Good wrist action is no wrist action. But, your wrists must be engaged and firmly in control if you want to have any sort of power and accuracy when swinging a golf club.
I'm going to give a lot of credit to Burt Remis today, who sent in a great testimonial after he realized he was not using his wrists the right way. After he figured out that his wrists must stay firm throughout the shot, his results spoke volumes. Check out what Burt had to say:
Surge,
This past winter I studied your collection of videos and this spring I went to the practice range and went to work. Getting rid of the old habits is not so easy. Today I made a major breakthrough and started to hit one shot after another right on the money. This morning I couldn't understand why I kept spinning out and winding up on my right side and finally it dawned on me. In my old swing I had a lot of shoulder rotation and very flexible wrist action. With my wrists becoming loose at the top of the backswing I would automatically spin my hips and either hook or slice the ball with my weight on my right side. When I kept the wrists firm from the start of the backswing to the vertical position at the top and kept them firm all the way to the finish my arms tore through the ball to a high finish shot after shot with all clubs from the wedge to the driver. I always thought you needed soft wrists for club head speed. Man, was I wrong. I'm shocked at the power and accuracy of this swing. Thanks and look forward to future videos along with the dailies.
Best,
Burt Remis
St Louis, MO.
I love it when Surgites are able to improve their swings based on their own knowledge of the Peak Performance Golf Swing. If anyone else has had an epiphany like Burt, please send it in because it might just be the thing to help another Surgite.
Keep the letters coming, and 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
YOUTUBEVIDEOS
I AM HAVING GREAT FRUSTRATIONS TRYING TO WATCH YOUR VIDEOS AS YOU TUBE JUST SPINS THE COLORED WHEEL ROUND AND ROUND AND NEVER LOADS!! HELP!! WHAT CAN I DO??
THANK YOU,SURGE!
LARAINE KENDALL
Watching video's
Laraine, If you scroll down from the video to just above where the blog starts you will see this sentence, "If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work." The (clicking here) will be high lighted in green. Click there and then click the start arrow when the video screen opens. Good luck
Wrists
Oh! That again!
Wrists
Yes Kevin, I love how we keep getting these reminders, takes me back to childhood when we are told over and over again, this way it sinks in, LOL.
Wrists
Had a swing session after watching this video. I firmed up my grip slightly and concentrated on not hinging the wrists. Seemed to work well enough. This tip probably helps to 'control the clubhead' during the swing. Like many of us after decades of a less than firm grip and wrist hinge-ing, any reminder is timely.
Wrists
Thanks Surge,
This reminder to keep our wrists firm is always timely and welcome by me as I occasionally start slipping into old habits of over swinging and getting to loose going back. It has been reconfirmed every week out by drives that are normally plenty long and usually straight. Fewer moving parts gets me back to the ball square and the ball simply flies. Burt is absolutely right about the power and accuracy that comes from keeping the wrists firm and the swing only 3/4's.
On another note; I am having some more fun in the garage tinkering with some clubs. My wife is really starting to get better around the greens and we noticed that she had a big gap between her pw which was only 45* and her sand wedge which is 56*. it was time for her to fill that gap so I took her old pw from her first set and bent it 58 to become her 50* gap wedge.
I also have wanted to re-shaft a near new (barely used by me) Taylor Made Superfast Taylor Made Burner driver. It was given new to me as a gift 3 years ago and I never have been happy with the shaft that it had on it so was unable to use it. I have grown very fond of the Aldila DVS 55X that I have on my usual driver so I ordered another new shaft (same Aldila) for the Burner and cut and re-shafted it yesterday. After a good 24+ hours of drying I put a new Jumbo Max grip on it and it is ready for trial. Hit a good 10 drives in the backyard net just now and it feels sweet. Hope to try it out on one of the next two mornings and see how she goes.
Can't wait!!! :)
Wrists
Good luck with the new shafted Burner with the new grip.
Fingers crossed we will make a foray to the hallowed turf on the morrow.
Look forward to hearing how it performs.
Interested in your wrists comments. It doesn't take much to cause us grief. Here's hoping. DH in overcast but drier NZ
Skinny Horse effect
Surge,
I have now been a surgite for 3 and a half years and it has improved my scoring 100 percent.
lately though, and I don't know if it was the cold boggy extended winter here in England, I struggled hitting the ball consistently.
Maybe I was losing my footing under the very soft rough as I always ended up in there, I don't know.
