Last Sunday, I published a video called Vertical Alignment Position. Today, I want to talk about a student of mine named Vern. He's had some issues with vertical alignment position like I talked about last week. But, I think an even better way to describe it is actually vertical alignment posture. I'll explain why.
Vern is left-handed, but I'm going to speak from the right handed perspective because it's easier for me. Whenever we talk about our setup where the toes are parallel left, your toe line means your knees, hips, shoulders, and eyes. In Vern's case, it's parallel right because he's a lefty. But, Vern loves to get criss crossed. What does that mean? Well, I call it the "X" factor of alignment. It means that your alignment and swing are working against eachother.
Vern has difficulty getting set up correctly. Chances are you're not going to be able to make a good shot if you're not set up correctly. He really likes to kick his front knee as well, so that causes him to slide the hips back. He collapses inward, which leads to him coming out of his shots.
Basically, I just have to get him back to good, square fundamentals. Then, I have to get him to maintain his angles. This is what you must do as well. To do this, think of a golf swing as a row of dominos. You push the first domino and they all fall down as they are meant to, in the proper order. In this case, the setup is the first domino which must "fall" correctly in order to have everything else follow.
We have to start with good angles and then maintain them as well as we can all the way to the finish. The taller you are, the more you have to be aware of maintaining these angles. The Peak Performance Golf Swing is a limited turn swing, so it shouldn't pull you out of position. Your head and spine will remain still by keeping your knees wide with outward pressure. So, make sure you do not collapse your front knee inward, as many players have a tendency to do.
Watch my head from the takeaway to the backswing and you'll see that it barely moves, if at all. Remember, the fewer angles the better. It all starts with having good vertical alignment posture!
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.
Comments
Hitting to far behind the ball
I have used the PPGS for about three years. I have hit the ball straighter but I very often hit to far behind the ball and as the club bounces off the ground I hit the ball at or just below the center of the ball. I think I might have too much knee bend but thought it best to ask the expert.
Here's the expert
He's available 24 hours a day.
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/how-stop-hitting-chunk-monkeys
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/avoid-hitting-those-chunky-monkeys
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/least-four-causes-hitting-old-belly-ball
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/hitting-ground-behind-your-golf-ball
CHUNKS
Hi jsch, I had the same difficulty you mention which is very, very annoying !! I decided to study my posture in great detail and found that I was curving my back forward when taking my stance, something natural for my age (77). I now make a deliberate point to stand with my knees flexed and my back as straight as possible (see the pros from behind on TV) and presto ! my problem was solved.
Good luck, Jack
Deleted (repeated)
Deleted (repeated)
mental factor
I have been a Surgite since fall of 2009. I got on board when Don's brother was a little envolved . Because of hearing problems I had to depend on my wife with call. As you know there was a few problems when the PPG swing was first offered. Long story short Don's brother made sure I received the Manual and viedo's that needed to change to the Peak Performance Swing. Because of a serious shoulder problem that lead to surgery keep me from playing until late 2010. I used these months studying the swing. Really did make it easier to change from my old swing.
I really have have enjoyed being a student of Don's and really enjoyed his daily lessons. I hoping in the near future I can attend one of his seminars,. maybe this year when comes to Atlanta
I am in my middle 70's now and having a hard time accepting the loss of yardage and scores that had when in the 40's and 50's. I now have moved to forward tees and this has helped.
.
A good man
Yes, Don's brother Ken was a good guy. My wife and I met him twice. As nice and genuine as you might guess. We lost him about a year ago. He helped me too more than once.
