Impact Happens: Forget About It

 Dan, I find that I am much the same way. I am soooo easily distracted, by other things around me, and my own mind drifting, that I need to focus on even more than just the ball in general. I am able to remain more focused and less distracted by focusing on a spot, dimple,or letter, on the ball. For me, the very slightest mind drift or loss of focus is detrimental. I used to make fun of those who let outside noise and stimuli bother them.  I am finding with aging, it is happening to me as well. Loss of focus is one of my biggest problems. This is especially true in the precise finesse shots of chipping and putting. Being able to block everything else around you out, and to keep you own mind from drifting is a must for me.

Yeah, Steve, I just noticed James Spann's opening on 33/40 was a radar shot of Oklahoma.
Hope your okay, Dick

Surge: great video today.  Thanks for the reminder "tip" - sometimes it's hard to "just let the swing happen" because we get caught up in the mechanics.  Hit 'em straight!  R2 

Steve

Great minds, and all that.

I have a mental check list very close to that one.  I usually come up with the same answer you did.
Dick

Don, were you a rotational swinger before learning this new style? if so you may be 'caught' between the two methods. Actually "watching" your swing and comparing it to our Surge videos and swings(+the manual) is important. Have you had your swing videoed  from the two important agles? From behind as seen down the line and face on during your swing. A picture does tell a thousand words IF you know what to look for. My wife can now tell me imidiately if I'm not swinging vertical,getting into the SBG or many other faults because of watching and filming me. So I'd advice you to get your swing on film and 'see' where you're failing. It helps 100%.

Bob,

That is not a problem. I can hit a slice of any large size at any time I choose ;-P

Kevin

Surge Tech Crew

Today's video has vanished from the video site.  Don't know if it's on your end or someplace else.

Dick

Not now...... 

Bob

Thanks for that info.  Glad I did not find them before I got my stuff today.  I spent about 8 bucks and got 6 splicers and 231' of cord.  I know theirs is probably a lot less hassle to use, but I am still going to make my rings and give them a try.

Dick

 Robert

Make sure you get a video of that .  The thought of you guys in a threesome is scary.

Dick

Coach:

  Me too! -- When I am hitting the ball High and Straight - and down the target line - then I am "walking in high cotton" and "living high on the hog" too.

   There is a reason that I put STRAIGHT before LONG in my closing ;<))

    Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG

    Amos

Coach:

   I learned to play on a course built in a valley just off the end of the main runeay at a major International airport.  When you have two tees and two greens jaust beside and at the end of the runway, you LEARN to block out noise 100% -- or else you go insane!

    Some odd 40 years later, CONSTANT noise does not bother me - it is the CHANGE in noise. The sudden silence is just as disturbing as the sudden un-expected noise.

   Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG

   Amos   

Dick

The floods and tornadoes sure make for a long prayer list, but nothing the Man upstairs can't handle.  My wife asked the head of HR at her company if they were planning to do something for those in the south who have lost everything since they had donated for similar situations in Haiti and Japan.  He responded by saying it didn't rise to the level of those two disasters.

I would tell you what I said when she told me, but I would have to ban myself for life from this or any other blog.  It's just a punch in the gut when we do for the rest of the world and just get blind and stupid when it comes to our own.

OK, back down off my soapbox and not complaining because the rain has kept me off the course for the past 10 days.

Lynn42
 

Where have you been?  I haven't heard from you for several months.  I've been getting e-mails from Peak Performance but it has not been you, nor has it been YOUR swing!  I am glad to have you back sending me tips. Thank you.                      Linda W.

 Steve Smith:

    We are in basic agreement here.  I remember many years ago -- aobut 1966, I think - -the FIRST time that Alabama met Nebraska in the Organge Bowl. -  All the press and sports fans fans were in a "pity Alabama - they have no chance" mode. I ws working in Seattle at the time. Some of the guys at work tried to get me to bet on Alabama. I refused the offer, saying " I don't bet on sports. I think Nebraska will win -- but IF there is a way to beat them, Bear Bryant will find it."  That brought on a lot of laugher and cat calls. 

     After the first quarter it was route in 'Bama's favor -- IIRC aobut 58-0.  Of course Nebrask got their revenge in the nextseveral years. NEVER take an opponet for granted.

    Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG

    Amos  

Kevin, I had a (funny now), weird time on the course yesterday. I had the highest 9 hole score of my last 20yrs or so. I can be a little dense at times, so it took me to the 8th hole to realize what I was doing wrong. The second nine was back to my normal bogie round. However, it wasn't until a got back home, that I actually realized why I was making the bad swings on the first 7 holes.

I set up my new Swing Tec training device on Saturday afternoon. I practiced with it off and on all afternoon and again for 30min or so Sunday just before leaving for an afternoon Tee time. The device is really good and I am glade to have bought one. I have always felt and especially so after being confirmed at my fitting, my backswing is problematic. So with the new device, 90% or more of my practice was the backswing and FUS, ONLY to a nice impact position and no follow thru practice.
After seven holes it hit me, I was not completing any of my swings, I was just hitting weak shots with no follow through that were going all over the place. It still took until I got home and my eyes saw the Swing Tec device to realize why.
I said all of this to emphasize this daily video tip. The reality of it hit home for me on the course yesterday. I was so concerned with the BUS and IMPACT that I had no follow through and very little power or control over direction as well, just like Surge says his student was doing. I am the proof of his message, at least for 7 holes yesterday.

I will now work on the full swing, to keep from being overly focused on just having a good BUS to set up a good impact position.

I also must say to anyone wondering about the Swing Tec training aid, available through the Surge's shop link. I am very happy with mine. The rods are all well made and structured from aluminum I believe, and it is as easy to assemble and use as the video of Don and Greg explain. I highly recommend it and the Swing Rite as well. These are the only two training aids endorsed and recommended by SSGS. Here's a link to the video of the device.

Swing Tech video
http://www.swingsurgeon.com/Da...

Swingrite discount available at
http://tmgolf.sports.officeliv...

Video presentation
http://www.swingrite.com/

It was working 6hrs ago, when I was last on, and it is working now. In both
Firefox Google Reader and IE7.

Surge,
What is on your mind at the top of the backswing, right before you pull the trigger and bump? Are you watching the ball go to the targer, have no images or see the ball being struck? I love what you said about squaring the club but I can't find the right image before release the club.
Uncle John

Hi Lee, check this link out:
http://www.swingsurgeon.com/Ho...
Regards, Coach's little helper

Happy belated birthday!

Golfol

I am with you on that.  I got the plastic sticks for $ 2 a piece and pulled the reflectors off.

I was not going to spend $ 20 for a set at a golf shop.
Dick

 Thanks, Dick, I didn't think it was on my end since everything else opens normally.

Surge, thanks for the reminder about what we shouldn't be thinking about on the FUS. Practice the swing & swing the feel.

Hi Kevin,

The trouble you now face is that with the ball is going long and straight, as soon as you fix one of your problems, you'll start slicing it again.  :0)

Bob

 Robert

Happy birthday pal.

Dick

Dick Lee:

   Besides -- I may need ALL the edge I can get -- we spend the week of July 4th visiting wiith my Daughter and meet the 5 month old Grandaughter -- get back to Phoenix just long enough to shower, sleep, and wash clothes -- then off to Las Vegas. 

    I just hope that I am not a total Zombie by the time I meet the Two Roberts!

   Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG

   Amos

Opps!
    Forgot to mention -- my daughter is is San Antonio -- so a LOT of driving in that 10 day time frame.

   Amos

I am having difficulty making solid impact with the ball.Some are thin, some fat and some hits are on the left.right side of the face. The result is a weak shot which doesn't go anywhere near what it should. I keep following Surge's advice, but when I get to the course, it doesn't work. Any obvious areas where I'm off base, without actually watching me?

You can also buy the reflector sticks at Loew's for less than $3, they are either orange or yellow, that's alot cheaper than they are at Golf Galaxy or Dick's.

Hi Surge,

WOW you have really lost some weight since I last checked you out. Way to go Surge.

 In regard to this last daily video - - would you agree that the GOLF MOVE is more like a KARATE chop than a GOLF SWING ?  Thanks for that.   