Then yesterday I decided to go to the club practice ground and sort this problem out, again inconsistently hitting left then right fat then thin, to cut a long story short I widened my stance to the inside of my ankles to outside my shoulders and hey presto I was hitting the like bullets.
I am of a stocky build, short 5" 7' but not unfit to paint a picture.
Why is this so as all the other aspects of the ppgs are kept the same
All the best
Romano
Wobbly
Quite possibly you have a similar issue to what afflicts me, wobbly knees. Widening your stance a little reduced the movement of the knees and your ability to over-turn in the BUS. I have to focus a lot on keeping my knees steady in my swings right now. When I do, beautiful results. When I don't, who knows. ;-)
An effective way to stabilize the target side knee
I've found a way to keep my target side knee as stable as Surge's appears to be during his swing. Simply thinking about keeping outward pressure on my knees wasn't doing the job. The method I am now using focuses on the steadiness of the target side knee and the right knee can take care of itself.
My key thought, while doing the BUS turn, is to keep the inside of the target side knee and my tailbone the same distance apart as they were after setting up and accordioning down. Any reduction of that knee to tailbone distance means a loss of lower body coil and too much turning.
This simple thought tightens up the whole swing and adds at least 10 yards to every club. The right side activated turn of the body around the spine (tailbone) against a resisting target side knee produces a good coil that is easily and quickly released during the FUS.
As described in a previous blog, thinking of keeping the tailbone near the address position, while rotating in the BUS and moving it laterally to key the FUS was an epiphany for me. This thought has resulted in much better posture, balance and ball striking in both long and short game.
Things are even better, now that I have a way to incorporate this swing key with a very stable front knee.
Stability
Really enjoyed your notes on how you tie the tailbone and front knee together in being able to keep stable. Makes perfect sense. I recall how Surge teaches in his fundamentals of the set up video how we need to keep that slight arch in the lower back when setting up. A little tension there as we maintain our spine angle and posture. It ties in very well that we keep this and our stable knees, particularly the front (target side as you said) and keep a tailbone and target side knee the same distance eh? Interesting and I will be feeling this idea next time out or in the backyard driving range.
Thanks for sharing this. I would be interested to see how Surge likes this idea too. he is always encouraging us to share such discoveries and creativity that helps us experience the correct positions.
Slight lower back arch when setting up
I like your comment about creating a little bit of tension with a slight lower back arch. This is a part of the setup that I've probably neglected in the past. The presetting of the arch, seems to be a more natural thing, when I think about moving the tailbone in back of the heels and slightly right of centre, to preload heavy right while accordioning down.
Review Surges original fundamentals
If you go back to the main original fundamentals video you'll see one on set up where Surge demonstrates this lower back arch. It is in great harmony with what you have discovered and now practice. i agree that it is one we don't often mention and it is a great reminder and help in keeping the lower body quiet.
tewell
I see Doug Tewell is trying to sell the Square to Square method, sounds very similar to the PPG
Catchers Mitt and Stiff Wrists
Surge,
I noticed the other day ( I've been a surgeite for 3 years ) that one of the reasons I fade the ball, especially with my driver, is that in trying to keep my wrists stiff at impact I was not going into the "catchers mitt" on the forward upswing. In other words I think my ground parallel position after impact should be equivalent to what I had positionally in the catchers mitt on the back swing. Instead I noticed that I have been about 30 degrees open from where the club face position is on the back swing. I have been hitting better since noticing this but still fade when I get into the sacred burial ground.
Is my analysis correct?
Thanks,
jakebuf
Fade
Jakebuf,
Read your post several times and still not totally understanding your challenge. I certainly agree that getting too far back in the SBG and over swinging can contribute to an unwanted fade/slice (and other unwanted results). Too if you grip too firmly and keep the wrist too tight (over doing it), releasing the club head and getting through and back up on the FUS can be hindered too. There certainly is a balance in it. I like to think more in terms of keeping the left wrist flat in the back swing and then allowing the right hand/wrist/forearm to release over the left in the FUS. The trick is not over releasing or under releasing. Over releasing or allowing the wrists to turn over too much and too soon often produces a pull (something I do occasionally) while under releasing can leave the club face open and a fade/slice results- particularly if we don't swing up as Surge teaches. Make sense?
Having said that, most slices/fades are caused by coming from outside in with an open club face. Video tape your swing to see what you are really doing.
Firm, not stiff
I think the most telling element in your description is your statement that you try to keep your left wrist stiff. We don't want stiff. We want firm. There is an essential difference between those two that allows the rolling of the arms through impact to where the right wrist becomes the firm one on the way up into the forward catcher's mitt and up to the T Finish.
