Re: Count Yogi

3 two hour lessions for $1,500 - $250.00 per hour - not a bad way to make a living.

Re: Count Yogi

Count Yogi was a true golfing prophet without honor. I am thrilled by the renewed interest him. Better late than never.

I managed to improve my game quickly and greatly in the mid-1980s by spending just a few dollars for the paperback edition of Count Yogi's book, "5 Simple Steps to Perfect Golf." Yogi's teaching method employs a variation on the standard overlap grip, and a specific setup routine and stance, all geared toward producing a rhythmically balanced swing. Physical injuries prevented me from playing golf for many years, but I am getting back into the game, once again using the grip, stance and swing I learned from Count Yogi's book.

Count Yogi died in 1990 at the age of 80 or more. His real name was Harry Frankenberg, and his ethnicity was mixed, including both Jewish and Native American heritage. The PGA excluded those considered non-Caucasians from membership and touring pro status until the early 1960s. Count Yogi was apparently among those affected by this bigoted policy, and his teaching methods also clashed with the PGA-approved theories, only adding to his lifelong battle with that organization

He adopted the Count Yogi moniker in the 1950s, using it as a stage name for the trick shot shows he performed. At times, Count Yogi posed and played in a Hindu robe and turban for publicity photos. True to form, the PGA tried to discredit him in a letter sent to club pros discouraging them from allowing Yogi to stage exhibitions and clinics at their venues. Ironically, Walter Burkemo, the Detroit club pro who won the 1953 PGA title, was one of Count Yogi's greatest friends. Burkemo was among those who tried unsuccessfully to get the PGA to lift its tournament ban against Yogi. Undaunted, Count Yogi toured the United States for decades, and also worked as a golf pro for Bob Hope and later Mickey Rooney when they owned or fronted for golf courses bearing their names. Knowing what it was like to be unfairly excluded, Count Yogi befriended and supported Muhammad Ali after the heavyweight champ was stripped of his title for opposing the Vietnam war and military draft. As we all know, Ali returned to boxing and regained the title belt, lost it, and then regained it a record third time. A film clip of Ali greeting and bantering with Yogi appears in the video documentary, "King of Golf, Vol 1." Count Yogi's own activities were halted for several years while he recovered from injuries sustained when a Los Angeles municipal transit bus struck his car. When he resumed teaching, one of his pupils was rock musician Graham Nash, whose game flourished under Yogi's tutelage. Late in life, Count Yogi completed a short instruction video summarizing his golfing approach.

Apart from the expensive playing lessons, www.countyogigolf.com also sells books, videos and training materials. The site is run by Tim Nicholls, a devoted friend of Count Yogi's, who inherited his mentor's archival collection of golf memorabilia.

Re: Count Yogi

I've always wondered if Count Yogis prowess and accomplishments was a hoax or not. Sounds unbelievable the results he attained.

JPearl: could you explain a little more about in what way Yogis swing differs from what we today consider standard and how it has worked out for you? Any "secrets"?

Re: Count Yogi

i don't believe all his accomplishments cant seem to find any evidence, his swing sounds like what we all want to stop, hitting ground before ball. wouldn't bother with it at all there's more prove methods and teacher out there for a lot less. sounds like some ones exploiting some ones name and there's nothing any one can do about it, best of luck to them

Re: Count Yogi

I am also very hesitant about all this. Still if someone has any insight, I am curious and willing to listen with an open mind

Re: Count Yogi

The idea is not to hit the ground before the ball by design. I would better describe it as making more or less level ball contact, avoiding divots, optimizing the full loft angle of the clubface. Another "key" to me is angling the left foot out toward the target and keeping it planted on the ground during the backswing. The setup routine is important. I liken it to the repetitive movements good free throw shooters employ in basketball. Many successful touring pros also have their own unique address motions. To me, Count Yogi's swing combined elements of the early Scottish pros, and also some of what is now commonly seen and accepted in today's competitive golf circuits. His finish was very similar to how Tiger Woods and Annika Sorenstam end their swings, as opposed to the high and "reverse C" follow through positions that were once the norm.

I never met or played with Count Yogi, but I was able to incorporate his ideas in my own swing simply by reading the paperback edition book, which cost me just a few bucks twenty-some years ago. Believe what you want to believe, and swing whichever way works for you. I was taught a Byron Nelson-style swing by my parents, but I prefer Yogi's. I find it simpler and feel more in control with it.

Dave Rao, who worked for Crosby, Stills & Nash and has a lifelong interest in golf stemming back to caddying as a youngster, played golf with Yogi often in the 1980s. Dave told me Yogi always scored par or better and had phenomenal short game and putting skills.

