The master setup position (MSP) is one of the most important elements of the Peak Performance Golf Swing setup. As you move up to the longer clubs and your ball position changes accordingly, you must remember to keep the same MSP.
This is the problem Dave Cassard was having:
Surge,
You have dedicated many daily videos to the master setup position and vertical alignment but I have not heard you address one tendency I have noticed as I set up to the ball. As the shaft gets longer (moving from a sand wedge to a driver) and the position of the ball moves from center to the forward ankle, I notice that my rear shoulder (right in my case as a right hander) tends to get pulled forward which puts me into the dreaded X alignment with shoulders open and aimed left of the target. I find I have to consciously monitor my right shoulder position and pull it backward to get the shoulders into proper vertical alignment with a driver. I think all this happens because the right hand is positioned below the left on the grip so as the ball moves forward the right arm tends to pull the right shoulder forward and out of alignment. Does this make sense to you? If so, do you have any advice on how to be sure I get back into proper vertical alignment with a driver?
Dave Cassard
Pay close attention to how my setup changes slightly with different clubs. The master setup position does not change, but my ball position does. You can maintain your vertical alignment as long as you don't start overcompensating by dropping your back shoulder more than it needs.
As is so often the case, I think that today's video is best understood visually so please take time and watch the video. You'll have a firm grasp on the MSP and you shouldn't have any problems with your setup going forward.
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
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Comments
MSP & BP
Surge, I discovered what, for me, is an easy way to prevent opening the shoulders as the ball position moves forward. I do this all as one continuous step, but I will describe it piece by piece.
First, I move into the ball, forming a right angle between my shaft and the aiming line with both feet together. With my driver behind the ball, I then flare my front foot by pivoting it on the heel.
Next, I move my rear foot to shoulder width, keeping my toes parallel to the aiming line. I do not look at the target until I make the swing. In the process of spreading my feet, I keep the shaft in the same position relative to my torso. This effectively keeps the shaft in the middle of my stance as if I had a 7-iron, which moves the club head about 5-1/2 to 6 inches behind the ball.
I then assume the MSP, as close to perfect as I can get. I sometimes have problems getting close enough. Once I am in the MSP and PLHR, I just tilt my spine to the rear sufficiently to move the club head to the back of the ball without moving anything else. The key for me is to make sure I tilt the whole spine while keeping it straight; dropping the rear shoulder will cause the spine to curve.
When I get this right, which I am doing more often, my drives go straight, high, and much longer than my average drive. Fortunately, my average is increasing.
MSP&BP
Kevin,
You just may have given me a solution to my one problem when setting up with the longer club, particularly the driver : - ) I set up almost the same as you do. The only difference is the way you set up with the square to target line as though you were setting up with a 7 iron, then moving the clubhead behind the ball by tilting the spine without moving anything else. I look forward to using this tomorrow if the weather behaves itself ; - ) I will give my results using it tomorrow or after my next visit to the hallowed turf.
Thanks for the tip and hope that it continues to serve you well and increase your distance and accuracy. Respectfully DH
Club Length
Surge
You mentioned that you use a 43 inch driver. Can you tell me what length you have for your 3 and 5 wood and your hybrid clubs. My driver is 45 inches and I have experimented with choking down about 2 inches last night on the range with encouraging results. Must do this on the course next time to see if improvement can be maintained. My issue is if my driver is too long then it is likely my other non iron clubs are also.
Thanks
DFW.
Facing the wall
Two things help me in keeping the shoulders square while maintaining the MSP.
One, walking into the ball as if I'm facing a wall (everything is square to that wall) and two, never looking up at my target again but only at the spot on the aiming line a few inches in front of my ball. Of course before walking in I have looked at my target from behind and visualized my shot shape. I have chosen the right club and know the distance and swing I am hoping to put on the ball. The spot on the target line is the only one I need to look at from then on till I strike the ball. This keeps me from getting X'd out. I know Surge has said that if we feel the need to look at the target again that we should turn our heads only but even doing that I tend to turn my shoulders open any how so I just don't look up any more. All this is less critical on chip shots around the green where I often step with my feet a bit open any way and am only looking a short distance under 30 yards. In those cases I have no problem staying square even if I look up before the shot. The biggie on the short shots is not looking up too soon during the shot, kind of like peaking on a putt which is a no no and almost guarantees a slight pull.
As far as the Master Set Up position, I can still vividly remember the first time I worked with Surge on the lesson tee 4 years ago at Old South as he walked down the line spending time with each student attending one by one. When he came to me what he corrected first was my shoulders and back arm position. He laid the club shaft along my chest and shoulders and was clear that they were open. He pulled my right shoulder back and that was the first time I ever experienced having my shoulders vertically square in my golfing life. I'll never forget it now.
