I get a lot of positive feedback from golfers who claim the Peak Performance Golf Swing has completely changed the way in which they understand and play the game of golf. But, sometimes I'll get some criticism as well. A few weeks ago, I published a daily titled, PPGS & The Vertical Position. In that daily, I responded to a critic of the PPGS, as did many of you.
Drew Danko was one Surgite who came to the defence of the PPGS. In his response, he had some really great comments and observations that I want to share with the rest of the Surge Nation. There's a reason this swing is called the body-friendly golf swing, and anyone who suggests otherwise should take a hard look at the laws of physics and physiology!
I'd like to add my two cents to the golfer who criticized the PPGS system. Don should not have bothered responding to the guy as he was way off base. As I have studied Don's swing and compared to other tour pros' it seems to me there is not much fundamental difference, especially with swinging the irons.
I think the only really significant difference is the vertical position at the top versus being parallel at the top which of course requires more shoulder and hip turn. But, that position also requires more timing, strength, flexibility, practice and it creates greater stress on the body. What Don has done by introducing us to the PPGS is to free us from a pro golfer based model and a multitude of somewhat contradictory golf instructions.
If one is fortunate enough to have the flexibility, available time and talent to go parallel, then by all means do so. But I'm 73 and although I've been playing golf for 46 years my swing is better now than it ever was. Yes, I'm playing from the senior tees and scoring better, but my progress stems more from having greater ball control rather than greater distance. Furthermore, because of the PPGS mechanics, my back and hips are better protected allowing me to play with less discomfort and forced time off.
The PPGS system is all about accuracy, consistency and playing until you drop. And if that requires a vertical swing I'm staying vertical as long as I can.
Don, keep up the good fight.
Drew
I really like how Drew ended his comments. A new Surgism could possibly be, "Swing vertical as long as you're vertical!"
Two things I really want to cover in Drew's response has to do with when he was describing flexibility and going to parallel. Drew stated that "If one is fortunate enough to have the flexibility, available time and talent to go parallel, then by all means do so." But, even if you're flexible enough to swing to parallel, that doesn't mean you should do it. It still violates the laws of physics and physiology, so why even do it?
The reason we've got so many golfers over the age of 60 on this site that play golf regularly is because they're able to play pain-free. With a big turn and a backswing that gets to parallel, there's no way they'd still be able to play the amount in which they do. This is all because of the way in which the Peak Performance Golf Swing adheres to the laws of physics and the way our bodies were designed to move.
With the PPGS, we move our bodies less and swing our arms faster to generate more distance and power. We play in harmony with gravity, not against it. Our bodies are not designed to turn and we've actually got a very limited range of motion. The spine has approximately 28 degrees of turn from top to bottom and the five lower vertebrae have almost no rotation. Where do you think most golfers develop back pain? The lower back!
Less body movement leads to less margin of error. Reduce your angles and decrease your error to increase your success and remain pain-free. Golf's no fun if you're in pain everytime you play. If you haven't already, make the shift to the Peak Performance Golf Swing and start enjoying the game again. Tell your friends what they're missing out on and let's grow the Surge Nation!
Keep it vertical and pain-free!
The Surge
Comments
Great job Drew
Surge Nation
Drew just got called up to the big house. I too enjoyed Drew's strong defense of the PPGS. I feel the same way. I think most of the regulars know the story of my injuries and that I had not played golf in almost 20 years before I found Surge. Now, I can play 3 and a few times 4 rounds in the same day, WITH NO PAIN.
It all works, just like advertised. It is easy on the body, and much easier for me to learn than the old rotational swing was when I started playing.
