I often get asked if the Peak Performance Golf Swing can really help golfers play pain free golf. In fact, one of the main ways in which golfers find this swing is by searching the internet for things like "pain free golf swing." Read any of the testimonials or comments that have been sent in over the years and you'll start to see that the PPGS really is the true body-friendly swing.
Howard Haas had a full hip replacement two years ago and was wondering if the PPGS could help him and others who have had similar procedures. The simple answer would be yes, but today I'm going to explain exactly why those who can't swing with a big turn can find success with the 3/4 limited turn, vertical swing known as the Peak Performance Golf Swing.
Don,
I had a full hip replacement of my right hip 2 years ago. After 18 holes of golf with a [rotational] swing, I have fairly severe soreness in the hip for several days. Can your vertical swing helped people like me?
Best regards,
C. Howard Haas
The biggest enjoyment I get out of teaching golf is helping people play again, without the physical difficulties they were faced with before. Why play golf if you're just going to be in pain for the next two days? That's no fun!
I learned many years ago that my back only hurt during golf season. There was a correlation that I finally realized and it dawned on me that a vertical swing with a limited turn could alleviate all of my pain. I was right and I've been swinging pain free ever since, conducting scientific research along the way that proves this swing is better for the human body.
Don't wait until it's too late. Start playing with a vertical swing today and your body will thank you down the road.
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
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Comments
Discomfort between shoulders
Don,
This did a great job of explaining the cause of discomfort in the lower back, but I find that I start to get 'tired' or uncomfortable between my shoulder blades after several holes. Is there a possibility that I'm executing the swing incorrectly or is this just an indication that I need some strength training.
Thanks,
Gary Mayer
L is for Lumbar
L 1-5 is indeed where many golfers and other people have tension, strain and pain. As far as the shoulders go Gary, I believe you are 'right on' point that strength training and might I add - a stretching and or yogs routine would help you and every one else deal with that 'in between the shoulder blades' pain.
I have been (and am still currently a professional massage therapist. It is of note that almost every one I work on has similar stress and 'knots' or issues in the neck, shoulder area. And this is regardless of whether they play golf, are fit or not, tall, short, fat, skinny, a couch potato or a stealth athlete. I here a great variety of stories from each individual but the aches and pains are nearly always identical. After going through some physical issues myself and seeing a really good PT for a few months, it was careful, proper and regular exercise and stretching that has saved my back, hips, legs and neck/shoulders. There is no easier answer. Just do it and do it regularly every week. Oh ya, and get get regular massages if you are able.
Mid-back / shoulder discomfort
This season for me has been marked by similar, somewhat more severe, symptoms between the shoulder blades, and also nagging pain in the left ribcage. I've been doing some internet medical research and have come to believe that I probably have strained muscles in the ribcage. The pain moves around because the ribs are connected to the sternum in the front and the spine in the back and have complex muscles running in-between. Sometimes a muscle goes into spasm, and sometimes a connecting joint is sore from being stressed or pulled out of place. I am reading that these sorts of rib injuries are fairly common as we get older. Most of the time the "treatment" is rest, but I enjoy a weekly round of golf too much to just sit out for a couple months. Maybe playing less during the upcoming winter will help.
As for the PPGS, I enthusiastically support the claim that it HELPS us avoid injuries. That said, I think sometimes we unconsciously revert back to making a bigger turn, especially when we want to get a couple extra yards out of a shot. With outward pressure on the knees holding the lower torso in place, trying to turn a bit more means more torque on the mid- and upper-spine. I respectfully suggest you check yourself on that point and see if that's the culprit. If yes, a little more focus on nice tempo in the transition (getting to the 3/4 turned and vertical position and making the nice little bump to start the FUS) should help protect your mid-back and allow you to generate plenty of arm/clubhead speed. And, most certainly, finding some mid-back exercises to keep those back muscles toned will help.
Tough Spot
Gary, the area you are describing has it's challenges. It's a tough spot.
