Importance of Ball Position

Kim

It is amazing what we can find on PBS and the History Channel. Some of these folks have a real talent at things I would never have thought up.

The lint art in our home is a work in progress. We get more "art" with every passing day.

Dick

Phillip

How are you doing up there today?

When I moved up here last July my wife had already been in the apartment for 6 months. She said the dryer would get her cloths hot but was not drying them. I checked the lent trap in the back of the dryer. It was completely stopped up. She did not know where it was located. She was used to the one that is right at the door. This one was in the back of the dryer tub. Once I cleaned it out, the problem was solved. Further proof that she needed a handy guy around the home.

I can't tell you how many fires we used to have from dryers and backed up lent.

In the inspections I perform, I always look for the dryer vents that go up through the attics. You would be surprised how many have come loose or were just ended in the attic. I have seen an inch of lent all across the insulation. 1 spark and the whole place would go up. Plus, mold loves to snack on the dead skin cells in dryer lent.

That was slick, how I worked the subject of snacking into that.

Time for a root beer float,
Dick

Awesome Baby!

I sort of wrote that on the fly.. Not a lot of fore thought went into it, but I think it expresses how many of us feel.

Hit'em Long and Straight,
Bob

Bob

Here's to good food and cold drinks. Oh yes, and to golf too.
Dick

Amen

Dan

That is what family is all about. Taking the time issues of each member and coming up with a solution that works for everyone.

Thanks for your dad's service. "How can they hear, if there is no one to teach them?"

Hope the vet visit goes ok for your pup.

Let us know how the game goes.

Dick

Bob Miner, He does show the correct way at the end. Perhaps you missed it. Again his method is to normally show the wrong moves and positions that lead to the swing mistake. I have been watching, reading and listoning to Surge for 3 years. I can tell you he is unique and will not change his approach. Hopefully you'll learn from this excellent teacher as most of us have.

Thanks T.

It sure does. Only two finals to deal with. One take home final that lasts from next Monday 9:00am to Tuesday 4:00pm and a two hour final the following Saturday.

Steve, God it breaks my heart, honestly. As dgains said, shot tracker on PGA.com will tell you the story. Basically he probably got a little out of sorts after a couple bad holes (as we all do - pro or not). Dan is right 2 eagles. I think the only other one today was somebody had a chip in on a par 4. So DJ leads in eagles for the tourny. That's the good news. He had 35 putts............ 28 yestersay, so that's 7 more than Friday. Hmmmmmmn...... 7 bogies today. You do the math. I can't hide my disapointment and I'm honestly bummed for him. I love these guys, ya really. I was cussing and kicking today. Okay so tomorrow will come and here's more good news. I still beleve he's on the right track and is closer than in recent months. The new putter is the right one and he'll have a lot more days like Thursday and Friday just watch and see. Sunday's gunna be a good one so don't stop cheering. He'll play earlier before the wind blows and who knows!

Thanks Surge for the informative video lesson today.I really got a lot out of it. I actually watched the section where you shuffled from wedge-driver length (keeping the leading arm in the same position) a couple of times and intend to use that in my practice routine until it ingrains into my soggy memory. Uhmm, Guess that about covers all things golfy for me tonight.
Boog

Dragonhead

When I was trying to join the Marines, I almost could not get in. Someone had started a vicious rumor that my mother and father were married when I was conceived. That would have washed me out of the Corps immediately.

Glad I could prove otherwise,
Sgt. Dick Lee, USMC

For those who want to follow along on Shot Tracker, DJ is on the first tee.

By 'closed' I mean angling the club way forward so that when the club face is at the address position the hands are a foot or two to the left of the ball position. I guess the major danger I face with this is thumping the club right into the ground. Still, it works for me at the moment, but I'm open to refinements. My ambition this year is to break 100. Sounds achievable, I know, but last Friday I shot 133. On a par 70 course. Yikes.

DITTO, On all of that for me as well.

