Why Taking A Large Divot Is Bad For Your Swing

Surge,
Timely reminders for me as today I hit a couple of chunky divots. Not so much that I was trying to hit down on the ball but rather a case of moving off the ball and and then a little too far down coming back to the ball. After playing 18 today I hit the driving range for some tune up practice and found that when I focus on keeping my spine/head still and when I set up if I get PLHR and then avoid moving off the ball I was striking it clean with little or no divot. i plan on continuing this practice before another 18 tomorrow.  I plan on doing a little shadow work and tightening up a few areas in hopes of a more consistent game.
I can certainly notice a difference when I keep things quiet and the spine angle steady. My best shots on the course today were when I was forced to be extra steady and precise such as out of the trap and another time out of thick rough. Had to get ball first and did. My worst shots were out of the middle of the fairway. Ironic.

No offence taken, TM. Love the video. I recognise you as a thoughtful and generous contributor to the blog with ever-helpful suggestions, and I always enjoy the humour which abounds.

Thanks too, Wayne, for your comment. Hilbridan is my logon moniker but everyone calls me Bob, or worse.

Neil,

We hate it too. Why not start a grass roots campaign to tell Disqus what you really think of their new "improvements"!

Tom Jans

One thing to keep in mind when watching the pro's and those high flying carpet sized divots. They are playing on turf that is the best of the best. It is generally softer and better maintained then where most of us play. I did play a very nice course recently (Hartefeld National) and noticed divots were deeper as compared to normal with the same force. IF I am way off on this feel free to disregard or comment as appropriate.

That said, I try not to take much of a divot and certainly take less then before with the vertical swing. My good shots scrap the ground lightly, ideally just after contact, under normal circumstances.

Hey Surge Nation,

I have a problem that may be related to the subject.  As I hit the ball harder, my slice returns.  i.e. I open the club face.  Any thoughts?  Would be great if we had a certified instructor in SE Florida.  But for now, the blog and videos are helpful.  

CJ

Terry, I grew up in Vt so I know exactly what you're talking about.  It was fine when I was a kid, but not fun anymore.  Spring can't come soon enough for me.

At least the shoveling will keep you in good shape til you get to chase the little white ball again.

Stay warm, buddy.

Robert F
DJ is not planning on starting his 2012 season until Torrey Pines.
Hal

Hi, Surge. This is good reminder and demonstration of why the rotational swing is not the way to go. However, you did not address the title of your blog : "WHY TAKING A LARGE DIVOT IS BAD FOR YOUR SWING ". I was expecting some explanation like "it slows down your swing", or "it takes you off the aiming line" or anything more related to the divot itself. In addition, I played yesterday on a very wet course near Paris and is was covered with divot marks that were not replaced. So another reason is not to damage (or do minimum damage to) the fairways. But it is a good video and illustrates well the differences at impact of the surge swing and the others. Thanks
Richard Thoma

This is The Surge on Wayne's Computer.  DJ's schedule like most Tour players is a fluid schedule subject to change.  Right now, for example he skipped Sony in Hawaii this year and added Torrey Pines in San Diego.  He also is skipping the Tournament at Riviera in, LA due to personal engagements.  I would say the best bet to have a good idea of the tournaments he will play is to check his stats on PGAtour.com and see what he played in 2011 and 2010. Those will be his core tournaments he plays year to year barring any personal or healt reasons to adjust his schedule.  The best way is to check the field listing every wek on pgatour.com.  Plus you have to remember that even if a player is enterd he can withdraw just about any time prior to the start of the first round.  Don

Steve,that makes be glad to be a couple of counties to your southwest. Chilly rain in the forecast for my part of the mountain with the temperature falling all day. If you do go south, have a safe drive.

I do that myself on the course sometimes. Especially those days when I know I don't have it. Going to try and hit the range today even with 19 degree wind chill just have to turn the heaters on usually don't use them. I want to try this right shoe insole build up theory out.  

