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TGGS
Administrator
USA
1883 Posts |
 Posted - 11/22/2007 : 00:19:07
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GRAVES GOLF ACADEMY
"Little Moe" SIGNATURE SCHOOL
NOVEMBER E-TIP NEWSLETTER UPDATE
ISSUE #71A
Happy Thanksgiving Everyone,
Just got back from our last school / camp of 2007. We had a GREAT 2007 - saw a lot of new students and many of our alumni again. Always impressed at the wonderful changes our students make during and after our schools. Wanted to share an experience with you from this last camp - writing about it in this Practice Tip.
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Topics in the Etip:
1. Upcoming events - schools, camps, couples schools, much more.
2. Christmas Ideas - Feel of Greatness Book - we received a few more...
3. Practice Tip - Monkey See / Monkey Do...
4. Moeism
5. Moe Trivia Time / Contest - Answers and Winners
6. Nice Honor for one of our alumni.
7. GGA Schedule - Update through May 2008
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UPCOMING EVENTS;
Sure this sounds like a "broken record" - but wanted to remind anyone interested in attending one of our schools / camps in the first few months of 2008 to please consider getting in as early as possible. As of the past etip, we were over 50% full and since that etip we have had at least another dozen students sign up for the schools. We are looking forward to a great 2008, our schools and camps are filling up faster than ever.
Points of Interest:
1. The next Couple's School will be held March 27th - 29th at our Orlando Academy. Shannon Dowdy, LPGA will be helping us teach this school again. She is a great teacher and the ladies absolutely love her. As of today, we only have 4 spots (2 couples) left for this school. This is definitely one of our most popular venues each year and we only have one of these schools every 6 months or so.... call or email us if interested.
2. Our first 3 day school and 5 day camp of 2008 (first week of February) only have 2 spots open in each. Many want to get in as early as possible - to kick off their golf year with a "bang" - if you are one who is interested, call or email us soon.
3. Our first alumni camp March 9th - 13th is sold out, but our alumni 2 day school (Feb 22nd - 23rd) has 2 spots open. All alumni interested in a "refresher" may want to consider contacting us soon.
Again - don't want to sound like a "broken record"... the GGA is extremely proud of our schools / camps and are extremely proud to have them selling out so fast. I always tell my assistants - it is a testament to our teaching. But this is a "Catch 22" for our students. Please don't wait until the last minute to sign up for instruction next year.. I don't think there will be any "last minute" spots available.
Again - thanks to all those who attended our instruction this year, and we are looking forward to seeing everyone next year!!!
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FEELING OF GREATNESS - "The Moe Norman Story"
& Other Christmas Ideas.
I've already started my Christmas shopping - how about you??? Told my wife my goal was to avoid the malls as much as possible this year. So far, so good. Know I'll be there last minute, but hoping I can do a lot of my shopping on line. Actually heard the other day, almost 75% of shopping will be on line this year... Wow...
Anyway - the GGA is geared up to take care of any Christmas presents you might be wanting / considering this year.
We met with Tim O'Connor last week (author of the Feeling of Greatness, the Moe Norman Story). Among many things we discussed his book - to be honest, I wasn't aware of all the research he did for the book. If you haven't read the book yet - and are a fan of Moe it is an absolute MUST READ!!
I have now read the book 4 times - and have learned new information about Moe every time.
Here's the deal - we acquired 50 more copies of the book from Tim (they are almost gone..). This would make a wonderful stocking stuffer... If you are interested in more information or purchasing a copy of the book, you can go to: http://swinglikemoe.com/shopping/start.php?browse=1&cat=6&customernumber=&=SID
You can see more about all our other instructional videos at:
http://swinglikemoe.com/shopping/start.php?browse=1&cat=1&customernumber=43758720320617&=SID
Part of my online shopping this year included a new junior set for my 9 year old. He has outgrown his current set and needs a new one. (Don't tell him - will ruin the surprise..). These sets are really cool - definitely weren't around when I was a junior.
