Today's video talks about an element of the setup that often gets overlooked. In the Peak Performance Golf Swing, we are slightly behind the ball at impact. That means your nose needs to be at the ball. But, what exactly does that mean?
I used to say that your nose should be on the ball, but I found that many of my students were getting positioned too much over top of the ball. Where you look at the ball is also important. You don't want to be looking at the ground behind the ball because it leads to chunky golf shots. Keep your nose at the ball while keeping it in the center of your field of vision. If your nose is off, all your other lines could be mixed up as well. Fix this part of your setup and you'll start making much better contact on a regular basis.
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
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P.S. Who do you think will win the PGA Championship this week? Reply below.
Comments
Losing it!
Don, i purchased your videos and book. I used yiur system and it worked for a few rounds then swing went ?????? I gave up and went back to old swing and it went in the toilet as well. I've recently went back reviewed your book and videos, once agin BAM! Got it and it lasted for a couple weeks and now I'm back to where I was with my old tradional swing. All my shots are straight and go exactly where I want but the distance has shrunk. Normal 7 iron goes 150/160 if I swing faster towards target, but now my 7 Iron goes 130 if I'm lucky. I can't figure out why and I have no one in the Tampa area to get advise from, can u help before I put these clubs away from frustration. Thanks!
Losing it!
Hi tyonk,
Can I suggest you stick with the PPGS swing for a while longer. DO NOT go back to your old one. I experienced the loss of distance, just like you, and it was a bit frustrating at first. However, I was more impressed with the straightness of my shots so I simply used a longer iron. But here is the great news - I'm now hitting the ball further (and straighter) than ever before. I think this has come about mainly because I am now more confident about my ball-striking, but in addition (thanks to the advice from Doc Griffin) I am using a ball that is more suited to my relatively slow swing speed. It might be worth you checking this out. Incidentally, if there was any further proof needed that Don's swing works, I recently achieved my ambition of playing to my age. No, I'm not 100 years old, I'm 77. Best of luck. Brian
Stick With It
I agree with Brian, stick with it as you know it works. I usually found my swing problems with distance and direction often came back to one issue, not maintaining a straight left arm in the back swing and unknowingly collapsing it when I would start the turn or more typical when I would try to lift up. Once the arm collapses, your arms get tucked into the body and you lose the string on the rock. That is, when there is slack on the string to the rock, you have no power and you begin doing all sorts of things to compensate for that imbalance. You may have some other issue, but usually when I stop and focus on keeping my left arm straight, I do not overturn or over lift and I find by balance and power reconnected.
It does take time to practice the PPGS key elements and ingrain them, especially when you are converting. But, in the four years since changing, I have never had a sore back or pain from this swing as compared to constant problems before. Good luck. Kevin McCarthy
ultimate alignment video
Dear Surge this info was fantastic . I have improved my alignment by a country mile. The concepts of the H and the toe line progression has opened a new door full of confidence knowing that not only will my alignment get better but my swing also because i know that swinging on the correct lines can only add confidence to my game. Thanks so much Dennis
back help discovery
Many of you may know i have been experiencing some back and left leg pain issues for about a year now. Been through lots of PT help and even got the epidural injections about 3 weeks ago. When communicating with a fellow Surgite just over a week ago the book "Rapid Recovery from back and Neck Pain"n by Fred Amir was recommended. I am open to ideas so i ordered it and read also Dr. Sarno's book "Healing back pain" . It is Dr. Sarno's work that Amir's book is based on. Any how after only a few days of applying the recommended course I have had much less pain and had to let anyone out there know it is a great source to consider. Be prepared as it is not the typical advice.
Back
Glad you're finding some relief. Back issues are terrible, and given your job and the fact that you often work half bent over, it can't be easy.
pain desolving
Robert,
Yes my pain is finally going away. The authors and books I mentioed are eye opening. Like I mentioned they are eye opening and not the typical advice and treatments. One has to be open to new ideas. It all begins to make sense if given a chance. I recommend these guys to whom ever out there has tried everything to find relief (including surgery which often fails).
http://www.amazon.com/Rapid-Recovery-Back-Neck-Pain/dp/0966982614
Amir's writing are based on Dr. Sarno's books
http://www.amazon.com/Healing-Back-Pain-Mind-Body-Connection/dp/0446557684/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_y/177-3326618-9063867
I never rarely recommend anything unless I have personally had success with it. 100's of people have been helped by the techniques mention by these authors. Now I am added to that list. I have had very real back and leg/sciatica problems for over a year now and no serious relief till now. In only two weeks of applying these concepts I am now recovering big time.
