To hit the ball longer, you've got to have a swing that's able to produce power. The Peak Performance Golf Swing provides you that power by the use of your arms. If you're wondering what I mean by that, today's video is sure to help.
Ralph Pickford sent in multiple questions that were all related to the relationship between the arms and the body. I'm going to go through them one by one so you come away with an improved understanding of how we generate power using the PPGS.
Hello Don (Surge),
I like your swing technique but for me the following points are confusing:
- The Downswing is Free: Does this mean that you should not power your arms in the downswing?
- Swing Your Arms: Does this mean that you should power your arms in the downswing?
- Make the bump your first move in the downswing: Does this mean that the bump is powering your arms in the downswing?
- Finish facing the target: In making the turn, do your arms power the body or does the body power your arms?
Your clarification would be appreciated.
Thank you,
Ralph Pickford
These are all really good questions that I'm sure some other Surgites have had in the past. In this case, the arms power the swing while the body provides stability and support throughout the swing.
I always like to refer to a time when I was working with a student who was looking for more distance. My son DJ (who is a 2-time PGA TOUR winner) was hitting balls close by and right when he was getting ready to hit his next shot, I stopped him and asked what swing thought goes through his mind when he wants to hit the ball farther. Quite succinctly, he stated that he holds his kness more and swings his arms faster towards his target. That was it!
So, remember that swinging your arms faster is what gives you more power with the PPGS. You don't want to turn more or take a bigger backswing because all that will do is take you out of your dynamically balanced position that you had at address. Just hold your legs firmer, and swing those arms!
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
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Comments
Power ..
Surge - thanks again for a great reminder of where power comes from and how it is to be properly attained and maximized. The more firm the base the greater potential for the stored then released energy.
I was wondering, Surge, if you have ever read or heard of "Newton on the Tee" by John Zumerchik - which looks at golf from the principles of physics (not the only one of course). In it the author talks of not using a longer shaft, the lack of benefit of a longer/higher backswing, the lack of a forced wrist cock, the timing of the bump and other things, all in the name of generating MORE power.
Sounds familiar - and of course we know your instruction is very soundly based both in this and kinesthesiology - so just wanted to say thanks for bringing this all together with your golf sense.
Down the middle,
Jon
Interesting book
'Newton on the tee' looks like an interesting read and appeals to my scientific club fitting side. I read a few excerpts on Amazon.com just now. I do enjoy books like this and may buy it in the future. It is amazing what a game of fractions golf really is. My wife and I use the term "it was off by just a fraction" frequently while playing golf. We have used it often as of late in helping her hit her drives further and straighter but it applies in many situations. For the driver a club face just slightly open means a fade for her so along with alignment of the body we look closely at her club face in the set up. She is still getting use to seeing what a square club face looks like and doing quite well. Of course this applies to all clubs. For me it is on our tiniest swings- the chips and putts. A fraction too firm is my normal MO. Sending a chip 5-10 feet by or a putt 4/5 feet. I hate to be short and rarely am but those longer come backers are tough. Fractions sometimes means LESS power, lol!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Jon. You often add some intersting and helpful words here and it is appreciated. I think many were worn out by the lengthy back and forths on the value of getting our clubs fit so they are on a break today. Rest and recovery on the Sabbath I guess:)
Interesting book
Hi Robert,
Still raining here in Wettington [Wellington] New Zealand :- ( boohoo!boohoo!
It is a game of fractions indeed. I was never into the 'scientific side' of the game until I found PPGS. Now more interested in angles and square, open etc.
Only the odd on the front garden garden swing or the golf mat on the small deck. Very well worth the effort. As well as swinging with a variety of clubs, I chip with every club from a variety of lies with a variety of different brand golf balls. I usually use one yellow ball as the target and another 5 to be chipped from various lies at the yellow ball. Even on the wet very uneven ground it is well worth the effort. Yesterday on the one longer dry period [followed by a thunderstorm boohoo!], my direction and accuracy were spot on as usual, even when chipping to a side slope or deeper grass. For the heck of it I put all 6balls in a line set up to the line, chipped the yellow one choked down on the grip, then without pausing and without looking at that ball's position, I quickly went down the line chipping the rest.Then and only then did I peek at the result. All the balls were alongside or just beyond the target ball. Repeated this with my 5iron and 3W with similar results. Interesting.
Robert, perhaps you should try similar exercises with your clubs choking down on them. Chipping with every club in the bag over short distances is a challenge and fun. My confidence in chipping from any lie to any target has increased considerabley.
