Light Club At Top Of Backswing

Mon, 12/03/2012 - 10:00 -- Don Trahan

When you swing a club vertically, you're swinging in harmony with gravity. That's because what goes straight up, comes straight down. When you take a big turn and get really rotational, you're going against the laws of physics and how your body was built to move. When I talk about this aspect of the Peak Performance Golf Swing, you'll often here me refer to a "light club." Not only is it physically easier to swing than a heavy, laid off club, but it also allows you to swing faster and gain more distance.

Don Klein recently took a trip to his local PPGS Certified Fitter, Don Coyle. After taking some swings, they noticed on the FlightScope monitoring system that Don K. was letting his wrists fall at the top of the backswing which meant he was getting the club "laid off." This causes the club to feel extremely heavy. Luckily for Don K., he was in good hands!

Hey Don,
 
Just wanted to share a revelation with you. I have been using the PPGS for three years now with great results, but was still struggling with consistency. Then, on a trip to my PPGS fitter Don Coyle in Mt. Vernon, IL for some club adjustments, I noticed on the FlightScope that I was letting my wrists fall instead of keeping them at my spine angle at the top of my backswing. My shots had way too much side spin and I was losing a lot of distance.
 
Since then, my last two rounds have been as if I was watching someone else golf who is much better than me. The results were incredible. Drives and irons gained 10 to 15 yards and are straight as an arrow. Some of my friends may not want to play with me anymore because I am playing so well, but I'll find new ones. I think I have finally found the missing link of my swing. Gott go now, time to go make some new friends.
 
Thanks for all you do. I don't know what we would do without you!
Don Kelin, Troy IL.
I think the most important thing we have to talk about is what Don K. figured out. He was Letting the club get laid off at the top of the backswing which is a direct effect of letting your wrists fall. When you have a club that's laid off at the top of the backswing, the weight of the club is going to pull you deeper which means you're turning too much. It effectively turns into a heavy club, instead of a light club that swings straight up and down with a vertical swing.
 
We always want gravity to be our partner, so that's why vertical makes more sense than rotational. The more vertical you are, the more gravity helps you. All the other laws of physics revolve around gravity so it's best to use it to our benefit. If you lift the club up, it's going to come straight down. Don K. was starting to lose his wrist angle at the top and the club was getting heavy. From there, the club was coming from way too far inside to hit the ball and if you catch the ball on the inside while swinging out, anything can happen. You can start topping it, hooking it, chunking it or everything else you're trying to avoid. 
 
So, learn to keep the club light because I promise that you can swing a light club a lot easier and faster than a heavy club. You can also swing it with a lot more control, which will lead to consistent golf. You'll go from playing golf in a baseball park to playing on a bowling lane, solid and straight!
 
Keep it vertical!
 
The Surge

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Blog Tags: 
Golf Instruction
Backswing
Vertical Swing

Comments

jon.lucenius's picture

Submitted by jon.lucenius on

Thanks Don - this is an awesome tip and a great mental picture. "playing on a bowling lane, solid and straight!"

I recently added swing weights to my Driver and it magnified the amount I was off at the top. Took some practice, and now I am back online in a much more consistent manner. Adding the weights also made the feeling of a good bump that much more critical.

Down the middle (of the LANE),
Jon

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

I have played with those who are excellent with a foot iron and other means of fudging:)

davew8900@gmail.com's picture

Submitted by davew8900@gmail.com on

I am puzzled. If you swing to the heel line with the club but toe line with the arms then the club must surely be laid off so it is at 11.00 not 12.00 and vertical. How does this reconcile with the instructions to keep it vertical which I take to be 12.00 or even 1.00 according to some of Surge's comments. Am i missing something?

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

David,
I know it can seem confusing but the vertical aspect is 'relatively' straight up. Surge has said that in his intention and in his 'minds eye' he is as vertical as a ferris wheel. He knows in reality he is "slightly" laid off but he makes every effort to be vertical in his back swing and forward. Over all Surge is likely one of the most vertical there is outside of Jim Furyk who also has a bid loop from the top and not that much similar to Don. However Surge does bring it from the inside on his forward swing as Steve's posted photos illustrate. However he does that from a vertical position at the top and not out of the deep 'sacred burial ground'. The simpler you look at it the easier it becomes. I went through an analytical stage where I was determine to be as vertical as Surge. I had to do what felt exaggerated when practicing what was new at the time. While still not quite as vertical as Surge, I am happy to be with in the parameters which still makes me miles more vertical than before I learned this swing.
Speaking of "acceptable parameters" this article may help;
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/sacred-burial-ground

