You can't play golf with poor alignment. Well, I suppose you can but it sure won't be very enjoyable. You always hear me talk about the importance of alignment and it's because most swing faults arise out of poor alignment. But this doesn't just apply to your long game. Putting alignment is just as critical.
I recently played a round of golf with my buddy Harold. He's been a student of mine for roughly 15 years and he's really got the Peak Performance Golf Swing down. He has a limited turn and swings the club vertically quite nicely. On the first tee, Harold smoked his drive right down the middle. He even had a look at birdie that hole, but over the next few holes he started to lose his consistency.
The problem became his alignment. What started out good was quickly getting worse. So, I started to stand behind him to take note of how he was aligned. Finally, right as he took his club back I told him to stop, drop his club, and come back and look at where he was aimed. Sure enough, he was aimed well out to the right. So, I got him straightened out and he started hitting some very nice approach shots again. But, once we were on the green I noticed a completely different problem.
Harold was aimed really well on his putts, but I noticed that the clubface of his putter was shut, which was effectively causing him to aim left. Even though every other part of his setup was correct, the clubface cancelled it all out because of how much it was closed. It was odd because all his other clubs were square at impact.
After I brought this quirk to his attention, he corrected it and started hitting some nice putts. But it just goes to show the difference between the long game and short game. Harold had every other club square, except his putter. He also did this on a few of his chips. So, I just want you all to understand that alignment is just as important when you putt and chip as it is when you're standing on the tee or in the middle of the fairway.
Please avoid the headache and don't play golf with poor alignment. I've got some great putting videos that can help!
CLICK HERE TO VIEW MY PPGS PUTTING SYSTEM VIDEO
CLICK HERE TO VIEW PUTTING SECRETS OF AMERICA'S GREATEST PUTTER
Additionally, we also sell the BART Alignment Aid that has several putting setups.
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
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Comments
Alignment
Surgites,
Since playing that round of golf with Don, I have rewatched his alignment video (several times)that I purchased and my golf ball striking abilities have improved dramatically and down the middle. Since that round of golf I have a new putting setup that has really improved my birdie and par holes. Also I watch the Kenny Knox short game video and go pratice it regularly. Anyone who has not purchased that video should do it,it is a very good stroke saver.
PPGS down the middle.
Harold,
Stop!!!!
Harold, I can easily picture Surge watching you from behind (down the line) and just before you swing him saying "Stop, lay a club by your feet and see where you're aimed". That's exactly what he did with me when a had a chance to play 9 with him in Las Vegas (during the PPGS tournament). I found that more effective than laying a club down after the shot. Why? Two reasons: 1) it helps you to walk back and see how off you really are BEFORE you waste the shot and hit it who knows where. You can re-set and see what correct parallel left is. Our eyes really trick us as righties into believing we're aligned correctly when not (normally way right). Why not catch the error before it happens? One of the few examples of that opportunity in life:)
2) I find that my feet often move just enough so that my foot line is no longer where it was at set up. So while laying down the club by our feet AFTER can still tell us the alignment story it is not as effective as before.
Knowing Don, he would be happy if we practice either (before or after) as he has said time and time again that most don't. Had you done it before maybe he would not have busted you! lol!
Thanks for sharing this experience Hal. Nothing like on course lessons. You are blessed my friend and you know it.
BTW, I have the videos you mentioned and those referred to by Don above. All really helpful.
Stop!!
Robert;
then there is "different Amos" -- I mis-align abut 5 to the left for every 1 to right -- right handed golfer. Problem is, those "going lefties" are usually the longest and solidest hits of the day!! It is most noticeable with my 3 wood -- hit well left of target but with a little fade -- so it finishes about 20 yards left of the target line.
Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG
Amos
Your short game
Amos, you are the one putt wonder of the Surge Nation. Mr. up n down. As Don says, we must become "short game wizards". Left, right, as long as you are close to the green after two or three you're in the game. That is why I am so determined to get my short game in order especially the putter. Need to get in that 'magic eight' that Dave Pelz talks about in his 'Short Game Bible' and then make more of those 3-8 footers. That is one of my aims this year. that's why Snedeker is a threat to win every week and it is why Woods isn't any more (as he once was) and why Vijay hasn't won in ages.
my short game
robert;
Thanks for the compliment. However, since 11/20 when I shot the 79, I have been in a minor short game/putting slump -- played about 25 rounds, only aobut 5 fo them in the 80's. Reason - mishitting too many chips -- and too many "very good, but not good enough" putts. You know the ones that are either a little weak, a little firm or a little off line -- usually to the left side of the hole.
Since December I have been playing a lot with a friend from Seattle who is visiting "for the winter". He is aobut 10 years younger (and stronger) than me - so he is longer off the tee, but frequently wronger too. my short game is generally superior to his. So our matches look alot like a minature version of Corey Pavin vs a right handed Phil Mickleson. Usually very close matches, settled at the 17th or 18th green
Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG
Amos
The BART Setup with a Putting Rail
No golf today
Day off but we had some rare rain and decided to tinker with my clubs, watch golf on the tube and study some of the PPGS downloads.
Let me ask my fellow Surgites, many of whom may be relatively new,
how many of you have the 'Junior Golf Blueprint' video? It may be the best $19.95 you would ever spend. You say you just can't afford to attend one of the PPGS schools or get personal lessons from Don or one of his teachers any time soon (if ever). How would you like to listen in and watch a three day school with 7 students with handicaps ranging from 2.5 to 10? Good to really good players learning the PPGS swing along with every aspect of the game. Long game, short game, chipping, putting, specialty shots- including how to draw the ball and how to fade it, strategy and goals and keeping stats. Group and individual segments with each student. Some with similar swing issues and some unique. 223 minutes of filmed instruction. Don Trahan caught in both spontaneous moments and carefully structured instruction. Detailed golf stuff. This class would cost you what?
