Take Dead Aim

Wed, 02/08/2012 - 19:53 -- Don Trahan

With the Peak Performance Golf Swing, we hit the ball relatively straight. I say relatively because it's okay to have a slight draw or fade on your golf shot, as long as you're landing the ball within 5-10 yards of where you were aimed. I hear it all the time at my golf schools. Students tell me they have to aim to the left because they know they're going to slice the ball. Well if you don't want to slice or hook the ball, then don't play for it! It's as simple as that.

DJ's playing partner at this week's AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am is reigning NFL MVP Aaron Rodgers. It's safe to say that the Green Bay Packer star knows a little bit about taking dead aim at his targets. His are usually running routes to get open, but the idea of being accurate is the same. If Aaron wants the best results, he's going to train and practice the techniques that are going to help him do that. Don't you want to hit it straight every time? Then start setting up to the ball with the intent of doing just that. Instead of compensating for a flaw in your golf swing, practice the right techniques that will get rid of the flaws for good.

Since you're now going to be hitting it straight, it's absolutely essential that your alignment is always correct. Hitting straighter balls will also give you better feedback on your alignment because if you hit a good shot but it missed your target, than you know it was an alignment issue. If you're playing for a hook or slice and you miss your target, there's no way of knowing if it was your alignment or a bad shot. So start taking dead aim and you'll start having more looks at birdies and pars!

After you've watched the video, let us know your pics for this year's AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am below.

Keep it vertical,

The Surge!

If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.

Blog Tags: 
Golf Instruction

Comments

Doc Griffin's picture

Submitted by Doc Griffin (not verified) on

First, we don't play any normal shot with a ball back of center.  I personally play the ball just slightly forward of center beginning with the wedges.  The angle that you are referring to is the relationship of the hosel to the face and this is called loft.  So, yes, clubs are designed to have a specific setup.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Yeah, I'm surprised that he is going to leave the film room long enough to go out there and play.

shortgamewizard's picture

Submitted by shortgamewizard (not verified) on

 I had a summer job at a copper mine and the shift was 26 days on and 2 days off. Had to work both weekends off that summer!

Michael's picture

Submitted by Michael on

Point taken, Steve. Those numbers ratchet up very quickly. We can only hope that the system doesn't implode when the clock reaches an unknown critical number. Maybe, it might be best if we just concentrate on achieving the perfect vertical swing. 
Cheers
Michael  

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Okay T, I'm counting on you pal. They say his name twice during the interview and mention helping him get the putter moving down the line after impact rather than left. Weeks or Meeks I'm not sure. DJ mentioned another coach during his interview with Surge a few weeks ago. For some reason we can't access that interview for the moment.

Ray K's picture

Submitted by Ray K (not verified) on

Being a Wisconsinite and a Green Bay Packer fan, I rooting for Aaron and DJ.  As I undrstand Rodgers is a decent golfer so teamed with DJ will give good PR to DJ and the PPGS!!

Dick Lee's picture

Submitted by Dick Lee (not verified) on

 Steve

Not sure who said it, but I like it.  "Foreign aid is really just taking money from poor people in rich countries and giving it to rich people in poor countries."

Dick

Bobphillips55's picture

Submitted by Bobphillips55 (not verified) on

Don,
Keep up the great work!  The PPGS is the best and most simplified instruction in teaching the golf swing.  Keep it simple!!

Craig 63 (an Aussie) mentioned a great footy ball game.  Was he talking about Rex  Ryan?

Best of luck to DJ and Aaron this week!!

Bob Phillips 

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Ha ha!
That's a lot of "hate". ;-)

Bad thing about hating a player nowadays is that player may be on your team in a year or two.

I usually use the "thug" rule. If a guy is a thug I won't like him, even if he is on my team. I do have a lot of friends that use the modified thug rule. They hate a thug until he is making plays for their team. LOL

I even like some Auburn players as long as they are decent guys, and that's hard to do. All Auburn fans use the super modified thug rule. If a person went to Auburn they are a great person no matter what they do and if they went to Alabama they are awful even if they acted like Mother Teresa.

I wonder how many Peyton Manning haters are going to be cheering him on if he's able to make a comeback with THEIR team next year. ;-)

I always said I didn't particularly like the Mannings in college but they would have sure looked good wearing a crimson and white jersey. Ha ha ha!

Ray Gawlak's picture

Submitted by Ray Gawlak (not verified) on

DJ---Here's wishing you a continuation  of last Saturday and Sunday's play.  Best of luck to you and Aaron  in the pro-Am.
Regards,
Ray

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

 Ha ha! We definitely have a better chance of having a perfect swing than solving the debt.

I figure I will shoot a 50 before that happens. ;-)

T Medley's picture

Submitted by T Medley (not verified) on

I probably won't be able to watch it until tomorrow afternoon, but I'll let you know when I do.

dgaines's picture

Submitted by dgaines on

Robert,

Book us a tee time and I am in. My wife agrees that it would be a nice 50th Birthday present, which is coming up fast.

