I love it when people incorporate new ideas and create their own drills to help them better grasp the concepts of the Peak Performance Golf Swing. Not all drills help everyone in the same ways, so when I get letters and emails from Surgites sharing their own drills I get really excited bringing them to the rest of you. Pete Crocitto came up with a great way to ingrain the vertical movement of the swing into your mental memory by simply using a door jamb.
I would like to pass on to you and my fellow golfers - a tip that I discovered while at the office one day which can be used when stuck in the house due to bad weather. I was in my office on a conference call and I start to take some practice swings. I wanted to make sure that I was going into the catcher's mitt and then up the tree and doing the same as I finish my swing. So, I felt I was doing something wrong so I went over to my office's door jam. I positioned myself in the middle of the entry way, my toes in line just outside the opening of the hallway. This allowed my arms to go down the line and ensured my arms went straight up the wall, preventing me from moving my arms behind me. If I did I hit the wall or door jam. Wow, this works great for my back and forward swing. I cut down a club into a short club allowing me to see the head and allowing me to feel the proper feel of the swing. Doing this 21 times a day has helped me have a better understanding of the true movement of going up and down the swing. I see this as a great way to practice during those long cold nights.
Pete, I love this idea that you've come up with. I've said before that a door jamb is a good way to practice the bump and now you've added this great drill to help with the vertical backswing and forward upswing. This just goes to show that you don't always have to be on the range beating a bunch of balls in order to improve your game.
Heck, you don't even need to be holding a club or be standing up to practice! Drills are great, but you can even close your eyes while seated and just imagine hitting balls. It's a great way to get a good mental image of what you should be doing when you really are swinging a club. All of this goes back to mental memory. People like to use the term "muscle memory." But, as some of you may know I don't believe in muscle memory because there's simply no such thing. It's your mind that's being trained to put your body in the right positions, not your muscles.
Again, I really enjoy hearing stories like Pete's. If anyone else has found success on the golf course by utilizing drills they've come up with on their own, I'd love to hear about them so please share below. As far as this drill goes, give it a try when you've got some spare time and you're in a jam (door that is!)
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
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Comments
SwingTech
This is off subject but I am considering purchasing the SwingTech swing trainer and would like the thoughts of any Surgite who has used one.
Ian
SWING TECH TRAINER
I have one of the Swing Tech Trainers and can highly recommend it. They are very well made, easy to attach, and easy to use. I also highly recommend the Swing Rite for those who do not have one. Here are a few videos to help you decide.
http://www.swingsurgeon.com/DailyVideos/tabid/107/entryid/792/Introducing-SwingTECH.aspx
http://www.swingsurgeon.com/DailyVideos/tabid/107/entryid/1114/Shoulders-Square-At-Impact.aspx
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59_lZSqXYeE
http://www.swingtechgolf.com/
SWINGRITE
http://www.swingtechgolf.com/
Swing Trainers
I have the SwingTech, the SwingRite and a Momentus short club weighted club trainer. Although the SwingTech is well made and performs as advertised I question whether it was really worth the investment for me because I don't use it that often. Today's door jamb drill gives me almost the same feeling.
The SwingRite has been recommended by many people on this blog and is well worth the investment. I use it every day. It works as advertised and it is fun to use.
The Momentus short club is a good to use as a warmup and strengthening tool before swinging the SwingRite. The extra weight makes it good for slow motion swings and feeling the positions of the Surge swing.
Pete's Door Jam Tip
Surge,
Thanks for passing on this wonderful tip. I am a firm believer that every golfer should have a note file to record thoughts about how the golf swing for each shot actually feels. Keep up your good work.
Roy Kesting
Surge agrees
Hey Roy,
Surge agrees with you about a notebook: https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/surges-notebook
:)
the bump
I've struggled to master the bump for years.
Recently I tried an old Tommy Armour suggestion and it works for me. What a difference it makes.
The suggestion is"Don't rush as you start down down,but get your right Knee in toward the ball."
Interesting
That's an interesting suggestion. I'm not sure about "toward the ball," as that might lead to pulling the right knee and hip around. Maybe toward the target would be better. You definitely want to get the weight moving off the back foot and onto the front foot at the transition before you start worrying about your arms. That shift will help them drop and then you can think about swinging up to the finish.