Looks like Greg and Derek have one coming up on Feb. 12,13 and 14 for $1,399.00. And that is discounted and I'm sure fantastic. Cindy and I met Greg a couple of times. Great teacher. Hmmnnnn....... so you say you can't swing that any time soon, let alone the 599.00- 649.00 for one full day.
http://www.dontrahanacademyofgolf.com/content/performance-school-reservation-form-hilton-head-sc-greg-macdonell-derek-gall
http://www.dontrahanacademyofgolf.com/echelon-club/don-trahan/427
How about 19.95? On this lazy day of relaxing I watched the whole thing again just now and again picked up some amazing reminders. Surge is basically allowing you to look in and learn as nearly as you could come to personal instruction because the things he covers with these 7 students covers nearly all the things we are challenged by. It's all there.
I know there are several of you that watch all of Don's dailies and even read and contribute to this blog. You may or may not have one or more of his paid for lesson videos. That's wonderful but if you are considering getting a nearly personal lesson (actually seven of them) this may be as close as you'll ever get and they are awesome and can be watched again and again. I get something new almost every time I watch.
If you don't have it buy it now. If you do, think about watching it all again. I got some fresh jewels from it today that will be with me next time out for a certainty!
low profile video
cheers robert. i must say i;ve never seen this one mentioned before, i, m gonna check it out. sounds great. how about Tiger birdie eagle birdie birdie in successive holes ! leading by 3 at the moment.
Junior Golf Blueprint
Yes it is currently appears low profile among our choices, however it was better known three years ago when it first became available. Trust me, this is one of his most valuable gifts to anyone serious about improving their game. Everyone should get this, especially if their hopes for live instruction with surge is slim.
Why Surge and his team haven't given it more promos for quite a while I can't say.
Do yourself a favor. Buy it, watch it, study it and you will love it.
BTW, Tiger is looking good!
OMG a must see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://www.golfchannel.com/media/owen-kopinski-011513/
Two glove gainey ain't got nothing baby!
Off to the range to try my new grip
Surge Nation
I am off the range and putting green to try the new grip I learned while watching Owen hit and putt. The only thing I have in common with that little guy is how he hits his driver.
Dick
The kid is a genius
His putting style and his grip really helped me during my practice today.
The bad news is, that I am still hitting my driver just like he does.
Darn it,
Dick
Owen
Thanks for passing this one along, hadn't seen it yet. The little fellow may just have a future ahead of him. One present advantage, he's closer to the ball then us old farts. Anyone know the age limit on junior golf competitions.
P.G.A. or B.G.A ?
This Baby is ready for the B.G.A. My wife joked that her and i are noe qualified to try out for the G.G.A. (GRAND parent Golf Association. He he he :) We now have a 4 month old grandson- Jayce. Oh yea, you know I'll have some clubs for him soon:)
Video length
I hate to say this, but your instruction videos are way too long. You do not need to "read" letters to you asking for help. Just take the subject matter and make your instructions short and concise. It should not take more than 2 minutes. I have now started just going to the last 1-2 minutes of you videos and watching your summation. Thanks.
I tried, I really did, just couldn't let it go
Coach, Robert, and the entire Surge Nation, I will apologize ahead of time. I tried to let it go. I promise I tried hard. Had a long day at work, and the comment from this little troll was the straw that broke my back.
So, here it goes.
Why is it that folks who never have anything to add to the blog, the site, or the whole Surge Nation are the ones who jump on here and complain about the length of Surge's daily videos? Those of us who live here have no problem with it. Surge takes his valuable time, several times a week, to do a FREE video to help us all understand the swing better. Maybe the little troll does not understand that we enjoy when Surge tells us who he is responding to. It always feels great when the Surge happens to use one of your questions or comments as the basis for a daily video. It is almost like getting called off the bench to help in the big game.
Are you in that big of a hurry? We are not. We are going to spend a lot of time on the site watching the video, sometimes rewatching the video, and chatting about food and maybe some golf too. Since you have figured out how to shorten the video so you don't lose concentration, why do you need to complain. Just cut to the chase and watch the end. Wait, I can even save you the time you would waste doing that. Here is how they all end. Surge usually hits one last ball, and says "Well, that is it from the back yard driving range, do what ever the video was about, and you will be hitting them straighter, longer, and shooting those lower scores." I hoped that helps. Look at all the free time you will have on your hands now.
As Lt. Columbo used to say as he was starting to walk away, "Oh, I just have one more question." What is someone who is sitting around watching Surge's video in the middle of the day got to do that is so important? If you are so busy you can't spend 10 minutes watching a video, what were you doing loafing around playing on the computer any way. I am surprised you had the time to write your little note. I won't expect a reply, because I am sure you are way to busy to waste any more time.
Go to work, and leave us alone.
Keeping it vertical, and loving swatting trolls, in Oklahoma,
Dick
One more warning
You should not watch the video about the little boy hitting and putting. It goes on and on and is not about you. So, it would be a waste of your time to watch it too.
See, I just saved you a bunch more time.
You are very welcome,
Dick
Still smiling
Dick, I was starting to wonder if you and Terry had left planet earth or something. My faith is restored. Love it! Said all and more than I could have any way. The Surge Nation lives!!
Caught me at just the right moment
Robert
He caught me at just the right moment. I was already in the mood to swat a troll, and he magically appeared. Some days you are just lucky. Glad I did not let you down.
Life is good here in the Surge Nation,
Dick
video length
this could be fun sits back and waits.
Sometimes we just let it go
Sometimes we just let it go
Blessed be the bitchers and whiners
For they will finally have something worth bitching about.
Smiling
:)