Hilbridan,

I do not know if you will even be familiar with this character from US NBC, Saturday Night Live program, but, in response to your post, I just had to post it for those who are.  Meant entirely as humor and not sarcasm.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Thanks Wayne, we'll look forward to that. I've had the privelage of seeing DJ hit balls several times now. Awesome indeed and certainly shallow divots if any at all.

Steve:  Sounds like one of the original versions of the SwingRite. A fellow by the name of Mindy Blake (scientist and engineer) developed it in the 1960s and talkes about it in his book,"The Technique Barrier".  His ideas were considered "outlandish" back then, and his swing style labled as "unconventional".  Since then, it has gone thru several "morphs" and the current day design actually looks like a golf club (from what I hear) instead of the weighted steel cylinder.  But the bottom line has remained the same - it teaches golfers the feel of the golf swing, timing, tempo, lag and release. Hope this helps a little :-)  Have a good day and hit 'em straight!  r2

CJ,
I hope my experience is helpful. I want to make sure you get the sense of what I was expressing (which can easily be misinterpreted from reading). Surges 'skipping the rock' is great and I am still working on that feeling too over all. Additionally the whole concept of learning to work from the ground up by bumping and starting the swing with the lower body much discussed here is still paramount for practicing and learning the correct moves. Too, I don't mean that the left hand should replace or take over the right. I think in my case and perhaps for many other slicers we unintentionally muscle our downswings with the right side or back shoulder, arm and hand. This in large part is because of being right handed and dominated by our right side in all of our physical activities even outside of golf. Speaking for myself, even though I want to think I am applying equal pressure with both hands, I am sure I have over done it for years with my right. Surge has writen several articles and video blogs on the fact that when properly employeed the right (or back hand) can be an asset and we should use it to assist in getting the club vertical in our backswing and keeping it coming through and up vertically in the forward mit and upswing.
So even though I am finding that by having the FEELING of a relaxed, less tense, less dominant and quiet right shoulder, arm and grip, helping me drop into the correct plane rather than over the top and across, in actuallity my HANDS AND GRIP ARE NOW CLOSER TO EQUAL than previously.
So I'm not really "trying more with my left" but rather easing off with my dominant right which ALLOWS my left equal opportunity to keep the swing on track and from being over powered by that 'take over' tendency of my right.
As I stated before, yesterday I became keenly aware that from the top when the right arm takes over (as it historically usually does) bad things happen. Being aware of it lead me to learning to focus on keeping my grip pressure the same througout the swing. To accomplish this I have relaxed my right hand and this has translated up my forearm and into my shoulder and it is working, plain and simple.
I hope that makes sense.
Sorry if this was a bit long winded but I think lots of slicers out there might know exactly what I'm saying and maybe it will help a few out here I hope.

Note to Steve;
If they can understand this and apply your thoughts on
"think about the power as taking place only after the club has dropped, butt first, into the slot- then let it rip"
fairways will happen.

Good morning Surge Nation

Well, I got snowed on last night.  It was big wet flakes that stuck to everything, like my ex's hand on money.  I was out walking around it it, and it was sticking to me.  We had wind gusts in the upper 50s.  I could hardly keep a cigar going.  It was throwing sparks like an old car dragging a muffler down the road.  Today is supposed to be the coldest of our winter so far.  But, there is light at the end of the tunnel, and I don't hear a train horn.  Friday and Saturday are supposed to be nicer, like high 40s or low 50s with only 5-10 wind.  Looks like only 1 day of cabin fever this time.

I am done whining now.  Thanks for letting me vent.

I know we are supposed to pop up AFAP, but right now I don't feel like a pop tart.  More like a pop icicle.  Darn it, now I am hungry.

Keeping it vertical, good thing I froze that way, in Oklahoma,
Dick

Steve

I heard He brought up the whole subject in his post round interview. Either way he didn't handle the situation very well

I've been a surge student for over 2 years and don't disagree with any of the rationale but does anyone remember the shot DJ took during one of the last matches where he spun the ball back on the green so far that it went off the green. I think this tournament was the one that knocked him out of any contention in 2011 season. It was his last hole but I think he finished on number 9 that day. If we don't hit down on the ball, where did all that back spin come from?  Granted, he it talented enough to pull it off w . 