Surge makes a great point about using the PPGS even if you are "young and dumb." I work with a few young people. I have found that they grasp the PPGS quickly and get great result early on in their training. A couple of young ladies I have been working with are doing real well. They are both going to make our local high school girls golf team. At their first school practice, they were at the range with the other gals hitting balls while the coaches walked up and down the line watching them. The head coach pulled both of my students aside for personal teaching. He made them start using the rotational swing. In about 5 minutes he had the both hitting the balls all over the place. He told them they could not use the swing "That some moron showed them, in their back yard." Both sets of parents talked with the good coach later that day and told him their girls would use the swing they had already learned and liked, or they would quit the team. He decided since they were hitting the ball better than any of his other freshmen players, they could keep the swing. Other girls are asking about how they can learn the same swing. Our kids are the future of golf, lets all do our part to make sure they learn a swing they can play all their life without breaking their bodies.
Keeping it vertical, and doing my part, in snowy Oklahoma,
Dick
High School Golf Coach???
Reminds me of the story of Payne Stewart's dad when Payne made the high school team. He told the coach that he fully expected him to keep Payne in line and acting right, get him to the matches on time, and all of the other things a high school golf coach should do....EXCEPT, he told him "Payne's a golfer. DON'T mess with his swing or try to teach him how to swing a golf club."
Give that man a silver dollar
Steve
You nailed it right on the head. He is the baseball/softball coach. The principal told me that if they had known me a few months ago they would have offered me the job. Just what I need, another job. I would have loved it though, might still try to work on that. The principal tried to get me on as a lay coach, but the coach was having no part of that. Guess he saw me as a threat.
Now he probably really doesn't like me. Since I was the "Moron who thought them that weird swing, in their back yards."
The last chapter to this story is that the team, including my gals, showed up to practice at the course I used to work at. I was chipping around the practice green, and hopefully using the stuff Kenny showed us on his short game video. Luckily for me, I was really on that afternoon. While the coach had them all lined up on the other side of the green going over their instructions, I hit two ball up onto the green to a pin about 50' from where I was standing. The first one just missed the cup and stopped about 1' long left. The second one dropped in. He was at least man enough to walk over and tell me he wanted to talk with me in a couple of weeks, as one of his lay coaches was moving away.
Who knows, there might be hope for him yet. We might be the only school team in Ok using the PPGS.
How cool would that be,
Dick
Coaching
When they hire the football or basketball coach there are all kinds of candidate search groups and board meetings to find the best possible person. Any good school will settle for nothing less than someone that played college ball and/or has a winning record as a coach.
When they hire a baseball coach the AD or principle looks for one of the assistant football coaches that played a little high school and (if they are lucky) a little college ball that wants to do it.
For golf "coaches" (using that term loosely) they look for someone that is on staff that has the free time and is still breathing. The good ones that have good teams know that the kids have already been taught to play by parents, backyard "morons", and PGA Pros and the last thing they need to do if they want to win is to start changing swings that are working. The best way to for a coach to start an uproar is to change the swing that parents paid a lot of money for someone to teach and have the kid go from even par to 10 over.
High school coach
Great story Dick. Way to go!
I hope you get the open spot and are able to win him over to PPGS. Maybe Kenny's short game vids would be a good starting place. If he likes that, then hit him with Kenny's daily praising Surge, DJ, and the PPGS so much, that he became our latest certified instructor and joined the team.
http://swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/pga-tour-winner-kenny-knox-joins-swing-surgeon-golf
Cool stuff
Dick,
That's a really cool story about the girls HS golf. Way to go. Hope they stick to the swing. Keep on spreading the word Dick:) A thought, is there away you could buy and donate the "junior golf blueprint " lessons Surge recorded a few years ago? It is an amazing series of live lessons he made of some juniors and high schoolers. I re-watch it often and learn more from it every time. I'm always surprised to learn that some still don't own it or have even heard of it. Even if the parents saw it first I'm sure they would approve and maybe invite those kids to come over for popcorn and Surge.
Here it is again for those who don't have it.
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/shop/products/junior-golf-blueprint
Btw- note to the Surge Nation; Don't let the fact that these lessons were given to juniors (young adults ages 13-17) fool you. These live lessons are for everyone regardless of age or handicap. Priceless lessons.