I was so impressed with the new junior sets, I contacted Cobra and Callaway and have set up a couple specials for anyone who might be interested in a Christmas present for the juniors:
Callaway X Junior Set - 6 pc plus bag (5 - 8 year old) - $199
Callaway XJ Junior Set - 11 pc plus bag (9 - 12 year old) - $239
see more at:
http://www.callawaygolf.com/en.CLUBS.JuniorSets.html
Cobra Junior Set (6 - 8 year old) (5 piece set plus bag) - $199
Cobra Junior Set (9 - 11 year old) (7 piece set plus bag) - $219
see more at:
http://www.cobragolf.com/juniorsets/details.asp?id=3
No shipping, no tax with purchase of junior sets (we cover).
We are always happy to help anyone with questions about our instructional material and as always have gift certificates available. Please don't hesitate to call or email anytime.
Shipping - to guarantee delivery before Christmas, we suggest all orders be placed prior to December 15th (for GGA instructional material), before December 10th for club orders. All instructional material orders are shipped priority mail (unless requested other) and the 5 to 7 day guarantee ends the middle of December.
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PRACTICE TIP:
MONKEY SEE / MONKEY DO..
by Tim Graves, PGA
This past week, we held our last camp of 2007. In the camp, we had 8 students (5 instructors) and absolutely perfect weather. On the last day of our camp, I had an interesting conversation/situation with one of our students I wanted to share with everyone.
For all those who haven't been to a Graves Golf Academy (GGA) camp yet - need to give you a little background. Our camps are 5 days long, are set to focus on assessing each individual's game (strengths and weaknesses) and are set to help all those attending to show them how to reach their short and long term golf goals. In fact, to start each camp, we video each person's swing before we give them any instruction (first day) for a couple of reasons - 1. To have comparison or a starting point for everyone and 2. To show everyone their improvement through the week. To be honest, many times the difference between the first day and the 5th day is absolutely amazing... I always tell my assistant's "I know you are good instructors, but didn't think you were miracle workers...." I will give them a ton of credit - they do amazing work - you'd be amazed how much change we see in our students throughout the week....
Back to the past camp. On the last day of the camp, I was making my usual walk down the line. I was helping anyone who looked like they needed additional help, was listening to my assistant's help the students, was watching Todd working / videoing the students, etc... As I approached the last student on the line, I could tell he was having a little difficulty.
I asked him "How's it going?" He responded "Not very well." We started our conversation.
When I asked him why he felt he wasn't doing well, he responded "I have learned a ton this week, but I am still coming over the top of the ball - the same as I did before I came to the camp."
I then asked him "How do you think the other students are doing at the camp?"
He responded "The same as me, they are still doing the same thing they did before they started."
To be honest, now I was fired up.... maybe a little too much (for those that know me, you can only imagine...) so I did something I typically don't do at our schools / camps. I preach it, but rarely do it.
I told the student to stop hitting balls. I told him to put his club down and follow me (shadow me). I went over to the first student on the line (think the student was from Texas) (with the student I had been talking to). I asked the first student on the line "Demonstrate what you were doing before you came to our school. In other words, show me your old swing, and now your "new" swing". The first student (already hitting balls) took his club and showed us a very strong grip, an open stance and an outside to in path (pretty ugly to say the least..) - he took a swing and topped the ball. He then gripped the club with a perfect grip, set up an a pretty good setup (stance) and showed us an absolute perfect down the line (on path) swing. The ball flew PERFECT. In fact, think the ball flight even amazed the first student (he had to be nervous showing me and the other student his "new" swing - can only imagine the pressure to show the teacher what you learned... but he pulled it off perfect..) I asked the student who was "shadowing me" - "What did you see?" He told me what he saw in the difference between the first swing and the 2nd.