Dan

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Agree 100% Surge that taking dead aim is the way to go.
Of course I'll be pulling for Deej to win. My runner up is none other than Tiger Woods.
Wouldn't that be fun?

Dick Lee's picture

Submitted by Dick Lee (not verified) on

Steve

I can shoot a 50 any time. Then I get a hot dog, and make the turn.

Darn it,
Dick

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Thanks Lynn! I heard the same thing when you did on the replay. I looked hin up. Scroll down to my response to Terry and enjoy:)

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Hey Craig,
The Patriots had two choices.
Try to play defense and keep the Giants from getting a touchdown and hopefully stop them, give up the pretty much automatic field goal, and have about 20 seconds left to drive about 50 yards for their own game winning field goal attempt.

Or, let them score a touchdown, get the ball with a minute left and try to drive 80 yards for the winning touchdown.

They probably made the correct decision and it at least gave them a decent opportunity to win it in the last minute.

On the other side the Giants didn't want to score with that much time left and give the Patriots that opportunity with a minute left but nobody told the running back until the quarterback handed him the ball and told him "don't score" and it didn't register to him until it was too late and he fell backwards into the end zone.

The outcome actually hinged on two big plays, one made and one missed.

One big missed pass play by the Patriots and one big completion by the Giants turned out to be the difference in the game.

Ironically the receiver that caught the pass for the Giants is known for dropping a lot of balls and the receiver that dropped a pass for the Patriots is known for seldom dropping anything.
That's sports though. You never know.
P.S. There is no rule that you have to score. My high school coach told me one time to run out of bounds if it looked like I would score because we were ahead 66 to 0 and he didn't want to embarrass the other team any more.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

 I pretty much feel like I am going straight back and straight through even though I'm not paying attention to any of that but slow motion videos show that's not what I am doing at all.

Randy's picture

Submitted by Randy on

Don, another great video. I know due to the fact that when you worked with me it's all about alignment, alignment, alignment. So take DEAD AIM!

My pics for the tournament, golf is a game of momentum, so let's look at both Ben Crane and DJ based on their performance of last week. Also watch John Rollins and Jason Duffner.

Thanks, Randy

Dick Lee's picture

Submitted by Dick Lee (not verified) on

 Doc

We are here for you brother.

God bless,
Dick

Lynn42's picture

Submitted by Lynn42 (not verified) on

Doc,

Just know God has a plan.  You and Vaughan are in my prayers.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

 Being paired up with Tiger 1 and 2 on Sunday would give DJ all of the TV coverage everybody here has hoped for.

CervezaFria's picture

Submitted by CervezaFria (not verified) on

I could handle a young Skywalker type. However, for the love of science fiction do not give me another jar jar.

Simply Golf's picture

Submitted by Simply Golf (not verified) on

Bob-
PPGS is less complex. No swing is "simple", per se,
and all will require work. But...for many, PPGS comes
together nicely and in a reasonably short period of time
for a number of people. OK, we can call it more simple.

Lingering habits are another issue altogether.

One of my all time PPGS favorite episodes:
"Up-down-Up."  I challenge any rotational instruction to
bring that much meaningful and applicable info to a short
video. "Up-down-Up" is my go-to swing mantra.

And my PPGS mindset, also simply stated, is
"quiet-athletic-complete."

SG

T Medley's picture

Submitted by T Medley (not verified) on

 Robert,

Thanks for the Utube video with Faxon. Imagine what past generations of great golfers could have attained with the technology available today for fitting and instruction. Would they have set even higher standards and records. Guess we'll never know. Maybe Jack would have won even more majors than 18. Or perhaps others would have offered higher challanges to lessen the 18 count.

At any rate. The degree of putter fitting and analysis in this video is probably unknown to most amateur golfers. What an age we live in.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

I don't know what my record is but one year another guy and I had a bet on who would turn down any overtime first. There was a mandatory two week vacation but other than that we worked 7 days a week and usually double shifts and we were tied all year until one night in December and it was below zero and we were working about 300 feet in the air on the boom and when they asked if we wanted to work a double I decided I would rather be at home next to the heater than to win the bet. ;-)

Doc Griffin's picture

Submitted by Doc Griffin (not verified) on

On a completely unrelated golf note, and my apologies to those that are offended, this is to the brothers on the blog (you know who you are).  Vaughan's company was bought out and her position is going to be outsourced to lawyers.  She will stay on 3 months past closing date which is scheduled for first of April.  The job implication is of course worrisome but more than that health insurance situation becomes a major concern considering her on going medical treatments, etc.  Your prayers are appreciated!!
Doc

Dragonhead's picture

Submitted by Dragonhead (not verified) on

What happened to today's video around the 5' 24" mark? The screen went blank, was it just me or did others experience the same?
Aim/Alignment, yup! makes all the difference. Liked this one. PMGAS fellow Surgites.