(It keeps chiropractors, massage professionals, and personal trainers busy.)
My sports chiropractor indicated it was the weakest part of my body.
One Solution: go hire a great personal trainer. Results were very rewarding.
Stronger, much less vulnerable. Best money you can invest, a good trainer.
BTW-Robert's input here is really good, and much more comprehensive. It's more his world, this kind of thing, and I find his input on this subject both credible and helpful.
pain between shoulders
Gary, for the last two years I've suffered the same malady. I'd start the golf season shooting as well as I have ever played, and by mid season could barely make a golf swing. It was amplified this year since I joined a second 9 hole league. However, I've suffered the same discomfort fore years doing other activities so it's not caused by PPGS, but an underlying physical problem.
After doing some internet research, about a month and a half ago I used a small rubber ball in a sock placing it between a wall and my back to try to massage my achey muscles. I discovered very painful knots, predominately on my right upper back. subsequently, I bought a Shiatsu massage pillow, which has been very effective getting the knots loosened up. However it doesn't work overnight, and they will come back. I've developed a series of exercises to strengthen the afflicted muscles as well as stretches. The worst knots were along my upper right spine and all around the perimeter of my right shoulder blade. I'm optimistic that by doing the exercises and stretches over winter will provide a much more pain free summer next year.
From what I read, the problem arises when the chest muscles are too strong and tight compared to the upper back muscles, so stretches of the chest muscles are also in order.
it just works
I just think Surge's swing works for anyone. they just have to be committed to it. I've got a surgically repaired right knee that I keep dragging with me to the course. It barks at me off and on. sleeping, standing, sitting, whenever. people with arthritic knees know what I'm talking about. i can't be far off a knee replacement but Don's swing has allowed me to walk and play many rounds this year, 150? , and never aggravate it. I've been listening and using Don's ideas for 3-4 years now. I have not had any elbow, shoulder, hip, neck, knee pain from all this golf and there is no doubt Surge's swing is responsible. I'm sure if Don saw my swing he would make some changes to it but I think it fits me. I'm comfortable and confident with it. Throw in Don's brother's putting grip and I can play some decent golf. I'm heading to MB in a couple weeks and I'll play ever day that week. 18-27 holes. I'll have a blast and never will a day go by on the course, I wont forget to thank my lucky stars I listened to Don and Doc and all their great tips and ideas. Fairways and greens and stay out of the SBG! It works!
Hip Replacement
Don
I had my right hip replaced 7 years ago and my left hip replaced in February last year.
I played all summer using a golf buggy but have walked the course for the last three rounds.
I play 3 or 4 times per week and I have no trouble, infact I am hitting the ball better than ever.
I'm 78 years of age and have been using your swing since 2009
Regards
Albert Bell
On another note ......
Driver. I know most love that subject because we all would like more distance and more fairways. Inspired by some videos and articles I've recently re-visited learning how to draw the ball and get more length while keeping it in the short grass. It has been established that hitting it further is best accomplished by swinging slightly from the inside with upward angle of attack and a club face that is slightly closing through impact. As Surge says we need to work from the ground up and bump or laterally slide to initiate the FUS. I have mentioned before that this has always been challenging for me to do. I had a break through in my back yard driving range with the bump and everything has changed for the better. It came through repetitive exaggeration of the vertical lift followed by allowing the club to drop in (become slightly laid off) and then swinging up to the T finish. The results have been really cool. I have been hitting a high, long (for me 260-280) drives the last couple of weeks. Yesterday I hit several drives into rarely visited areas that left me with short irons. Was not on with the 53 and 56 degree wedges yesterday so didn't score well. Now I have to once again must become better with those 50-80 yard shots. Once that comes around with more consistently I am thinking sub 38 9's and sub 78 18's or better will soon follow. The putter is really going well (L2) as are the shortest chips 40 yards in s it really is those 'twinners' that need work. Mean while I am thrilled with the driver. I have discovered how the "old guys" still hit it far enough. So I am sharing this so that those struggling with the bump might be inspired to not give up.