I have it, and everything else the Surge has
Robert
Yes, that is a great video series. I have watched it several times. I go through the whole video collection from time to time. Although, I must admit I have spent a lot of time with the short game video and the UAV as of late. I just can't get enough of those two videos.
If I get involved with the team, I will check with Surge and his team to make sure there would be no problem with them if I could use his videos to teach my gals, and the whole team. Before I get that far along, I would have to make sure I was able to teach them the way Surge would want it done. I am not a PGA pro, but no one who teaches high school golf is. I don't know what I would need to do to have Surge's blessing to teach the PPGS to a school team. I will deal with all that if I can get my foot in the door at the school.
How cool would that be. I would have to do a video and send it to Surge. I would have to go to the Surge Store and buy me a PPGS shirt to wear in the video. Just dreaming pal.
But sometimes it seems all I have left are my dreams.
Just don't anybody pinch me, if I am sleeping,
Dick
Awesome Dick
You're not just dreaming and yes, that would be way way cool! Surge wants to spread this thing world wide and state side. You, I and others are all means to do that.
Many great things start as a dream. I have such dreams too. To be part of the Swing Surgeon's team? Oh ya, who knows. I assumed you had all of Surge's videos as do I. That Junior Blueprint would be ideal I am sure. You may end up being the main coach there some day soon. At that point I would be very surprised if Don wouldn't be 100% behind you helping them with the PPGS. The JGB video would be excellent required study for them. Hmmnn.... perhaps you would have to go and personally spend some time getting approved and certified personally by Don in South Carolina. Wouldn't that be more than fun? Why not you? And why not soon?
Dreaming out loud
Turn out the light boys
Robert
I was just finishing a report, and shutting down. Up in 5.5 hours to start all over again.
Decided to check the blog one more time before I hit the rack. Glad I did.
Well, now I have something to dream about.
Dick
Dreams
Dick,
We all have dreams. Imagine how dull and boring our existence would be without dreams. The lucky ones are those that follow their dreams. I see you as one of the lucky ones.
If....
Once heard a financial guru say that if a 7th grader
can't get it in 5 minutes, then it's too complicated.
There may be some parallels here.
: )
Dup
Dup
Elbow injuries / Tendinitis
I have a friend who has recently had a terrible pain in his elbow when he has played golf. As a result, he had to quit playing several months ago. He is hoping to be able to play again this spring. I suppose his problem would be considered tendinitis. I know your swing is easy on the back, but I was wondering if it would help my friend with his elbow problem. What are your thoughts on his problem? Thank you, Bill Godfrey
The short answer is yes
Bill
Yes, is the short answer. Now for the long answer. I have back, shoulder, and elbow damage from a service related accident. I had not played for almost 20 years, until I found PPGS. I can play all the golf I want with this swing, completely pain free. Early in my PPGS learning, I would occasionally drift back into some rotational swing habits. My body let me know right away that it did not like that much. I have been using PPGS for almost 3 years now.
Your friend should be careful to let the situation get corrected prior to doing anything that could worsen the problem. Once he is ready to swing a club again, he should diffidently give the PPGS a try.
He will love it, and his body will love him for it.
Dick
Tennis elbow and golfer's elbow
Bill, I do not believe the PPGS will necessarily help your friend with his elbow problems except in one circumstance. I have been using the PPGS for over 3 years now and I have had tennis elbow in both my elbows and golfer's elbow in my left elbow (I am a righty).
In my case, I believe the tennis elbow was the result of gripping the club too firmly. Surge recommends a grip strength of 3 on a 1-5 scale, but I was probably closer to 4. I have decided to back off to a 2.
The golfer's elbow developed after hitting off mats at the driving range. Done properly, you should not take deep divots with the PPGS (or hit the mat firmly causing a shock to the elbows). But as I was learning it, I still hit the mats firmly more often than I liked.
So, if the elbow problem is due to taking deep divots, the PPGS should help. Just don't overdo the firm grip recommendation.
Grip Pressure
Spot on, JW : I have also experienced tennis elbow from excess grip pressure (used to play tennis). The forearm-velcro band helps, but not so much if grip strength continues to be excessive.
