The Science Behind the Swing: Part 1

Tue, 03/29/2011 - 18:00 -- Don Trahan

Along the way, there have been several questions on the blog wondering why all the professionals on the Tour, except DJ, use a rotational swing and go to parallel or more at the top of the backswing if the Surge Swing is better. These are all good questions and are worthy of a good answer.

Since we'€™re getting new visitors to the site every day, I think it'€™s time to review some of the fundamentals of the Surge Swing. Everything I teach is based on the laws of physics and physiology, the laws of the universe. If you break those laws in your swing, you have a greater opportunity for error.

The club is a tool and the body is a tool. If you use them correctly, that is, within the laws of physics and physiology, you'€™ll play better golf and be less prone to injury. That'€™s the whole premise of the Surge Swing.

I go into some detail about the scientific reasoning behind the swing. It'€™s not just my words, but the word of experts in their field. I think this video will help everyone understand how the vertical, limited turn, ¾ backswing came into being and why.

The Surge!

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Comments

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Thanks Ronnie, that's cool gift we can all use. We just keep getting more great "free" stuff on this site don't we. Thanks for sharing that site.

Robert Thompson's picture

Submitted by Robert Thompson (not verified) on

Hi Harry,

Thanks for taking the time to reply.

The school that I am attending is not a "one week wonder" program. Like you, I have no respect for such a diploma mill. I am attending a two year program which provides a rigorous curriculum in all aspects of the golf industry, including golf instruction, psychology, course management, clubfitting and building, pro shop operations, accounting and bookkeeping, food service, tournament operations and much more.

All of the instructors are PGA members. They have a very good reputation and are well thought of throughout the industry.

I am not looking for a cheap way to get a piece of paper, or pretend to be something that I am not. To the contrary, I am looking to do things the right way.

My question had more to do with how I can avoid conflicts between now, and the time I graduate in about two years from now.

Thanks again,

Bob

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

BTW, I forgot to mention that I also met in person "Doc" Lynn Griffin. And he was one cool dude:)

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Yep. It's like the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Not too little, not too much, but just right.

Doc Griffin's picture

Submitted by Doc Griffin (not verified) on

There are a mired of possibilities. Usually the most common is a ball too far back in the stance or coming too much from the inside on the take away which makes you come over the top. Take a look at both. If the ball is starting right and staying right, it's normally ball position. If it is starting left them coming back right, it's over the top which is normally a take a way problem or not starting the downswing with the bump.

gman's picture

Submitted by gman on

I am having trouble with the knee bend part of the swing. I have a tendency to bend the knees too much. when I try to straighten a little , I feel I can't reach the ball. Should I try standing a little closer to the ball ? thanks

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Hey golfers,
I finally got my stitches out and have been doing self physical therapy on my hands and fingers including range of motion and scare tissue massage. Being a professional massage therapist and having a nurse for a wife helps. I am too antsy to golf again and with caution, went to the practice putting green nearby and had a great session. Man have I missed golf. Even though it has only been 3 weeks I was so glad to be back out on the green at least. Re-discovered something that really helped me make more putts. Picking the line, picking a tiny point in the grass less than 12 inches in front of the ball on that line, and then rolling the ball over that speck or point. I call it pick and stick it. Stick it as in always hit it over that choosen point, "stick" to that selected point on the line. I have tendency to allow myself to vary or slightly modify my choice AFTER I get over the putt and just before stroking the ball. I will see or feel something else from that side view. This leads to missing the putt and thinking "Why did'nt I stick to my first choice?" I need to trust the line I see from behind looking down the line because 80-90% of the time it is correct. So pick it and stick it" from now on for better putting.

Dick Lee's picture

Submitted by Dick Lee (not verified) on

Kelly

Don't get your britches in a knot.

I appreciate Tiger's abilities too. I think he is probably going to go down in history as one of the greatest golfers of all time. He also exposed a lot of young people to the game. I am not saying he has not been good for the game.

Amos and I were just making the point that not everyone wants to live the life he has chosen to live. I was trying to use Marino as an analogy to make my point that just because you make a billion dollars in any sport does not mean it is always worth it in the end. I was using Tiger as an argument as to why the rotational swing would not work for me in my physical condition. It used to work for me when I was younger and before my service related injury. The Surge Swing has given me back the ability to enjoy golf again after 18 years of not being able to play.

As to Tiger's swing breaking his body. How many operations and rehabs has he had? Would he be going through that is something had not been broken.

I will stick to my remark about not wanting to trade places with Tiger. I love my life just as it is. Well, with the exception of being out of pound cake, strawberries, and cool whip. I guess if I had his money I would be able to hire someone to make sure I don't ever again run out of the necessities of life.

Kelly, I was not trying to bait you. I just come on here to chat and enjoy my evenings. I am sorry if I offended you.

Please join me in taking a deep breath, relaxing, and putting this behind us.

I hope you have a great evening, and a wonderful rest of the week.

Dick

Dick Lee's picture

Submitted by Dick Lee (not verified) on

Kevin

Great idea to post your trip. I know we have a couple of guys that live out there who post on the blog a lot. I hope they see your post and can make it happen. That would be cool for all of you. Good luck with the trip and your rounds. Pop back on the blog and let us know how it all went when you get back home.

Dick

T Medley's picture

Submitted by T Medley (not verified) on

Well fellows, unlike Dick. I've been up since around 5am, so it's time for me to be heading for the sack and a little tube to lull me into dream land. Later!

Sacfam44's picture

Submitted by Sacfam44 (not verified) on

Don-
I'm a fan and have the utmost respect, but at about the 1:20 mark of
this video, it was stunning to hear you use the word "only."