Dick Lee:

Did I mention the "ball magnet" that is attracted to bunkers and water? A hidden feature the ball makers don't tell us about! LOL

Amos

When Don was at peakperformance and did a video tip people used to write in about and discuss the tip and problems they were having performing different aspects of the swing.It was interesting and informative.Since moving sites it seems a few people have taken it on themselves to use a golf site to talk about their lives and what they do all day.Why don't they get on facebook or twitter for that.This used to be an interesting golf site talking about the swing fundamentals with a bit of banter thrown in.

Need some more help with your golf game? Check out http://www.putterreviews.org to find reviews on many golf clubs and TONS of tips on how to improve your game. If you are very interested in improving your game even more, check out http://putterreviews.blogspot.....

I agree that the primary purpose and focus of this blog is to promote and assist those who are interested in the PPGS. In spite of the recent back and forth with a few decanters, I think the majority of us are still interested in that endeavor. I have certainly been as guilty as any, especially yesterday, with too much excess banter and bear poking with our small group of dissenters. That is over for me and I think for others as well. I hope if Lynn42 is reading this, he too will return to commenting. As to still being there to provide help and support, I think we have still been doing that, for any who ask for information or help which we feel able to provide. I am sure, that golf help and assistance has not stopped, and will not stop. As to our personal friendlier conversations, I for one do indeed enjoy hearing a little bit of that. Especially from those, whom I feel, I am getting to know, like, and appreciate on a more personal level. Surely, when you meet with three friends for a round of golf, you talk about more than just the golf. That's what friends and family do, they discuss personal portions of their lives and share it with each other. I feel that I am slowly becoming a member of a great group of friends and family, The Surge Nation. I do not ever want the friendlessness and feeling of family to depart. If we feel like we are being scorned or chastised for sharing a bit of personal information with friends and family, even if it's what our loving wife is doing or has made for supper, what kind of a group would that entail. I'm not so sure "I" would want to be a part of that kind of a group. I agree, golf is the primary focus, just like when we meet on the course, but friends talk about their personal lives. Many of these folks have come to be considered as my friends, and "I " am interested in their personal lives and families. It would be a bit too boring if we couldn't even mention the other good things or bad things that are taking place in our lives and ask for the support of others. This blog is becoming a living entity of family and friends, who are growing in their relationships with one another. There is, and always will be, room and time for the primary focus of SwingSurgeon Golf. Please don't forbid the friendly, family sharing, that friends and family are know to do. Just my opinion, keep on sharing.

Steve Smith:

I have heard similar -- if the cup was biiger, we would make more -- but still complain about the ones "that just miss".

I wonder if your hands are very LARGE like my Father's? I on the other hand, have problably the smallest hands of any male on the blog! My hand will fit into the cup, with a little space to spare, even when closed to pick up the ball.

Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG

Amos

Bob

I think we could make a living just going to yard sales and buying old chairs and couches. There is always money and a lot of interesting stuff in them.

My father was a retired preacher. He had a favorite recliner that he sat in for the last 15 years of his life to read his Bible and nap. He would not let us get him a new one. We all got him a real nice watch for I think it was his 75th birthday. He lost the watch about 4 or 5 years later. When he passed at 87 and half years, I went home to help mom get his things in order. She asked me to find a home for dad's recliner as it bothered her too much to see it sitting there empty. I was moving it when I heard stuff moving around inside it. I turned it over and took the bottom off. I found @ $100 in change and bills. And, there was dad's watch. It had been right under his butt for all those years.