The mind/ body connection
These methods have been working very well for me for the last 20 years. My back is a bit of a mess with scoliosis and disc degeneration. According to doctor Sarno conditions like these don't mean that you will necessarily have to be a victim and live in fear of back pain.
Very helpful so far
Dave,
My doctors concluded my back is pretty messed up including deteriorating discs and other out of wack spine stuff that have had accompanying left hip sciatica and lower leg pain that led to limping at times.
Though I had heard of mind body connection concepts before and am very open to less than main stream- this stuff is eye opening and has already done more for me in two weeks than the last 6 months of PT's and other doctors along with an MRI and unfortunately pain management that included epidural injections in the L5/S1 area that did absolutely nothing for me. Before Sarno and Amir were recommended I had upcoming more testing and injections and who knows what.
I cancelled all my PT appointments, stopped icing, wrapping and medication. Today, not even motrin, nothing but following the recommended suggestions found through Sarno's methods. Amazing and I'm getting better every day. Any one that has neck/back/leg pain along with a multitude of other conditions should consider reading these books. The friend who recommended this to me was cured of bladder problems using it.
Saying goodbye to pain
Thanks so much for recommending these books, Robert. I was struggling greatly to recover from my shoulder surgery. Every movement caused some sort of pain, not always the same. Since I started reading Rapid Recovery, I have been able to get over the pains, although my subconscious/unconscious keeps trying otherwise. Last Wednesday, I got a clean bill of health from the doctor and was told I could do anything I wanted. Unfortunately, I haven't been able to play golf yet because I'm in the middle of a basement renovation, including my task of the week of busting up 45 sf of 3" thick concrete. I've had no noticeable pain in swinging a 5# sledge with my right arm.
I have managed to get out in the yard twice to hit some balls. I hit them just as good now as I did before the injury and surgery. I'm looking for much improvement in the coming months, especially with the mental side of the game.
Pain
You're welcome Kevin. I have continued to study and apply the info from Dr. sarno based understanding. Amazing stuff amnd worth consideration by anyone in pain and or a slave to coventional medicine and limited results for chronic pain. I have now avoided surgery and am off all meds and physical therapy. No more injections or the usual.
For another great way to get deeper into the subject of how we are being decieved by well meaning docs and what is really behind and the cure for most pains see "The great Pain deception" by Steve Ozanich
http://www.paindeception.com/
NAB
Nose At Ball has always been one of the items in Surge's teaching that I've struggled in implementing, and for me it's one of the most important, especially to avoid chunky monkeys. I find it actually helps me to look at the front edge of the ball and try to keep my focus there throughout the swing. It helps me to keep my head much steadier and not come in behind the ball.
On another note, any of you with access to Google+ should have dropped by for the Hangout with Surge today. Doc's internet access went flakey on him, but Don had plenty to say and answered our questions.
Just watch Don!
When my swing get a bit "wacky" and I can't figure what the heck I'm doing wrong now, I just repeatedly watch the beginning of Don's video when he is swinging the driver. His alignment, limited backswing and great rhythm is something I can visually feel and transfer to my own swing with little thought. It allows me to just relax and let the swing happen and reduces that fatal muscle tension. As always, thanks Don for all the help you give us. Paul Primel
Swing through the bag
If you refer someone to the website you can also get the Swing Through the Bag video of Don's for free.
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/major-mistakes-amateurs-make/signup/refer-a-friend
"Do The Surge"
Like you I've found the thought of duplicating Surge's posture at address a big help, especially when hitting the driver. My natural tendency is to have the shoulders too level when hitting a driver. This usually results in a weak shot to the right instead of a draw. A way for me to always remember to get the correct posture with the right shoulder below the left, is to say to myself, while stepping into the posture..." DO THE SURGE ! "
NAB
I have a question regarding the NAB, it seems natural to have your nose at the ball when the ball is in the middle of your stance, but how can you align your nose at the ball with the driver without turning your head?
Bets are you are swinging
Bets are you are swinging your driver incorrectly.
Nose At Ball
If my nose it at the ball, where on the ball should my eyes be focused?
focus
The simple answer would be...... at the ball.
But here is more detail for you:
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/proper-headeye-position-impact
Eyes on top of the ball
If you nose is at the ball and you have proper head / eye position, your eyes are going to be looking at top of the ball. Yet, in the video you state you should not have your eyes on top of the ball. I give up.