Likely you are the "only" one who has married the data with your experience
and come up with one very cool, unique Surge swing. And for many of us,
your swing (or elements thereof) are extremely helpful & do-able & repeatable.

There may be some professionals that could benefit, (some that would benefit)
from your work, but many of them are getting results, sometimes incredible,
with what works for them.

DJ gets results with what works for him. (btw-congrats on your last event)
Jim Furyk gets results with what works for him.
Even John Daly....

Is it not true these all bring some science to their swing ?

Simply Golf

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

People always told me when I first started playing that the one guy you never wanted to play for money was an older guy with an old raggedy bag and worn out clubs, but brand new grips. They said a guy like that will beat you every time.
That description fit my neighbor, who has since passed away, to a tee. He played his golf at the little cheap course close to the house but one time the club champion from one of the Ritzy country clubs challenged him and the story is that my neighbor beat him by 5 strokes.

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

I don't want to change the thread of this subject so let's get back to it after this entry by all means, however I did just want to express the gratitude for the many who responded to my question on the 'Saturday at Bayhill' blog about graphite club shafts for irons. Wow, lots of you use and recommend graphite and gave me alot to consider. I deeply appreciate how helpful you all are. great stuff guys.

Amos's picture

Submitted by Amos (not verified) on

Dick Lee:

As for looking the part --- many years ago when I was a "young single stud" I had a chance to play Firestone South in Akron Ohio.

I arrived about an hour before my scheduled tee time only to find that I had been "bumped" by some Executive from the Sales Department and re-scheduled for about 3 hours later.

So I went to range, hit some balls, had a light lunch and went to the putting green. At that time ALL of my golf equipment - bag, clubs, balls, gloves, etc etc - had "Wilson Staff" emblazoned on them. As I was putting on the practice green, I noticed 3 or 4 kids in the 9 to 11 year old range admiring my bag and clubs. As I fininshed my practice and walked to my bag, one of the kids got up nerve enough to ask "Mr. -- Are you a member of the Wilson Staff ?" I just shook my head and replied , "No - I am afraid not" - with visions Sam Snead, Cary Middlecoff , Julis Boros and other notables of the day flashed through my head.

As to the one-armed man -- the worst and most embarassing beating I ever took on a golf course was at the hands of one armed man in the finals of our flight's Club Championship. As recall it was something like 7 and 6 - and I am generally much better at match play than stroke play. Among other things, I made the classic mistake of underestimating my opponent and thinking "I've got this made - no one armed man is going to beat me!" -- WRONG!!!

Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG

Amos

Kevin McGarrahan's picture

Submitted by Kevin McGarrahan (not verified) on

Harry T,

Off the topic, but are you aware that, with typing all capital letters, you are effectively shouting at everyone? I know that is not what you intend, so would you please turn off your CAPS LOCK on your keyboard? Thank you.

Kevin McG

Ken's picture

Submitted by Ken (not verified) on

Harry, You are correct in stating that an extra long club is going to be difficult to keep vertical, particularly a driver due to its length, therefore, the Surge does not recommend extra long clubs and he has said that about the driver more than a few times. He said that at one of his schools, most of his students drivers were too long and after cutting them down, they were all hitting the ball better. About 6 months ago, I took my driver in to the shop and had it cut down to about 43 1/2" and I love it, I am hitting the ball farther and stratighter than I ever did before, heck, im wondering if I should cut it some more!

Dick Lee's picture

Submitted by Dick Lee (not verified) on

Robert

Was he singing "You load 16 tons and what do you get?" Was he in color or black and white?

Dick

Kevin McGarrahan's picture

Submitted by Kevin McGarrahan (not verified) on

Question for whoever has an answer.

What do I do if everything is good into the start of the forward swing, but I never get to the up part, instead revert to rotational for the finish? I seem to be pulling out of the shot at the last second. I know I am finishing with my hands at shoulder height outside my forward (left) shoulder.

Big D's picture

Submitted by Big D (not verified) on

Robert,
Get Well soon ! Spring is around the corner to start playing golf.
One of my self discovery was that I need to trust my body and let it swing naturally without my mind's interference. Yes, I needed to understand the mechanics of the golf swing first and practice the different positions of the club in relation to my body and the initial setup position. Once I was comfortable with it, I decided to swing the club without 'connecting the dots' of the swing mechanics. To my surprise, I started hitting the balls straight and long !
I believe that it is our mind that stands in our way to swing the golf club effortlessly and to score better.
Regards,
Davis

Amos's picture

Submitted by Amos (not verified) on

Surge:

The BEST argument that I have for usingthe Surge Swing --- LOOK at what the rotational swing has done for Tiger.

Several years ago when Tiger first appeared on the Tour, some work associates and casual golfers asked for my opinon on Tiger and his swing. My reply was "He will have the greatest pro career ever for about 10 to 12 years -- then he will be a cripple". With my thick Southern accent and drawl, I was immediatley told that I was crazy bigot, etc.
My answer to that : "I don't care about his ethnic orignin, religion, etc -- the human body is NOT made to stand up to that swing for very long -- it will depend on which is stronger - his back or his left knee"
That brought on remarks regarding his persoanl trainers, swing instructors, etc "taking care of Tiger" to prevent injuries. PT and gym work may delay the problems of the rotational swing -- but they can not prevent the damage forever!

Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG

Amos

Amos's picture

Submitted by Amos (not verified) on

Steve:

What you say is doubly true if the older guy has a well worn 1 iron in his bag!

keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG

Amos

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