The parameters of the Peak Performance Golf Swing are in place for a reason. They are meant to help you achieve a limited-turn, vertical golf swing. But, you should always remember that how you're hitting the ball is what matters most.
Am I saying that you shouldn't follow the basic fundamentals of the PPGS? Absolutely not, but I am saying that it's okay to experiment within those guidelines to find the swing that gives you the best results.
I recently received an email from a gentleman that decided to square his back foot to his aiming line, instead of flaring it out (like his front foot). Part of the master setup position for the PPGS states that you should have wide knees with outward pressure and flared feet. This allows you to control the amount of turn, among other things. However, he felt like he performed better and more consistently when he squared up his back foot.
I am okay with this change because his results show that it's working for him. So, if you ever feel like a minor change makes a big difference, don't be afraid to go with it. Also, feel free to share it with me because it may be helpful to others!
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
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Comments
PPGS turn
Surge,
I realized recently that it is very easy to get into the habit of making a nearly zero degree turn. I can get my lead arm aligned with my toe line with almost any degree of turn up to the PPGS limit of 70 degrees. 70 degrees would have my shoulders roughly in line with the inside of my front foot with a 30 degree foot flare. What is the impact of not turning back the full 70 degrees?
Dave Gundling
Squared Right Foot
Surge, I've found squaring up my right foot helps me stay out of the SBG and allows for better weight shift in the FUS. I knew I was losing distance by not getting off my back foot, so I started tinkering with the amount of flare until I found that almost square allowed a natural weight shift without thinking about it. I happened on it almost by accident during a round when I found myself faced with a lot of 40-50 yard shots. I found when I narrowed my stance and flared my front foot a bit more than 30* (it felt like an open stance) that I got through the ball more easily with a natural weight shift and most importantly accuracy improved. Does it work every time? No, but as I tell my friends, golf is a four letter word for a reason. ;0))
Squared Right Foot
Surge,
I had right knee replacement several years ago and have found that I simply can't flare my right foot as much as you desire - glad to hear confirmation that it's OK to square it up when it hurts too much! My dad taught me to swing very much like you advocate about 58 years ago and I have never had back issues other than when I experimented with other, supposed "modern" swings with the strong rotation and full backswing over the years. They created nothing but back pain and my golf games always suffered. I've been back with your back-friendly swing for many, many years and have learned much more about it from your web site daily videos and the videos I've purchased. So glad you are recovered from your heart issues and back with us every day!
Complete Opposite
Wanted to drop in and say hi to the Nation. Hope everyone is well.
Odd as it sounds, I have had success with my back foot, not flared or squared, but actually almost parallel to the forward foot, both feet flared forward. Stay with me for a moment…..
The right foot pointing forward limits my turn (and lateral movement in the takeaway) beautifully.
I get to the bump and impact position more comfortably and quickly.
And after my through-swing, the finish is almost effortless…my rear foot is in a perfect pre-loaded position for the finish. Talk about facing the target each shot. I can't help but finish correctly. With outward flared right foot, this was not always the case for me.
Especially with my short irons, this has been a really effective set-up adaptation.
Surge, I like your flexibility within key parameters.
Best to all….
Very interesting
Sounds well worth trying with clubs requiring less back swing and an effortless T-finish.
Yes that is interesting
I have often found myself setting up with both feet pointing forward, without thinking about it, when chipping & pitching, & having to turn the back foot back out believing it is wrong. Maybe I should stop resisting my urges.
Give it a go, mate
Hi trusty Russty K.
Maybe try this it out: grab your favorite short iron, and tinker away.
There is nothing to lose.
One thing I will add that: my right knee is set up zero outward pressure. My right leg and knee are more Neutral. My upper leg is almost vertical at the setup and into the takeaway. Wow, I don't really even need to pre-load right any more. It just happens. So….tinker away.
Give it a go, maybe with 1/2 to 3/4 swing for starters.
Best to you and all the Nation down under….
No Wrist Action
Hello Surge:
I know that you advocate "no wrist action is good wrist action". You also say one should emulate "skipping a stone" in the downswing(upswing) motion.
In rehearsing this move, it seems to me that in skipping a stone, the wrist folds backwards, & then snaps through.
How does this equate to no wrist action?
Great Question
Three thoughts: 1.) A neutral, flat wrist is a must. 2.) I think you actually should allow some wrist hinge. 3. it's essential not to tighten (lock up) your forearms.
Skipping a rock is helpful for emulating a high to low, slinging motion and release. But with that motion, the wrist cupping and arching are a problem, and that element should NOT be brought into the swing.
Flat wrist (will appear slightly cupped)….bring an adequate grip…..
and allow some nominal hinging. I'm a literal student: "No wrist action" was only achievable for me bringing too much tension.
When I finally allowed myself to be a more bit supple at the top and at release, it actually set my swing free and really improved my ball striking.
No wrist action
Following up to the previous comment, do you have any tips/advice how to stop breaking the wrists? After years of playing and snapping the wrists, I have a hard time to control and stop that action. It is still causing me some bad shots.
Bob
Check your grip
Bob,
The best help to reduce wrist action is actually your grip. The firm grip Surge advocates, squeezing up with the last three fingers of your hands, activates the muscles on the outsides of your forearms and helps to keep your wrists from flipping around.
--Bob (No, you're not talking to yourself)
Yep
One idea, Bob. Don't think of snapping the wrists.
Think instead, of releasing the club (face)….letting it fly….
through the ball and into the upswing.
Wrist action
Br, I knew I've heard Surge say that he does have a "slight" flexation at transition at the top of his BUS and the search box at the top right led me to the best video for me for his explanation.
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/good-wrist-action-no-wrist-action-part-11
Yes, there is some wrist action
Hi Lynn. Good call on this video. Yes, there is some flexion here. DJ also has even more. A bit of quiet, limited flexion can actually be quite helpful.
It all depends….
I know Don has his reason for saying "no wrist action." Students can start there, get their wrist action first quieted down, then tinker with perhaps adding back some flexion into their swings. It's about results.
Are my arms too short for the peak perf swing?
I am a big guy and have always played with clubs plus 1 longer. But I have short arms for my size and a big chest. Without an excessive shoulder turn and a longer swing, I do not feel like I can get my left arm in the proper position to start the downswing. When I watch videos of Surge's swing, I see that he still creates width with his left arm. When I view my swing, I can't seem to get my left arm in the proper position. It is better with shorter clubs. I wonder if despite being 6 ft 1, I actually need shorter clubs due to the shortness of my arms.