side (as you would have through impact) and then retain that weight positioning from address to the top and then down to impact. At the top, the swing looks a little like a ‘reverse pivot’ but your weight does not fall back, it stays over your left side.”
Meanwhile, the Golfing Machine is a system with 24 components and a ton more factors other than just impact position.
Is the Golfing Machine method like the one plane swing?
No, the Golfing Machine is also not like a one plane swing either.
As Golf Info Guide pointed out, “In a one-plane swing (for a right-hander), the left arm’s position at the top of the back-swing matches the tilt of the shoulders when viewed looking down the target line. In a two-plane swing, the left arm is typically higher (more upright or vertical). In other words, it’s above the shoulder plane.”
Meanwhile, in the Golfing Machine system, there are tons of different variations of swing plane based on the 24 components.
What pros use The Golfing Machine swing method?
One of the most popular players in the game of golf, Bryson DeChambeau, is a huge proponent of the book. Given his nickname as “The Scientist” it only makes sense that he loves a book that is more about physics than it is about golf.
But he’s not alone, since the book was published 50+ years ago, it’s been used by a number of top players include Steve Elkington, Bobby Clampett, and others. While it worked for some time for Bobby Clampett, eventually his game started to fall apart.
When he ditched the method, quit working with Ben Doyle, and sought the advice of other instructors instead. Sadly, he never reclaimed his form, the book sales started to cease, and instructors began openly mocking the teachings.
While professionals and amateurs have used it to change their swing, not everyone is so sure it’s the Holy Grail of golf. For example, Hal Sutton once said it’s too complicated to read. While other teaching pros say they’ve never seen anything good come from reading this book.
Needless to say, this method is still very controversial in the golfing world.
What are some of the best quotes from the Golfing Machine?
Despite being a very technical book, there are some pretty solid quotes as well. Here are some of my favorite:
“There is more information in this book than any golfer can use in many lifetimes.”
“No one, especially beginners, should ever trust feel alone.”
“There is little excuse for forcing the average weekend golfer, who has some strong tendency or other, to adopt any procedure or stroke pattern that calls for the elimination of that tendency. It is far easier to develop a stroke pattern that properly compensates for it.”
“The student who can play and practice only occasionally should not be induced to proceed on the lines of detail and precision that a prospective champion would need.”
“The instructor can only inform and explain — the student must absorb and apply.”
Can you get golf instruction to learn about the Golfing Machine Method?
Yes, similar to methods like AimPoint, they have certified instructors and workshops available for amateur golfers.
According to their website, “During the workshop we will introduce you to some of the most important concepts from Homer Kelley’s premier golf instruction textbook, “The Golfing Machine.” Through group presentations and smaller, hands-on training sessions, you will learn these concepts and begin to build a better, more consistent golf swing.”
If you prefer 1:1 instruction, you can do that as well. Teachers go through a rigorous process (as the method is quite complex) to become certified instructors. Use their “Find an instructor” page to find a teacher near you. They have locations and instructors in the United States, United Kingdom, and more.
Or, make sure you watch Ben Doyle on YouTube, as he was a certified instructor who teaches how to incorporate TGM into your golf swing. Even though he’s past away, his videos are still very helpful if you want to learn this system.
According to the same Sports Illustrated article from above, “Ben Doyle is one of golf’s most famous instructors and the most prominent teacher to have embraced The Golfing Machine. Doyle,70, teaches 364 days a year–his day off is Christmas–at the Golf Club at Quail Lodge in Carmel, Calif. He is a pro’s pro, having given lessons to half of the world’s top 50 instructors as well as to more than 25 PGA Tour players, including Elkington, Paul Azinger, Bernhard Langer, Johnny Miller, Curtis Strange and Grant Waite.”
Final Thoughts on the Golfing Machine
Some say it’s the best golf book ever, while others say it’s far too challenging for the everyday player to ever use. At the end of the day, I think it comes down to your learning style, your golf goals, and your commitment to the game.
But if you’re looking for a casual read to learn more about the golf swing, this book isn’t for you. This instruction book isn’t for the faint of heart. Instead, make sure you read our best golf books to get some easier to understand principles to master your swing.
However, if you’re someone who loves physics, numbers, and just learning about the game, this is for you. Click here to learn more and buy a copy on today. Or, if you are looking for an older edition, make sure to check out eBay as well.
