Today's daily stems from a recent email that David Hawthorne, of Fairfield, Iowa, sent me. It is a simple testimony to the value of perseverance, even in the face of initial disappointment and criticism from rotational swingers who think they know better.
"Dear Don and DJ,
Just a long overdue note of appreciation. As you may know from previous emails, I have been using your swing principles and videos for almost two years. And although there were times I was disappointed in my performance or the lack of distance, I committed myself to stay with the techniques and think I have finally put them all together. The last couple of points that really helped me get my distance back were:1. not breaking my wrists, and
2: the "Bump" to start my downswing.I am now playing the best golf of my life. I'm 65 years (for another three weeks) with a 7 handicap. Over the past year, I have had two holes-in-one at my country club, won the Senior Club championship, and recently shot a two-under par 70. The guys I play with out drive me by 20 or 30 yards, but often have trouble keeping the ball in play -- both off the tee and with their irons, (they won't listen to me when I sing your praises), so I am content to collect "skins" at the end of each round. Bottom line is that I can't thank you enough for bringing the joy back into my golf game. I feel like a kid again."
Congratulations David on your phenomenal accomplishments this past year and thanks for your observations on the true value of this swing. It won't be long now until you start shooting your age! You email proves that the Peak Performance Golf Swing is not just about about distance (though we give up nothing meaningful in this area to a rotational swing) but it is all about distance and accuracy. I know a guy who used to joke about the 300 yard drives he would consistently hit--250 yards off the tee and 50 yards out of bounds. He's now a committed Surge Swinger and hits the ball 240-250 straight at where he's aiming. Instead of hitting three off the tee, he's consistently hitting his second shot from the fairway into the green. As a result, he is scoring better and enjoying the game once again.
I've often said the #1 Domino in the golf swing is the forward wrist. If you hinge it or cock it at the top of the backswing, you risk initiating a series of cascading swing errors that result in a poorly struck shot. One of my most important Surgisms is "Golf is a game of angles-the fewer the better!" which means that we do not want any wrist action to enter the golf swing as we first swing back to a vertical position with our forward arm over and parallel to the toe line and then through the Forward Upswing through impact. Some of you out there I know will disagree with me on this--but I think that you may be confusing the need to rotate your hands and arms quickly as you release at impact with the rotational myth that you must snap your wrists to generate true power and distance. True power comes from the "snap" we get by quickly rotating the club head from a toe up position to square at impact and then toe up again as the FUS continues up to a perfect T-Finish. Because we only swing our arms in front of our body and because we can do this while keeping our lower body relatively quiet until impact the club head actually accelerates through impact creating a square & solid hit on the sweet spot.
Over the last few years, I've come to realize that another key angle to watch is the one created by your forward knee. Modern rotational golf theory teaches you to take a BIG shoulder turn past 90 degrees, followed by snapping your hips at the start of the downswing and then another BIG turn as you finish with your body facing way off to the side of your target.
Where is the logic in that?
As far as I know, no other sport teaches people to turn their back to the target and then finish facing away from it. Did God give golfers a dispensation from the basic laws of physics and human physiology? I don't think so! This is why keeping your forward leg still is so important. If it moves inward more than an inch during the backswing it will pull your whole left side down and likely lead to over-rotation and a reverse tilt. Likely result? A big slice!
So, if you want to maximize both distance and accuracy, do what David did and stay focused on learning how to make a perfect Peak Performance Golf Swing. There are hundreds of thousands of others out there who have and are now playing the best golf of their lives. That's because this is the only swing that doesn't contradict the physics behind hitting a golf ball square and solid nor does it require the human body to make repetitive motions it was never designed to do.
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.
Comments
Hi Marilyn. I play with an
Hi Marilyn. I play with an R9, 10.5*
It can be a great club for me...or....ugh.
It's a driver.....what can I say?
If i don't try to do too much with it, things go
pretty well.
By now, the R9 should be deeply discounted.
