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Moe, small world at times isn't it? Fun stuff. Thank you for taking the time to write. I always enjoy your comments. I would love to find out if we know many of the same people....only I have been away from Seattle and golf for too long. I grew up with the "Golfing Machine." I met Mr. Kelley a few times when I was probably about 12-13 years old at Broadmoor. I can say that he watched me hit balls and I am sure he was not impressed nor did I understand his comments. Very nice man though. I was taking lessons then from Ben Doyle at Broadmoor, one of the original proponents of the Geometric Oriented Linear Force. When Ben moved to the Carmel area, I used to go stay with him. So I eye-witnessed up close how good Bobbly Clampett was growing up. Bobby was indeed capable of dominating golf way beyond college. I know that a lot of people don't like the "Machine" but in many ways it isn't radically different than the approach a Ben Hogan gave to the endless work of perfecting his own swing. The trouble most have with the application of "Machine" principles is that it shouldn't be kept at mere physics but one must be able to use the principles and then adapt it to the individual to build a sound, repeatable golf swing adapted to their skill level. The basics are the same but a Johnny Miller body will look different than a Lee Trevino (see how long I have been away!). Both were very sound and repeatable even though they looked completely different. I am probably like many "Machinsts" where I wanted to swing perfectly more than just hitting good shots. Bobby got lost after that sad Open seeking to rework everything had had built his game upon....a little here, a little there until the only thing that was front and center no doubt was confusion. When confusion starts to reign, all talent is quickly neutralized.
I lack first hand knowledge of watching Ackley living in Colorado but have wondered if in the black hole of his slumps he has listened to too many people so that he now has a hard time pulling the trigger and just ripping the ball by going with the pitch. Both golf and baseball will mentally destroy people in a hurry. A guy like Ackley has the talent to overcome the last couple of years and be great again. But in my little opinion, most reach a point where they don't come back. Very hard to do. But it has to be said the capability is there. Sadly, I doubt it would happen in a Seattle uniform. I hope I am proven wrong on that.
I have had fun working with pitchers in particular using much of what Kelley and Doyle taught me for golf. I also pitched growing up and the two mentally are very similar. Both require an understanding of physics but, in that, making it simple so it is repeatable.
Sorry to be so long winded Moe! Now you have me wanting to go hit a bucket! I look forward to more!!! Do you teach golf in the Seattle area?