I then took the student (shadowing me) to the 2nd student on the line. This student was 71 year old female who probably made the biggest improvement at the school. In fact, Todd used here first day video compared to her 3rd day video as an example for the entire class as to her wonderful improvement. I asked her to show me her old swing. She set up with her hands too high, her lead hand too weak, her trail arm too strong. Her stance was okay, but her spine tilt was way too upright causing her swing to be very steep and over the top. A weak lead hand grip, too upright and over the top - top after top after top, etc.. Now her new swing. She had a perfect grip - the line up her trail arm went through the middle of her back (perfect). In fact, I had the shadowing student hold up a club behind her straight on her perfect plane as she swung the club. The club was perfectly on plane with her "new swing" and the ball flew perfect. Again - was pretty amazed she "hit the shot under pressure - she pulled it off perfect..." (hopefully Marilyn is reading this... great shot again!) I asked the student shadowing me to describe what he saw. He described her original "poor set up, etc.." and her new swing. How the swing now looked like it was "under her" and not "around her" - his description.
Next, I took the shadowing student to the 3rd person on the line. This was a gentleman from Switzerland. I asked this gentleman to show me his old swing and now his "new" swing. To be honest, he really didn't want to show me his "old swing" (I think he thought if he swung "bad" again - he might be stuck there..) He unwillingly did it for us. His old swing had many issues - the least of which was a lead shoulder and lead side that pulled out dramatically too early and caused his head to laterally slide way too far forward during his swing and an outside to in swing. Pull, top, pull, slice, etc.. Now, his new swing.
The interesting thing here, was before he hit the ball, the took 5 practice swings VERY slowly - absolutely perfect. I bet each practice swing took 5 to 10 seconds. He then set up over the ball and took 5 perfect backswings (VERY slowly) and then hit the ball about 1/2 speed. Dead on... on plane - right down the line. I asked the shadowing student again - "What did you see?" He again described the "new" swing vs. the old and was also impressed on how this student used his practice swings to help "build" his new swing.
I did this same procedure with all the students on the line (7 total). The students demonstrated their old swings and showed us their new swings/moves to myself and the shadowing student. As we finished, I could definitely tell the "shadowing student" was "taken back..."
We finished at the "shadowing student's" station. When we arrived back, I asked him again "How do you think the other students are doing at the camp?" He looked at me (with pretty wide eyes) and had a completely different story this time. He said "I am absolutely amazed at the difference in everyone's swing. Are they perfect, no. Are they better, in fact, a lot better - absolutely!" I then asked him "What can you do different to help yourself after having just seen everyone's changes?"
His reply was interesting. He told me, until then, he really didn't have a good picture in his head as to what he was suppose to look like. I reminded him throughout the week we had shown him numerous video clips of Moe, he had seen himself swing the club on video (our V1 instructional system) numerous times, and had had one on one instruction for 5 days..... But, he told me, until he saw other's making the SAME mistakes he was making and them demonstrating how they were making changes and their new swings - he really didn't have a good picture in his mind as to what the swing was suppose to look like...
About an hour later, I checked back with this student (in the mean time he had worked with a couple of my assistants and had a video session with Todd). The changes in his swing were DRAMATIC. In fact, he made more changes in that one hour than he had made the entire week. It was GREAT!!! I asked him - what was the difference. You could see the "light bulb" had come on - the switch had been flipped... was it perfect, no. But the changes were dramatic and it was apparent he was now on track to a good on plane swing. He again told me "I really needed to see other's swinging on plane - I needed a good picture in my mind to what I was trying to do..." No question, the "Monkey see / Monkey do method was really working for him.
To be honest, I wasn't going to write about this student until I had an email sent to me a couple of days ago that reminded me of him. The email /video/story was about a 5 year old boy who has never taken a lesson but has developed "perfect" Tiger Woods swing by watching him on TV. In fact, neither his parents have ever played golf and he developed a Tiger swing by just watching him. It is a classic example of how many students learn - or how they can aid in their learning. There is no question - many of us are great at imitating others, in fact, for many of us, we can work and work and work on "new moves" with some success - but if we get a chance to see it done right - we make drastic improvement. (If you would like to see the story you can see it at: http://www.sonnyradio.com/kylelograsso.html
(Also a nice heart warming story for the holiday season....)
Now, your asking me - Great - but what can I copy? We have tried to set up many different things/situations to help you.
Yes, ideally we would love to have you attend a school / camp and be able to see yourself and other's working on their swings (on video and in person).
Next, would love to have you attend one of our demonstrations held at every school. You can watch Todd and myself demo the swing in person.