 Okay, my firefox must be going wacky...i found this one again (but it wasn't listed at the top of the daily blogs section), got here by clicking on a Birthday wish for Robert in the left comment column.
Hope everyone has some good next rounds

Steve Smith:

   I hear you Buddy  My foavorit local course, San Marcos, is (or was) in receivership. Seems the owners bought it just before the economic recession started -- and let the city talk them in a city backed loan to become part of "revitalized, beautiful downtown Chanlder".  2 years later, they defaulted on the loan -- leaving the city scrambling ot find a taker.

   between the City and the receiver, the corse remained open, no one was laid off, but the maintaince has suffered - mainly skipping on water resulting in hard greens and super hard fairways.  A medium high drive goes the farthest - because you can get a bounce and roll almost like hitting asphalt.  OK I exaggerate == but not by much!

     Enjoyed your basketball story.  Did Wimp perhaps work for Babe McCarthy (MSU basketball coach from late 50's to 1965) ? Sounds like his style.
   Babe recruited a very talented freshman team in 1959. Thay had an unbeaten season and from mid-season on they beat the Varsity team on a regular basis.  The Varsity team was good enough to win the SEC though.
    Next year Babe was crying the blues to the press about " rebuilding season" and" we're going nowhere".  They had an nearly unbeaten season including Thanksgiving and Christmas tounaments. IIRC they lost a "squeaker" to Vandy late in the year when the SEC was already decided.
     "Powers that be" in Mississppi made us refuse the NCAA invite, so Kentucky went in our place and won it all. We had beat Kentucky twice that year badly on our court, by a few points on their turf.
   Alabama-Auburn has NOTHING on MSU-Kentucky when it comes to basketball.

  Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG

  Amos 

Quick note: I've been in Southern Utah Mountains for 3 days. Just got reception on way home and saw DJ is in 4th place!Wow.

Coach

I am going to have to find out if they have a Dicks out in my neck of the woods.

Great solutions to everyday problems.  I have probably done most of those things at one time or another in my life.  I am glad they were able to work some duct tape into the fixes too.

You can never have too much duct tape lying around.
Dick

Surge Tech Crew

A lot of us are having a problem with disqus.  Our dashboard area for replies to us is not working.

Is this something you folks can look into, or can you point us to who would be able to help us get this squared away?

thanks,
Dick

Surge Tech Crew

I don't know if you guys fixed it or not, but it seems to be back.

Dick

Kevin

You got it all in there pal.

I stood at attention during your whole video.

I am sitting down now.
Dick

 Belated Happy Birthday, Robert, May you be blessed with many more!

Lynn, I remembering fishing the old farm that was originally there back as a kid in '64.Great lake back then. Now the 15th & 18th holes play around that. Fun course at about 6800 from the tips.

Lynn

I am with you on this one.  We have forgot that charity starts at home.  Those people are quick to forget that any thing that happens affects the people involved just as much as any wide scale disaster.  If we have an incident where "only" one service member is killed in action, that member's family has to deal with just as much tragedy as if he or she was one of 1000s killed in a bigger action.  In most cases, it is probably worse as there is not as much public outcry to take care of the family.

We are going to PC ourselves right out of existence.

Dick

Hello fellow golfers. Steve I don't agree with the whole jinks thing(though I know what you mean. I was blogging congrates and yahoos 2 years ago when he had some 10 top tens.I was completely out of the communication loop while at Panguitch Lake in the mountains at 9,000 feet. Was a week end bithday celebration(mine-54 years young now:) with my wife, brother and sister, and a cousin from Colorado (also commemorating his b-day too). A beautiful peaceful and cold enough for a bon fire (snow nearby) under a gagillion stars kinda break. It was no tv, phone or computer for three days. Very refreshing indeed. So I missed DJ's best round this year yesterday. Just catching up so I'll watch and liston to Surges wisdom now from the last couple of days.

Dick, mine is also like yours

T,

Glad you figured it out. Isn't it amazing how we can get into the mode of "can't see the trees for the forest" or vice-versa. I have the Swing-Tec on the top of my wish list. The best I can do at the moment is "visualize" the Swing-Tec. It is a good thing (sometimes) that I have a vivid imagination LOL.

Kevin

T: You are 100% right. I wouldn't worry about it, but I'd like to use it for the beginning students I teach, so it would be nice to take with me as needed. Maybe I'll try the strap system that came with it and see if that will work. Anyway, take care and hit 'em straight! R2