Sometimes men and women who have played other sports their whole life have difficulty switching to a golf swing. But, that shouldn't be the case at all. Sports like bowling and baseball involve similar movements and so the transition alone shouldn't be a deterrent. Harry Beck has primarily been a baseball player for the last thirty years and was concerned about his right arm and hand overpowering his left while effecting his golf swing in a negative way.
Don,I am trying to accomplish everything you teach, and while I use your swing techniques I find myself hitting the ball to the right, sometimes severely. I was a BB player for 30 years and cannot find a way to overcome this dominance of the right hand and arm. Any suggestions?
My first suggestion would be to try using it instead of not using it. Everything I teach falls within the laws of physics and physiology. Our bodies were not created to defy the laws of physics. So, both arms should be doing the same amount of work. The law of physics states that if two or more things are involved in a movement of an object, they must be equal in that movement because if they are not, than the one that is doing less work is putting the system in a state of drag.
A good example of drag that I like to use is ringing a church bell. When I was younger, I was an alter boy so when I prepared to pull the big, thick rope I pulled down with equal force with both arms. It wouldn't have been a natural movement if I pulled more with one arm than the other. The same thing applies to swinging a golf club.
We've got to have equality in the swing. Even if you think you're making a perfect Peak Performance Golf Swing, be sure to use your right hand to avoid drag and stay consistent with the law of physics. I actually use my right hand because that's what controls everything. Once I go in the catcher's mitt on the aiming line and I keep turning to the toe line the club has gained momentum on that path and plane. So, my right hand has to stop it from getting laid off in the sacred burial ground by keeping it going vertical up the tree. The same can be said for the forward upswing and the forwad mitt. If the right hand did nothing to stop the momentum, the club would turn over instead of facing toe up and into the T-finish.
The right hand stops the rotation that would occur if it stayed dormant. It's a really big player to make sure we stay on the right path. Baseball is not a bad sport to transition to golf. You release with your right hand in baseball as well, it's just a different plane. Try to remember that the right hand has a really important job controlling the path and plane and releasing the club to impact while keeping ourselves swinging up the tree on both sides. This is how you will hit the ball more solid, straight, and longer.
Sam Snead once said he wished he had two right hands. That alone should convince you it's a viable asset when playing golf.
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.
Blog Tags:
Comments
Using Your Right Hand
Never played baseball seriously. Had a short spell playing softball with 'Big Red One' at Wheelus USAF Airbase in Libya in 1964-1965. Can still remember the jibes at my 'unorthodox' cricket style stance, hahaha! But it worked.
On using the right hand? I know if that right arm/hand does not do it's job properly, then I tend to swing with a shortened backswing, with loss of distance, due to swinging only with the arms : - ( With the equilateral triangle at the top of the BUS and it all seems to fall into place.
A good reminder of just "Do it Right"! As Surge often says.
DH in NZ
Thanks Surge, another very
Thanks Surge, another very good lesson. IM right handed and for sure have found that I have to keep my right hand firm on my grip! If I don't, all kinds of things happen. IM wondering about my right thumb, on the club, should it be on top or more over to the left? I really have to watch that, sometimes I find myself letting my right thumb slip more right and under to much? For me, the best is when my right thumb is around the club more to the left!! Didn't get out there today, but, tomorrow for sure, going to be a little warmer, 49, pretty cool today, plus worked outside ALL day, Christmas Stuff, but, now done, so, more golf for me!!! :o)
Thanks so much for all of your help!
Thanks Surge, another very
Check that both your thumbs are pointing straight up your forearm in the set up.If your thumb is creeping to the right and your right hand is slipping under, then you are inviting all sorts of problems. Been there, done that and got the tee shirt to prove it : - ( My thumbs when swinging well point thus: left or forward thumb [12 o'clock being straight up] points to around 1pm and the right thumb points to around 11am.
I too still have to concentrate on a 'firmer' grip with the right hand. A hangover from the hold it like a tube of toothpaste rotational days.
I am going to succeed in swinging as I should, and just doing it RIGHT! Good luck with your journey to PPGS success.