Will do Terry. Maybe Santa will bring it soon. My wife does say it's always Christmas for me. Can't argue!

Robert, I too, have made a concentrated effort to maintain my spine angle during the swing and what a difference it makes. I also from video studying noticed that DJ seemed to have a greater angle in his swing than mine. So in that regard I increased mine as well, letting my arms hang freely in a position where my right arm would clear my torso. That, upon review of my digitally weak video, was another area I needed help in. My right arm/elbow was briefly crashing into my torso coming into the slot and with my altering spine angle was causing me some consistency problems. With this new set-up/address position and maintaining my spine angle I'm getting consistent swings, contact, increased distance and nice nipping divots all from the center of the ball forward. Which is a good thing, saving the roots of the St. Augustine grass in my  Grandmother's old front yard.
 I also,last night, started my 2nd read of Ex. Golf and writing the previously hi-lighted notes into my notebook which will help me file them into my subconscious mind.
 Hope your practice and round go well, my friend, I plan on getting some work in soon as it dries out here in soggy Alabama.
Stay in the present!

That was my thought Steve. She showed no class in not dropping it as soon as he showed he was very uncomfortable. I understand it was for smoking weed. Aside from getting suspended what lesson was he supposed to learn? I had a diverse youth and was lucky to never get arrested or in trouble over drugs. Does that make me innocent or better than someone who was caught? No. I think there is so much hypocracy it kills me. How many adults have had one too many cocktails or beers and drove home without getting pulled over. Are they  better than the one busted? I think not.

CJ,
Steve gave you much of the same I am thinking. Until recently, I have been a lifetime slicer. Not proud of that it just is. I have made some serious changes the last couple of years with the employment of Surges swing.
A few monthe ago after adapting Surges techniques from his "working the ball" lessons (that I highly recomend) I have been learning not only how to avoid slicing the ball, I have all but eliminated the right side off the tee. Having said that my slice ocassionally rears its ugly head and or I over hook it or pull it off the planet. As I explained in my log about my round today I made a valuable discovery while just obseving and being aware of my tension, grip pressure and what I do occasionally from the top of my backswing that is the main cause of my slice and many other versions of my errant shots. When I get to the top of my swing IF my right shoulder, arm and hand tighten up, tension happens and the shoulder and right side take things over the top and across the ball for iether a slice (if the ball is struck with a square to even slightly open face) to a pull or even a pull hook if the face is closed. Again I have minimised this with the advice from Don's invaluable and simple way to draw the ball- most of the time. However today I had a break through and hit 9 of 14 fairways only missing one on the back nine. They were nearly all straight to a little draw and down the middle or finishing on the left side of the fairway. Even most of the misses were only a few feet off the fairway. The only thing I did different was to have the feeling of relaxed arms and grip, particularly my right. I allowed my left arm to control the club path and my only thought during my swing (aside from the visualised target in the specific line of the fairway) was to keep my grip, right side(upper half)  soft and free of tension. 
Here's what happened; this allowed me to release my clubhead down the line and up to a nice finish. That took care of any open face or across the ball challenge.
Everything Steve said about a stronger grip and closing the face apply. You'll find those close the face for a draw ideas explained wonderfully in Surges new video. A must buy for all, especially for fader/slicers. I've added from 30-45 yards to the 220 yard fade I formerly settled for. Today while most were around 250 because I was'nt trying to kill it, they were in the short grass and that's alot more fun:)
Remember, I have tried every tip and drill out there from A-Z before taking what Surge suggested to work the ball and changing from a lifetime slicer to a much more consistent ball off the tee that is longer and often a draw.

