Swing Update From The Surge

As are most. Ever notice while driving that for example if there are two lanes for turning most cars will be lined up in one lane? Lots of folks live in a fog only half awake. Works good for me. I'm that aggressive driver who's in the lane with the fewest autos and gone before you can say who was that masked man?

Marilyn, There are always a ton of things to think about, but there generally is 1 that you can carry with you that really makes the difference.  I really related to the hand shake that Surge mentions on the 14 Drills series.  If you don't have that group, give yourself a gift: it is well worth it.  I have also focused on 1) set up, just a Surge says.  Then that handshake, but I like to think that I stay very low on the handshake, no more than belt high.  The truth is my BUS goes up to arm pit height, but that sense of belt of lower really works well for my because then I an focus on a swoosh UP on the FUS.  Also I am tall (6'2") and don't like to have my feet too wide because my flexibility is lousy, especially if I get too far behind on the BUS, then I can't get that FUS right. Overall when the set is right and the BUS not high, I really like to feel the parallel to the ground hands, so I know where my club face is and I don't over rotate on the FUS.  Anyway, it feels simpler than when I write it.  From Surge's PPGS basics and the 14 Drills, I am sure there a keys that will work for you.  I am hitting the ball infinitely better this year (first with PPGS)

Robert
I probably will they are easy to hit and work. I was throwing shots at flags Sunday just could not get all the putts to drop.

 Speaking of the forward press. It was a firm stable of mine. I have found that the PLHR with the slight reverse spine tilt accomplishes pretty much the same thing in the relationship between the hands, arms and shoulders. Rather than the hands moving slightly forward, the shoulders move slightly backwards and accomplish a very similar relationship between hands and shoulders.

If I were to have a forward press now, after setting up in the PLHR and mater setup position recommended, it would really be excessive and counteractive to the takeaway and BUS.

 Dave

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

Yes, they are incredible.  Got a little damage and power loss from the storm Friday.  Went right over us and 10 minutes later the twister came down and hit the area just across the river from us.  If it had come down 10 minutes early, it would have changed my life in very bad way.

The Surge Nation rocks,
Dick

Surge Nation

They are saying the next system is about 20 minutes out from me.  They say it hit a town about 15 miles south west of me with 70 mph winds and grapefruit sized hail.

We are looking at being like this till 4 AM.

Great,
Dick

Dick, wow there has been some 30 twisters today. They said most were out in the rurals and hopefully minimal injuries. Guess a hospitol was hit and some injuries did happen there. Hope you're safe.

Hi Don, I am 75 years young with a four bi-pass 9 years ago sp we have the same zipper on our chest, I call it the zipper club. I have been doing your swing for a year and a half and took a lesson when I was in Hilton Head in Jan. I have Improved some but just didn't get it until you sent out this video and WOW the butt thing really did it. I played 18 and was hitting the ball straight and and longer. The butt thing was the answer for me and even the younger guys I play with couldn't believe it. Thanks for all you do for us mature guys.
Bob S. Haymarket VA

The Surge does it again ! Just wanted to say that I bought the Surge & Kenny Knox short game videos and the working the ball videos and it has had an incredible impact on my game. In just my second round of the year in windy and cold conditions I shot one of my lowest scores ever a 73.

Working the ball just a bit allows me to manage my misses better, but what I'm really excited about is my short game. The few times that I kissed the green, I was able to easily get up and down most of the time.

I'm very excited about the upcoming season. I know I will break some personal scoring marks.

Thanks you so much Surge & Kenny Knox too !

Howdy Gang,
I finally finished up this spring's outage season around 3:00am Saturday morning. It was a rewarding 80 day run. Time now to recharge my batteries and catch up on the important things in life.
 Dick, glad to see that you and yours are safe after the outbreak of weather this weekend out to the west. My prayers go out for all those affected by the storms and tornadoes.
 I have been reading the blog periodically after I would come in from the job,though I'm behind on this week's, we finished up by working 12 hour shifts and that leads to nothing but work/eat/sleep. I'll catch up on those some time later today.
 I did get to see my grandson play a T-ball game yesterday morning on a couple of hours sleep. Leisa, Josh and I  then grabbed an early lunch on the way back home.
 Feeling golf deprived I slid up to Limestone Springs for some range time yesterday afternoon. I was quite surprised with my results. You would never have known I was coming off a lay-off with my irons, actually probably the best I've struck them since I got them last summer. I do need to work on my release with my metals and hybrid.I was hitting some bleeders with those. Not sure if I was losing my palms perpendicular or what exactly, but it will come to me in the next couple of days. I'm so looking forward to getting back into the swing of things.
 Have a great day everyone!