Ironically my break through has come by doing the opposite of what Surge has advised. Before you think I have become a rebel read on. He says he fights getting too laid off when bumping and 'dropping into the slot'. Right? It is my experience that most of us habitual over the top slicers have the opposite challenge in the initiation of the FUS. We don't drop under but over. Anyone else feel this way? I think that better players that have never had the bad habit (like Surge) don't need to fight the over tendency but getting too laid off. We natural slicers have the opposite path to battle. Having said that I do not want to get into the sacred burial ground and I am not suggesting a flatter swing. I still go back vertical which BTW also helps accommodate a cleaner drop in move and I am actually able to finish vertical and and facing the target more easily when coming up from the inside. What goes up vertically can drop under and then swing up again:) It seems that of the best golfers have the same from the inside move whether they use an upright style or not.
Does anyone out there identify with my experience?
The Bump & Slicing
Robert,
I identify with you in that I still struggle executing the Bump. I slice my driver and although I may have some club fitting issues, I have never felt that I am getting the Bump right. I saw an earlier post by you about your experimenting with exaggerating the Bump. and I plan to work on that. Alas, snow has arrived here in Upper Michigan, and most of my work is going to have to wait until February when we will be staying in Naples, FL for a month. I always find your posts helpful, and I have looked carefully at some of your You Tube driver clips and will continue to do so. I'd love to see some footage of you doing your Bump routine if you have either the time or the inclination to share. Thanks again.
Randy F
Stuff
A golfing friend of mine had hip replacement surgery Tuesday. He's only about 40 years old but has been overweight for years. More than likely that was a big contributing factor and will also not help obtain the quickest rehab.
Keep yourselves in shape. It doesn't cost anything.
On the shaft laying off that Robert was talking about: I've been working on that since April and the improvement in accuracy with my driver is undeniable while staying as long as I ever was. The stills of me were from 3 years ago and not what I wanted.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir_FkxzH-eo
This is from today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udhGq7xaiBM
Now that I've got that under control I can work on some other things I've let slip. Always something. ;-)
Stuff
Steve
I see that your swing looks as good as ever, I have just started working on mine again the best I can right now just had surgery a week ago to put graphs on my leg to get it healed up the rest of the way. Cant wait to get out and play.
Swing
Ha ha! More like crappy as always Mike. Thank goodness we don't necessarily have to have a "good" swing to hit a ball.
I do think it was worth the effort to abandon everything else and get the shaft in line. Now for other things...
Don't jump all over me
Hi Steve,
This isn't a criticism only an observation. No over the top possible here. Your shoulders haven't moved at all towards the target when you reach this excellent shaft/forearm position. From the camera angle it looks like you also pass through this shaft/ forearm position while doing the BUS and have a less upright shaft at the top. Was this one of the things that you had to think about while working on this move? It looks like a simpler way to perform this classic move, than making the transition from a completely upright top of back swing. I know that Surge can do it but what you are doing involves fewer angles and may be easier to repeat.
Dave
Swing
For the last few months I've pretty much had to put everything on the back burner except the shaft angle I was working on.
There are a few things that have actually regressed in the meantime but no apparent difference in play because of it.
Not gonna jump on you, Steve
I think we all know that impact is the kingpin of the entire golf swing. There is a YouTube video out there about the 10 craziest swings on the PGA Tour. But all 10 of those players could play quite well. A golf pro named Wayne de Francesco has even done a critique of Surge's swing.
As for me, I have taken the PPGS quite literally and try to be as vertical as possible with EVERY club in my bag. If Surge says vertical, then I'm going vertical. Even with some semblance of a bump, my vertical swing tends to dig right into the ground before or after impact. Yes, I still take divots. I haven't found a way to pick the ball off the turf. And I have not found any more distance yet.
Steve, stay the course. We are all at some level of development with our PPGS swings. I hope that 2014 will be my PPGS success story time.
Jeff P.