Wilson, glad you're hanging in there and still playing golf as best you can. My Dad went through that period of not hitting the ball as far any more and we all will. He gave up the game too soon because of ego. Shame, he loved the game so. I still hit it about as far as I ever did but I think it is more due to solid contact than swing speed. I must be slower than I was when I was 40 but I'm not sure. No sin in going off the forward tees. I have been going off the middle tees (or men's regular) for a couple of years now. I finally realized that unless I'm breaking 75 every time out it is vain to play off the back tees. Besides, now if I hit decent drive I will still be on or near the green in regulation. I don't care if I'm playing with long, strong kids, I will still play off the whites (or middle tees). Hats off to those who do, good for them. When I can no longer get it out there at least 125 yards some day I too will hit off the forward tees too. Many places now offer shorter golf courses. We have several here in Las Vegas. We play them occasionally because it makes my wife feel good as she doesn't hit it as far as she'd like. I hope the game will still bring you enough joy for you to hang in there pal. I hope my last breath is taken playing golf with loved ones, even if I'm on crutches, lol!! Don't give up over distance. Hang in there.
Thanks for sharing your experience and being a stalwart Surgite.
Set up and swing
Surge,
A very timely telling off for yours truly~! I noted a couple of days ago that I was 'over swinging' in the BUS! After watching this video, it is starkly obvious that I was doing so.
Stormy weather back again, boohoo ; - ) I went back to one of my old favourites to assess my crime, the 'Cactus Drill'. So my set up was OK but the execution of the shot was terrible, even when achieving some good shots on lots of holes. The set up does determine the motion. It is over zealous me and folk like me who stray from the right way. No excuses, Surge, we just need to 'DO IT RIGHT' DH
The First Domino
I may be Vern's cousin. Don was talking to me today.
Forward knee starts correctly, but kicks in....and the first domino gets tipped......
The other theme Don touched on could be called returning "home" when the wheels start to fall off. Anyone else (overly) influenced by the testosterone and big swings ?
When it rubs off on me, it's usually manifested by an unpleasant visit to the SBG or too big a turn. And the wheels start to rattle.
So I simply pause and have a short chat with myself :
"Hey, so how is it going ? So what's up with that big turn?
Sure looks nice, but Dude, that's not what you do.
Your lumbar Spine and I were just talking....ouch.
"And that last shot....just keeping it real....that was pretty ugly.
"Tell ya what, leave the show biz behind and keep the ego in check.
Return to your roots and go enjoy this thing.
Both of us....your body and brain....will thank you later.
Heck, you might even get a free beer outta this thing.
"Sound OK? Are we good to go? "
Testosterone and big swings
Hahahaha! It's called being a man. LOL
We all do it sometimes.
T Time
LOL !
Correctly managed, Testosterone can contribute to the guys accomplishing some amazing things. If ya got it, use it.
Overdoing it
Like just about everybody else I can hit some really wild shots when I try to bite off more than I can chew. Although my back swing looks just the same as it always does, the FUS turns into a total mess. I push off of my right foot so much and so fast that I look like a cross between Happy Gilmore and Usain Bolt through impact.
Now That....
is a unique combo. Nice contrast. Would love to see it.
When lived out, I call these moments of "ugly fun."
I have had that same conversation
SG
Been there, done that. I don't mind a little back and forth with myself, so long as it does not get physical.
Have you noticed that when you have those conversations, the rest of the foursome gets a bit quite, and stay away from you for a while?
After some rounds, I almost feel like I should go back in and pay for the round for my other me.
Dick
Me, Myself, and I
Yes, they stand aside and whisper :
"Keep an eye on him.....he's mumbling to himself again."
But then if the ball behaves, all is well.
On the tour, there are a number of players having a nice chat with themselves. We get too many thought bubbles floating around, and it's hard to manage.
So, in the spirit of Lombardi, we deliver a pep talk :
"...this....is a golf ball."
Drinking, driving, and cabs
I would like to share a personal experience with my closest friends about drinking and driving.
As you well know, some of us have been known to have had brushes with the authorities on our way home from an occasional social session over the years.
Last night at a Super Bowl Party, I was out for an evening with friends and had a couple of cocktails and some rather nice red wine.
Knowing full well I may have been slightly over the limit, I did something I've never done before ~ I took a cab home.
Sure enough, I passed a police road block but, since it was a cab, they waved it past.