Unlike Steve Smith, there a few clubhead adjustments
to help with my slice. The R9 has helped, but I
continue to work on cleaning up my swing.
I would luv to go back to neutral clubhead settings.
Ive had your cds for two
Ive had your cds for two years now? I have a 3 mile walk to driving range a further 2 miles to course.There is only a postage stamp practise area on thr course? when i practise at the range out of 100 balls i only hit a bout30balls?the70 other balls go anywere topping sliceing missing compleatly help
He was really "pre-loaded
He was really "pre-loaded heavy right." LOL!
I do think the explanation
I do think the explanation that has been given in the past about the club coming more back to it's natural position once the takeaway starts has some merit for some people. It depends on the angle of the shaft in the grip and the natural activity, tension, or whatever you want to call it, of the individual.
So happens that Surge is very active, I would even say proactive, in his takeaway in moving the club head to the toe line. Those things combined with the fact that Surge has a more forearm to shaft angle at address than some other people (like me) make it possible for him to get the left arm to shaft angle to 90 degrees without any conscious effort at all.
Since I am pretty much the opposite of that, very lazy in my back swing, less forearm to shaft angle at address, and much less muscle tension, for me to get to that 90 degree angle would take a conscious effort. When I am really lazy (relaxed) the club almost wants to droop to less angle halfway back than it was at address.
(Not good when that happens).
Sometimes I am more active (consciously) and sometimes I'm not. Can't say that it makes any difference whatsoever in either power or accuracy if I get to that 90 degree angle or not. Timing of the bump seems to be a much bigger factor in power than any of that.
Robert, thanks for posting
Robert, thanks for posting these. Listening to JB's description of how he learned to swing reminded me of one of the best shots that I've hit in recent years. About three years ago, I was playing the Short Course at Silver Lakes on the RTJ Golf Trail in Gadsden, AL. The 9th hole was playing 155 yards, all carry over water from an elevated tee box (maybe 70-80 feet up). My brothers and I were playing a game in which we could only bring 3 clubs and our putters (after a few beers having played 18 full holes). I chose 7-iron, 9-iron, and PW without even looking at the yardages. At that time, I was hitting my 7-iron a maximum of 138 yards. I remember almost jumping out of my shoes going after it and ending up in the bunker, 3 yards short of hole high.
I realize now that one of my problems is not trusting that I can "go after it" without losing control. Now that the PPGS has really clicked for me, I'm starting to go after it again and getting much more distance.
Okay there are two words that
Okay there are two words that are popular right now that I am tired of hearing. One is 'LOOK'. have you noticed that every politician and news anchor on the tube loves to satst out there counter argument with "Look". Now they have even started over using that word on the golf channel. The other one is, 'OBVIOUSLY' Surgio Garcia is the guiltiest of all and for the most part it is the European golfers who say obviously in most interviews. I feel like they could you a thesaurus dictionary to find a variety of word choices. Look, it's not going to happen, obviously!
I hear allot about the R11??
I hear allot about the R11?? My friend has one, but, IM not sure...
marilyn
I have been having a problem
I have been having a problem trying to stay heavy right. Every time I do that, I hit the ball fat. Perhaps my weight is too much on the right or the ball is too far forward. Anyway, I have been keeping my weight more centered with much better results. Yesterday, after seeing Don's reminder that the left knee must not move very much, I concentrated on keeping my left knee still. Result - very good ball striking, and a smooth 91. Thanks, Don, for all you do for us.
I see the blog has changed
I see the blog has changed and now has a "dislike" button. ;-)
Should be interesting...I already got one, and it was for a comment that wasn't even an opinion.
No telling what somebody may get if they go out on a limb with an opinion.
LOL
I believe you that you do not
I believe you that you do not hinge, Steve. Don too.
WIth DJ I pause....at times he is almost to parallel.
That is one h____ of a BUS without any hinging.
