Hello Surgites! Today's date is pretty meaningful to me. It's my birthday and I've had a lot of fun sharing laughs with family and friends but I still wanted to bring you a daily lesson. I get so much enjoyment out of helping you all become better golfers so I had to make sure I published a daily while I'm celebrating the big day!
Today's question comes from Tom R., whose instructor says he's got a reverse transfer problem but offered him no real ways to fix it. So, I'm here to help out and get his weight where it needs to be!
My teacher says I have a reverse transfer problem with my swing. This is causing me to lose a lot of power. I hit behind the ball often trying to correct it. I have no feel for this. My instructor has no drills for me to solve this. Help!
First off, let's define reverse transfer. I think Tom's actually describing a reverse weight shift. This means his weight is moving in the opposite direction of what it should be and he's shifting backwards. The key is that we always have to look at cause and effect. You can't just try and fix the problem with a compensation. Instead, we need to figure out what's causing the problem so the fix is permanent not temporary.
So, why are you going backwards? There's a good probability that Tom's not shifting to his backside in the first place. Most golfers move their legs too much because they are taught to take a big turn to at least 90 degrees. This usually requires the forward leg to kick in thus collapsing the rest of the body and reversing your weight. Once you reach the point that you can feel your knee pulling your hip inward and downward, your shoulder and head will go forward too which is where the reverse tilt and weight shift come from.
Loading on your right side is the proper position. Your back leg needs to receive the weight, not the front. There's typically always a reverse tilt involved with a reverse weight shift, so make sure your knees are in the correct setup with outward pressure before you begin the swing.
Check the archives here and you'll find some really good material about everything I've just covered. All these things are in the manual and product videos as well. We don't cure the problem, we cure the cause!
If you're looking for a drill to help you put a stop to your reverse weight shifting problem, use the drill that mimics skipping a rock. This will provide you with the correct feeling of loading the back leg and transitioning forward. You can also put the sun to your back and watch your shadow. Take note of your head movement. If it's moving a lot, you need to focus on being more stable. Try these drills and watch some of the other videos on the site and you should be able to get rid of this problem.
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:
Comments
Reverse weight shift
Thanks for the tip, Surge! I find that happening to me at times too, I'll try skipping stones. November the 13th is my birthday too, happy birthday!
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to you too mulagin. Just heard on the news a few minutes ago here in New Zealand [14th where we are ahead of you] That Prince Charle's birthday is today and he is celebrating it here in NZ. It is also the NZ Governor Generals Birthday too. have a great day.
I was skipping stones today. The best I have played in many a year.
Have a great day and many more to come. DH in sunny for a change NZ ; - )
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you, rice, custard and stew. Bread and butter in the gutter, Happy Birthday to you Surge. Have not even viewed the video yet. Just back from the course after probably the best ball striking day for many a year! I thought we were supposed to give you a birthday present? Well you sure as heck gave me on 3 months early ; - )
Left my ego at home and never took the Driver out of the bag. From the word go a much different round to normal. Used the 3W off the tee on all par 4 and 5holes. The object of my exercise was to get the bump going from the start. The other day I commented on a tip which came out of swinging with my eyes closed [again after a long time not doing so]. I had noted that my rear or right ankle turned over almost of it's own volition, transferring the weight through impact up to the top of the FUS. Today was to be a 'proof of the pudding day'.Well to say I was overjoyed at the results would be putting it mildly. In the whole round I only had 3 so-so to B*gger shots.My recovery shots were very good. On the par 3 hole with a severe drop from tee to green has several long zig zags down to the green level. The first time I have been called forward on it [call up hole]. Hit my usual 8iron into a breeze. Dropped it 5'feet from the pin for an easy Birdie.Using my new mantra in the backswing, "Elbows and ankle", with a nice relaxed rythm and the woods and irons were long and straight. Only had to chip out once after the 3W off tee. When I got to the ball, decided to go down the adjacent fairway. Nailed the Rescue 24deg and then nailed the pin with the SW. The accuracy with all clubs was very satisfying. It was great being on the fairway nearly the whole way around the course. Iron selection for approach shots was spot on and I now know how far I can hit most of the shorter irons repetitively.