I arrived home safely without incident, which was a real surprise; as I have never driven a cab before and am not sure where I got it, or what to do with it - now that it's in my garage!!!
:)
Is the meter still running? What a great image.
He is still looking for you
Steve
I think you were in Ok for the party last night. They had a cab stolen from in front of a local pub. The cabbie was watching the game too.
Funny thing is, out here in Ok, even the cabbies speak the English.
Glad that young man got out of the bunker ok,
Dick
LOL
So, Steve, that's your story and you're stinking to it?
X'ed out or VAP?
When I first met Don Trahan in 2010 his first observation was that I had my shoulder line aimed left of my foot line. I was X'ed out. He laid a club shaft along my shoulders and sure enough my shoulders were open and aimed left. Clearly I was set up to hit the ball left of my intended target. He pulled my shoulder back and presto my alignment was better. How do I make sure I'm not X'ed out now? For one thing I have my wife monitor my alignment when we play together, so if you have someone that understands what you're goals are, specifically related to alignment then it can be of great help. Often we may have no one there so what then?
I have come up with a set up procedure and mind set that work well for me and is based on what we have learned here. First I do all the basics before my swing, that is measuring the distance with my laser range finder, judging the lie, shot needed and the club selection and then from behind the ball pick my target and alignment parallel left. Often then I will set a club on my intended foot line. This makes the initial walk into the ball easy and confident. Now I know that for many of you that sounds like it takes a lot of time but actually from the time I step out out my golf cart (or walk up to my ball with my pull cart) and take out my range finder and step into the ball it takes less than one minute normally.
Distance
Target/shot choice
Club
Align
Step in
It is at this point that I do what I call "Set it and forget it". Once I have my grip and set it square to the foot line. My angles are set. my goal then is to maintain the angle set at address. I have mainly applied that term to my grip in the past but this idea of set it and forget applies to the Vertical Alignment Posture too. Knowing my tendency to open my shoulders i do two things that have helped me remain square and not get criss crossed (or X'ed out). after I settle in PLHR I make sure I am in the master set up position with my back (right shoulder) back and down and soft (no tension). Then I never look up at the target again. I trust that all the prepareation has me ready withthe right club and I just take the swing. Not looking up aids me in not opening up that front shoulder to the left. simple.
Notice what Surge says in the 5th paragragh of this article;
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/alignment-check-points
So, "Get square and stay there".
I am a square
Robert
I too have stopped looking out to the target that one last time. It works, as that last longing look to the target seems to pull my shoulders shut, and aimed left.
I got a great complement today while working on some chipping at our south practice green. Several of the local high school teams were working out around the green. A couple of the girls are students of mine. I heard one of the other girls tell one of my students that the older guy over there (she pointed at me) is real square. My gal quickly said "yes he is, and that is why he hits the ball so straight."
I thought it was a complement, looking back now, I am not so sure.
Dick
Compliments
Dick, just a little advice that my dear wife gave me a long time ago. Accept a compliment gracefully and just say thank you.
ok
Lynn
Thank you
Dick
OK, again
Lynn
Can not help myself.
How was that,
Dick
LOL
Dick, Must be a defective cowboy gene. I have one of those. It still comes out with "Sir" and M'am. Not a bad gene to have. ;0)
Square
Good point, Robert. I take that last look and you are right, it tends to open my left shoulder. I'll try trusting it and no more peeking.
One Last Peek
Actually, Lynn, you are onto something here.
Per Derek Hardy, we should take a quiet last glance at the target.
But there is a but....
With body and shoulders square and set, the body (from the shoulders down) does NOT move. I prefer the word "quiet". (In his daily with Dave Seeman, Derek points out the alignment problems created with too big a turn to look at the target.)
"One last peek" is part of my PSR, and it seems to work pretty well.
Derek Hardy
SG,
Was this the one?