If you can't find us in person and/or want more - this is exactly why we wrote our Total Game Overview the way we did. It contains 2 1/2 hours of instruction, but as important, about 10 minutes of Todd swinging the club (in fast and slow motion) from many different views (for those that have already have this instructional material - it is the part set to the music - to aid in the "subconscious" learning...") You can see the swing over and over to hopefully aid you in developing a mental picture of the ideal single axis swing.
You can see a 6 minute video clip and more about this material at: http://swinglikemoe.com/index.php?customernumber=43758720320617&pr=TGOV_Videos
(Just click on the video cover - talks about grip, set up, etc..)
I am always impressed as to how many different ways our students learn. Some can hear the material and run with it. Some can "feel it" and get it pretty quick, but to be honest, for most of them, it seems the "Monkey See / Monkey Do" method gets the best results. Seems we have been trained to copy what we see - and it works pretty well for most of us.
So, for all those who already have the Total Game Overview - pull it out again - watch it again and again this winter - great mental imaging for you. For those who don't have it - consider getting it...
If you would like the advanced work with more video / swings, etc.. (8+ hours) - consider the GGA 7 Principles of Golf Improvement.
As always - please, please PRACTICE WITH A PURPOSE.
Good Luck,
Please let us know if we can do anything else for you.
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"Moeisms"
Moe Norman:
"Practice something that makes you better." "Don't do something that ingrains habits that make you worse. That is what 99% of the people do."
Please feel free to comment on this or email any of your favorite "Moeism's" to us if you'd like to share with others....
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Moe Trivia Time - Contest - Answers and Winners
For all those "new" to our etip - we try to do this every few months.
Question:
In 1956, at Moe's first appearance in the Master's Tournament, Moe withdrew from the competition because of "blistered, red and raw" hands. Moe's hands became "blistered, red and raw" because he had hit so many practice balls the day before after receiving a tip from a fellow pro.
1. How many holes did Moe play in the Master's before he withdrew? (Hint - be careful on this one... not what most think...)
Answer: 45 holes
(From page 92 and 93 of the Feeling of Greatness - The Moe Norman Story) - "For the third round, Moe was paired with veteran Vic Ghezzi, the 1941 PGA Champion, but Moe was not his chatty self. He could barely hold a club. At impact, the pain in his hands was excruciating. Lightstone [Moe's friend] said it was obvious that Moe was having trouble. "On one or more occasions, the clubs almost flew out of his hands." ...... After putting on the ninth hole, Moe headed not to the 10th tee, but to the locker room..... Moe told an Augusta member working as a marshall that he was withdrawing.... Lightstone walked over to the 10th tee to tell Ghezzi that Moe had withdrawn, explaining in a halting voice that his friend couldn't hold a club because of the pain from hitting too many practice balls. Lightstone recalls the late Ghezzi shook his head and said, "This is the Master. You play on one leg if you have to."
2. Who gave Moe the golf tip on the driving range the lead to Moe hitting all the balls?
Answer: Sam Sneed
(From page 92 & 94 of the Feeling of Greatness - The Moe Norman Story) - Moe caught the eye of legend Sam Sneed who, as John Updike once wrote, swaggered around the range "like a sheriff of golf county." Partly out of curiosity - he had also heard stories about Moe - and kind-heartedness, the Virginian star sauntered over. He stood behind Moe for a few minutes, feet splayed apart, arms folded across his chest. ...... "I'd like to give you a little tip if you don't mind." ...... Today, Moe compares receiving a tip from Sam Sneed to a young Canadian hockey player getting a tip from Wayne Gretzky. "You're only a kid an you get a tip from the best in the world. Oh, you're excited. Like a dummy, I went and hit a lot of balls."
To see more about the Feeling of Greatness - The Moe Norman Story please go to: http://swinglikemoe.com/shopping/start.php?browse=1&cat=6&customernumber=43758720320617&=SID
We had over 1,000 send in correct answers to the two questions. A GREAT response.
