| Millions of golfers, of all interest levels and all ability | | | | Jack Grout with Jack Nicklaus, when Jack was 10 |
| levels viewed the Golf Channel's "Barkley Project" with | | | | years old. Grout was frustrated with young Jack |
| premier instructor Hank Haney, who is also pro to | | | | Nicklaus with what Grout called "head bobbing," an |
| Tiger Woods. It was easy for Haney to quickly see Sir | | | | early flaw in Nicklaus' swing. During one practice |
| Charles' problem and it was just as easy for most | | | | session, Grout and his assistant held Nicklaus' head for |
| viewers to spot his flaw because it was so obvious. | | | | two hours, while Jack continued to hit balls. The |
| One might say that Charles has many flaws but the | | | | purpose of this lengthy and painful (it is written that |
| one disastrous flaw that causes all others is simply | | | | young Jack was in tears) practice session was to help |
| that Barkley does not maintain his spine angle. | | | | Nicklaus develop the feel, the muscle memory to keep |
| Maintaining one's spine angle isan irrefutable aspect of | | | | his head steady. |
| any good golf swing. The spine angle is the angle | | | | Charles does more than "bob" his head. He drops it 12 |
| formed by the back relative to the hips and legs. The | | | | to 18 inches. He quicly and totally destroys his spine |
| back should be flat and the arms should hang | | | | angle. To help Charles develop some new feelings and |
| comfortably as they grip the club. That angle must be | | | | muscle memory, Haney lined up dozens of balls on the |
| maintained for a golfer to have a consistent swing. | | | | range for Charles to hit. The purpose of this exercise |
| Yes, Barkley's head drops down twelve inches or | | | | was to get Charles to swing quickly and try to develop |
| more as he swings; his tempo is non-existent; his | | | | some muscle memory to keep his head up and |
| balance is terrible; it is lucky he hits the ball at all. But if | | | | maintain his spine angle. But without any tactile |
| he were to maintain his spine angle throughout his | | | | feedback, such feel and memory are difficult to attain. |
| swing, he would not be dropping or bobbing his head | | | | And so it was for Charles. If Haney could have again |
| and he would keep his balance. Look at any pictures | | | | held Barkley's head, as did Grout, for two hours or so, |
| of his swing and from any angle and you will see that | | | | and had Barkley hit balls, Charles could be on his way |
| his spine angle created at address changes throughout | | | | to developing new muscle memory to maintain his |
| his swing. Look at the swing of any pro or good golfer | | | | spine angle and keep his head steady. |
| and observe their spine angle. | | | | Now here is the cure. Charles needs to practice with a |
| Haney tries to teach Charles when he tells Charles to | | | | "mechanical Jack Grout (or mechanical Hank Haney if |
| turn, turn, turn.....turn around your head but do not drop it. | | | | you prefer), a training aid that helps him maintain his |
| He is telling Charles to turn his shoulders, his torso, and | | | | spine angle, keep his head from dropping and take his |
| his hips but to maintain his spine angle. In several | | | | full and normal swings with real golf balls. |
| episodes, the viewer also hears Haney saying (in a | | | | There is at least one such device available called the |
| somewhat raised voice) "keep your head up...... keep | | | | PRO-HEAD Trainer. The PRO-HEAD Trainer utilizes a |
| your head up." Several times we see Haney reaching | | | | golf cap which acts like Grout's hand and provides the |
| out with his left arm, with an open hand and actually | | | | tactile feedback required for muscle memory. With |
| holding Barkley's head steady or at least, trying to | | | | some dedicated time using this aid, Charles will soon |
| keep Barkley's head from dropping. | | | | get the feel of maintaining his spine angle which will |
| This teaching technique is the same technique used by | | | | eliminate his head bobbing. |