Perhaps Don and DJ may have nominal hinge, but I think it's been pointed out that they do not intentionally hinge their wrists. DJ is very athletic and flexible. It appears that there is nominal, albeit unintentional hinging, at least to me. And certainly no cupping or bowing.
I do hinge. I have a shoulder injury and I must limit my lift. And when I think "do not hinge" , my wrists tend to kind of lock up. No release. No distance. No draw. It's really kinda ugly. When I allow a nominal hinge, it goes much better.
It is strange, the small
It is strange, the small things which bother us. I commented a few month back about the improper use of percentage bothering me, such as those who claim to give more than 100% of themselves to anything. It just bugs me, because we ALL KNOW it is an impossibility to give more than 100% of yourself, without creating another person to get the extra from. I got taken to task, so backed off of commenting when others use the phrase, BUT, it still bugs the crap out of me. Stupid I know, but bug me it does. Nuff said!!!!!!!!! I'll bet others are bugged by the use of the Non-word Nuff. We are what our experiences have made us.
Great find, Robert. This is
Great find, Robert. This is good stuff.
It's great seeing some PPGS elements
successfully at work.
Received my copy of "How to
Received my copy of "How to make a Peak Performance Golf Swing" yesterday. Love it!! Great job goes out to Surge and the entire Swing Surgeon team. Without even opening it up I will benefit from the cover with it's nine color photos of the swing in sequence. The concise meat of the booklet inside is basically taken directly from the original manual that came out nearly 4 years ago. As a sturdy condensed version it will be handy for quick reference and inspiration on the golf course. Glad I got it and it will be in easy reach in my golf bag from here on out.
Quoting the book, I like this recommendation:
Picture Yourself
Use these photos as a guide. You can use a mirror or window or have someone video your swing. Do it both face on and from the back. Freeze the frame to see where you are in relation to these pictures.
Kind of like taking Surge out on your round of golf.
Marilyn,
Marilyn,
The R11 is about $400, and you're buying a complete risk, and almost certainly a driver that a petite woman like yourself cannot swing vertically properly. For $350 or so, you can get a properly fitted driver from Doc Griffin that you will be able to swing vertically and most likely hit a lot better. Do yourself a favor and go to www.docgriffingolf.com and check it out.
The words "stay heavy right"
The words "stay heavy right" in your comment just might be the problem.
There is no staying heavy right. The weight is transferred to the front foot. Without the weight transfer it would be very hard to not hit it fat.
Thanks Surge,,,,for all of
Thanks Surge,,,,for all of your help!! Did well today,,
Marilyn
Got rained out today, so I
Got rained out today, so I did the next best thing and stopped by a golf outlet to pick up a dozen balls. I always take a look at their selection of pre-owned clubs. I found a newer model of my TM 3H which was shown as an R flex and decided to hit a few balls. I know the one I have is too stiff for me and has been a bit erratic lately.
I brought my 3H in and asked to do a comparison. I probably hit 40 balls switching back and forth between clubs. Initially the monitor showed clubhead speed mid 70s with both clubs. Then something clicked in my beady little brain that Surge mentions all the time. Forward Knee!! When I reach for that little extra I let it cave in and we all know nothing good happens.
Once I got that solved clubhead speed improved with both clubs. As DJ says quiet the lower body more and swing the arms faster. I got to low 80s with both clubs, but found I had better launch angle and ball speed with the newer pre-owned club. I have no idea how accurate the specs were as marked on the clubs.(My club showed a 65G shaft and the pre-owned 60G) TY, Doc. Bottom line...Thanks to a $20 dollar coupon and a trade-in I spent $7 and left with a club that "fits" me better. I use the term "fits" loosely...lol. Never did get the balls. ;0)
I too miss their
I too miss their contributions. Always enjoyed their posts.
What does David mean by the
What does David mean by the bump at the start of the down swing
Nice relaxing round this
Nice relaxing round this afternoon in the points game. I think that is my favorite format to play. All I have to do is get over my points and so far I have all 5 weeks I've played in it even though my points go up each time.