Interesting
Robert,
Yesterday whilst swinging on the back deck I was using the "Bagger Vance" approach in the link Steve Smith made available for us.Back to my days in China, I closed my peepers and began some short slow swings after completing my set up [GBSAPS]. Eventually after a minute or so increased the swing to half swings. Noting the movements of parts of my body as I did so. Recently on the course I have been hitting some superb shots, and some not so good ones. Weight transfer or lack of it being IMO more than a little to blame. During my eyes closed swinging I noted a movement quite different to my on course swing! It was the movement of my rear [right in my case],foot. A nice smooth raising of the heel with the knee following, giving me a nice smooth transfer of weight from the rear [PLHR]to the forward foot in complete balance.
I had three sessions in all, using around 20 different clubs. My wedges and short iron play have been my saving grace of late. Yet one thing 'niggled' at me. No bump apparent with LW,SW/PW/9/8irons??? Well yesterday that all changed. Not one club failed me[ or perhaps it should be the Indian didn't fail the arrows heh heh heh?]. An effortless swing and controlled weight transfer every time, with every club. Stunned and amazed.
Today here is Sunday the 11th of November. A solemn day for many of us.
Rememberance Day, or Poppy Day. At 11am I will be paying my respects to all those who served and gave their lives, that we may pursue our dreams in peace. My thoughts will be with my many dearly departed comrades. Also in my thoughts will be Dick Lee and others who have served and sacrificed for our freedom. Ironic that the course I am a member of was a United States Marine Corps camp during WW2. I pay my respects every time I pass the memorial plaque just behind the 17th tee every day I play. God Bless them all. .....and in the morning, we WILL Remember them. DH
Weight Transfer
Hi DH,
I would much appreciate knowing more of your rear foot heel rise to get your bump going. Am I right in assuming the following:
1) You smoothly raise your right heel at the top of the BUS, when you are about to begin your downswing (FUS).
2) Your right knee follows, moving in the direction of the target.
3) Bump ensues and smooth weight transfer takes place as you swing to the finish.
Is this sequence right?
I also wish to pay my respects this Remembrance Day to all the service men who took part in both WWs, which includes several members of my and my wife´s family.
Juan
Front knee
I made a similar discovery about a month ago, when i stopped trying to keep my front knee locked in place, but instead let it flex forward a couple of inches at the top of the back swing. I find I'm hitting the ball straighter and slightly longer. I am getting a more vertical finish and willing to bet the farm that I have gained some club head speed. Having said that.if you over do it your in for a world of hurt. That's why Surge recommends only an inch or so of flex. I find that having the front foot flared at 45* stops over bending and the weight must be on the back foot when you do it, just before transition, or else you'r in for reverse tilt, and you name it. Good luck, and if it feels good then do it, but don't over do it.
Follow up on swing
Russty Kiwi, on Sun [none of that here today, just wind and wet stuff ; - ] On the deck briefly when it stopped raining briefly. The magic was still there. The nice resultant swings burning the 'turf' and up to the high finish and recoil. My foot is not flared to about 30*degs but will see what difference 45* makes if any. I know on the course when doing it correctly I am much straighter and longer. Now I have the weight transfer nailed, if it does the same with a ball getting in the way, it will be very interesting to see what differences there are. Just when I seem to have my distances worked out I hit positional shots which go too far heh heh heh! Hit them long and straight Russty Kiwi. DH
30 or 45
Hi DH
looks like more wet stuff this week for us too. Things have dried out on the course, and golf is more fun out of the mud. Surge recommended a more flared front foot a while back, as a way to take more stress off the lower back during the swing. As my lower back is my main handicap for golf, I went with the 45* and found a full finish was easier to do also. You have to be careful not to stuff up your alignment if you change to 45. If 30* is working fine for you I wouldn't worry about changing to much. Then again ,nothing ventured nothing gained. PMGAS
PS I hope they have DJ on shot tracker tomorrow morning. I could be a bit late for work if they do
More wet stuff?
Russty Kiwi.
Not today though Wed 14th of Nov. Sunshine and warmer with a cool breeze. Today as I said was proof of the pudding day. Well it tasted absolutely sweet. Only 3 so-so to Oh! b*gger shots in the whole round. Never took the driver out of the bag. On the 1st hole, I deliberately played the first tee shot with the 3W. Not far short of my usual driver shot on the uphill shot, but exactly where I aimed it. Two of the 3 not so good shots I hit, recovered like a pro. One instead of chipping out of the tree line, I hit a shot down the empty parallel fairway. I ended up with a beautiful clear shot at the green. The SW nailed the pin, one putt for par.
