Some rotational golfers have a negative opinion about the vertical golf swing that I teach. As you can read below, Jim Des Londes claims that a few of the pros he knows suggest that an upright swing will cause the left arm to disconnect from the body. But, does that mean the Peak Performance Golf Swing is flawed?
Don,
Have you considered the possibility that the lifting of the club in the backswing to the vertical position can possibly disconnect the left arm from the body? This question has nothing to do with the thoughts in the reverse engineering subject. The question is raised because a few pros I know have the opinion that the upright swing promotes the left arm disconnect.
Your friend,
Jim Des Londes
I have actually thought about it a lot, but just because it can happen it doesn't mean the PPGS is inferior. I'll take a vertical swing any day because we swing up and down, in harmony with gravity. An argument could be made that a rotational swing causes the left arm to break down and doesn't work in harmony with gravity.
It's okay if the left arm disconnects from the body in a vertical swing. But, you have to remember that the PPGS uses a 3/4, limited turn backswing. If you over swing and get to parallel or beyond with your left arm disconnected or you turn too much, it will certainly cause some issues.
Check out the video for some demonstrations on the differences between vertical and rotational. Trust me, if you want to have longevity in the game of golf, the Peak Performance Golf Swing is it!
Finally, I'd like to wish a Happy Mother's Day to all of the mothers out there in the Surge Nation and the rest of the world. I hope that you all had a wonderful weekend celebrating with your loved ones.
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
P.S. How about that finish at THE PLAYERS!
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
Thanks for the Reinforcement!
Surge,
Thanks for this daily, it caused me to think back on some of my own swing faults.Basically, when I would get into trouble with my swing, it was because of two things. One, I would get "noodlely" in the bus and over swing as you demonstrated which caused at least one of the faults you demonstrated,most likely the moving of the center of the swing. Secondly, I wouldn't complete the FUS and hit weak bleeder fades, which was the culprit of my last round played,way back in September.
Since my injury I have played a lot of mental rounds or practice sessions and hope that I have those swing faults corrected. When I am able to slo-mo some swings,much like Mr. Fleck advises to those new-comer Surgites until they are comfortable with all the components of the PPGS, I seem to hit my marks well now.
I think the key comment you mentioned in this video that has seemed to help me in my ghost practice swings here at home is the one about not over swinging, basically just taking what the Good Lord gave me and not trying to go to far. When I do that, I get nicely into a good position at the bell.I'm working now, when able and with no danger to further injury, on just my lower box of the Eiffel tower.I always seem to miss loading up on my rear leg and getting the push-off I desired.That is now coming along nicely as well,I do this by not loading so much PLHR as I was in the beginning of my taking up the PPGS.Now, I still PLHR but not quite as much so I has I turn to the toe line I complete that process and that lets me feel as though I sitting down on to that leg,much akin to when I played baseball and then I explode up & off that leg getting to the left. Now I'm not talking much of an up movement,it may not be visible to the naked eye, but to me it feels huge.Much like in my ball days, my weight gets on the my left foot,my leading hip bumps forward and my I get that nice "free fall" into the slot and the FUS takes care of itself.
Hopefully, down the road, I'll be able to put all this mental practice into practical experience and see how it goes.
Booger
The Surge Swing is a low maintenance one.
This is the first swing that I've had in 30 years of playing golf that could be described as a low maintenance one. Once this swing is grooved, very little time is required beating balls on the driving range. I play just as well, hitting no balls on the driving range, before a round.
I get a lot out of using my SwingRite daily, when not playing, and doing slow motion swings without a club, while standing in a doorway.
We had 7 months of winter here, this year and I was able to go out and hit the ball great the first round out.
Because this swing is not as physically demanding, as a rotational one, it shoud be easier for any player recovering from an injury, to get back into the swing of things.
All the best with your recovery.
Dave
Mr. Boog
Playing those mental rounds while dealing with your recovery are allowing you to stay in the game. I have been thinking about this connection/disconnection idea and though I no longer feel I am making sure I keep my inner arms connected to the sides of my chest as in the rotational swing I certainly don't feel disconnected while executing this swing. Though the arms are more independent they are connected in the ball and socket joint(s) of the shoulder(s) and I find this swing requires much less coordinating of the whole body. I could never get enough consistent timing and consistency with the rotational swing. The PPGS requires so much less moving parts. That's good for me because I was all over the place. Timing the whole body is much tougher! The big deal for me now is keeping the body lines square in the set up and especially the knees still in the BUS. Maintain posture Like Surge said it is imperative to keep it 3/4's and out of the SBG. KISS is what makes this all work so well most of the time. Any failure is human and on my end. So my point is I do feel connected more so now than ever before learning this system.
Disconnect of Left Arm
I watched the daily received today and do not understand what "disconnect" means. Literally it would image out as my left arm spinning away from my body never to be seen again. What is the context of this term? Thanks. Phil.