All this was planned yesterday [NZ time] on Surge's birthday. There is no doubt at all in my mind that the constant tips and pointers from this gifted gentleman [in every sense of the word], is the basis for my improvement.
All Surgites owe Don Trahan a huge debt of gratitude. My humble thanks for a day the smile never left my face. DH
Happy Birthday Surge!!
Happy Birthday Surge!! Thanks for the great tip, going out tomorrow, little cool now, but, who cares, im going to practice skipping the rock. Heavy weight on right and hit my ball good, I HOPE!! The sun will be out, so, that will be good, im thinking I may be the only one on the course....to funny,,,,I love it,,,,and I must stay in the toe line...sometimes not so much up the tree, turn to much left,,,
hope your day was good,,,thanks
Forgot, my driver shopping
Forgot, my driver shopping didn't go well,,,no new driver for me yet,,,,
New driver? ........
Marylynn,
Where are you shopping for a driver? Of course you can always consider being fit long distance by Doc. Many have been more than happy with his work in person or long distance. Robert F. got a great driver built by Doc.
If there are no certified or trusted fitters in your area another option is one I've mentioned to you before. Golfworks and Maltby's Lady Tech clubs. The driver is $75.00 assembled for you. I got the component package for $65.00 and built it for my wife Cindy. She loves it. $65-$75. Most "name" drivers for lady's run $200.00+ right? I'll repeat the web site for you. If you decide to get the Ltech driver you may want to call them at golfworks and make sure they know you want them to build it for you. You can give them the specific length you'd like and choose between 13 or 15 degree and three different flexes. I got Cindy the 15* LL flex (most loft and most flex with a low bend point- adds up to a higher, longer ball flight for slower swing speeds). Your needs may be different, I don't know. It is a well made product more than worth the cost and she hits it better than any other "name" brands she tested elsewhere. Christmas is coming, treat yourself good.
http://www.golfworks.com/product.asp?pn=PMA0106&c=
New driver?
My driver was redundant today. Never took it out of the bag and played the best golf I have played in many a year : - ]
My proof of the pudding on my swing thoughts paid off in spades! Tomorrow or Friday we will be out again as the weather has been surprisingly sunny and warm. Hit everything in the bag today with only 3 so-so to Oh! Dear shots in the whole round. Two of those I recovered from in style, including a 35paces putt going in from the apron at the front of the green, with the pin in the far distance at the back of the green, after a shot from the rear bunker hahaha. Accuracy and distances were consistently good. Have a great day, while I bask after a great day on the course. DH
Birthday
Happy birthday Surge. Thanks for the hard work to bring a better swing to the masses!
Pre-load right
Great explaination as usual Surge. Hope you had a great birthday!
One more thought that may help golfers avoid a reverse tilt move and that is in the set up. PLHR. Cindy was having a problem getting to her front foot in the finish a couple of weeks ago and by simply reminding her to pre-load right more so in her set up it cured her. If we pre load sufficiently there is only one way to go, forward. Weight's already right or back and forward's much easier. You actually taught us this in a previous lesson (or two).
Weight Transfer
Dear Don, Yet another great lesson. Indeed the correct weight transfer appears to be the key to accuracy and distance. Thank you. We are looking forward to our lesson with Doc Griffin in Australia. Happy Birthday!!
Sandy from OZ
Stability of the Lower Body during the BUS
I've started doing something that has made keeping the knees stable and PLHR much easier while doing the BUS. I picture my legs as two bowed table legs supporting a level table with a little more weight on the back leg. Before pulling the trigger my last thought while completing the setup and before beginning the BUS is "STABLE TABLE". This helps me remember to find a good PLHR balance point and maintain outward knee pressure with very little movement of the forward knee during the BUS. Without a reminder like this it's very easy for me to forget this vital part of the swing setup and get too much leg movement during the BUS.
creative thought
"Stable Table". I like that visual. Surge always encourages us to use our creativity and imagination and you have done so nicely!