This one was also very interesting in helping us wrap our mind around what vertical is about;
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/use-your-imagination

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

The arc of the swing takes the club head to it's deepest point about 3/4 of the way to the top of the swing. From that point the right hand is pushing it back to a completely vertical position at the top (or even across the line).

davew8900@gmail.com's picture

Submitted by davew8900@gmail.com on

Thanks Steve and Robert for those comments. They do help. The snapshots of Surge's swing were interesting. I was amazed by the last one - seeing how laid off Surge is on the downswing. Having been rotational for 40+ years my change to PPGS has meant some big changes, so getting to 11.00 seems a big deal to me now having previously been very flat but I have to say the accuracy has improved enormously and the snap hook that used to come about 6 times a round is a thing of the past.

Leednc's picture

Submitted by Leednc on

I need some help taking care of my blades. After buying into Surge's theory on smaller clubheads I traded my old ping shovels for a set of mixuno mx-300's. I have found rust on a couple of my irons, the fairways I play have lots of sand (and I still take a heavy divot on occasion) so there's a good bit of abrasion.
What's the best way to take care of them? I was told once that there is some polish in Brillo Pads, but is the steel wool too abrasive too the surface?

Thanks for your help,
Lee

MikefromKy's picture

Submitted by MikefromKy on

Lee

I know it's not pleasant to have rust spots on irons . Every set OF MIZUNOS comes with a small leaflet that does explain about club maintenance. Many of us are guilty of throwing this away, I know I have in the past. I'll quote what it says;

"Inappropriate care of this product may lead to the development of rust spots and blemishes-particularly with grain flow forged irons. To best maintain the appearance of Mizuno woods and irons;

-Remove headcovers after playing (irons only)
-Keep the cavity and grooves dry with a soft towel
-Apply a thin coat of lubricant oil to the club heads
-Avoid storage in extreme temperatures

Mizuno equipment is guaranteed for one year from date of purchase against manufacturing faults. The guarantee does not cover damage caused by misuse,accidents or normal wear and tear"

I would suggest cleaning them with some WD40 or something like that. I would not use a BRILLO PAD I think that would be to course and scratch them up worse. Mizuno irons are soft irons and tend to scratch easy IMO. I would use not sure what they are called but sponge on one side and green material for cleaning pots and pans. I have jpx 800 pro's and have no rust on them but after 3 years they are getting a little scratched up and I keep head covers on them.

Leednc's picture

Submitted by Leednc on

Thanks Mike. I don't even remember reading the care document, DOH! I love the feel of the clubs and want to keep them around, do you have the mizuno covers or some generics?
(and if I 'forget' to wipe the oil off does the ball fly straighter?) ;-)

MikefromKy's picture

Submitted by MikefromKy on

I use either castle bay or club gloves. I like my Mizunos also but do not know if I will replace them down the rode with Mizuno's just because of wear and tear scratches etc. I have yet to have mine rust but I clean them with soap and water and dry them every time I play them.

I may replace them with Titleist APII, CB OR MB'S they seem to stand up better to wear and tear and I like the feel of chipping and Pitching with Titleist not as soft but still soft. Mizuno makes great irons you either love them or hate them same with Titleist.

If you use WD 40 wipe them off good after cleaning them with a dry towel WD 40 will evaporate also.

ADD
If you have a fitter builder near buy might check into having them buffed and polished. When I took mine in to my builder to have the lie angles checked he buffed polished mine.

Leednc's picture

Submitted by Leednc on

Thanks for the reminder on the WD-40, I'll use the same sewing machine oil I use on my tools when I store them.

I haven't tried the Titleist irons, will have to give them a try. Does anyone know how 'tough' the finishes are on the forged irons Doc builds?