The lines are like birds flying in a V formation. One side will most always be longer than the other side. It took me a while to figure out why one side is always longer than the other, but I finally got it. One side is longer, because there are More birds in it.

Yes, I used a forward press for years, until I just decided to start with my hands slightly forward of center (as Surge teaches). One other element int he PPGS takeaway that is helpful and why you don't need a forward press in this swing is the idea that you're trying to get the toe of the club moving first. 

 Coach

At one point Saturday evening they were showing the radar for the whole area.  That front had a heavy line of storms from south west Texas almost to Canada.  I think they said it stretched for almost 1000 miles, almost uninterrupted.

Dick

Excellent thought on stretching Terry. i'm big on that too. I have likewise a routine that takes from 10-20 minutes to hit most of the body with key stretches. I learned them at massage school and from my yoga loving wife. Can't imagine getting by now without daily stretching.
We get tighter every year so keeping it regular is paramount.
    Yes the epson salt is also a great laxitive but I was talking about a big cup in a hot bath! However, use it as you need it LOL!!

Getting the ball up and down from inside 110 is a goal and I was speaking in an afirmative positive way concerning what my constant goals are, not that it's a reality! Yes I do feel like I'm improving and getting better with the short game but I have a long way to go before I break 80 all the time and you do all the time right? So you must be better around the green than you're humbley suggesting:) Seriously, I am happy enough to get the ball on or on the edge of the green and on the best side of the green from that 110 range. If I can one putt great, if not I'm usually okay with a 2 putt. I have been getting 'em closer several times per round. now from close to the green, say 60/30/10 yards off, yes I do expect to get up and down and am very disapointed if I don't (and I don't plenty!).
Yes it's true I do have a positive expectation for my short game now a days but that doesn't mean it's happening regularly enough! Some days even if I hit it inside 6 feet my putts are just not dropping. Other days it goes the way I plan on. It's a bit like "a box of chocolate."
I am coming to realise that I play better out of the fairway around here. We have some really tough roughs on many of these GC's. I have recently given up a few yards to keep it staighter off the tee. Often that means a long shot into the green and the need for skills around the green (more like 60 yards and in). So I have been working hard on my wedges lately. The hard work is starting to pay off. Still lots of work to do. I guess it is never ending. That is of course part of the attraction of this crazy game.

Surge Nation

I made it through the night.  We got our power back on again.  They are really projecting a whopper for this afternoon.  The news just said the NWS has only released the projection they gave for today one other time.  That was in April 2006.  On that day they had over 100 twisters on the ground across the region.

I will be off line the rest of today getting repairs completed and moving some stuff around.  I will get back on when I get done at the end of the day or as soon as I can tomorrow, power and internet allowing.

Thanks for you thoughts and prayers,
Dick

Great to hear from you, Boog. 

After a couple rainy/windy days here the sky opened up and it was a beautiful morning.
I was back at muni this morning seeking a low score on my 9 holes before 8am.
The other day I started hitting my driver straighter more often and got some consistent results with my 5 wood too. So armed with some positive confidence and a windless cool sunny morning I set out with a positive mindset this morning at 6am.
First hole, easy par. Second hole (#11) has always been a challenge. A medium length par 5 that requires three straight shots (or two really long ones). Anyhow my drive was straight and in the middle. Second shot 5 wood also down the middle and around 190 leaving 115. Normally a smooth 9 iron. Hit it straight again but off the center toward the toe so landed about 5 feet short of the green. Chipped to 6 feet and made the putt for a par. May seem like no big deal but until now I normally bogie that dang hole. So a par was a huge deal to me. Sabotaged that the very next hole by doubling the normally easy par 3 #12. Only lake on the GC. In water 3rd on green, two putt 5, ugh! Next hole par 4 good drive down the middle and only had a 7 iron left. On a string to 3 feet, birdy!!
Okay I won't go through the other 5 holes which I added one bogie, three pars and one more double and a 41.
Over all I am still certain better scores consistently under 40 coming soon.