And Nation....I will just say it simply: excess grip pressure IS an absolute swing killer. It destroys my swing more quickly than just about any other element.
I tend to sweep the ball and rarely strike down, so if I have forearm, hand, or elbow pain, excess grip pressure is ALWAYS my #1 suspect.
Grip it and ........
What's your 3?
Over grip it and I really don't 'rip it' for sure. The last two days we played and nothing outstanding this week. My only birdies were on #18 on both days (two very different golf courses). Grip pressure is a big factor in my good shots and bad. Tension is a killer.
Today we were stuck in slow traffic. Almost 5 1/2 hours to play 18. Try as I may it just jack's up my game and makes it less fun at times. People behind us were edgy and asking to play through. Really? We couldn't play any faster because the folks in front us were held up by group after group in the holes ahead. might as well relax and enjoy the weather. What does this have to do with grip pressure? Unfortunately a lot. My 3 out of 5 grip pressure goes to about a 4-5 or more! By the time we reached the back nine things had sped up a bit and I think a few groups may have quit after nine. Thank God :) Miraculously I started hitting the ball better and better and by the 11th hole I was really stripping my drives. Iron play improved and the hole rhythm of the round improved.
Okay so I began to notice my GRIP softening. Now mind you I always play with a firm grip but now it was likely at a 3 on the 1-5 scale, where it should be. On number 18 I hit a beauty about 260 down the center and hit my 7 iron from 145 to just over the flag above the hole with about 20 feet. Had a short, steep chip and roll left (or a 'chunk and trumble' as Faldo may call it) down a hill. I tapped it so softly that I didn't think it would even get on the green's edge. But wait.............. as I briefly turned a way cringing I heard Cindy say, "It's perfect ..... still trickling!" It was moving so slowly down the hill I thought there was no way it could make it but sure enough on the last turn it dropped in for a three. Nice finish to a painful day. Alright not so painful, I was playing golf in 65* sunny weather.
Point was that an over tight grip is indeed a killer. I think what may feel like a 3 for one golfer may be a 2 for me or a 4 for you. A firm handshake by one person that for them is a 3 may crush your hand when you greet them and for someone else there 3 would not seem firm when applied as they greet you. I do professional massage for a living and I'm sure I often don't even know when I am over squeezing my golf grip. When I back off I always play better.
And Another Thing...
RM, you made the point nicely here. Lighten up people.
Lighten up, me.
Friends, this is a golf club, not an 8# sledge hammer.
It really does not take a lot of grip pressure to keep
it from flying away.
And another thing: I was blessed to get some good input from a PGA instructor with my putting. His first comment: "You are holding on to the putter too tightly. Gently hold it. Gently tick-tock." It took 3 minutes.
My first putt, with his fresh input, was center of the cup from about 12 to 13 feet.
And his response to my made putt ? "See you later. I'm going to lunch."
tick-tock
I like it:) As it has been said and so true, our grip is our only connection to the golf club. Putting. Hmmnnn..... if I was better at judging pace and distance I would score much more consistently. I started using a form of the claw, kind of a pencil right hand low style about 6 months ago. Better with it so far. I am still working on judging distance and that will be a major part of my practice in the coming weeks. Gentle touch and grip required.
Each One Unique
Ya, Robert, we have all seen some really odd, but sometimes effective stuff, when it comes to the subject of putting.
And there are 3 constants that come to top my mind :
1. Putting allows the most individuality of all the golf strokes.
2. Bring adequate grip pressure.
3. Do whatever it takes to get it in the cup with the least number of strokes.
:)
Amen
5 1/2 Hour round
No sympathy here buddy. I would love a 65* and even 6 hour round. All I can do is make yellow snow cream. Sooo lemony, yum yum, The chocolate, with fudge chunks is even better. Can you taste it?
PS: After reading this, it hit me, it could be taken as rather harsh. Please know it is entirely meant as humor and just a touch of jealousy. Gotta run, I see another patch of yellow outside.