Good luck on your next outing on the Hallowed Turf.DH
Wett ye are
Dangit DH, wet and cooler days down under, eh? Met a lassy the other day from nearby Australia. Said she works at the zoo there. Was an interesting conversation. I meet people from all over the world working in hospitality for the last 30+ years primarily in Las Vegas but also in my world travels. Find that the people I've met from down your way (NZ and A) are generally quite zealous for life. As it should be! Any how back to golf. Good training ideas you have for chipping. Yes I certainly can benefit from a variety of methods. I like your way of going for a similar target with several different sticks, ie. the 5i and 3w. Funny the other day I considered going back to a wood or perhaps a much less lofted iron or maybe a hybrid when just off the greens. I normally use a 9i for nearly all green side chips (unless I must get over a bunker or other *). Often with great results and the occasional chip in but some days I run the ball much too far past the stick and leave the big challenge back to the hole. Soft and precise yet we must be accelerating on even the shortest of chips eh? The 3/5 woods can sometimes give us less spring off the face and the soft shot and distance with practice. You've inspired me again DH.
I'll take a break tomorrow morning and go to the gym before work for a stretch, cardio and work out before work rather than a morning 9. A constant balancing of body,mind and golf:) Tuesday I'll plan on another 9 before work. Wednesday I am off and will play 18 likely with my one and only Brother as Cindy is working. Where to play, that is the question..................?
One thing is certain, I will be using the Burner driver I re-built that has now found favor in my bag. The Aldila shaft I put on is ideal for me and the Drives have been long and in the short grass. How anyone can suggest that having the correct fit is not completely helpful just doesn't get it. As Doc suggested the other day, it all matters regardless of the state of our skill. Equipment can and does make a difference. Better play is not assured but the possibility of real improvement with better fit sticks is real. It has been true in my case and it has for Cindy too.
Have a great Monday and let's hope the wett gets dryy for a few swings there!
Wett we are indeed, but only weather wise ; - )
Hi Again,
Try chipping with your rebuilt Burner too, I use every club in the bag and if it is accuracy you are after, the driver will amaze you hahaha!
Correct fit is absolutely correct Robert. Improvement is only a fit away. I have a set of Ping Zings and G2's, both my colour code. The G2's were shortened 1/2" an inch before I picked them up. Different shape etc but what a difference that 1/2" makes!!!
It is frustrating not getting out to play, but learning to be more patient and less of my 'Up and at it' frame of mind, is paying dividends. Swing sessions and chipping [putting indoors too] certainly seem to be paying off. My 'lift and up' seems to be the bees knees. More stability with that rear elbow crease facing the heavens and pointing straight through the middle of my lead forearm, ensures no right arm overpowering the left lead arm. Makes it simple to lift to the top of the BUS and then it is lift bump and up without even thinking about it.
Chipping using the elbow tip seems to ensure repeated deadly accuracy when chipping with only the shoulders.
Hope that you have a good workout at the gym and a better trip to the hallowed turf the day after. Where to play? Decisions, decisions, decisions hahaha. DH
Thanks Robert ..
for you comments and insight. This is indeed a game of fractions which is why it is so challenging and so much fun. Thankful to everyone here for the help over the years. My game has certainly improved and become more enjoyable.
Tomorrow I'll play in a charity tournament at Hartefeld National Golf Club, where the Exelon Invitational is sometimes played and a few other events. It is a scramble format and quite competitive each year.
Keep it down the middle and have fun,
Jon
WGT ...
Does anyone here play WGT - that is the World Golf Tour at wgt.com for the uninitiated. If you do let me know, maybe we can shoot a virtual round sometime.
Strange, at first it was just a game, but as I got as good or better in that game, I find it actually helps my physical game at times. At a minimum, I find it gets me thinking about numbers and of course the physics of the game.
Cheers,
Jon
Tour Striker
I still get a lot of correspondence from the old Revolution Golf days, especially on the Tour Striker. Part of what the Tour Striker is suppose to do is get you to hit "down" on the ball and stop scooping the ball like most amateurs. A friend of mine offered me his Tour Striker 8 Iron, but I'm reluctant to use it because it might get me into bad habits since it seems inconsistent with the PPGS. My game is going pretty good now....tee to green at least...and I don't think I want to mess with it, but I would like to learn about what the Tour Striker is suppose to do for you.
Thanks,
Dan