Catchers Mitt and Stiff Wrists
Surge,
I noticed the other day ( I've been a surgeite for 3 years ) that one of the reasons I fade the ball, especially with my driver, is that in trying to keep my wrists stiff, at impact I was not going into the "catchers mitt" on the forward upswing. In other words I think my ground parallel position after impact should be equivalent to what I had positionally in the catchers mitt on the back swing. Instead I noticed that I have been about 30 degrees open from where the club face position is on the back swing. I have been hitting better since noticing this but still fade when I get into the sacred burial ground.
Is my analysis correct?
Thanks,
jakebuf
Day late; Dollar short
Yesterday, I spent about three hours figuring out a system like the one Steve Smith made to check his head position. I wanted one that could check more than one position. I think I have what I want. When all this rain stops, I will give it a try.
About ten minutes ago, while watching the LPGA on Golf Channel, up pops a commercial for The BenderStik (www.theBenderStik.com), which is exactly what I was working on. It never fails; someone else always gets to it first.
Rain
I wanted to make some golf swings today myself...No such luck.
A fitting song for today!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1qGB4d-7nw
Swing Analyzer
Hey Surgites,
Not sure if its been discussed before, however did a search and couldnt find anything on the site.
have any of you used one of these swing analyzers that are out these days. that are around a few hundred dollars. I have seen two or three and not sure if allowed to mention commercial names on this forum so will refrain until told otherwise.
I am thinkning about getting one, as having issues with fading, slicing, fat shots. Some of these can be caused by multiple factors which a analyzer may pick up (or it may not. lol) . And I want to try and isolate the problem than go back to the PPGS manual/ fundementals vid.
Do any of you think they would be worth it and has anyone purchased one for use at home or on the range. Many appear to be supported by iphone apps etc as the software.
I cant swing indoors anymore with the surge vertical swing as I took some paint off the ceiling) lol!!!
any thoughts!
p.s - I would usually go back to lessons however, the guys I have been using lately down under insist I cock my wrists and lay off the club, so until I can find someone in Aus who remotley advocates the PPGS, im stuck :(
Cheers,
E
Swing analyzer
If you buy one let us know how you like it. I was considering it a while back but the reviews were too inconsistent and scared me off. Seems that some people bought machines that were calibrated better than others.
(Unless you could afford a Flightscope X2).
BTW My wife always gets mad at me because every time she comes in the house there are paint chips on the living room floor. Ha ha! And that is from making half swings with one of the old style SwingRites that is only 25 inches long.
I'm going to have to stop that though because:
1. I'm not going to have a ceiling left if I keep hitting it.
2. I am developing a terrible habit of bending my left arm before impact in anticipation of hitting the ceiling.
3. My wife is getting more serious every time.
Hey Steve
Hey Steve,
I have included a link to a review for one which is a few hundred dollars. Not really sure how accurate or independant the review is, but I cant afford the Flight scope etc.
http://golf.about.com/u/reviews/equipment/golf-apps/3Bays-GSA-PRO-Swing-Analyzer-5-Stars.htm
I may look at getting this one or a similar one, although this one is less intrusive.
I note there are a few others out made by golfers with input from instructors. Just made me think how good it would be to have a Surge PPGS analyzer app with swingpath etc feedback
On the other hand here is another called skypro. See youtube link below.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-FaDzyhYpM
You can save good swing features and try and replicate it. It tells you when you do not repeat it and why. For example open club face, swing path. Or as demonstrated in the vid, you can choose your backswing length, and if you are too long it will buzz at you and say too long, short etc. So if we do a great PPGS swing save it and the features and it can tell you what you are not replicating. Better yet, get Surge to upload his swing and have it saved for all to use as a template...lol
Here are some others:
Swingtip
Swingbyte
3bays
Swingsmart
Zerolinegolf
Cheers,
E
Skypro
That looks like it would be really fun to mess with to get a template for a good swing (or at least one that works for us). I really think I would like it.
Of course from what I've seen we would all blow up the machine trying to duplicate Surge's checkpoints from the top position to a check point halfway down. Ha ha!
Then there's the dilemma of whether we want the left arm vertical at impact like DJ or pointed more toward the ball like Surge and the differences in how open the hips are at impact and the difference in spine angles ....ect. ect.
I guess if I ever get one of those I'll have to join everybody else I know and get a smart phone. Funny that I was just thinking this morning that I really do need a smart phone since my internet service is so unreliable.
