Todd Graves - The Single Plane Golf Swing: Play Better Golf the Moe Norman Way

The Single Plane Golf Swing:

Play Better Golf the Moe Norman Way

2015 Todd Graves

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

Published by Brown Books Publishing Group

16250 Knoll Trail Drive, Suite 205

Dallas, Texas 75248

www.BrownBooks.com

(972) 381-0009

A New Era in Publishing

Art direction, book design, and principal photography by Jon Vopni. www.VopniParsonsDesign.com

Additional photography by Dale Stroud.

Illustrations by Ron Hicinbothem

ATTENTION CORPORATE CUSTOMERS:

This book may be purchased for business, fund-raising, or promotional use. Special covers

and back pages can be created to customize the book for an event or other purpose.

Contact: Graves Golf Academy

12716 Cobblestone Parkway, Oklahoma City, OK 73142

Toll Free inside the US (866) 377-2316

Outside US (405) 562-9225

www.MoeNormanGolf.com

First Edition: February 2015

ISBN 978-1-61254-892-0

LCCN 2014919426

Printed in the United States 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

For more information or to contact the author, please go to
www.MoeNormanGolf.com

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

FOREWORD

By Rick Carlisle | Head Coach, Dallas Mavericks

In 1997, I was a 7 handicap who struggled to strike the ball consistently solid. As an improving player, I loved the game but couldnt quite get to that elusive higher level of play.

The solution was a simpler method and a great teacher. Todd Graves coached me from a 7 handicap to where I could shoot par. The Single Plane Golf Swing created and perfected by the late Moe Norman is the most effective way to learn or improve ball-striking. And Todd Graves is the greatest living practitioner and teacher of this method.

I met Todd in the summer of 1997 at a ball-striking exhibition he was conducting in Indianapolis, Indiana. At that time, I had some friends on the PGA Tour and I had even caddied in the Open Championship in 1996 for Peter Jacobsen. But I had never seen anyone hit the ball as consistently straight and solid as Todd did that day. His swing appeared simple and efficient, but it was definitely different.

I was very intrigued with what I saw. When I talked to Todd that day, it was clear that he was more than a great ball-striker. He also had a gift for communicating the nuances and differences between the Single Plane Golf Swing and the conventional swing.

In 1999, Todd introduced me to the great Moe Norman. We took a memorable one-hour minivan ride from Moes home club in Titusville, Florida, to Orlando, where Moe was doing a clinic. During that ride, it was obvious that Moes relationship with Todd was special. Over the years, they had spent countless hours on the driving range hitting balls, talking golf technique, and creating a unique bond. Moe told me he was proud that Todd was the only person he ever mentored on his approach to the Single Plane Golf Swing. The only one worthy, only one worthy, he repeated in his one-of-a-kind voice.

My twenty-six years in professional sports have been devoted to competition and teaching. I was fortunate to play on an NBA Championship team in 1986 with the Boston Celtics, and I was humbled to receive NBA Coach of the Year honors in 2002. On a journey like mine, there are people Ive played and worked with that are originals who have influenced my professional life dramaticallygreat basketball men like Larry Bird, Chuck Daly, and Rick Pitino. As you read this book, you will find that Todd Graves is one of these rare originals in the context of teaching the golf swing.

The two greatest ball-strikers I have ever seen are Moe Norman and Todd Graves. This book is your opportunity to learn Moe Normans Single Plane Golf Swing from its greatest living practitioner and teacher.

TODDS
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

When I think of the path I traveled to get to a place where I could write a book that teaches a golf swing that defies every golf convention for the past fifty years, I know it would not have been possible without the support of my loving family and great friends. On days when I questioned myself, they steadied me.

I was also fortunate to be exposed to some wise people who had a great influence on me, notably Steve Jobs. Dont be trapped by dogmawhich is living with the results of other peoples thinking, the late Apple founder wrote. Dont let the noise of others opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most importantly, have the courage to follow you heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

When I re-read this quote recently, I thought that Moe Norman and Steve Jobs were similarly dedicated to their own truths. Moe spent his entire life defying conventional golf dogma. Moe said his favorite song was My Way by Frank Sinatra.

I believe sincerely that Moe was a genius, but he was so shy that he couldnt articulate his vision. In many ways, I believe that I have helped Moe to communicate and spread the word about a different and easier way to play golf that he created. To do this, I have been down many pathsas a kid who fell in love with a game, a college athlete, a touring professional golfer, and now an instructor running a company dedicated to helping others learn Moes swing.

I could not have trekked down these uncertain roads without the guidance and friendship of Moe, my lifelong mentor, and without the tremendous support from so many people, our paths would have never crossed.

First and foremost, I must thank my parents, Don and Cheryl Graves for helping me to pursue any path my heart wanted to follow.