On a steep downhill par 3 into the breeze. I was "called up" by the two players in front. Took my usual 8iron and dropped it 5'ft left of the pin for an easy Birdie. One other of the so-so shots was from a rear greenside bunker with the pin very close to the rear of the green. Got the ball out!!! Hahaha Well out onto the front apron of the green 35 paces past the pin hahaha! My wife handed me my putter without saying a word. I had ONE putt! hahaha. My positional play was amazing. When I hit the Rescue club from the edge of the rough 4"deep and lush. I thought b*gger, I have hit it too high! It went a long way leaving me a PW at the pin. And so it went on. We seemed to race around, even though I was definitely not rushing. So my "Elbows & Ankle" at 80% sure as heck worked for me, with clogs on! Out again tomorrow or Friday for more. Can't wait ; - ]
Well done
Nice going DH. There's nothing like a great round of golf to lift the spirits, and get us wanting more. I hope you have locked all the right moves in for next time. I nailed a nice birdie last time out, after I pulled my tee shot onto the next fairway. The only way back was over the trees. There was a V between the tops of 2 trees that I thought would get me somewhere near the green, if I could get through the gap. Hit the ball right where I wanted it to go, but couldn't see the green to know if it got close. When I got there it was about 2 feet from the hole.
Well done
RusstyKiwi, It was a nice day . That is what keeps us coming back, again and again. Out tomorrow Friday for another trial. One thing came to mind when reflecting on yesterday's round, was I did not take one divot the whole round?! Some loose strands of grass, but no divots at all. Now that is a first for me. Burning the grass in practice on the golf mat has perhaps helped.
"Get a grip" was a good old army term. Well that helped. I had noted several times when practicing, that the grip of my right hand was not constant!!! Firming it to 3-5, instead of the 'toothpaste tube' grip from my rotational days, may also to have helped.
Accuracy yesterday made life much easier all around. A couple of deep breaths prior to making the shot,relaxed me and helped I think.
Good luck to you on your next outing.
DH
Door Jam Drill Video
The door Jam drill video is good. I suggest that you try to shorten your videos. This one took 8 min, 31 secs. I don't think it is necessary to read a letter from someone and then comment on it. Just give the lesson and tips on the door jam drill and why it will help. This video should have only taken 2 - 2.5 minutes at the most. Thanks, Mercer
VIDEO TOO LONG
Mercer, You have now cost me a loss of invaluable time. Should the video be the 2 minutes length or the 2.5 minutes length. You leave a wide margin and I do not appreciate having to consider what to leave out to accommodate each length. This is far too time consuming for me to deal with. Please do the editing yourself and let me know if it should be 2 OR 2.5 minutes long. I am not a mind reader. I am sure there is stuff I consider important which you think dribble, and stuff I think dribble which you have never learned and found precious. Do you even realize the quandary in which you have placed me. I just know this is going to keep me up tonight. If only there were more important things to occupy my thoughts.
I wish Surge would just put the stuff in each video that you want and I would not have to worry about it. BUT, on second though, what if someone else complains, this is just too too much to deal with. It seems different people ALL have different needs, too much, too deep, too much, too deep, does not compute.................. crash and burn...................... Just Kidding, happy veterans day to myself and all the other vets. Let me see, was it really Sunday or the Federal employees Monday, Too much to consider again.............
Video too long
Terry, Loved your response to Mercer. Glad you did it such a manner. Even though I have had a good couple of days, I may have been a bit naughtier with a response. As a Christian I would have read his comment and turned the other cheek. Then I would probably have been arrested for indecent exposure ; - ] Hope that you had a happy veterans day with your family and friends. Ours was very quiet and peaceful.
Had email problems so couldn't reply before I managed in the end to send a reply to Juanloyd. Every time I tried, I was 'blocked' and that after writing a long response. Seems better so far. Off out on the hallowed turf on the morrow [think lucky, be lucky and we are lucky ; - ] Then the weather will be up to it's usual tricks on Thursday our time. Razzle frazzle. It is certainly teaching us patience.
Hit them longer and straighter more consistently Regards DH.