Robert:

   Thanks for the reply.

   The way gasoline prices are going, the drive up and back MAY cost as much as the hotel!   LOL<

     Amos

 Coach

Here is a little tip, so you don't have to learn this the hard way.  Put a screen on the bottom of a straw before you try to drink the whole tub.  That will filter out the large lumps so you don't choke on them.

Bottoms up,
Dick

Dick, hope you come out okay there. Let us know. That whole stretch has seen alot of strong winds and storms already this year. You're in our thoughts.

I don't think I could drink an entire bathtub. At least not in one gulp, and it does taste rather nasty. LOL

I know what you mean about the soaking. I have one of those tub water vibrating foot massager's that I use Epsom's in from time to time. Although, I haven't had nearly the foot ailments since I retired and quit daily wear of heavy steel toed boots.

Keep your head down and your powder dry, or something like that.

Boog

Hey pal, great to hear from you.  Thanks for your thoughts.  Glad to have you back with us.

We lost 5 folks NW of me just after midnight.  2 dozen more hurt, and half of them critical.  Then, the next big band got to us sometime around 1:30am, and hammered us off and on till about 6.  I finally got about 4 hours of sleep and now I am going out to help out.

Keep us and the folks north of us in the next several states in your prayers.  They got hit harder than we did.  One of the little towns up there got wiped off the map.

Semper Fi
Dick

12 isn't that easy. It's only 95 yards, but 90 of that is water, and if you're on the wrong part of the green, putting gets tricky. Nice work all the way around.

Hi Surgites and Commander Surge-  As a photographer who does a considerable amount of outdoor portraits I always welcomed cloudy or overcast days which produce nice detailed lighting.  This video from Don has more detail and better quality than usual for that reason.  Hope you get more cloudy days for the Backyard Classroom sessions, Don, the instruction and suggestions, as always, were first rate.

 Good old Epsom Salts. I recall a day back in the early 80's visiting a dear elderly aunt. I was having a moderate backup problem and mentioned it to my Aunt. She had the quick fix, 3-4Teaspoons of Epsom Salts in about 4oz of water or other fluid and chug it down. It has been my preferred quick acting laxative for 30-some yrs now. I hate that gentle overnight crap. I want relief now. It generally takes from 1-3hrs depending on the amount of food in your system, but don't get to far from a pot. When the urge hit's, It really hits, just like the stuff used the night before a colostomy.   

I too have had the sciatica on both sides for about 12yrs. I find that daily stretching is the best thing for pain relief and control. I have a simple routing of 4, leg and hip stretches that can be performed before getting out of bed or just before falling asleep about 10min's, which make a huge difference.

For anyone wanting exercises or stretches which are helpful, just Google in Sciatica relief.

I have a bad right knee . How can I swing without putting strees on it.

Dick,

I heard about your weather problems earlier and hoped they miss you.  You're in my prayers.  Stay safe, pal.

Also, as I recall there was quite a period of time when clicking on the link would offer a choice between the two sites, either Revolution or the new PPGS site. With the availability of google and other search engines on the internet, there really is very slim excuses for not being able to find the new site by using a variety of names, words or phrases. For anyone to think that Revolution Golf was teaching the PPGS, well it leaves me wondering what kind of medication they are on.

 Lynn

Thanks pal.  I am fine.  Going out to help out around the area.  We were much luckier than a lot of others.

Dick

Surge,

PLHR is something that I struggle with.  I have days where I load too much and hang back on the FUS and other days I don't load enough.  I think I found something my last 2 rounds that seems to help.

If I load correctly in my setup it feels like I can deliver the clubhead through the ball with as much power as I'm capable of.  I picked up on something watching a driver video you did that I never thought about before.  It was nothing more complicated than your waggle.

I guess like some people I tend to tighten my grip too much if I'm going for that little extra.  That usually results in a pull or push and almost always shorter tee shots.  I took your waggle and exagerated it to the toe line where my left ( forward ) arm is covering my toes.  A couple of things happened when I do this.  It takes tension out of my arms and grip and I can feel PLHR as I sink slightly into my back foot.