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

Mike, really enjoyed the back and forth with you and Lee. Funny, though I am happy with my current sticks I salivate when thinking about the JPX series. With the 825's coming out, the 800's are starting to become temptingly affordable.
Do I need them? No. Want, yes. Even have the shafts picked out from the time I went through the Mizuno optimization at Golf Galaxy. What I'd really like is just the heads and then I would get the Shafts and grips seperate and taylor/build them myself at home. I have been tempted to buy a used set on E-bay and may still do so. Santa Clause is coming to town, right?
Hmmnnnnn......... guess I'd better be extra good for the next few weeks just in case :)
On another note, my heart goes out to DJ. What a competitive and brutal game golf can be at the highest level. Weather it's by injury or just poor play he withdrew last week from the QS I hope he finds his way this coming year. Seems many go through tough times and I feel he'll come out okay eventually. Saw the special yesterday on the final day of QS and it was rad how several barely made it or missed out by a bogie or two. There are so many great kids coming up now including a kid at of my alumni UNLV. Should be another great season of watching the PGA in 2013 if we can get by the Mayan calander domsday of December, lol!

Leednc's picture

Submitted by Leednc on

I tried the JPX irons last spring, they feel awesome! I haven't been good enough for Santa to drop those on my lap.
Robert, Mike mentions buffing and polishing his irons; is that something I can do with with an attachment for my drill?

I feel sorry for DJ, I can only imagine his frustration of not being able to play up to his ability. Hopefully he can get some good rest this winter and come back strong in the spring.

MikefromKy's picture

Submitted by MikefromKy on

Lee

You should be able to do that I am not sure what type of polish to use my builder / fitter did mine.

MikefromKy's picture

Submitted by MikefromKy on

Robert
I seen the other day that the reason for withdraw was back problems. Hope he is ok. If he does not get a lot of events next year I hope he can and wants to get some time on Web.com we might get to see him play a little more.

Dragonhead's picture

Submitted by Dragonhead on

Mike, The sponges,with green material the other side you mention. Forget those with sponge, just by the green material pads. I started using them in China.I use them after every round now here,but only when cleaning abrasions and minor scratches. They actually get rid of minor blemishes. Now here is the rub [no pun intended heh heh heh ; - ] use them dry! For Cleaning tree scrub marks etc off balls they are excellent.
The other day I was rubbing some cocunut oil on the back of my hands and arms after being out in the sun. On one of my many whims, I put a minute dab onto the head of one of my metal woods where the paint had become chipped. Believe me, a small dab goes a looooong way. I put some on my irons and gave them a quick buff with a soft cloth. Came up like new. It may help in wet conditions too, as the tiny bit I used repels water. I put a miniscule dab on the shafts of the clubs too. That will protect them when pulling them in and out of the bag. Just a thought.
Had a few holes yesterday and played well.
Keep on Hitting them long and straight in Kentucky. DH

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Wow!!!

No wonder my clubs don't always like me very much. Every now and then (but not very often) I get in the mood to wash my clubs in the kitchen sink with a wire brush to clean out the grooves. ;-)

Robert Fleck's picture

Submitted by Robert Fleck on

Heh. I'm a little more consistent than that. I keep a wire pipe brush on my bag, and I'll often spit on the club and use the brush to clean the grooves after a shot. All this wax-on, wax-off stuff sounds like so much work. ;-)

MikefromKy's picture

Submitted by MikefromKy on

LOL

I don't wax mine either. I took mine in to have the lies checked and while they were at the shop he polished them free of charge .I have never had a rusting problem like Lee neither but WD 40 will do the trick.

I do clean them after every round out of habit.

MikefromKy's picture

Submitted by MikefromKy on

Steve

If I took a wire brush to these Mizuno's it would scratch the heck out of them.

Mine don't like me much clean are not sometimes.

I know a couple of guys that their irons look like they have not been cleaned in a couple of years and they play better than I most of the time.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

I probably ought to clean mine more than I do. I used to when they were new, but now seems like I never get in the mood to do anything other than clean the grooves on the course with a brush if I notice they need it.

I did wash them the night before a tournament I played in a few months ago and proceeded to play the worst round of the year the next day. Ha ha!
Should have left them alone.

MikefromKy's picture

Submitted by MikefromKy on

I have probably roughly 1300.00 tied up in these irons having them rebuilt fitted and MOIED probably way to much money.
I tend to take extra care of them. If way down the road if I ever replace them I am not going to go the extra expense of having them Moied. I do not see for me the advantage/ justification for having it done. I would probably just have the shafts splined, proper lie angles and proper shaft length and flex much cheaper this way.

Leednc's picture

Submitted by Leednc on

I wonder if a good coat of wax will eliminate some side spin??