Connection
A rotational player could hold a towel between the lead arm and armpit throughout the entire swing if his swing was flat with very little lift. This would be a connected swing. I think it was an expression first coined by the swing coach Jimmy Ballard to describe the feeling of connection between the inside of the left arm and the chest when doing the rotational swing.
Because the Surge swing is " a little turn, with a lot of lift" the towel would likely drop before the backswing was completed because there is more lifting of the arm across the chest. This connected feeling at address, is broken, or disconnected if the player makes a good vertical lift without changing spine angle.
PPGS vs Single plane vs Square to Square
A review of the characteristics of the PPGS vs Moe Norman's Single Plane Swing vs Doug Tewells Square to Square Method would be interesting. Any thoughts on how all these swings relate to each other and the pro's and con's.
Been there too
We have had reviews of both of these other methods. All have merit and it just depends on what your personal choice is. Surge has done some comparing and both of these can be found in the archives. I could post them here for you or I could "teach you how to fish".
This time let's learn to search eh? Just go to the top right of the page (just under log in/log out) and put in either swing and you'll get those two video's for your comparisons.
morning 9
Lately I feel a bit like the tin man on the first few holes. Just need to get the joints and muscles oiled up for the first 20-30 minutes it seems. Bogies on the first three holes and then things started to click. Thrill of the morning came on the uphill par 4 #14 (my fifth hole). It's one of those where I am normally real happy to get a par. Hit my drive nicely. Straight but the slope had it in the light rough along the fairway right side. 160 left. Normally that would be a 6 iron but it was already like 85* and real warm so the balls are flying about one club longer. So took my 7 iron and just nutted pure. High and over the flag landing some 12 yards longer than expected. When I got up on the green I found the ball at the very back of the putting surface. My ball was only 4 feet past the ball mark. That is one of my favorite things about playing early in the morning. We are actually rewarded for good high shots. Here'e the funnest part. I made the 50 foot putt that was a slick left to right down-hiller.
That made my day. I don't think I've birdied that hole more than 2 or three times in all the thousands of times played. A three there is tougher a less likely than an eagle 3 on either par 5 on the same nine. A maintinace guy was quietly waiting for me green side a and as it got closer to the hole I said "it's got a chance, it's got a chance!" and then he said "You made it!" Fun and rare. With the mix of bogies (and one double)I still had a 40 which is close to normal lately.
It does look like I have to re-calibrate my distances with the warmer weather. that's a good challenge to have.
BTW, The iron I'm using to get that solid distance is the Adam Redlines. If anyone is in the market for a new set of irons- I love these. they were new 4 years ago and can be found on line now for under$300.00. they are considered as a hybrid irons. I have an unusual mix of 4 iron-7 iron in the Redlines and then the Mizuno JPX 800's as scoring irons from 7-gap, then Clevland 56 and 58. I'm always playing with the wedge mix and may again go with the 54.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_odkw=golf+clubs&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2045573.m570.l1311.R1.TR7.TRC1&_nkw=adams+r...
The above set actually is a great deal.
Putting
I just recently heard about the AimPoint putting system where they claim they can model any green so that you can get accurate information on how a golf ball will react on any putting surface. Are you familiar with this system and do you think it is worth looking into further and possibly attending one of their clinics? I'm only a fair putter now and average about 34 putts per round.
Percy
Aimpoint
Haven't kept up on the latest with them but had heard some positive things too. Any specialized training like that if it has a good track record would likely be really helpful. One of my current goals is to get some putting lessons. It would likely be a really good investment in your putting improvement future. I'd do it if I were you Percy. Just saying. I think the first 2.5 hour class is 200.00.
Sounds like a worthy investment after reading this link from GolfSpy.
Be sure and read the comments after the review for some added perspective as to the value of an aimpoint class, et.
http://www.mygolfspy.com/aimpoint-golf-review/
http://www.aimpointgolf.com/
One last point. My PPGS fitter in California had the aimpoint system set up in his golf lab. it was very interesting and Though I was unable to take any lessons back then, I was impressed with their program. Opportunity and funds allowing, it is something I would consider doing for sure.
Aimpoint option
I have looked at the program they offer. It has merit.
If anyone out there is interested I offer a less expensive option focused on seeing the line and positive feedback through making putts.
Interested
Like Terry and many others who are here to hopefully improve, I'd like to see more about program too. You have shared some interesting and helpful thoughts on putting and chipping in the past and more is welcome.
putting program
Not much physically to say. It is a circle drill. counter clockwise for righties and clockwise for lefties.
First start straight up hill from 30". Roll the putt so it does not go more than 18" by the cup.Move 6" every time the putt is made and don't move until it is missed. Righties go anticlockwise and lefties go clockwise. Do the entire circle back to the start.
The downside is those who do the drill rarely do it properly. Those who do can be the best putters that they can be.
Explanation a little fuzzy
Sorry, but your statements seem to contradict each other. Can you please elaborate or correct the seeming discrepancy in this sentence.
