Where Is The Center Of The Swing?

Sat, 05/11/2013 - 12:00 -- Don Trahan

With the Peak Performance Golf Swing, the arms swing around the sternum because of the limited turn that we make. That means the sternum, not your forward shoulder, is the center of the swing.

We don't swing into the sacred burial ground and our head barely moves at all compared with other swings out there. Because of these factors, the sternum represents the true center of the PPGS.

Today's video is short and to the point, but I think it's just as important as any other video I've published. Take the time to watch it and I think you'll see what I mean when I say we swing around the sternum.

Also, enjoy THE PLAYERS this weekend, as it looks like it's going to be an exciting moving day! Who do you think will walk away the champ this year?

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

dgundling@verizon.net's picture

Submitted by dgundling@veriz... on

If the sternum is the center of the swing then,per the video, the lowest point of the swing arc is in front of the sternum and roughly perpendicular to the target line. I would expect that the best point on the swing arc to hit the ball would be at the bottom of the swing arc. Why then should the ball position be moved further forward with irons above the 7 through the fairway woods? Isn't that setting one up to top the ball?

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

For me topping the ball is a rarity. Thin yes once in a while but not because of ball position as much as my posture and spine not staying steady and quiet during he swing. Perhaps having the ball too far forward may cause topping for some but Surge does not advocate a big forward change of ball position from wedges to driver. We only move in relative position about one ball (or inch from short to mid and then one more ball from mid to long and then only a fraction more for the driver. So really from wedges to driver it is only about 3 balls forward. Keep in mind that the lengths and lofts have changed from club to club becoming longer and having less loft. While we always want to hit ball first (accept for green side bunker shots) the fairway woods and the driver have more of a level to slightly upward blow with the driver. The key is that the lower right hands thumb is set up square to the ball. This will have the shaft with a slight forward lean and that pre-sets the hands to be leading in the down swing and returning square and solid to the ball.(see video below)

In my case, of the more likely results from having the ball too far forward (more than Don recommends) is over releasing when we reach the ball and pulling it left.

In doing some research to consider your question I came across several good articles including this one. After reviewing this one below I have concluded that I have been placing the ball just a bit too far forward for my drives as that may be why I have hit more pulls lately.

https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/ball-position-alignment-and-flight

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

dgundling,

The longer the club through the bag the more the club is sweeping the ball instead of catching the ball while decending.

I know Surge says he plays all of the clubs in the middle through the 7 iron and then starts moving them forward but the "Through the Bag" video shows that he actually progressively moves the ball forward through the entire bag in relation to his upper sternum until he gets to the driver where it jumps more forward than the rest of the progressions because we hit a driver with an ascending blow.

If you have the V1 program and you draw a verical line from the top of the sternum through the ball at set up for each club it's very impressive how close he stays to the progression and even more impressive how the top of the sternum never moves from set up to impact through the entire bag.

Leednc's picture

Submitted by Leednc on

What is this magic program of which you speak? Is it expensive? What can I do with it?

Leednc

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

Looking like an awesome finish coming up at the Players. Going out on a limb and picking Tiger (lol) by two with a 67 today. Gunna be a fun watch either way.

Terry Medley's picture

Submitted by Terry Medley on

It certainly was an awesome last few holes to watch. JIC someone has it recorded I'll not mention the results yet. Let's just say it had a little more drama than expected. Always nice to have an exciting last few holes.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

And I had the audacity to get mad at myself for missing our island green (which is smaller than that one) out of the rough Saturday from 160 yards. Ha ha!