Re: Count Yogi

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http://www.golf-tuition-online.com/v...cons/icon7.gif More on Count Yogi
Peter & Willy,
I tried to answer your questions and doubts regarding Count Yogi as best I could, if you read my second post. I saw Yogi's car (he advertised himself and his book on the doors) several times at or near Los Angeles public golf courses, but never did meet him, which I regret. I started working odd hours, suffered shoulder and other injuries, and gave up on golf until very recently.
The Count Yogi website operates with the approval and consent of Harmon and Hill Frankenberg, Count Yogi's sons. Tim Nicholls went to school with them, and he looked after their dad during his final years. I've also never met Tim and don't always agree with his promotional approach, but he isn't exploiting Count Yogi's legacy, merely trying to expose it to people unaware of it. The private lessons are very expensive, but I don't believe them necessary to learn about or benefit from Yogi's method. Tim inherited all of Yogi's golf s****books, newspaper and magazine writeups, photos, film clips, testimonials, books, clubs/equipment, and so on. Some of this material is shown during the opening montage credits of the Count Yogi instructional video. Respected sports journalists such as the late Jim Murray (Pulitzer Prize winner) of the LA Times wrote articles praising Count Yogi. George Peper, former Golf magazine editor George Peper included a chapter on Count Yogi in his new book, "The Secret of Golf."
Many of the people who tried to suppress Count Yogi while he was alive were bigots who looked down on his multi-ethnic heritage. Others were jealous of his playing talent and teaching skills. Some were both.
I was curious and skeptical until I practiced and improved my shot trajectory and accuracy using
the Count's system. It could help a lot of golfers, if they opened their minds to it.
JPearlView Public ProfileSend a private message to JPearlFind all posts by JPearlAdd JPearl to Your Buddy List

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Re: Count Yogi

ive serched and still find little evedence of any of his feats, i,ll stick with the more proven methods

Re: Count Yogi

Despite being banned by the PGA, Count Yogi received a lot of newspaper coverage in the 1950s in Los Angeles and also appeared on television programs hosted by Steve Allen and Groucho Marx. Maxwell Stiles of the Los Angeles Mirror newspaper (later absorbed by the current LA Times) wrote a multiple-part feature article on Count Yogi around that time. Golf columnist Fred Robledo featured him years later in the LA Herald-Examiner, as did top sportswriter in town, Jim Murray of the LA Times. The organized golf establishment wanted to thwart Count Yogi, but these knowledgable journalists all took issue with that and gave Count Yogi recognition in print. Marty Tregnan, the longtime head of the Los Angeles Municipal Golfer's Association, appeared in the "King of Golf" video and praised Yogi's playing skills and especially his teaching methods and the quick results students achieved with it. Mr. Tregnan's reputation and devotion to golf in Southern California was so great that the City of Los Angeles named its Youth Golf training facility in Griffith Park in his honor. Golf was Tregnan's passion and he'd seen instructors come and go, yet he's on record saying Yogi was the best.

Re: Count Yogi

i make a more of a level swing with my clubs, not making much divot but making good shots that stick on greens from every club down to my 3 hyrbid

Re: Count Yogi

J. Victor East, a golf pro from Australia who worked for decades as a club designer for Wilson and Spalding when he moved to the USA, advocated swinging exactly as you're doing. He explained the reasons for it in his 1956 book, "Better Golf in 5 Minutes." East's book was acclaimed by teaching professionals; famous tournament pros Bobby Jones, Sam Snead and Babe Didrickson Zaharias; and PGA national officials. Victor East fully understood the physical nature of golf clubs and golf balls, and he wrote that the loft angle of the clubface gets the ball up in the air, and to smoothly brush the ground with the sole of the club to get the built-in loft angle working best for you. East was not a flamboyant outsider like Count Yogi, but an entrenched member of the golf industry, so more people listened to and respected him.

Re: Count Yogi

From the images on the Count Yogi sites, it looks as if he had a forward
swing before he took a backswing. Is this true?

It sounds as if his top of the backswing position is close to the
top of the backswing Jack kuykendall is teaching. (left wrist extended),
or does he hinge the wrist from handle behind ball, to handle ahead of ball
at the top, to handle behind ball at impact?

I would like to see a few comments on these thoughts.

Thanks, Joe D.

Re: Count Yogi

No, he did not have a forward swing, or even a forward press. In fact, he advised strongly against doing both, and also did not believe in or teach waggling the club at address. His pre-set set up routine was done in identical motions, and this developed consistency and mental confidence.

I will have to call a friend of mine who took lessons from and played golf often with Count Yogi about the hand and wrist position details you're wondering about. Yogi emphasized that golfers should concentrate on rhythm and balance. His simplified approach and personality either made people love or hate him, is how I figure it.

Re: Count Yogi

To Jpearl,

Anyone who had the talent to put up those kind of numbers,
in sanctioned events, and who could hit the ball that far, deserves
a lot more respect than he is getting.

At this time I am not in a position to purchase one of his books
for 100+ dollars.

Thank you very much for answering my post.

Joedoonan@yahoo.com