Boog and Steve,
For me, I have found that keeping my spine angle and not moving my head before impact are really important. Don't know and haven't done the protractor thing yet to measure it. Might some time. I do know it seems that any movement beyond a inch or so moves me off the ball. More likely back and down that causes my occasional fatty.
I think the culprit is not maintaining the same grip and arm pressure throughout the swing. I can always observe that extra tension in my grip and right shoulder on those swings that produce a less than clean strike. Just being aware of it helps me on the following shots.
As we disscused the last few days, we need to allow the lower body to lead and let the upper fall into place then the rest seems to flow into the slot and up to T finish.
Stay warm and dry. I know I will. Another 60* and sunny here:)

I'll be home in Christchurch in a couple weeks to experience the lovely weather, I'll try bring some of the Aussie weather with me if you like? Although record lows this morning. and a pretty average week
Seems global warming missed us again this year;)

"Slicers of the World Unite".   I really appreciate the thoughts and will be working on this at the driving range before playing 18 this weekend.

CJ

Steve, if your'e in the top million, I think that makes
you in the top 5% of all golfers LOL, seeing that your'e always talking about birdies, heck all I can talk about is bogies. Totally agree with your comments to
Tom.

LOL...Steve, I have a snow shovel smaller than his putter.

T,
Enjoyed that script of how it's gone for you since becoming a PPGS advocate.
Played 18 today in great conditions on the difficult Stallion Mountain layout. It plays at least 5 strokes tougher than the muni I have played forever. Did'nt score great today accept for one birdy hole. It was cool. (they always are, right?) Good drive down the right side. Had 130 against a slight breeze. Took the 8 iron and pured it to 6 feet and drained the putt. Long story short shot an 86 that included too many others on the card. Made some progress in a couple areas. One, I drove the ball really well. Hit 3 out of 7 fairways on the first nine and then had an epiphany of sorts on the back nine. It has been clear to me for a long time that the main cause of my over the top and accross move (resulting in everything from a slice to a pull) was and is caused by my right shoulder and arm taking over from the top. I am right handed and have fought this since long before Surge. What to do? Today I really found that if I truely keep my grip and right side as tension free as possible and  "soft"  and allowed my left arm to shape my swing from the top fairways straight to gentle draws resulted. I hit 6 of 7 fairways on the back. My drives were going where I aimed. My only miss on the back was my 18th hole when of course on the tee I said to myself,"one more fairway and I'll 100%". Missed left but at least had a decent lie when I found it. In any case it sure is alot more fun to play from the short grass. The last few months I have been working on developing a draw. Have had some success and a few really long (for me) drives of about the 265-285 yard range. However I still missed too many fairways until today. I backed off on the intensity and is helping. They say you don't play golf to relax you relax to play golf. That is proving true for me. My drives were closer to the 250 yard range today but in the fairway. I'll take it. Now I still have alot of improvements to make but am feeling better about the driver anyhow.
BTW I did order the Dynacraft Hindsight Putter. Don't know if you've looked at it.
 http://blog.hirekogolf.com/201...
I heard about this from one of our fellow bloggers last week. Okay I am now going to have almost as many putters as I do drivers. But as we say, "if it helps it will be worth it to me."
It should arrive soon and I'll give everyone a full report asap.

That's too funny because the putter I have been using with more success recently is my eldest in the garage!

Sorry to see that DJ isn't playing the Sony this year. I hope there's no physical reason for his absence from this week's field.

Matt Kuchar put in a semi belly length putter last year. Grips it with the left hand high and a bit of brace against the left fore arm. The image I had drawn from was Bernhard Langer who gripped his left arm with his right hand and pinned the longer club shaft against his left arm. He did use the cross hand grip.

"Shallow is Hallowed"

Dragonhead

Ok, you know I like a good joke.  This one made me think of you blokes down under.  Hope you enjoy it.  Before the golf blog police get all tore up, read all the way to the bottom and this old cowboy will tie it into a lesson we can learn about correcting a problem with our swing and our game.  Here I go.  God, it is good to be back home on the Surge Nation blog.  I know it is scary how my mind works some times.  You should see what it looks like from in here.