Didn't hit the ball very well today but putted so well that it overcame the bad shots. One of those days when it just seemed easy to get the ball in the hole.
Lots of fun when they all seem to fall in like that.
Maybe next time I will hit the ball a little better and still have the magic on the greens.
As you said before, "they all
As you said before, "they all have good drivers". Having one that fits you, including shaft profile and length, loft, weight, MOI, grip style, ect. are way more important than any particular brand.
Even seemingly unimportant things like looks and the sound of the ball off of the club face make a difference to many players.
As Robert said it is very doubtful that you could get an R11 that fit your swing. I think the highest loft they have is 10.5.
You are right, Steve. I
You are right, Steve. I misspoke. I meant pre-loaded heavy right at address. Of course I know to shift my weight to the left (bump) during the downswing. I usually do that pretty well.
Gave you a like Steve:) Stay
Gave you a like Steve:) Stay out on the limb when you need to. I know you will either way. Of course!
Kevin, good call. I have
Kevin, good call. I have something to ponder tonight as I sleep or count sheep.
Spending most of my life in
Spending most of my life in this great bastion of oratory skills I can safely say that the only thing that bugs me about colloquialisms are when someone tries to say that our colloquialisms are "wrong". That in itself is ironical enough to bug me.
The English proficient would have been bugged to death around here long ago. LOL
Y'eat yet? How's y'mama n'em? Ya'll commin for Sunday dinner?
Thanks Surge, back at it
Thanks Surge, back at it today, had a 89 and I was happy!!! Did not have one worm, drive's were a little less today, why, I don't know?? Maybe chopping at them, at least that is what I thought? Some days are just like that, I guess?
Thanks for all of your tips, skipping the rock is the best and finish high!
Marilyn
Patient: Doc I am under a lot
Patient: Doc I am under a lot of stress. I lose my temper very easily.
Doctor: Well tell me about your problem.
Patient: I just did, you stupid jackass.
"As far as I know, no other
"As far as I know, no other sport teaches people to turn their back to the target and then finish facing away from it." Well, that may depend on the athlete and their style: Baseball. (both batters and pitchers) Jai Li. Shot Put & Discuss. Tennis. Disc golfers. Some of them turn big time. (Even beer drinkers.) +++++
But we don't want to miss Don's point: The big turn adds complexity and risk, especially for the non-professional athlete. ++++ Speaking of....at the risk of sounding like a broken record, it's about the results. Ask Rory. Some of these athletes (with a big turn) perform amazingly well. Ya gotta go with what works for you.
I was just making sure. I see
I was just making sure. I see a lot of people that never get transferred and some even going the wrong direction at impact.
Of course I would hit a lot of shots fat if I didn't pull up and back a little at impact. That is terrible technique but for some reason I am (luckily) fairly good at that bad technique.
Not what I would choose but it is what it is.
Remember the guy a few years
Remember the guy a few years ago that always "liked" his own comments?
Now that was funny. I told him he probably voted for himself as "most popular" for the school yearbook.
Edit: Looks like you got a bad mark for associating with me. LOL
Kids will be kids.
wow, Mr. Smith, I forgot
wow, Mr. Smith, I forgot about this one. Yes, Luis Tiant does not have the motion that want your pitchers to replicate, even if the results were pretty good. (OK, so maybe its not always about the results.)
BTW,how many steals did LT allow? Wow, that is a freaking longtime to be holding the ball. I guess he had plenty of time to see who was moving to cover second base.
I still believe there must be
I still believe there must be wrist hinge somewhere because at address the shaft angle versus left arm angle is not 90 degrees, yet on the backswing when the left arm is almost horizontal to the ground the angle has increased to about 90 degrees . Therefore the left wrist for a right handed player has indeed hinged and will need to unhinge at least a fair amount before impact otherwise the club face will remain open. Maybe Surge needs to say "there is no conscious hinging of the wrist but only that small amount caused by the momentum and weight of the club on the backswing. The danger of saying no wrist action is good wrist action is that we can't stop the wrist hinging on the backswing (because of the great weight of the club versus our weak wrist joints) but then are able to to hold whatever hinge has happened on the downswing (it's easier to hold that angle on the downswing for some reason). And if we do the latter ,we will end up with an open face pushing and even slicing to the right. Any comments on this welcomed.