Can't complain
Believe me I am grateful for being able to play year round. Was just dumb luck being born in the high desert. Families always been in this neck of the south west. I did move away 4 or five times but kamily always drew me back. home is home regardless of the weather. Hope your snow melts sooner than later and flavor free!
Greater ball control
I guess as we enjoy Surges wisdom we all get differing points of importance that really strike a cord in us.
The thought of greater ball control is the one that means the most to me when playing golf and certainly NOT distance. Ball control, especially from 150 yards and into the hole. Pitching, chipping and putting. That has become my key focus this year. I am currently observing what and when I do well and why. Last week I was -2 after my first 5 holes. A wonderful start that then took an unattractive turn. Really basic reasons things went so well to start. One, my drives were decent and in play. My shots into the green were either on or just off the green. My short game, chipping and putting were spot on.
Okay so that's the obvious part. Less obvious was the calm spirit and zen mode I was in. I suppose I was in my own form of a zone. Getting back to my actual shots, I was trusting my clubs. I am at a point where I know my normal distances for each club. Particularly important are the 8,9,pw and gap. What I have learned is I play best when I simply allow the lofts and club head to do it's job. Again, sounds simple.
Execution began to suffer on the sixth hole and accept for a couple more pars and one more birdie I was very erratic the rest of the round. Reflection tells me it had to be that I allowed myself to think about my potential record day and tension and blood pressure changes lead to faulty swings and results. In other words I let my self get in my own way. Every round has ups and downs, highs and lows. The trick is staying even keel and cool and keeping emotions under control. Ball control? Hmmmnnn..... maybe it's self control I need most.
This week provides another opportunity. Weather is going to be sunny and around 58*. I have asked Cindy to monitor my emotional highs and lows and when I seem to be getting out of sorts to gently but clearly remind me. She's not shy so it should be interesting! Tomorrow morning I am heading to the practice grounds to work on my game. The physical and the mental. Of course, most of that time (if not all) will be with the short game and putting.
Last night I spent time re-watching the "putting secrets" and the Bonus video (from the PPGS Fundamentals ) - particularly the 'set up' segment. Great stuff. I'm really looking forward to some more progress this week and this year.
GETTING CERTIFIED TO TEACH PPGS
I wonder if there s a way for a golf instructor who has been teaching the rotational swing, and who now sees the light and the wisdom of the PPGS, to begin teaching the PPGS instead. Is there a way for such an instructor to get certified to teach the PPGS? Would there be a legal problem if this instructor just started teaching the PPGS on his own? I noticed that a former tour pro, Doug Tewell, is teaching something very similar, that he calls the Square to Square method, that he also refers to as "3/4 limited turn vertical swing." I noticed that Tewell talks about his swing being best for amateurs, but you go further and say it is good for pros as well.
teaching
There is absolutely a way for a former rotational swing teacher to become a PPGS swing teacher. Surge actually announced and conducted an advertised program in 2010. An interested person would have to be approved with and by Don Trahan. He would need to contact Don and then let his desires and experience be known. There is likewise a process to become a certified fitter through Lynn Griffin. As far as legal ramifications for teaching the PPGS swing on ones own, anyone with good motives and who wanted to officially represent Don and the PPGS swing would logically do it through him and his team. Unofficially? Now that's another story. I and many other faithful PPGS players have helped family and friends and others begin to learn the concepts and methods we learn here from this site and perhaps even from receiving personal instruction from Surge and or members of his certified team. It's he only swing method my wife knows. However we do it because we want to help others and spread the word on this swing and it's benefits and not claiming to to represent or profit monetarily. That would need to be arranged through Don and his team as I stated. Now in the past don has asked us to please encourage our local teaching pro and any other instructors about the potential of becoming certified through Don if they would like to.
Here's the link to one of those occasions where they actually had a program;
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/ppgs-certification-program-dec-6-7
Unfortunately it seems the video is no longer avilable. But I'm sure the process is still the same. Tell your local pro and have him contact Surge through customer service. If you are not yet a teaching pro, well everyone wasn't before they were right? It would still come down to working on your skills and being approved and trained by Don.