How to avoide reverse weight shifting?
Surge,
First of all, Happy Birthday!
Thanks so much for this wonderful refresher.
Best regards,
Roy Kesting
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday Surge
Well, did get out to play
Well, did get out to play today, it was fun, little cool, 49, but, no wind. Please tell me the ball does not go as far in cold weather, please,,,I played pretty well, the ball didn't go as far, plus, with extra clothes on, it is harder. As far as the driver, that sounds great, but, I would never begin to order one without trying it first, mostly, I wouldn't know how at all. Last week when I did go driver shopping, I went to Dick's sporting, there is supposed to be a man there that fits you????? He was not working that day, so, that was out. IM short, five, three and small built, every driver I pick up is so long. Even the one I have had for five years now, I had cut down. The head of course has came off four times, plus the grip is to big. I will go back and see what he says. Thanks so much for your help, will look up that site and see what they say. Just seem so funny not trying it out first, but, sure would cost less, that is for sure. I LOVE GOLF...,,if only i could skip the rock every time...thanks again..
Cold weather
The ball doesn't go as far in cold weather. When it's cold I change to Titleist DT SO LO golf balls if I have them. Probably doesn't make a whole lot of difference but seems to make a little bit (in my mind anyway).
Good luck finding a driver you like.
thanks,,,I think the sound of
thanks,,,I think the sound of hitting the ball is also differant in the cold.
I will find a driver sometime...
HOPE to get out tomorrow also,,
Thanks again,,,
cold weather
marilyn;
there are at least 3 factors involeved here:
1) materials -- as mentioned by others, the ball does not compress as well in cold weather. Changing to a softer ball, such as the Wilson "Staff 50 eliter" or the Precept "Laddie" will help.
2) Aerodynamics -- cold air is more dense than warm air. This means that for the same swing with the same club, the ball should fly higher (more lift) but shorter (more drag) compared to to hitting in warm weather. You should find you drives going shorter and needing 1 or even 2 "more clubs" than normal to cover the remainign distance.
3) Physiology -- in cool weather we normally wear more clothing --perhaps 2 or 3 layers more in terms of underwear, thicker shirts, and perhaps a sweater or jacket, etc. Doesn't sound like much, but it can affect your swing speed -- producing a shorter shot. In addition, it may also take more time to properly "stretch out" loosen up and swing freely in cool weather, compared to warmer summer time weather.
Unfortunately, all of thes factors are cumlative -- resulitng in the hole playing perhaps 30 to 40 yards longer than it did in the Summer.
Good Luck and keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG
Amos
Cold weather
Marylin: Like Steve, I also change to a softer ball as the weather cools. I have a slow swing speed and have found the Wilson "Staff 50" to be a good winter ball. It plays well and compresses nicely on the clubface. And you can get it in several different colors too! Enjoy your time on the course and as always, hit 'em straight! R2
Thanks you two!! For sure,
Thanks you two!! For sure, yesterday, there were times I should have used my nine not my pitch, just couldn't get it as far. The holes did seem much longer. I will look for differant balls, IM sure I have them, living on the course, I find many balls. Today going to be 50 out, so, will use more club.
I love golf,,,thanks so much for all of your help!!! This has been my sixth year of golfing and the best one yet, with your help! They are so many factors in golf.
Wilson staff 50's
Marilyn, I also use and recommend the Wilson Staff 50's. They seem to be one of the softest available and are a very affordable cost. Check your local Wal Mart. I also have very poor circulation in my hands and must use pocket hand warmers in cold weather, these can help to keep a ball warmer in preparation for the tee shots. Once they are in play, you're on your own, unless you play winter rules like, lift clean and replace with a warmed pocket ball.
Another soft ball getting harder to find is the Bridgestone TreoSoft, which is my #1 choice.
http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3940144&lmdn=Brand&cp=4406646.4413989#BVRRWidgetID