Tried to order the book, but
Tried to order the book, but can't get pass the create account!!!
Thanks,
marilyn
I resemble that remark!
I resemble that remark!
Hey Hammer...you've raised a
Hey Hammer...you've raised a good question, and this topic always generates some lively responses. Ok, so here we go...
Many on this site disagree with me, but I am one of those that allows myself some hinging......but Never any cupping or bowing. I view it as a somewhat nominal hinge, but it is indeed hinging.
And at the top of the swing, there MUST be some hinging, otherwise the club will not even reach vertical. (at least with my BUS) I've studied DJ's swing, and he IS hinging, but he is probably doing so simply because he has created such a load on that shaft and in his wrists in his BUS.
OK, that should get the Surge Nation started.
Wishing you success here.
Surge,CouldnâÂÂt wait to
Surge,
CouldnâÂÂt wait to get home & send you this email.
Today ( with three of my buddies â One being my son-in-law ) I shot my best
score EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!
After 60 years of playing this game I finally broke 80 .
I shot 39 / 39 for a 78.
Thank you once again for providing the tips you gave me during the lesson I
had back on
the 16th of August in Denver.
CanâÂÂt wait to tell Dave & see you again next year.
All The Best
John Neswadijohnneswadi@comcast.net
Get video of your swing to
Get video of your swing to see what you're really doing. You're almost certainly not maintaining your spine angle through impact, but exactly why is hard to know without seeing what you're doing.
Everybody knows that DJ gets
Everybody knows that DJ gets a little long sometimes. Surge has said that several times, and that he would like to see it shorter. I don't think DJ sets out to have a long swing and get to parallel but it just happens. (I suppose young and flexible has at least one drawback).
Any time a person can lift a straight left arm as high as he does, the weight of the club alone would create more hinge. Add to that the change of direction and it's easy to see why gets longer than he would like to be.
I doubt seriously if he's even aware how long it may be at the time.
Another note: I think most people that think they are giving up something in power by shortening the back swing have listened to too much golf talk. As long as the butt end of the shaft leads the FUS it really doesn't make any difference where the club head started or (the golf world's favorite) "length of arc".
They don't understand very well that a left hook will generate much more power than a hay maker.
Remember when you were a kid and one day it dawned on you that if you just let the bat lay back naturally and didn't try to wrap it around your head you could generate MUCH more power? The reason was that the bat was in position to drive the butt end of the bat into the hitting zone. How long the "arc" of the barrel was made absolutely no difference.
Point A to point B AFAP is all that matters.
J.B. Holmes understands that concept perfectly.
I already wrote almost
I already wrote almost everything I can think of to explain why some may have more apparent wrist hinge than others, even though totally unintentional.
I do think that you are a little off base about the connection between wrist hinge and squaring up the club face at impact. Squaring up the club face takes rotation of the arms from the shoulder joints. Whether that happens correctly or not is really independent, and not related, to either wrist hinge or wrist cock. Theoretically the wrists could be as stable as if they were in a cast and we could still square up the club face with the arm rotation that would keep the palms perpendicular to the ground throughout the swing.
I need a new driver, any
I need a new driver, any thoughts?
Thanks,
marilyn
They actually go to 12* but
They actually go to 12* but you are correct she needs to be fitted for length and flex what they have is what you get. All the repositioning the shaft to get more loft and so on IMO is a bunch of hype and not worth the money. She should seriously consider forgetting about driver and tee off with a ladies 3 wood. JMO
The thing to focus on during
The thing to focus on during your PPGS is that when you activate the muscles in your hands and forearms, in gripping the club and getting into the proper stance and posture to make the swing, that you maintain that same muscle activation state for dynamic balance throughout for an efficient swing.