P.S. It was really funny in the video how the guy kept making a longer swing than he was trying to make. Most people have no clue how long their swing really is because it's never like it feels.
Faults
What I also like about about the possibilities with the Sky Pro is the groove or compare swing function.
For me I have issues with the following, sometimes its either
-Hitting fat
-Overswing
-Over rotating and laying off
- Path and open face.
for eg: If I could have a template of a PPGS swing (which I may have fluked once) You could look at the check points.
-Rotation of club
-Angle of attack (lag)
-Club Face
-Swing path etc
-Tempo
etc
I will be pre ordering. Im not expecting it to be perfect like the radar systems, but it may add some assistance.
Once its released and I receive it, I will post some comments.
In the meantime, I may get a mate to film my swing so I can get a online lesson here!
Swing analyzing
Edge,
Enjoyed your exchanges with Steve about the various affordable swing analyzers available. I too am interested for all the reasons you mentioned and from a club building standpoint as I put together all my clubs nowadays but still lack the tools for analyzing all the swing characteristics. I wont afford a flightscope any time soon (if ever) so I may get one the ones you mentioned too. Still in the exploration stage too but I do feel that the 3Bays may be the choice. Of course the way technology is going there will something more efficient in the coming year. $199.00 is attractive though I must say.
Let us know what you decide and your results.
Hey Robert
Hey Rob,
The 3Bays looks good too. You are right though regarding technology. Probably wait a year and you may be able to get one with an attachable electric collar that zaps you everytime you take the club off plane etc.
I note the skypro, has instructors tips added, Mike Breed etc. Imagine a surge app that could be synced with it. Maybe something for the future .
Enjoy reading posts from regulars like you, steve, Terry, the other robert, Dick, DH, Neil (fellow Aussie) etc and others. Its a great community here!
Cheers,
E
Holding up to pushing through
I'm working on trying to get the feeling of holding up the club at the top with my right hand and transitioning that feeling of holding up to pushing through at impact.
Since the right wrist is slightly cupped at the top with the left wrist flat it's a good transition to go from that position to pushing the club through impact. That motion automatically causes my right elbow to drop into a better position in the first move down. It also keeps the lag angle longer in the swing, and makes it feel much more natural for the left arm to stay straight longer and be more vertical at impact.
Right now I'm at the stage where when it's right it's really right but I haven't done it enough to be second nature yet and surprisingly enough the club it has improved the most is my driver. I'm hitting more fairways per round the last few times than I usually hit in two rounds.
One thing I've always done wrong (but could get away with using my swing mechanics) was for my spine angle to come up before impact. With this "new" transition I'm trying it's obvious I can no longer get away with that swing flaw, so I'm going to either have to fix the flaw I've always had or not use a better transition and aproach technique.
The old spine angle flaw + the new mechanics = really bad ball striking.
Always something to try to improve. ;-)
flaw
Flaws. Boy I have many on and off the golf course. There is a nuance that may be of help in your quest to not come up. Just maybe Steve, I don't know because your swing and mine are not real similar. I naturally fade and you naturally draw.
Any how most of my golfing life I have fought the popping up too soon move too. As of late what has helped me tremendously is the wide knees and outward pressure (along with that lower back arch as Everitt and I were talking about), especially keeping that left knee really stable and quiet. Then too I make no conscious effort to stand up in the follow through. Not really thinking "stay down" but quiet stable legs and posture. The up in the FUS has me finish up anyhow. I am getting this correct more often lately and it amazes me how far I hit the ball with my less than 100 mph club head speed. Hitting lots of fairways with my newly built (new but 3 three years old model) Burner driver. Surprisingly long too for me, around 250 or better most of the time and most importantly it is in the short grass. I know the knee thing is something often repeated here but thought that maybe it is something for you to revisit. Then I could be 100% wrong.
I am a convert to the 3/4
I am a convert to the 3/4 turn and keping it vertical. One criticism of the videos. A bit too much talking and not enough demonstrating - both in real time and sometimes in slow motion. I learn a lot by watching the correct swing
Videos
Don, in addition to slow motion, zooming in on the parts of the body you are emphasizing would be helpful.
Suggestions
These comments about aded technical details to the FREE daily videos are great, but understand that these are not made with a film crew or anything. Don sets up a video camera on a tripod and stands in front of it to record these for us. He can't do closeups and alternate angles and so on. But, those things can be found in the professionally produced and edited videos for sale in the Surge Store, and you can have them on your computer and smartphone and tablet and watch them even at the range where you're actually practicing what he's teaching.