I shot back to back 88s on a course where my previous best was 96 and those 2 rounds were when I couldn't buy a putt to save my life.  I played my short ( par 58 ) course today and hit the longest tee shot on one of the par 4s I've ever hit into a stiff wind.  Second shot 5H uphill into the wind to front edge avoiding a greenside bunker.  Third shot 40 ft chip to 2 ft for a tap in par.  This is a hole I never par.  So far,  my version of your waggle seems to work.  Sometimes it's the little details that turn things around. 

I'm headed back to the long course tomorrow to continue a work in progress.  Maybe I can get a few putts to drop this time. ;0)

Thanks Robert. I'm at a point now where I really think I'm close to putting it all together in the same round. Ya the 12th actually shouldn't have happened the way it did. I don't think I've been in the water there for a couple years.
It comes as no surprise that ironically the last thought I had was...... the water...just before I hit my pw. I rarely worry about the water because it's a simple 105 yards on most days. Oh well, I'm really understanding my missed and fixes much better now. I feel a great round coming.

 Luvurbros.

It is said that A LITTLE KNOWLEDGE IS A DANGEROUS THING, you have just proven that fact. It is sad that it took you so long, probably because of your lack of real knowledge or inability to use the internet, to find the new PPGS Site.

It would seem that you were the one lost and wandering in the desert,  while the rest of us were right here the whole time, still doing what we've always done. Again, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing.

At any rate as Robert below says, Take a deep breath and calm down. Follow the instruction offered by Robert and you should be on your way to restoration. Here is a reply I offered to a similar gentleman just a few minutes ago, he was quite a bit nicer than your post though. I hope it helps.

Bartstan,

 Please go to the top
of this blog page and click on SUPPORT, follow the instructions there
to make contact with the appropriate people.

FYI: At the end of 2010, there was a conflict with the previous
partners of the old site, that ended up in court. This new site is the
result of that conflict.

Here is also a link to the current daily blogs.http://swingsurgeon.com/DailyV...

And a link to all videos/tips posted in 2011-12 so far.http://www.youtube.com/user/sw...

I also flagged your comment for moderator attention, perhaps that will help you with a reply.

Thanks for your update Surge. We have to keep constant vigilance on our set up fundammentals. You have talked about that sitting down onto the right side before and it is a good refresher. Hope your getting some help for that siatic issue. It is common and can happen to any of us. I too have recently been dealing with the sme thing on my right side too. It think it may have everything to do with our years of golf, age and general wear and tear. Hopefully you have considered finding a qualified massage therapist as one your sources of relief. That condition is also called piriformis syndrom and there are many forms of ais for it. I find that stretching, excersise, massage and simple hot baths with epson salt help greatly.

Surge Nation

Thanks for all of your concern.  The bad news was that we got some 50-60mph winds around here today.  The great news is that those fast S winds pushed the nasty stuff west and north of us.  Those folks in NW Ok and Kansas got pounded today.  There is another real nasty round forming at the Texas border south of us.  It is expected to reach us at 2-3 am.  If we can get past that, they are saying we should be ok for a couple of days.  I spent the day helping folks pick up and move furniture.  All went well here, no injuries locally since Friday.

I am thankful the nasty stuff did not hit the metro area.  That would have been ugly.  Some of those twisters were big ugly suckers.  1 of the super cells had like 6 twisters coming down out of it at the same time.  Nothing like hanging out with your friends.  Friends like that, I don't need.  It did cause a delay in the 66th annual rattlesnake hunt out in NW Ok.  Bet the snakes were happy to have the storms. 

I am glad to be stopped and sitting down for a few minutes.  I wore my brace and tried not to hurt myself over the last couple of days.  I am not doing too bad.  The people out here are incredible, persevering, non-complaining, and self sufficient.  I just can't think of a place where I would rather live.

The folks out here remind me of the folks in the Surge Nation.  They, like you, just adapt, and over come.

Dick

 Steve

Those are "sheepeple"

As my dear ol' dad said many a time while we played, "It ain't how, it's how many." Any way you get it in the hole works just fine.
Having that good short game that you have is got to both make you feel good and drive some partners nuts. Just when it looks like you're in trouble you walk away with a birdie or par. Very cool Steve.

Yeah, I've only once put it in the water there, but the fear has had me pitching back from the 13th tee box a few times. That's a fun pitch.

Well, as Tin Cup would say, He missed a putt and ended up with a two day 146 instead of a 145.