I guess you could say he was just sitting on time,
Dick

I think I have found out why lately I have been stinking up the course and felt like I Was regressing in some areas of my game that I thought I was actually making progress. I have noticed that I have been striking the ball extremely well when I am in my backyard chipping and when I am on the range. I have video taped my swing and feel that I am getting extremely close to what don is teaching. the ball is actually going where I am aiming for the most part while playing with my old set of callaway x 18 irons . now I was on the course with my new set of callaway diablo edge clubs. although I were striking the ball well I could not place the ball where I was aiming and kept hooking the ball about 30 yards to the left as I am a right hand golf. I got the edge clubs for christmas and decided to break them in and play a few rounds with them. all of the sudden the last 3 rounds I played went downhill. I Lent a club to a fellow golfer who asked if you could check them out. he hit several shots with 3 of my clubs and asked me if I recently had my grips changed and I told them that I didn't since purchasing them. keep in mind that I had this allegedly fitted for me by the pro at a major chain store. the golfer pointed out that on all of my irons my grips were slightly off and in the closed position n he suggested that I go back to get another professional fitting. he lent me1 of his clubs which I hit and low and behold it went exactly where I was aiming. he also commented on how comfortable I'd look while swinging and asked if I had taken any lessons. I told him about the surge and you smiled and said that "don would be proud to see saw the way you swing" and told me to keep at it . turns out that he was a certified pga instructor and said that I could not have a better teacher. he also told me exactly with don said about ball position which I tried using his clubs. I have since had my clubs re-gripped and the combination of the 2 and the combination of the 2 has put me back on track. I even picked up approximately another 8 yards with my irons. while playing what this instructor he told me that although he does not subscribe to keeping The swing so vertical he has seen amazing results with dons students who commit to the swing 100%. the other 2 guys who were in the group with us said they were going to check out your methods especially after I told him that I am playing almost pain free. the golf pro stated and confirmed that your swing is the only 1 out there that lives up to what is preached in that respect. I figured I would pass it along to the group. many thanks all around Don and everyone on his staff.

Doc

You have nothing to worry about my friend. Your family on this blog loves you and the work you do. There is nothing anyone could say to change our minds about you.

We really don't even need to bother to defend your character on here.

We know who you are.
Dick

With work and everything, practice time is limited. I try to take my 7-year old up to the practice range once a week. There I practice the basic swing and then while he starts picking up the balls I go to the ones I hit farther and practice chipping them to where he is picking them up. So, pretty much my major practice takes place when I play with my dad and my brother, typically on a Friday afternoon. Meantime, I try to practice the swing mechanics in the house with one of those Leadbetter SwingSetters (because it's short).

I have a different take on the low punch shot. Take 2 or 3 clubs less loft and try 1/2 and 2/3 length swings and see what distances you get. I find that playing the ball back will sometimes produce a shot that goes too high and can hit branches you are trying to play under.

Tony, you were a young fart once:) We are all headed there brother, glad you're benifiting from theSurge! Happy golfing!

Kim:

I for one, would LIKE to see the "recent comments" remain as they are. Main reason - I do not use DISCUS as it fills up my email with 100's (maybe 1000's) of email posting, making my email almost useless for its intended function.

Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG

Amos

Amos

Great report as always.

Glad you were able to get out there.

I played today too. I am going to catch up on the blog and then I will tell you guys all about it.

Dick

I am guessing it won't go well. I do have the day planned out already. After my exam I am going out to lunch, doing a few drills to work on proper arm rotation, practice chipping, practice putting, and finally a round of golf to finish the day. I am pretty sure the lunch is going to slow me down. At least I won't get hungry during the round.

Ah! at last RR I can comment direct to you. Yep GBSAPS is the way to go.We are all so eager to abuse the wee white pill, that we just forget and start attacking the balls.
I now know, that not going through this routine, will come back and bite me in the derierre, and how!
A timely reminder on the "B" in GBSAPS, forget it [or your set-up mantra], and you too will be butt bit!

Steve: I need your help !! I can't remember what "pointing the butt-end of the club toward the target" was about. Was it during the take-away, FUS, or during the "T" finish, or when? For some reason (yea, I'm just getting old) I vaguely remember the discussion but can't recall details. Point me down the right path again, please!!! R2

Surge: Excellent post on ball position! It is sooooo easy to place your ball too far back and then wonder why it doesn't go where it should. Thanks for the reminder. As always, the set-up determines the motion. GBSAPS, right dragonhead? R2

Dick

For some stupid reason I got back on the rotational swing a little bit this winter took a few lesson's and came out and played 2 tournaments and shot 102 in the first event and 108 in the second event and ended up with a sore back. When I played with my buddies last year my scores were low 70’s – 80 tournament scores last year 83 – 90.
I made up my mind it is Dons method or bust.

