Today I'm going to answer a really good question that came in to the website. It has to do with the setup position. More specifically, it has to do with where the head needs to be in order to remain in a dynamically balanced position. Some golfers misinterpret "keeping your head down" with putting your head down so far that the chin nearly touches the chest.
Doug Welsh has the habit of staring down at the ball by bending his neck forward and bringing his chin down. This is a habit Doug needs to break because it's throwing his whole balance out of whack.
Hi Surge,I am wondering if you could give us a refresher on the position of my head during the swing. Sometimes, after I assume the accordion position, I find that I get in the habit of staring down at the ball, bending my neck forward and bringing my chin down. Then, I don't seem to get a full range of motion in my swing as the chin is in the way. How should the head line up with the spine angle when looking down the aiming line?I have a second question (maybe for another day). Golf season in Calgary doesn't exist form November to April. In order to stay in tune over the winter, do you suggest practicing in an indoor golf dome or a golf simulator? Any preference? If you are slicing or hooking, is a golf simulator effective in picking up that type of ball flight?Best regards,Doug Welsh
Golf simulators today are actualy built pretty well and can project a fairly accurate representation of the shot you would have hit. It should also be able to give you a good idea of clubhead speed, face angle at impact, and calculate how far the ball flies. I don't care if you're hitting a ball in a dome or into a net at your house; the fact that you're swinging and keeping the motions going is what really matters. Anything to keep your muscles tuned and your timing and tempo in order would be great. It all helps your playing skills for when you're ready to get back on course.
Now, I'll talk about the first question Doug wrote about - the position of his head. Today I wore a hat and dark sunglasses so you could really understand the points I'm trying to make. I think one of the number one problems with head position is when golfers walk in and put their chin into their chest. Basically, if you do this, your chin will be in the way. It's going to probably pull you off the ball and break your forward arm down as well. But, the question is, why are you doing this?
The first cause could be that you are wearing bifocals. If you've been on our website for any amount of time you should know that you cannot play golf with bifocals. I've said it many times before. Since the reading part is on the bottom section of the glasses, you have to put your head down to see over the top. As soon as you put your head down that much, you stretch the muscles in your neck the wrong way so you end up out of dynamic balance. It's opening a whole box of issues. You cannot play golf with bifocals! In golf, because the ball is stationary, you wouldn't think that it matters to play with them. But, because there is movement in the swing, anytime you play with bifocals you're putting yourself at a disadvantage.
What if you don't wear bifocals at all but your head is still going down? Once you get in the accordion position, your neck should stay up and in line with your spine. What happens to a lot of folks is that they're told to keep their head down, so they over do it. But, your eyes are capable of moving around in your eye sockets, so instead of moving your entire head down when you look at the ball, you need to look down at the ball by moving your eyes. When you walk into the ball correctly and you maintain your spine angle, you have to let your eyes roll downward to see the ball, not your head. That could be the issue if you're having problems putting your chin down.
Be careful at how you're looking at the ball. Bifocals are an absolute "no-no." You also shouldn't put your head down to see the ball. Make the eyes roll downward to see the ball at address so you can maintain the proper spine angle with the chin separated from the chest. I see a lot of people doing this so hopefully this cleared things up a bit.
Keep it vertical,
The Surge
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Glasses
Watch your video on Bifocals. Do you have any comments on Trifocals
Use search bar
Lee,
I could do the research for you but that would not improve your search skills.
You know the old "give a man a fish" verses "teach a man to fish"?
Go to the top right of the page and put in the words 'trifocal' and at least 5 references to previous discussions come up. Your answer will be there.
Hint: Surge doesn't like tri-focals either.
one of my good deeds for the day
Lee
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/bifocalstrifocals-yes-or-no
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/dont-wear-bifocals-when-you-play-golf
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/lose-bifocals
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/does-your-ball-jump-around-your-swing
HO HO HO Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
Good deed indeed Mike.
Good deed indeed Mike.
I go back and forth on links giving (hey that sounded like a holiday too :) ha ha! I Like to help the lads and laddies learn to learn by using the library. But you did well.
Happy Holidays to you!
BTW, seems the world didn't end today after all. On another note, Christmas came early at our house. My set of 8 Mizuno JXP 800's 4-gw I ordered on e bay just got here tonight. Smiling big. I have wanted them for nearly three years. Ever since testing them out at Golf Galaxy. Waited for the right price and time. Got a super price for them. Also got 8 rifle project x 5.0's shafts seperately -less than half price. Then in a couple days the 14 Enlow grips (yellow) should arrive. After spining and butt trimming the shafts to correct length I'll put 'em together and check/correct the loft and lies. My 53* and 58* will likely complete the irons. Or may go with my 56* and 60*, not positive yet then my Adams F11 fairways 15* and 18* along with current driver and putter will round out the set. All with the Enlow grips including my putter (why not:).