Kangaroo Fence

A kangaroo kept getting out of his enclosure at the zoo. Knowing that
he could hop high, the zoo officials put up a ten-foot fence. He was
out the next morning, just sauntering around the zoo.
A twenty-foot
fence was put up. Again he got out.

When the fence was forty feet high, a camel in the next enclosure
asked the kangaroo, "How high do you think they'll go?"

The kangaroo said, "About a thousand feet, unless somebody locks the
gate at night!"

So, you are asking how that can relate to golf.  Some times we get so caught up in trying to make a correction that we make it harder than it has to be.  We keep fixing what ain't broke, and the problem keeps happening no matter how much we fix it.  That is what I love about Surge's videos.  It is usually something simple.  Surge cuts through the fog, and we are back in business.

K.I.S.S.  We don't have to built a higher fence, just lock the gate.  DONE.

I am just saying,
Dick

Steve, Isn't a "Swinger" a person who plays "around" with more than one partner. lol.

Of all the wonderful videos you've given us over the years this one stands out. I've never commented before but own all the videos and after working hard on the Surge swing I've realized I was using most of these principals my whole golfing life, which started about two days after I could walk! My father was an exceptionally excellent golfer who taught me so much about the swing and as a high school golf coach I helped many young people to become more complete golfers by understanding their swing and why things work like they do.

While I'm not a professional golfer I've given many, many lessons in our area where there are very few certified teaching pros. When I start explaining your swing they are extremely skeptical but after seeing such positive results they become instant fans and of course I direct them to your website to sign up for continued support and thoughts!

Your swing principals are the most physically sound and practical in the game today and as I work with golfers it reinforces them on an almost daily basis. Despite some physical limitations I can play and enjoy golf as much as ever because of your swing principals and for that I'll grateful.

The reason for my comment about this particular video comes from when you discuss the reason rotational swingers have to clear their hips so fast on the downswing to allow the clubhead any chance of getting back to the ball in a reasonable position. That, in a nutshell, is what I consider the single biggest fault of rotational swings and something that so many golfers just can't understand. As hard as the pros swing it should be no wonder that so few of them can hit even half the fairways - there is just too many things that can go wrong!

How many times I've worked with golfers who try so hard to "clear their hips" and complain about a bad back! Then I stand there and hit ball after ball with no pain, no strain and straight as an arrow or else that tail baby draw on longer shots. Old and short and fat, I can still play and beat 99% of golfers in this area and all of them some day! Once they catch on it's just rewarding to see the smile on their face!

Keep up the great work and keep it vertical!

Scott Mitchum

So what is everyone's handicap? Post your name, age, and handicap. Tell us what your handicap was before you started the Surge Swing and what it is now. I am 62, started out as a 17, and now I'm a 10. Have been this past year as low as an 8, but with some health challenges, have lost a few strokes. Have some overall blow up holes, but that is why I am a 10. Overall pleased with my progress and the envy of the guys around the league I play with. Have been given the name Center Cut. It's my green side play I need to work on.

Rchery,

Here's a link I think you will enjoy. Remember one thing, DJ is a professional, he has been trained by his dad since his youth, and he is in a category far above that of we mortal men. If we could play and hit like he does, we would all be on tour. I suggest you follow the generalized instruction of Surge, meant for we mortal humans, and stop wondering how the Pro's do what they do. Just a thought. Best to you and yours from me and mine.

As always PMG

http://www.swingsurgeon.com/Ho...

Steve,

Yes, I actually have one which I bought several years ago, I believe at a K-Mart store. If yours is like mine, the screw head is rather small and inset slightly into about a 1/4" hole. It is about 25" long and has a white hard rubber inch or so cap on the end and came with a training grip.  If my memory can be trusted, I believe it was about $25.00, around 10-15yrs ago. I had forgotten I even had it until your post and had to search to find it again.