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/dave-seeman-derek-hardy-alignment
I utilize everything suggested by Derek here accept adjusting the feet while looking at the target. As Surge has suggested in his recent newly produced Ultimate Alignment video, it is our foot line that becomes the more important part of the alignment so I do as he suggests there in and align my feet parallel left after carefully picking my target and target line and picking that intermediate spot with in a few inches in front of the ball. Once I have that line and am parallel to it ( facing the wall as Derek says) I simply trust that I am then aligned as close to perfect as I can be. Often I will take another second and lay my club by my feet and walk away to double check from behind looking down the foot line to make sure it is as left as it needs to be. Then I'll re-set and swing with confidence. So I personally don't feel the need to look up even quietly. I trust all the decisions leading up to that alignment and stance but I don't trust what happens when I look up at the target even one more 'quiet' time before swinging. I guess the proof for each one of us is in our results. Lately, strictly following this set up routine I have been on target most of the time. Any failure results from an occasional poor strike rather than poor alignment.
I can certainly understand that the majority will still choose to take that one last look. What ever consistently works for each is acceptable of course.
Last Peek
SG, I went back and watched that video. Not sure, but I think the problem is making sure it is only a slight head turn for that last peek. My thought is just concentrating on the spot on the aiming line a few inches in front of the ball would work best for me to insure I stay square in my setup.
Weather here is not looking promising for me to put either way in practice in the near future. I won't complain too much as I've actually gotten out 4-5 times in January.
Staying Square
That sounds great, Lynn.
Most importantly, you're comfortable with this.
Great job of keeping it simple.
Your Thoughts Have Made Me Think....
Yep, that is the one, Robert. Your thoughts here make a lot of sense.
BTW- I will gladly forego my last "peek" if I have a Really Good intermediate target. Having a good intermediate target is Way under-rated in MHO.
That last glance, for me, can provide a quick flag check for wind, and I suppose the distance is re-confirmed, too. (I do not own a distance meter.) From an alignment perspective, though, a really good intermediate target is preferred, especially when I walk into the ball at 90*, get square and set.
Hmmmm. Sounds like I have stepped back and re-considered.
Setting the feet while looking at target (or not) is obviously a personal choice.
I've done it both ways. I'm fortunate that my feet/toes seem to align pretty nicely most times when I come into the ball and set up the way Derek describes in this video. Edited 4/6
There Ya Go
Robert....I had great chance to give the "no last peek" a try today.
I was looking at an elevated green with the flag barely visible. I allowed myself one good look from down the line, and I found a Great intermediate target. That spot became my focus.
I came into the ball at 90*, squared and setup, with just the Intermediate target to help alignment, (did not take a last peek), and just let 'er rip.
I had to trust alignment on a small spot about 6 inches in front of the ball. Glad I did.
Long story short, I darn near holed it. And of course the first person I
thought of was....RM. Thx again for your input.
Driver AoA
Deleted
Driver AoA
Don, I am 74 yrs.old, I have been using PPGS for the last 2 years. It has cured my Push/Slice to where I am pretty much in the middle of the Fairway....
Also, it has increased my distance to about 195-200 yds. off the tee.
I have read recently that 15-20 yards can be picked up with a +5* AoA.
I am currently using a Cleveland driver with a 15* loft. Do you think I should be concerned about the +5* AoA if my drive trajectory is currently medium High @ 195- 210 yds. If I could pick up an additional 15-20 yards I would be happy as all get-out.
Cordially, Bill from Ohio
mail box
don't have a comment about this video but i would like to submit a question. how is that done?
Your Vertical Swing Technique vs. Doug Tewell's Vertical Swing
Dear Don,
I have been studying your videos for a year.
Recently I have been exposed to Doug Tewell's Vertical Swing in his
"Square to Square" videos.
I don't think you have ever mentioned him as one of the most successful
PGA tour pros with a vertical swing.......?
I don't see any significant difference in the two techniques.
Can you describe the differences.....?
Thanks,
Will Toney (last name same as Toney Penna)