Cindy bought me a new push cart. I got her a new bag (on the way now), the Detrek D-Light (4.5 pounds). Too much fun. Since it seems tomorrow will come we may get to play some golf next week, oh, volcanoes and asteroids permitting. If not it's been swell.
http://politicalhumor.about.com/od/currentevents/a/End-Of-The-World-Jokes.htm
Enlow grips
Robert:
Merry Christmas to you and Cindy.
Just want your opinion of Enlow grips. Received one today.
Did not realize how big it is. Installed one on my eight iron. Does feel good.
Won't be ale to get to dome until after holiday to test it out.
Your input is much appreciated.
Phillip
Enlows
Philip,
Hello my brother, hope your well. The Enlows? Well I'm still waiting for mine but they should arrive any day. Yep, they're big. I'm used to big as I've been using the Jumbo Max for nearly three years. Once you get used to this kind of big you might wonder how you ever used a normal grip or standard "jumbo". The reverse tapper adds a unique feature I'm anxious to try. Terry and R2 have both already felt and used them a bit and they loved them. I will give the 411 on them asap.
Have a great Christmas and a happy new year Philip.
Robert and Cindy
Philip & Robert
I received my Enlow today. I can't wait to put it on a stick and try it.
I will let you know how it works
Dick
Robert, Dick, R2 and Terry
Robert and Dick.....thanks for your input and expected feedback on the grips.
R2 nd Terry....your thoughts on their performance?
Phillip
Tee on 13
JUMBO GRIPS PERFORMANCE
The best thing I can say about the performance of Enlow Grips, they are still on my clubs. That may sound a little simplistic, but, since I change my own grips with air, and it takes less than 1min per grip, if they failed to live up to their expectations, I would have moved on by now. Another worthy comment though is that I already had been using Chamos Jumbo grips for several years before trying the Enlow. Chamos is only 1/8" over standard, which will seem very large to those using standard size grips. The Enlow are closer to 5/8" over normal size and will feel more like a tennis racket than a golf club. Some might want to transition through a regular Jumbo grip for a while and then switch to something in the Enlow or Jumbo Max range.
That all said, yes they do have a feeling of power when held and they do create lighter swing weight which should translate into greater swing head speed. I also feel that they make it easier to keep firm wrists. One thing to consider for those who like the ability to feel their head and it's position throughout the swing, this may have a neg effect on that aspect with the lighter swing weight. My advice would be for folks to try a club or two first before going hog wild. These are definitely something different and may well fall into the love em or hate em category, with very little wiggle room. As for me, if my bag would accommodate 14, all clubs would have Enlow instead of just 4. Another thing to consider is the reverse taper of Enlow over the regular taper of Jumbo Max. I happen to like/prefer the reverse taper, others might find this a little too weird. Again, best advice is to try one or two of each, and perhaps start with Chamois Jumbo if your grips are now regular size.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p5197.m570.l1313&_nkw=jumbo+chamois+golf+grip&_sacat=382&_from=R40
http://www.jumbomax.com/index.html
http://www.enlowgrips.com/
Enlow Grips
Terry....
As always, thanks for your input.
Yes, the grip does give club a tennis racket "feel". While I anxiously wait to get to dome by weeks end, have been swinging 8 iron in basement imagining a slight draw ball flight!
Will report back results of dome next week.
Merry Xmas to you and all Surgites,
Phillip
bifocals
You CAN use bifocals to golf. Ask your optician to make special lenses where the bifocal addition is rounded and very small at the bottomof the lenses. This allows you to see the scorecard but will not get in the way of your sight line to he ball in your striking set-up or your putting
BIFOCALS
Why not have the bifocals put in the top of the lenses. I have glasses with bifocals and distance correction. I do not were the glasses while playing golf. At this point I were the glasses when reading magazines or phone book. Just remembered I have 2 pairs glasses 1 pair bifocal / distance correction and 1 pair of sun glasses with distance correction. I were the sun glasses when I play golf.
Mike
Da Ball & Eyes
Great tip – except for two major concerns.
1. Surge mentioned bifocals. What about the golfers (like me) that have had Lasik surgery on just one eye or others that may wear just one contact. In other words mono-vision.
2. When you look at the ball what do you look at:
a. Top center of ball.
b. Leading edge of ball.
c. Trailing edge of ball.
d. Top edge of ball.
e. Bottom edge of ball.
I know this seems ridiculous but we all know a quarter of an inch can mean a lot in ball striking.
Thanks…
Steve”O”
Ball
SM,
With Lee above I suggested researchby using the search bar. same applies to you and all readers. however for my own benifit and yours I did the easy research for you. Here's a couple of entries that covered it;
Specific part of ball? No.
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/just-look-ball
Monos fine/ Some may need seperate set for seperate purpose.