"Move 6" every time the putt is made and don't move until it is missed."
Also, "The downside is those who do the drill rarely do it properly." A little further insight as to how they do it improperly or what mistakes they make would be helpful.
Thanks.
elaboration
Hi Terry,
A couple of more details on the drill.
Use one ball only.
Find a cup that has as much slope as possible. You need to aim outside the hole on the side hill putts.
Start with a straight uphill putt, 30-36" to start with.
Roll the putt with a speed that if it misses it will go no more than 18" by. This is critical.
Once a putt is made move the 6" (anti-clockwise for righties, clockwise for lefties.) If the putt is missed keep hitting it until it is made and again with the proper speed.
Once the circle is complete go ahead and hit putts to other holes working on distance control.
Some of the pitfalls for this drill are; hitting the ball hard to lessen the break, moving to the next angle after a make too far, using the putting green pin to take the ball out of the hole instead of using your hand, aiming at the cup, not using a spot on the aim line to square the face up to.
I have found out through countless putting lessons that the student almost never has the eyes parallel to the aim line. The majority aim to the right for right handers and to the left for left handers. When going through the drill the first putt is straight and then moves to hooking putts. These will be the easiest putts for some one who aims the eyes to the push side of the line due to gravity bringing the ball back to the hole when the putter is swung down the eye line instead of the aim line.
At the top of the circle, moving to the slice putts will normally show the student is swinging down the eye line and will start the ball below the hole and the ball never has a chance unless the student goes over the top and pulls the ball onto the line needed for the ball to roll in at the proper speed. This is where not moving further around the circle until the ball is holed with proper speed pays off the dividend. Again most misses on the cutting side of the hole will miss low. When this happens the student needs to adjust the aim higher above the cup. Eventually the eyes will start to "see the line" which means they are parallel to the aim line.
Seeing the line is the primary result of the drill. Secondary benefits are focusing the mind on starting the ball on the aim line and training the body to expect to remove the ball from the hole.
The emphasis of the drill is not to make a perfect stroke bio-mechanically, but rather to hit the ball on the aim line with the intended speed. Once this starts the student can let the body's systems to naturally react to the breaks and speeds that are encountered at different courses.
Disconnect
Yes, the left arm does disconnect from your chest as you take the club to the full upright position, but does it not reconnect as you go to the forward bump and swing thru the impact zone. It seems like the forward bump allows you drop the club into the slot ready to go to the impact zone and as Don says "skip the rock across the lake". Am I missing something here or should the arm not reconnect back to the chest but remain extended slightly ahead of the body and thus produce entirely an arm swing?
Charley
Disconnect at end of forward upswing
Assuming that connection is defined as maintaining the same inner upper arm to chest contact as established at address, any reconnection would be very brief, because this swing is all about lifting, while doing a little turn to face the target and finishing with high hands and level elbows in the T-Finish. The goal is to produce a disconnect at the finish of the swing.
A towel under the forward armpit dropping at the finish of the Surge swing, would indicate that the arms, supported by a stable lower body, are doing more than they would if the finish was a flatter, more connected rotaional one.
Putting Training
Yes, I am interested enough, to at least hear a little more about your program.
My putting this season and last had seemed to fall off considerably. I have been looking at programs and devices to assist me in becoming better. I have just ordered The Putting Stick a couple days ago, and am waiting for it's arrival. From everything I've read it seems to be a quality device, usable on in home carpet or practice greens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rru-qrv8-B4
Yesterday I seemed to re-discover some of my past putting conquests with two of my old gotten away from habits. Soft and light hands and the Venturi daylight stroke on the short ones. I only had 2, 3-putts for the 9 holes after that. I am playing 18 again today, so we shall see how it continues.
Putting
Very cool Terry. I will be interested to hear about your discoveries and improvement in the coming days. It looks basically like an alignment aid that assists in squaring our club face and eyes and then helping us learn a repeating stroke. Really simple and it looks great. It makes sense to me that any aid like this will help. The clear reasons is that it is one, forcing us to practice more and two, giving us a routine system to get there. It looks like it is in complete harmony with what Don talks about with the on, on, on square and solid concept.
My challenge has never been about reading the line or even starting it on my intended line but speed. I have always had he tendency to hit rather than roll the ball and then knock it 5-8 feet by the hole. There are many drills that are helpful for that too and I need to get back on those. Almost any practice time I have is spent on putting and I think that my practice is more about rolling now than target. Getting to the pint where I smoothly roll on a consistent basis will allow me to once again just focus on the spot and distance, I hope:)
Interested to see how this aid helps you out. Good luck and "see it, sink it".
If the Peak Performance Golf Swing is Flawed...
Thank you Surge and if this swing is flawed then give it to me all day long because its your awesome swing thats lowered my score from the 100's to mid and lower 80's and I'm loving the game now. Allen Hill from St Peters Mo