Winners:
1st place: GGA 3 Day School of their choice - Britt Martin
2nd place: GGA Training Grip Club (or equivalent if already own) - Bob Pederson
3rd place: GGA Instructional DVD - Arnie Freedman
Congrats to all the winners - please contact Scott at Scottr@swinglikemoe.com to make arrangements to receive prizes.
Thanks to all that played,
There will be many more Trivia Contests in upcoming etips - keep watching.
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NICE HONOR
From D. Hudson (GGA Alumni) (PA):
Dear Tim,
Just an update on my progress. At end of the golf season here in PA, my senior golfers' group at my golf country club honored me with a prize for the most improved golfer for the past golf season. My handicap index went from 14.2 to 9.0, not bad for a 61 year old.
I developed a road map before starting the golf season. First, I reviewed all the Graves' tapes and dvd's on driving. I practiced with the purpose of hitting more fairways. Second, I reviewed all tapes and dvd's on the short game: pitching, chipping and putting. I practiced to reduce putts and more up and downs. I must say that I was surprised at the results.
I must say that the Graves brothers really know what there talking about.
You can not imagine how many senior golfers have asked me what I'm doing different. I gave them the Moe Norman story! I've got one senior changing to the Moe Norman swing. His comment to me after using the single plane swing for short time was "why didn't you show me this before".
I hope that all is well with you and Todd. I'll keep in touch.
D. Hudson
CONGRATS FROM THE GGA - KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!!
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UPCOMING GGA EVENTS (2008 Schedule Released):
*** Visit our website at http://www.swinglikemoe.com/ for more information on each school, school agendas, and for most recent updated schedule. Updated every few days.
2008
Feb. 1-3, 2008 - 3 day school - Orlando, FL (2 spots remaining)
Feb. 4-8, 2008 - Build Your Game Camp - Orlando, FL (2 spots remaining)
Feb. 23 & 24, 2008 - 2 day Alumni school - Orlando, FL (2 spots remaining)
Feb. 25-29, 2008 - Build Your game Camp - Orlando, FL (2 spots remaining)
Mar. 9-13, 2008 - Alumni Build Your Game Camp - Orlando, FL (SOLD OUT)
Mar. 14-16, 2008 - 3 day school - Orlando, FL (3 spots remaining)
Mar. 27-29, 2008 - 3 day COUPLES School - Orlando, FL (2 spots open)
Apr. 11-13, 2008 - 3 day school - Orlando, FL (Open)
Apr. 14-18, 2008 - Build Your Game Camp - Orlando, FL (3 spots remaining)
Apr. 25-27, 2008 - 3 day school - Oklahoma City, OK GGA Academy (Open)
May 5-9, 2008 - Build Your Game Camp - Oklahoma City, OK at GGA Academy (Open)
Others TBA
Please visit our website at www.swinglikemoe.com for updated events and more information
If you would like more information about the schools agenda, etc.. or would like more information about a particular area, please feel free to call or email anytime: TimKGraves@aol.com or 866-377-2316 within US, 405-823-9693 (outside US). We have brochures we can send and/or email.
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SPECIALS:
We greatly appreciate all those who have contacted us for orders in the past.
All clubs ordered through the GGA are built at the manufacturer to the individual's single axis swing specifications and sent direct from the factory to you.
You can see more about your recommended single axis specifications at: http://swinglikemoe.com/index.php?customernumber=76730442994646&pr=Free_Club_Fitting&=SID
*** Call for prices on any clubs: Adams, Ping, Taylormade, Callaway, Titleist/Cobra, Cleveland, YES Putters, and others.. we are able to beat (or at worst match) all prices and we can offer (custom build to your single axis specs) all clubs built by these manufacturers.
