Perfect Posture For Perfect Swing

Sat, 03/09/2013 - 10:00 -- Don Trahan

With two PGA TOUR tournaments taking place this weekend, you've got plenty of options to watch the best players in the world play golf. DJ's currently playing some good golf at the Puerto Rico Open, which is great to see since he's been swinging so well lately. But, it made me think about my own swing and what I've been working on to improve.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE LEADERBOARD - PUERTO RICO OPEN

So, today I'm going to provide you with a personal perspective of my game. I had a minor issue that was leading to the occasional hosel rocket. I mentioned this on the site a while back and I finally figured out what the problem was a couple months ago. I wasn't set up with the correct posture, which in turn was effecting my spine angle. This changed the way the club was getting to impact, which was leading to my poor shots.

I want you to pay close attention to my spine angle in today's video. I'll show you where it was and more importantly, where it is now. I'm hosel rocket free and really putting some good swings on the ball.

Keep it vertical!

The Surge

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Comments

Arie's picture

Submitted by Arie on

Keep it going DJ! Sitting T-8 right now at 11 under. Finish strong Tram Tram!

Bob Pegram's picture

Submitted by Bob Pegram on

Thank you! Thank you! I have suffered from an occasional shank as well. I shoot in the 70s so a shank is major disaster. It is a weird feeling to look up and not even see the ball until I look 30 to 45 degrees to the right. :-(
I couldn't figure out what I was doing wrong. I quit crossing the line at the top and that helped a little, but not completely. Your video is exactly what I have been doing wrong. Thanks!
It is interesting how well you can hit the ball (most of the time) while doing something wrong.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Just got around to watching this video. Funny thing is that my son and I played 90 holes this weekend working on precisely the spine angle (or lack thereof) from set up to impact.

He is planning on playing in a US Open qualifier this year and has been working a lot on his swing anyway. His handicap is +1.5 right now and if he can pull of the swing changes to improve the impact position he might make a decent showing at the qualifier.

Our attempted changes didn't have any negative effect on his game this weekend but I kept battling the urge to go back to what I was doing before because the old way feels better and works better. More work to do for me.

reedclfd's picture

Submitted by reedclfd on

Steve: Great news - I certainly hope your son gets to play in a qualifier. Please keep us updated on his (and your) progress! And what fun to play 90 holes in one weekend! I got to shovel snow and plow the driveway :-(( Hopefully we'll get some decent weather here in the next little while so I can start playing again. Take care, R2

shortgamewizard's picture

Submitted by shortgamewizard on

I hope he does really well. Having been co-medalist at this level I can say the experience is really cool.

What I can stress is that the swing sets up chances and the short game and putting puts the runs on the board.

Don't get into the trap so many other accomplished players have done, trying to let the tee to green game become the end game to scoring.

Golf Grip Mate's picture

Submitted by Golf Grip Mate on

I am a 3 handicapper. I have been taking twice weekly yoga classes and can heartily recommend this form of exercise as perfect for improving your posture in general, as well as for the golf swing.

Give it a try - it is a non brutal form of exercise - perfect for young and old timers alike.

http://www.golfgripmate.co

ejstoltz@comcast.net's picture

Submitted by ejstoltz@comcast.net on

I like all of Surge's videos, but no video has helped me as much. Hitting a hosel rocket or a dreaded shank ( now I dare to say it) is very unnerving. I hit them on occasion and each time I anguish about what am I doing wrong? The swing seems the same, but how could it possibly be the same when I hit it so..ooo bad. It can ruin an otherwise good day of golf.
Surge had the courage to admit that he stuggled with the issue and, more importantly, figured out what was causing the problem. Thinking about it some more and with his insight, the cause of the problem seems rather obvious. The round part of the club (the hosel) would be the most logical way to explain why the ball can seem to defy physics and go almost sideways.
THANK YOU SURGE. The next time it hit a hosel shot, I will not be near as unglued as before. Instead of fretting about my swing, I will think about my posture and distance from the ball.
Ed Stoltz