Today's tip is based on some observations made by CharlieY, a frequent visitor to this site. In a comment he posted on the blog, Charlie wrote
"I saw/heard something new to me at 1:53 on today's video ("The Proper Amount of Turn") when the Surge talks about "sitting down into the right leg" and describing a "down-up" move. I tried it today, and it was difficult at first, but I got more and more comfortable with it with each successive hit. I felt the power of the earth, like athletes in other sports describe in the way that they get action-reaction power by planting energy into the earth and getting it back. I hope I didn't misunderstand Surge's description of "sitting down into the right leg" and the "down-up" move.
Edit: I found a 2/28/2011 video on "Maximum Release to Perfect T-Finish," and this move is described in it. Don talks about "pushing off and up." His discussion goes on for a considerable amount of time. I must have been napping when I viewed this video. He says it loud and clear. The "swinging up as fast as possible" registered in my brain, but the "standing up as fast as possible" did not."
In his comment, Charlie has touched upon several of the more important differences between the Surge Swing and a true rotational swing. First off, Dr. Alistair Cochran, author of The Search for the Perfect Swing, states that to hit a straight shot correctly a golfer must have his club approach the ball on the aiming line, strike the ball squarely while on the aiming and leave on the aiming line accelerating while managing to hit the ball more or less in the sweet spot. That's what I mean when I say "On, On and On, Square and Solid". While there are a number of key points in this short statement, I want to focus on acceleration today.
Scientific studies have shown that a rotational swing achieves maximum club head velocity earlier in the swing and is actually decelerating at time of impact. This may be because of the great importance practitioners of a rotational swing put on "hitting down" on the ball. But because a vertical swing uses gravity, and therefore that bit of acceleration is" free", we are able to focus on swinging UP from the very moment we begin our transition. That's also why a vertical swing actually accelerates through the ball.
The "Down-Up" movement Charlie refers to is a key part of our focus on the upswing. We often talk about "swinging up as fast as possible" and while this is a critical aspect of the Surge Swing, there is an equally important focus on standing up as fast as possible too. As our arms and club swing through the ball and our left, or forward, side begins to rotate our right side has to move very rapidly to catch up. By "sitting down into the right leg" we not only maintain a stable, dynamically balanced base but we are able to push off the ground and stand up quickly so that our body is square to the target as we finish the swing. This is where true power comes from in every sport, including golf.
So as you transition from your old rotational swing, you need to let go of the "Up-Down" thoughts that have been drilled into your head. Hitting down is not going to give most amateurs the power, distance and accuracy that a vertical swing can. Replace those thoughts with the "Down-Up" move just as Charlie did and you will be amazed by the results.
Keep it vertical,
The Surge
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