I have always been a vertical swinger. Saturday I hit 280 balls working on this method and had no problems with a sore back. It’s time to belly up and get this method down are quit playing. I refuse to play with the rotational swing I am done with sore backs.

Hopefully we will get out of this weather cycle soon if you’re getting it we are getting it.

Wrong Lynn. Reasonable mistake. Lynn42 is who is being referred to. Hence, I go by Doc as it's less confusing on here. I'm not going anywhere Bob. Thanks for the kind words.

Surge Nation

I have had as much fun as anyone on this blog with the silly back and forth stuff. I have not taken any of it seriously. I have enjoyed many evenings of sitting around "swatting trolls." However, as our moms used to warn us "It is all fun and games until someone gets an eye poked out." Well, I got an eye poked out today. One of the pillars of the Surge Nation posted today that he was leaving. Lynn has always been here to answer questions, joke, and share his evenings with us. I would not trade all the silly back and forth for Lynn. He has been a brother on this site and a friend.

I know I have said a couple of times that I was going to leave "those guys" alone and move on. We all have said that. I am not pointing fingers at anyone. I am one of the biggest sinners.

As for me and my laptop, that game is over. I won't play that game with them anymore. I am just going to count anything they say about me, the rest of the brothers and sisters, Doc, DJ, and Surge as a buzzing noise. It might be aggravating. But, they can't hurt any of us, unless we let them get under our skin.

There are a lot of the folks on here whose opinions I value. You know who you are. I am asking you to act as my accountability partners. If I respond to them again, please call me on it. In the rooms, we say that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different results. We have tried to rebuff those guys with everything from common sense to the Lord's word. The results have always been the same. We are not going to get them to change. So, I am changing. We have been wasting our time when we read or reply to their post. I am changing my part of that.

I hope the people on this site that I care about can hear my heart on this issue. I don't want to loose any more of my family on this site.

I am not saying I won't still be a goof with my posts. I still want to talk about how our days went, what we ate, what we think about different things, and yes even golf. I ain't changing that. That is who I am. I am just not going to deal with those whose only mission in life is to damage Surge, Doc, and this blog. We have had some fun, but they won a big one today.

Don't let them win another one by running off any more of our family.

Lynn, my brother, I am sorry for the part I played in pushing you over your personal limit. I hope you can find it within you to forgive me. I hope you will come back someday when you are ready.

Dick

Steve

Glad you had a chance to get out today pal. I wish I could get my wife on the course with me. There always seems to be one thing or the other that I forget. Then when I start concentrating on it, I leave out something else.

I guess it's not supposed to be easy.

It rained pretty good out here last night and most of the day.

We had a great Easter service at church this morning. Then I went off to work at the golf course. They sent me home really early because there was no one on the course due to the heavy rain. They're calling for the same thing for the next couple of days out here. I'm not complaining because we need the rain.

Other than church this morning, the best part of my day was that Kelly Jo made a big pot of homemade soup.

Dick

Roy

Isn't it funny. Sometimes when the weather forces us to change our plans we end up having the most wonderful day.

Glad you were able to spend some extra time with your wife. I know you cherish every moment with her.

You are right my friend. It is not for us to know what God's plan is. Our job is to accept it, adapt to it, and be secure in our knowledge that we are in his hands. That can be a tall order for a recovering control freak like me. But the calm and peace that comes with acceptance is way beyond my comprehension.

I guess I am going to have to get used to living in "Tornado alley" again. I don't do storms well.

Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me,
Dick

Doc for you and TeeOn13. A winter waistcoat sounds nice Doc. As for TeeOn13 you have enough for a duvet ; - )
Our washing machine, 'ate' one of the charcoal impregnated insoles from my golf shoes!!! Isn't it funny how little things like a missing insole, can affect your game?
It took ages for the machine to 'spit' it all out.

Just don't shoot your eye out. ;-)