Thanks so much, at least I
Thanks so much, at least I know now about my grip for sure, had someone tell me this last week, he of course knows what he is talking about, he is 85 and still gets on the greens in two shots!! I have learn a lot from him in the last year, every once in a while we play together, he told me last week, I was creeping my thumb/hand down right, when I keep it up, hit good, and of course keeping my arm in close to me, skipping the rock. IM so happy about hitting, Thanksgiving Day played well. The old timers know what they are talking about.....my friend, im talking about....
I don't want one of those's tee shirts,,,,,,:o))))))))))
Thanks,,,,
There's a draw in there somewhere
Hi Surge, Enjoyed today's lesson, especially that you have been showing us different angles of your swing lately. I can see what I have only been imagining, and what I have been imagining is wrong. And that is the position of the right elbow (right handed) at the beginning of the FUS. It is much more tucked than I have been doing, creating a slightly inside out swing path. This, combined with Dave's timing of the bump exercise, has been an eye opener for me. I am starting to hit more of a draw, instead of my dreaded slice. Keeping the knees steady and did I say consistency and longer? Thank you, thank you. Deb
Yes Deb, when we do what we
Yes Deb, when we do what we are supposed to do, things work so well! Enjoy reading your comments also. I have been playing golf for only six years and love it so much...
Hit them straight....
There's a draw in there somewhere
You were spot on with the 'tucked in right elbow'. I went outside and had a swing session.Sure enough the crease across the inside of the right elbow was pointing forward at an angle [razzle-frazzle grrrr! smiling while writing that]! As soon as I 'nudged' it forward a mere 1/2" inch or so, it was pointing straight up and the crease was parallel to the toe line and parallel left of the ball to target line. Immediately noticed how easy it was to raise the club in the BUS to it's 'rightful' position. Skipping the rock? Didn't even have to think about it. Straight through, On-On-On, up to the high T finish and recoil. Yeeeha! Eureka! Roll on tomorrow [perhaps] to give it the real test on the course. Thankyou again Deb. One reason the Surge Nation is so valuable to all of us who follow Surge. DH
There's a draw in their somewhere
Thanks for that Deb. I must check my right elbow and make sure that I am still tuckinging it. I remember the difference that made when first starting it many months ago. Dave Seeman, must re-check his bump drill too. A good reminder to us all. Thanks again. DH
Yes, I used to think that my
Yes, I used to think that my right elbow followed the same path in the FUS that it took going back. Hence the outside in slice. Now I get the figure 8 concept, and the hip slide to the left happening before the top of the backswing. If I keep the knees and lower body steady, I MUST do the bump to keep my head from moving. It's absolutely natural.
I always enjoy your posts. Keep 'em coming.
The Right Hand
Bang-on Surge, I can vouch for that too. Some years ago during a lesson with a PGA professional, he suggested I become left hand dominant and I followed his direction implicitly with reasonable results even though I was casting the club, then along came the Surge and changed everything I had been taught.
Its taken a lot of hard work to get back to a two handed swing, but starting to
get the hang of it now and the results are coming.
This year been my best for progress, main points that have changed are:-
1. Set-up determines the Motion - Thanks Surge & Greg
2. Wide knees, they are critical - Thanks Surge.
3. Right hand now in sync with left - Worked this out, Surge has confirmed
4. Butt to the Ball on the FUS - Thanks Steve.
Using your right hand
Another great reminder Surge! And I like the thought from Sam Snead about two right hands. Just yesterday I read another quote from Sam about our GRIP pressure: "If a lot of people gripped a knife and fork the way they do a golf club, they'd starve to death." Smart man, that Sam Snead! Hit 'em straight! R2
Using your right hand
.......Ben Hogan quipped "What Sam's not telling you is that his baby bird is a hawk."
right hand
when you release the club the right hand climbs over the left thru impact. If the right hand closes the face too soon the shaft is exposed and a shank happens. Too much right hand or overuse or too soon will cause the shank. So I think about pulling with the left side instead of pushing with the right side. How can I use the right hand or side of my body for power and not shank the ball?