If you relax your muscles during the swing and get "loosy goosy" and your wrists and lead elbow break down then your swing breaks down - domino effect. Also on the contrary if you tense up during the swing to fight off "perceived" wrist cock you will also lose dynamic balance and your swing will also break down and slow down.
So think about maintaining dynamic balance of your muscles throughout the swing and let the wrist hinge take care of its self.
Congratulations, John!
Congratulations, John!
We have had some characters.
We have had some characters. Haven't heard from several for a long time. I hope Dragon Head and Dick are okay among others.
He didn't do that from the
He didn't do that from the stretch.
Some of your confusion (and
Some of your confusion (and most golfers) is a matter of definitions. Hinging the wrist is an active breaking of the joint beyond a narrow range. Surge has made clear, over and over, that the wrist will flex some in the transition, which we resist to keep the wrist from breaking down and hinging. We do not actively push against that flexing any more than we actively create it, but keep firm muscles on the outside of our forward arm to limit the flex.
That would be so hard to say
That would be so hard to say without knowing much at all about your swing.
Of course the best option is to go to a good certified fitter and let them help you get a good club for your swing.
Another option is to use Doc's online fitting.
Then come worse options of taking a guess what you need, and hoping for the best.
Whatever route you take make sure the driver is not too long for your wrist to floor measurement and make sure it has plenty of loft to get the ball in the air.
We took a wild guess on a driver for my wife (before I started reading Doc's articles and knew any better) and bought a Nike Sweet 16. A 16 degree driver with a flexible shaft and it seems to do fairly well.
At least it's better for her than when she was only trying to use "hand me down" drivers that either my son or I had used that always had stiff shafts and low lofts.
I haven't been able to find a
I haven't been able to find a 12. Just made a quick look a couple of times and 10.5 was all I found.
I think they are good drivers. Plenty of the guys I play with use them and hit them very well. Of course those same guys hit the ball very well with the other drivers they have played with as well. ;-)
The arrow needs to be good but not all Indians are created equal either. Ha ha!
Edit: I did find a couple of 12 degree ones on E-Bay. Sort of a weird combination to me. Both of them stiff flex.
I wouldn't mind hitting one and see what it does.
Probably too high. I usually hit the ball pretty high anyway with my driver and it's 8.5 degrees.
Thanks Surge. Excellent over
Thanks Surge. Excellent over view of most of the keys to your method. I like the way you say we have a tough time "wrapping our heads around" some of the concepts, particularly 'no wrist cock' and the limited turn and 3/4 only aspects. And yes, once I got it it did seem so very logical. Every now and then things get a little loose and I over swing and always pay with an errant shot. The part that has really made the biggest improvement for me recently is making sure I have no wrist action. With all the other elements done correctly I get back to and through the ball with that 'on on on' square and solid. Never ceases to amaze me how far and straight the all flies with this compact and limited appearing effort. So simple.
ÃÂ BTW. A HEARTY CONGRATULATIONS on your up coming swing surgeon school and tournament in Spain. Sounds fantastic. I would have seriously considered it if not for a big trip to Oregon my wife and I are going on in mid September. Be super for any who are able to attend.
You seem to be overlooking
You seem to be overlooking the fact that the left arm can and does go much higher than 9 o'clock, and can go to almost vertical in itself for flexible players (DJ's is very high and Bubba Watson's is very close to vertical).
Add the angle of the shaft set at address and that means that the shaft would be well past vertical for those players and it wouldn't matter if the wrists were set in stone.
Many times with short irons my clubs never even get to vertical because my left arm stops around 9 o'clock. Seems to make absolutely no difference in power.
I won't argue whether DJ or Surge hinge their wrists any. All I can say is that they have said they don't. You are free to believe them or not. I can say for a fact that I don't hinge mine and you are free to believe that or not.
Once the FUS starts all bets are off and I have plenty of hinge without even trying.
Pages