One of the best demos of the walking into the wall idea was given to us by Derek Hardy. Here it is:
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/dave-seeman-derek-hardy-alignment
This is a super way of making sure we are vertically aligned. The only area I differ with Derek is that I do not look at my target while setting my feet but rather only at the intermediate target 1-4 inches in front of my ball. I don't trust my lying eyes. So you may have to try both ways to see and feel what works best for you.
One additional note about that MSP, in his detailed explaination found in the fundamentals updated video Surge shows that to insure the correct right arm low position that we should take our grip and turn that elbow slightly under while holding the club waist high, then simply bend forward into our PLHR set
up behind the ball (and I would add) while facing that real or imagined wall.
This will have you in the ideal position to knock the stick down :)
Spine Angle
I have a recurring problem with low launch angle off the tee, (using a 13-1/2 degree loft driver) and wonder what I need to do to get a better launch angle off the tee? You mention spine angle frequently, and the importance of maintaining spine angle in the back swing? When should (or does)spine angle change on the downswing/forward swing? Cf
Spine angle
You must maintain your spine angle until impact. The more spine angle you use the higher the ball, within reason. Go to the search box at the top right of this page & type in "spine angle"
It's time
Time to share one of Don's greatest demonstrations on low, medium and high trajectory. Watch and listen and then by all means save it to your favorites. It is NOT in the archives and may be unavailable some day on You Tube.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FoQVh1myZpM
Do all of you have this saved to your favorites?
Simply awesome!!!!!
Great Share
Robert, thank you for the great link. I saw before, but have now saved it as I appreciate it even more. Don reminded that we have a narrow stance to control and swing around. I have recently begun to overly widen my foot stance with the focus on wide knees, which is resulting in a variety of problems. Back to the simple basics of a proper narrow stance with outward pressure on the knees, which are covered very quickly in this demo. Kevin McCarthy
Low launch angle with driver
I play with a couple of people, that have very low launch angles off the tee and it is obvious, that this is a result of the way that they setup to the ball. The ball is back in their stances and they deloft their drivers with a lot of forward shaft lean. They also preload heavy left instead of heavy right with very wide stances.
If you are following the parameters of the Surge swing and not delofting the driver while setting up, a 13-1/2 driver should have a high enough launch angle, if clubhead speed is adequate. I have a low swing speed but have no trouble getting a good launch angle with a 10-1/2 driver when using the Surge swing.
Good control of spine angle ( the amount of forward body lean when addressing the ball) until after impact will help give consistent centre clubhead face contact
Having your shoulders too level at address and not preloading heavy right enough or incorrectly would encourage too low a ball flight. As Surge says "your set up should give you the feeling of hitting up a hill." Standing " up like a pop tart " after impact and focusing on swinging your arms up to the T-finish should help to hit the ball higher.
Replacing any thoughts of swinging down to the ball with swinging up to the T finish while doing the forward upswing helps to hit the ball higher.
If you are getting the club to the positions that Surge describes in his manual and videos, everything is about up in this swing and hitting the ball high and straight.
Mr. Everitt
I owe you a round of golf or dinner if you ever visit Las Vegas. Your short game tip given last week has been gold to me ever since. Today I hit several chips within inches of hitting the pin and leaving me within 3-8 feet every time but one. I hit one very unlikely and challenging shot from 25 yards to 2 feet for a kick in birdie on the par 5 #13. On the last hole today after missing left and long with my second shot into the par 4 18th I missed my first chip and still was 5 feet off the green with about 15 yards to the hole. It was a left to right sloping shot that would move at least 5 feet from right to left after hitting the green and a bit down hill. I chipped it in for an unlikely par. I very rarely rave about a method not given directly by Surge but this has been as good as you suggested. Thanks should be passed along when it is deserved and I am glad I gave this a try. I am still dialing in the distance on each swing but had to let you know that it is really helping my short pitches and chips within 35 yards.
Thanks again! Being that it is a no wrist hinge and really locks the left arm and is a shot of touch I hope Surge will not disapprove of my commenting on it:) It may or may not help others but I have to say it is really helping me around the greens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F0Kpy6yoUc
Robert
Thanks for the comment, Robert. I'm glad that it's working so well for you. I just discovered yesterday, for myself, how well it also works for chipping with a putting stoke. It works equally well anytime a low straight shot with feel is required within 150 yards of the green. I use the same setup and swing with anything up to a 4 iron to pitch low, straight shots out of trouble.
Anyone interested in checking out the method can google " Gary Pinns short pitch."
Posted above
That short game link is already posted above in my comment:)
Similar to Kenny Knox
I have taken Kenny Knox's video tips and have improved considerably, so I was interested in watching this video. They are very similar in their approach and results as they are both easily applied. I even taught this to a lady with a 30 handicap lady who picked it up in a few swings and was amazed how she could now chip and pitch accurately. I did modify Kenny's approach so I am very accurate and confident from 50 - 115 yards as well with a simple movement.
Kevin McCarthy