"S" Word
There are so many things that can cause "the laterals" that you could fill a book with them, but under-rotation is as likely (or more) than over-rotation. If the clubface is not rotated back to square more of the hosel is leading into the ball and less of the club face. Even if the club face does hit the ball (and misses the hosel) the ball is going to go right. After a few of those most people are going to start coming across from out to in (which is going to cause fades and slices).
Over rotation also decreases the width of the club face at impact and any miss to the inside of the sweet spot could hit the hosel. If it does hit the club face the ball is going to either go left or hook. Then after a few of those most people are going to start aiming right and letting the club get too far behind them.
What has to be done is controlled rotation so the palm of the right hand is facing the target at impact. This has little to do with how much right hand power you may or may not be applying. You could slap something in front of you with your right hand, and apply every single bit of power you have, and never over-rotate your right hand. Same as a golf swing, you can apply all the power you want with the right hand as long as you have the palm facing the target at impact (same as the slap).
Remember the palms are perpendicular to the ground throughout the swing. At no point is that more critical than at impact (no matter which hand is supplying the most power).
Q SCHOOL
DJ
Good luck at Q school starting Wednesday .
ND
I see you are showing your ND logo. Ha ha!
If Alabama can figure out a way to win one more game we will probably get to play for the big one. Not going to be easy though. Georgia has more NFL draft picks on their team than we do. Will probably come down to who makes the least mistakes. We lost one of our best receivers with a broken leg in the Auburn game, so that won't help.
YEP
I was glad to see them win Saturday for what ever reason USC always plays them tuff. But do not know if the can win it all we will see at least they are relevant again. If the past holds up then they might. Every time they have won it it's been in the coaches 3rd year.
I hope it is Alabama another of my favorites but they have their hands full with Ga. will be a great game. There will be some great college football the next 2-3 years with the resurrection of some great programs.
Resurrection
Well that's one way to look at it. LOL
I think it's just a very off year for talent across the board. We were talking the other day about who would be good first round picks...The pickings were pretty slim, especially compared to last year. Which was a ridiculously good year for talent. Andrew Luck, RG3, Trent Richardson ect. ect. Nobody in that class this year.
Looks like a freshman will win the Heisman trophy for the first time...And he should. There just isn't much talent to give it to.
Next year will be interesting though. Lots of very young teams this year like LSU, Florida, Texas A&M that are going to be hard to beat next year.
Resurrection
Manti Te'o inside linebacker ND. I would be surprised if if does not go in the first round don't think there is any others though. They are talking he will probably make the trip to New York for the Heisman but not win it. The Freshman will probably win it.
NFL picks
Out of necessity there will be 32 first round picks. The only problem is that very few of them are the sure fire picks like we had last year. Everybody knew that they couldn't miss with Andrew Luck and RG3. That class of picks had more guaranteed starters than any I have ever seen.
This year it's Manti T'ao, Oregon's running back, a few more defensive players and that's about it.
Last year teams were trying to lose games at the end so they could get those first two picks. This year it may be Kansas City, and they need a quarterback, and all that's out there is Barkley from USC and the kid from North Carolina State. Neither one of those is probably ready to be the answer to KC's problems. Bad year to get the first pick. Best thing to do is trade the first couple of picks if you can find any takers from already good teams that need a little defensive help and don't mind wasting a high draft pick on a linebacker.
This whole year reminds me of a quote from Wimp Sanderson, who used to be Alabama's basketball coach. When asked what he thought about the Tide being ranked number 6 in the country he said "If we are number 6 in the country it's an awfully weak country". LOL
Didn't hear about the broken
Didn't hear about the broken leg, that sucks. Did hear about the win of course near impossible not to being an Alumni of UA :)
Seven years of my life at the UA in T-town, went to one game the entire seven years...
Going to games
When I was a teenager I went to all of the games played at Legion Field in Birmingham.
Alabama played most of the big games there and Auburn played some there too...And of course the Iron Bowl was always there.
I worked as an usher so I could get in for free. The big thrill was working the cheerleaders gate. Ha ha! I thought those were the best looking girls I had ever seen.
Funny thing was when I was going to school at Alabama I went to less games than before or since. Seemed like I always had a reason to head to Gulf Shores every weekend. ;-)