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

No winning 67. Surprised that a 70 was good enough. He was on track for a 68 if not for the double on 14. Yes lots of drama. Too bad Sergio fell off so radically at the end. David Lingmerth and Jeff Maggert were both a pleasant surprise. I really enjoy these tight venues where accuracy is bigger than bombing it off the tee. My prediction that Rory would be at least 6 months until playing well again is looking about right.

malcomrawle@gmail.com's picture

Submitted by malcomrawle@gma... on

Johns Miller comment
Tiger is playing better now as he is standing nearer the ball and swinging more upright
!!!!!!!!!!! Sound familiar
For the surgites in Europe I will be at Lingfield Park form the 16th to 19th June
E-mail if interested, will have 3 - 2 and 1 day Schools
Only 4 Sudents per Course
Malcom

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

Surge and Doc look better all the time. Not only was Jonny Miller's comments telling but there have been a lot of observations about the advantages of using a 3 wood or 5 wood / smaller headed clubs with more loft like Phil and Tiger. Having said that, most of us are much less than long off the tee than those folks. But, on a lesser scale I find that the quality of the clubs and especially the balls allows even many of us to hit the ball further which encourages us to also think about accuracy over long and wrong. Hmmnnn....., food for thought.

malcomrawle@gmail.com's picture

Submitted by malcomrawle@gma... on

Johny Miller comment
Tigennr is playing better now as he is standing nearer the ball and swinging more upright
!!!!!!!!!!! Sound familiar
For the surgites in Europe I will be at Lingfield Park form the 16th to 19th June
E-mail if interested, will have 3 - 2 and 1 day Schools
Only 4 Sudents per Course
Malcom

camplo7@hotmail.com's picture

Submitted by camplo7@hotmail.com on

Hey,

Have all you Surgites seen this new "Square to Square Method" that is being advertised all over the Golf Channel? It seems to me that the Surge could have some kind of copyrght infringement or something against this. It's a vertical 3/4 limited turn vertical golf swing that uses biomechanics to make it a safer and less stressful swing on the body.
Why does that sound familiar? Sounds almost identical to the PPGS that Don teaches. I don't know how to get this word out to Don or if someone has already but definately something he needs to check into.

This is the website www.squaretosquaremethod.com

I signed up for the free video's to see just how much this method is to the PPGS. I suspect that everything will be the same except the "wide knees" that are the staple of the PPGS.

Thanks,
Brett

camplo7@hotmail.com's picture

Submitted by camplo7@hotmail.com on

Thanks! I just watched Surge's video on this. I am glad that Surge is aware of this new site and that he has addressed it. I think he should put something out again on the daily about this because I am sure I am not the only one who has seen it recently.

Thanks,
Brett

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

Brett,

We have actually had a few who stop by perhaps only occasionally and tell us about look -a-likes that pop up out there. Realize we regulars rarely let anything slip by for long. We have discussed the square to square and some of us took a brief look at it too. A few similarities but not enough to call them alike. Most here have a fairly high golf intellect and keep their eyes wide open while not being gullible at the same time. If we are regulars here and subscribe to most (if not all) the fundamentals of the PPGS we can observe other swings and not loose our focus. I think it's safe to say that most surf the web for more golf ideas and methods. Heck I still have a subscription to Golf digest but read it mainly for the articles and not not for the golf tips although again, sometimes they just happen to make sense and are in harmony with Surges teachings too.

One thing you will find is that most of the more recently popularized golf guru's and their web sites are patterned after Surges. To my knowledge he was the first to offer '10 free videos' as a teaser. Now it seems to be the normal start up for interest model. That along with some who attempt at having a daily or weekly lesson. When he started some 4 years ago he was a trail blazer in that regard as to using the internet to spread the word 101. He continues to be the most dedicated golf teacher available at the click of your mouse and a super treat to meet and learn from in person.

He still offers the best and most reliable swing blueprint available in my opinion. It's not even close.

camplo7@hotmail.com's picture

Submitted by camplo7@hotmail.com on

Yes, I couldn't agree with you more. I was just putting this out there because I did not want someone taking money and business away from Don. I have enjoyed using the PPGS for well over 3 years now and I think Don and his teachings are the best out there today.

Thanks for your response.
Brett