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Keenly aware and totally agree.
Unfortunately there is only one candidate that would work at cutting most of "the billions we dole out around the world in foreing and military support with money that we don't have to give" and the majority of the country doesn't seem to recognise it. Seems more are hearing a little better than priviously. Time will tell.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

 I don't listen to a lot of putting instruction as you probably know but most of what I've seen is the so-called straight back and straight through method, which is fairly impossible on all but very short putts, and the slight arc method.

My stroke has the slight arc back but much more straight down the line after impact.

Dave Everitt's picture

Submitted by Dave Everitt (not verified) on

 Doc,

My wife and I, have both been treated for cancer during the last two years so we understand your concerns and what you have been going through.  We were very fortunate to be in the Canadian health system and to not have to worry about insurance coverage.  We both hope that everything works out for you and Vaughan.

All the best,

Glenda & Dave

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

For sure!!

Lynn42's picture

Submitted by Lynn42 (not verified) on

Steve,

I didn't get into the putting conversation last night, but I'm with you on slight arc back and concentrating on straight down the line through impact.  I did some experimenting yesterday with ball position and weight distribution in my setup.  I moved the ball a bit forward and had my weight about 55/45 on my forward leg.  One round sure doesn't prove anything, but the putter head was much straighter through the ball and the pendulum stroke did feel more natural.  We got about 1/2 inch of snow here today so it will be living room carpet for a bit.  I'd like to think I'm onto something, but time will tell. 

Fred k's picture

Submitted by Fred k (not verified) on

I had the same problem including the slice. I discovered that I was not turning completely to the toe line. When I make sure I do that my slice dissappears. This action also allowed the bump to occur almost automatically.

Craig63's picture

Submitted by Craig63 (not verified) on

I remember that Giants receiver catch because the coverage highlighted it in a replay, he was under pressure from two guys, one competing for the ball and the other trying to smash tackle him but missed.

I guess I was "rooting" for the Giants because my first cousin lives and works in NY as a foreign exchange trader (probably making a killing with the ridiculously strong Aussie dollar).

I'm more of a Chicago Bears fan primarily because of the family nickname that we copped  when my Dad first started playing golf over forty years ago.   He said he was nicknamed "the bear" because his golfing buddies likened him to the "Golden Bear" (aka Jack Nicklaus).    Later I learned that because my Dad's name is Bernard his mates nicknamed him Barney Bear.   I was dubbed Polar Bear because I was the biggest in the family and I also would venture out on my lonesome on the course for golf practice.   My two brothers copped "Teddy Bear" and "Panda Bear" so I always reckoned that I copped the sweet deal in the nickname dept.

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

In reality,
Tory Pines is also awesome and much more afordable and they say easier to get on and play. My Dad got to play Pebble and it is on my bucket list.

MWag's picture

Submitted by MWag (not verified) on

I was at Wheelus from 1969 till a month before it closed in 1970.  Had a great beach, diving club, and
rod & gun club.  Also the NCO club was pretty good.  I was a 46150 munitions.  Supposed to have a
two year tour, but went to Bitburg, Germany for the second year.  A lot of great guys over there.
DJ is playing really good.  Best of Luck.

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Here is the handicaps and pairings.
It has Rodgers as a

http://www.attpbgolf.com/ATT-P...

This link did not transfer. You can see it by going to the Notable Celebrity pairings link listed above left on this page and then scroll down to the comment by GolferGal and click on the linlk there. It's worth a look.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Maybe somebody that knows more about the club face to shaft angle (like Doc) will  answer your question.
To me it seems that your question is not something to be avoided or not avoided. All of my clubs have the face pointing directly down the target line when they are in their respective proper positions in my stance so it's a non-issue for me.

Also the ball position for each club are no different for the PPGS than they would be for any other swing for me.

The only place I differ from Surge on ball position is that I continue to move the ball back in the same increments all the way to my shortest wedge, instead of stopping in the middle for half of the clubs.

Rhino's picture

Submitted by Rhino (not verified) on

Great reminder today. I have played the best most consistent golf of my life since I committed to this swing, but I still fall into the trap of aiming right at times trying to move the ball R to L.  The result 90% of the time is a straight shot to the right. It usually only takes a few times before I realize I don't need to do that & start taking dead aim again.  I prove it to myself every single time. I work very hard on my alignment & have became a beliver that everything that happens is a result of that.  When I was first learning the Surge swing I dedicated about 15-20% to alignment, but as I kept hearing Surge preach so I kept increasing my practice time to it & everything became right with the world. Now it's more like 70% is spent on alignment and I've learned to never assume I have it mastered. This may be the year I go scratch or + hcp.   I'm rooting for DJ, but not Rogers (Hate the Packers).  I know Tony Romo, because of my job and he's a great guy (although I hate the Cowboys too) so I'm rooting for him to play well, but not Tiger. I've got issues don't I? :)

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