Doug Tewell? He is/was a fine pro and is now teaching a swing too. Wish him success and good luck, however I checked out his offering and for me there are only some similarities and and I feel Don's 40 years of experience and teaching are by far my personal preference.
It is interesting that not only Tewell but a couple others have copied Don's original format of offering several 'free' videos as a way to draw interest.they also have often claimed there's is the body friendly swing. I find that none compare to Don Trahan.
How high
After using ppgs swing for a few months, with good results, I was strock dumbfounded on the driving range before a round a week or so ago. With the ppgs I had found my driver had lost more yardage then any other club in the bag. I tried my best to swing faster until I got so out of sink the driver was all over the place. Out of now where I decided to lift my driver back swing as high as Possible to the point my wrist begged to cock....bingo all my distance (and more) came back and stright as I ever could hit it. So what would be the rule of how high to lift in the back swing? I know you give some room with the ppgs swing so is this little father then 3/4 back swing ok because it works wonderful???? Mark
How high
After using ppgs swing for a few months, with good results, I was strock dumbfounded on the driving range before a round a week or so ago. With the ppgs I had found my driver had lost more yardage then any other club in the bag. I tried my best to swing faster until I got so out of sink the driver was all over the place. Out of now where I decided to lift my driver back swing as high as Possible to the point my wrist begged to cock....bingo all my distance (and more) came back and stright as I ever could hit it. So what would be the rule of how high to lift in the back swing? I know you give some room with the ppgs swing so is this little father then 3/4 back swing ok because it works wonderful???? Mark
As high as the cactus tells you
Do a search on the website for the Cactus Drill. Surge answers your question completely!
Lift
The term 3/4 swing is fairly ambiguous.
DJ lifts his left arm very high and even Surge lifts his fairly high for someone his age.
Everyone will have a different top of backswing height, depending on their flexibility and ability.
The key is to not go so high that it causes your head or spine to pull out of position.
For me personally, I am fairly flexible and capable of making a high lift physically but I just don't hit the ball as well if my left arm gets higher than about 10 o'clock from a face on view. If I could hit the ball as well with it higher I would probably do it. (Whatever works).
3/4 turn, not lift
The 3/4 is a reference to the turn. We only turn to 70 degrees, not 90 degrees as rotational instruction tells you to do. The lift is as high as you can reasonably lift the club without the wrists breaking down and without pulling your upper body out of position. Too many people have the misconception that the PPGS swing stops with the arms around 9 o'clock and that just ain't so. If your arms aren't breaking down, your body isn't being pulled up and out, and your wrists aren't cocking, you're fine to lift as high as you can.
3/4 turn or 3/4 swing
It's been described both ways for a long time.
We even had some debates about which was which in the past on the old site.
Most of the time it has been referred to as a limited turn 3/4 swing.
https://swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/limited-turn-does-not-mean-zero-turn
https://swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/34-cure
A bit of both, I suppose
True, and given the limit of the turn, our bodies stop the club before it gets to parallel unless we do something really wrong, so the whole swing could be considered 3/4 as well. The main point we both agreed on: lift as high as you feel like as long as it doesn't pull you out of the swing.
Top of backswing
It's obvious in Surge's description of how to find the top of the backswing that our interpretation has to be correct because he says to grab under the left elbow with the right hand and swing the left arm up to the top, pulling it with the right hand, until just before it reaches a point that would pull the spine or head out of position. He calls that a static top of backswing position and says that is a good place for the bump to start, and the actual top is even higher than that static position.