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/how-properly-address-ball
Nose At The Ball
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/hit-sky
There are several more you can iew covering part or all of your question(s).
Again, there is a ton of info available for those that want to "catch fish"
Ball
Robert,
Thanks for the links especially …..how-properly-address-ball. It will help a lot (I was right & and it seems to work for me - see the video) Surge does ground the club about an inch from the ball – he mentions it. However, he says he floats (my term - actually that was the way Jack Nicklaus played) his driver. That’s not necessary true – I have seen videos of him grounding the Driver about 3 inches behind the ball and I will try it next time I am at the dome. It seems that when I try to do what I see him do it’s better for me. Now if he would only draw the Illinois Lotto numbers and share.
Bifocals
Surge, I couldn't agree more. I switch to single vision lenses (far-vision) before each round. My problem is that from going in and out of the glasses case the protective coating began to wear off and the surface became scratched. Fortunately I found a website that will make prescription glasses for an extremely reasonable price. It is EyeBuyDirect.com. Just give them your latest prescription and they do the rest. I just received the new glasses and am thrilled with the quality and workmanship.
Bifocals
I had my eye doctor make my golf glasses with a small bifocal at the top of one lens (I only have sight in one eye). It doesn't get in the way when I play golf, and when I look at my score card all I do is pull my glasses down my nose slightly and read the card, then push my glasses back up when I'm done. Works for me.
Frank
Speaking of reading..................
This has little to do with todays subject but is an awesome web site for the mental side of the game. Read this one about reading greens and putting.
http://golfstateofmind.com/2012/12/21/how-to-read-greens/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+ht...
Happy Holidays all!
edit
edit
Thanks Robert
Thanks for the link Robert, I don't know why, but I'm often told I need mental help.
For you Vegas folks, we just got our first white powder dusting today. It is only about an inch, so no shovels are involved YET! Those closer to lake Erie are expecting up to 1foot. I guess it's time to put the clubs in the basement.
Merry Christmas to All
Needed help in every area
Aside from my eye sight fading, my hearing fading and my hair falling out and every itus hitting me now I feel great! Mentally I can always use some help. Seriously though I have found a cure for my falling hair................. the floor.
You know we never actually lose our total volume of hair. No really!
It simply migrates to our back our ears and as* but we still have just as much!
As for snow, we actually have a nice amount collecting on our surrounding mountains. Only 40 minutes from my house is a ski resort that' already open.
In the city, no snow currently and it was 29 degrees last night. We do occasionally get an inch or two in town. Not like you all. Yes i will still be able to play golf a bit all winter, shoulders allowing:)
Merry Christmas to you too buddy
Thank God they have not taken my...
Robert
Your post reminds me of the old lady in Wal-Mart at the pharmacy window. She said, very loudly, " I am almost legally blind, I have high blood pressure, I can't hear anything, I faint at the drop of a hat, but thank God they have not taken my driver's license away from me."
SOME DAYS, THAT JOKE HITS A LITTLE TOO CLOSE TO HOME,
I was yelling so you could all hear me,
Dick
Mullti Focals
I have only one eye (the right one and play right handed) and need corrective lenses for everything. My playing glasses are not Bi-focal but Multi-focal or graduated. I find these work far better for me than my single vision glasses and I don't have to bend my head down to focus on the ball. The one problem I do have and put this down to having only one eye, is that I tend to hit more to the left than I like. Adjustments have to be made to my setup to overcome this slight problem. And yes Surge, I do concentrate on Alignment.
Thanks for everything and a Merry Christmas to All.
John Thompson (WestOz John)
My Lying Eyes ; - ]
Some weeks ago, I stopped wearing spectacles altogether on the course. When the better weather arrived, I invested in a pair of sunglasses.They have large lenses and the frames do not intrude at all in my field of vision, while looking at the ball at address.
I find I can't track the ball once it is in flight.That was covered by my cunning plan. My wife is my caddy,golden retriever of balls, number 1 fan and number 1 critic, all rolled into one neat little package.
One thing I had lapsed into, which is mentioned in this video, was the position of the head. I had drooped at the neck. It has cost me, a very sore neck and both shoulders after our last outing in the sun 23degC felt more like 33degC. Lesson learned AGAIN! So back to GBSAPS as R2 would say : - ( Hope everyone has a swinging Christmas and a consistent swinging New Year. DH in wet, but the sun is now streaming down from a clear blue sky NZ
Bifocals
Surge,
I wear "progressive" bifocals and have no problem seeing the ball, hitting the ball, from driver on down to the putter, or keeping my head in the correct position.
Old-fashioned bifocals with the "lines" are a hindrance to golf. But new "progressive lens" don't have a line and gradually go from distance to close-up. Check with your opthamologist or optometrist.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year fellow surgites!
Dave in snowy Michigan