* No shipping charges, no taxes (outside of Oklahoma)
* NEW - RELEASED OCT 15th - Adams A3 OS Hybrid / Combo Set Irons(8) - $599 Steel, $699 Graphite
Adams "combo" set always rated one of best in industry.
http://www.adamsgolf.com/ir_idea_a3OS.htm
* NEW - Callaway Big Bertha 460 Driver
Price: $299 (Graphite)
http://www.callawaygolf.com/en.CLUBS.Drivers.BigBertha460Driver.html
* Callaway X-20 irons -
Price: $899 set of 8 graphite, $699 set of 8 steel shaft
Individually - $120 per club graphite, $100 steel
www.callawaygolf.com
* Callaway Big Bertha Irons:
$599 set of 8 steel ($80 per club if less than 8)
$799 set of 8 graphite ($110 per club if less than 8)
To see more about this irons, please go to:
http://www.callawaygolf.com/en.CLUBS.Irons.BigBerthaIrons.html - men's irons
http://www.callawaygolf.com/en.WOMENS.WomensIrons.WomensBigBerthaIrons.html - women's irons
* Cobra FP Irons - $559 set of 8 graphite irons ($75 each if less than 8)
http://cobragolf.com/irons/details.asp?id=16
* Cobra DWS hybrids - $149 graphite
http://cobragolf.com/utility_metals/details.asp?id=5
* NEW - Callaway Big Bertha Fairway woods - $199 each (graphite)
http://www.callawaygolf.com/en.CLUBS.FairwayWoods.BigBerthaFairwayWoods.html
* Callaway X Hybrid - $159 graphite, $139 steel
http://www.callawaygolf.com/en.CLUBS.Hybrids.XHybrid.html
Most Forged Wedges (Titleist Vokey, Callaway Forged +, Cleveland... ) - Between $100 and $110 each
http://www.callawaygolf.com/en.CLUBS.Wedges.XTourWedges.html
http://www.titleist.com/golfclubs/wedges/vokeyspinmilled.asp
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GGA INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL
See our latest and newest release - TROUBLES AND SOLUTIONS - great reviews (visit our chatroom to read them)
See more at: http://swinglikemoe.com/index.php?customernumber=284544460813131&pr=Troubles_Solutions
** GGA "FEELING OF GREATNESS" GRIP TRAINING CLUB: $129.95
http://swinglikemoe.com/index.php?customernumber=248948923246794&pr=Training_Grip_And_Club
GGA / TGGS INSTRUCTIONAL TAPES:
Please see:http://swinglikemoe.com/shopping/pgm-more_information.php?id=7&=SID
"Little Moe's" Swing for Life $24.95
GGA Short Game: $19.95
Course Management/ "How to Practice": $19.95
Get all three on VHS: $64.95
All three on DVD: $64.95
Volume #1 - #6 - 7 Principles of Golf Improvement - $64.95 each
Entire Series: $299
For more information about our 7 principles: http://swinglikemoe.com/index.php?customernumber=831366983148715&pr=Seven_Principles&=SID
Leverage bag: $35.95
*********************************************
* A small shipping charge will be added to all orders.
IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN ANY OF THE ABOVE SPECIALS, PLEASE CALL US AT 866-377-2316 within US or 405-823-9693 outside US, OR EMAIL TIM at TIMKGRAVES@AOL.COM or TIMG@SWINGLIKEMOE.COM
We wish everyone continued success with their golf games, and hope to see everyone very soon.
Tim Graves, PGA, Graves Golf Academy Owner/Instructor
Todd Graves, Graves Golf Academy Owner/Instructor
Scott Renfrow, GGA Director of Customer Relations
Brent Evans, GGA Instructor
Dave Predzin, PGA(a), GGA Instructor
Mick Benson, GGA Instructor
Ben Stanborough, PGA (European), GGA Instructor
Clayton Zwicker, GGA Apprentice
Graves Golf Academy
www.swinglikemoe.com - GGA Website
866-377-2316
405-823-9693 (Outside US)
timg@swinglikemoe.com
timkgraves@aol.com
www.moenormanforum.com - GGA Chat Forum
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Edited by - TGGS on 11/22/2007 08:36:08 |
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glsc251
24 Posts |
Posted - 11/22/2007 : 07:55:30
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Tim,
What does the phrase 'hands too high' mean?
Gregg |
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TGGS
Administrator
USA
1883 Posts |
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glsc251
24 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2007 : 22:01:19
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Thanks for the reply Tim. That cleared it up.
Gregg |
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Nov. Etip Update - Trivia Contest Winners....