https://swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/find-top-backswing-and-ring-bell
Of course the other variable is if we are skilled enough to hit the ball from there or not. (Which I am not). LOL
Mr. Fleck
Robert,
hope you're well and adapting to Texas life. Have you beenable to play any golf there yet? Hope so. On the 3/4 limited turn deal, I have always been clear that work hand in hand but are different in a sense too. Technically we can go past parallel without turning at all and we could turn 120 degrees without swing up past 3/4's. Even before the PPGS came into view most of us old timers would occasionally swing less than 3/4's while not giving much thought to whether we were past 70 degrees turn or beyond our heels in the SBG. Holding our knees helps limit the turn and stopping out BUS when our front arm nears our bicep keeps 3/4's. So in that sense I agree that the reference to 3/4's is more about the swings length and not the turn. Often Surge speaks of them together and some times he speaks of them as separate elements as in this daily about Steve Stricker;
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/steve-stricker%E2%80%A634%E2%80%99s-and-no-wrist-cock-top
Injuries
Well Surge, let's talk about injuries. Not bragging certainly, just stating.
I am nearing 62. I have led an active physical life, and still do, working out regularly, at least what I can with some physical restrictions and limitations. Over the course of my life, I've had a total of 12 orthopedic surgeries - knees, wrist, shoulders, both my hips replaced a little over a year ago. I’ve had a herniated disc in lower back since the age of 15. The result of three surgeries, the muscles comprising the rotator cuff in my right shoulder have atrophied to the point of I cannot raise my right arm any higher than shoulder height, and haven’t been able to for many years. I have a partial tear of the rotator cuff in my left shoulder that hinders the movement some, if only thorough the fact that it can be painful.
I have played golf for over 20 years. I have learned to compensate for the physical restrictions and limited movements. I ask nothing of my fellow golfers. I have a good friend that has spent a career in golf who tells me two things. One, I am a golfer that truly deserves a “handicap flag” on my cart. But I refuse. Two, he doesn’t see how I can play golf at the level I do. Because I refuse to believe that I can’t.
But my game can be all over the map, or course. I can shoot in the mid-80s one day, and in the mid to high 90s the next. Lack of consistency was truly an issue, and very frustrating. One thing that has always seemed to help is making my swing more vertical. I introduced myself to PPGS about 7 or 8 years ago, but honestly, I never gave it the right time or the chance.
I recently ran across a youtube video and have reintroduced myself to PPGS. With my “limitations”, the vertical swing, limited turn, and other aspects of PPGS I think will be very good for me. I am practicing on my hitting mat in my garage the mechanics of the PPGS swing and it seems to be helping. I look forward to this translating to my golf game on the course.
Injuries
Well Surge, let's talk about injuries. Not bragging certainly, just stating.
I am nearing 62. I have led an active physical life, and still do, working out regularly, at least what I can with some physical restrictions and limitations. Over the course of my life, I've had a total of 12 orthopedic surgeries - knees, wrist, shoulders, both my hips replaced a little over a year ago. I’ve had a herniated disc in lower back since the age of 15. The result of three surgeries, the muscles comprising the rotator cuff in my right shoulder have atrophied to the point of I cannot raise my right arm any higher than shoulder height, and haven’t been able to for many years. I have a partial tear of the rotator cuff in my left shoulder that hinders the movement some, if only thorough the fact that it can be painful.
I have played golf for over 20 years. I have learned to compensate for the physical restrictions and limited movements. I ask nothing of my fellow golfers. I have a good friend that has spent a career in golf who tells me two things. One, I am a golfer that truly deserves a “handicap flag” on my cart. But I refuse. Two, he doesn’t see how I can play golf at the level I do. Because I refuse to believe that I can’t.
But my game can be all over the map, or course. I can shoot in the mid-80s one day, and in the mid to high 90s the next. Lack of consistency was truly an issue, and very frustrating. One thing that has always seemed to help is making my swing more vertical. I introduced myself to PPGS about 7 or 8 years ago, but honestly, I never gave it the right time or the chance.
I recently ran across a youtube video and have reintroduced myself to PPGS. With my “limitations”, the vertical swing, limited turn, and other aspects of PPGS I think will be very good for me. I am practicing on my hitting mat in my garage the mechanics of the PPGS swing and it seems to be helping. I look forward to this translating to my golf game on the course.