Mike Bartholomew is one of our knowledgeable, certified golf instructors here at Swing Surgeon. He resides in Charlotte, North Carolina and is based at Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation. Today, Mike and I are going to discuss his transition to the Peak Performance Golf Swing, particularly swinging up to the T-finish.
I've known Mike since his days as the Head Golf Instructor at Oyster Reef Golf Club on Hilton Head Island. Mike's really made giant strides with his game over the last few years, so I've asked him to showcase his swing for the Surge Nation today.
To learn more about Mike's career as a golf professional or to contact him directly, click here.
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
Comments
Nice
That's a really nice swing you have, Mr. Bartholomew. I have to remember about releasing the head, I think. I find myself still waiting for the right shoulder to move my chin forward.
A thought occurred to me, and maybe Brady or whomever can pass it along and discuss it, but I think it would be really great sometime to put up a video of all (or many) of the PPGS instructors' swings. We've seen Don and Dave Seeman and now Mike Bartholomew. I think it helps all of us to see the swing on the different physiques and the minor variations based on each person's body.
Nice
Robert,
Agreed that it was an excellent video today. Watching Mike Bartholomew swing. Being taller and thinner showed the swing to perfection on his practice swings and when he hit the ball. Straight out onto the golf mat on the deck and noticed an immediate change when I popped up like he did. Like many others including myself, it now looks as though my 'pop tart' was a tad slow : - ( Different physiques and the minor variations. Looking forward to see the sawn off at the knees [normal size to us ; - ] swingers hahaha. DH
Thank you Robert. The big
Thank you Robert. The big overhaul has been completed......it wasn't nearly as difficult as I anticipated. To go from 12 handicap ball-striking to 0 in less than a years time and not much ball hitting........was cool. Credit to the PPGS technique and Chuck Hogan's book, Rethinking Golf.
Rethinking Golf
Wow............. Truly interesting Mike. I ended up spending the last 20 minutes reading the introductory and concluding thoughts from Rethinking Golf and also looked up references there in to philosopher Joseph Campbell. Deep and thought provoking indeed. I will add the 'Rethinking Golf' book to my library and near future list of must reads and likely take some time for listening to (if not reading also) some of Joseph Campbell's lectures.
Thank you for becoming part of the PPGS family Mike. We'll be looking forward to more dailies that include you and many will be fortunate to attend your PPGS lessons.
Here are some links for our deep thinkers out there.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0971655103#reader_0971655103
http://www.youtube.com/course?list=EC011BCB3EB3B8A329
Head-Up
For me, the thought of bringing my Head-Up either before/during the FUS would be a deathrow. My only thought that I can carry in my feeble brain is to
release. If the head or shoulders move a fraction during this process then its goodbye to power & direction. The last couple of 9 holers I have played are in the low 40's, a sub 40 is just around the corner, I can feel it.
Nice II
Don, this is a great daily. Outside the box. Nicely done.
And yes, that is a nice swing, Mike Bartholomew. If your golf shots are that close to the target consistently, I'd be inclined to go with those results, and maybe incorporate head position changes over time. LOL. I mean, if it's coming in next to the target at a high percentage, one has got to go with what works. Seems to me....
Thanks for the compliment.
Thanks for the compliment. But for certain, I cannot and should not play with this particular thought. The feel, picture of finish is what I will strive for. Always my most consistent play and shot making has the "whole shape" image in my mind.......and is a fluid motion......skipping the rock or throwing axe ion works for me. I get in serious trouble while playing thinking about pieces or portions of my own swing.....ultimately I have to train my brain to capture the head release that Don coached me on which reduced my head staying back (down) on swing thru impact.
Thanks for the compliment
The compliment was well earned. No thankyou needed thanks Mike. I have had two brief swing sessions since viewing your swing and comments by both you and Surge. The feeling at the moment after the sessions is that it seems to work for me. A stable base and then popping up as quickly as you were doing, was effective for me.
One question I have for you. I noticed that my grip though exactly neutral was not as firm as it should have been. It was more 'the toothpaste tube' strength. As soon as I firmed up the grip, the difference in clubhead control seemed much better. Did you firm up your grip from when you were a 12h'capper to your present handicap?
DH
The Whole Shape
Very insightful comment, Mike.
Becoming fixated on "pieces and portions" is a problem for me, and I guess I'm not alone. The word "complete" comes to mind. ("Quiet-Athletic-Complete" is a thought triad I bring to my game.) But I like your "whole shape" image comment: a reminder of the complete and bigger picture.
Thanks again for sharing your swing & perspectives with us.
Skipping stones
On the Golf Channels' Academy this week they interviewed last years winner of the Seniors Players championship- Joe Daley as to what swing thought/feeling helps him most and no shocker really he said that the 'skipping the rock' motion helps him come from the inside and not over with the back arm. Surge continues to look better and better as we know this is one of his key teachings.
I thought that was really cool to see.
Again Mike, thanks for helping us understand the evolution of your progress as many of us can certainly identify with your recent journey with this swing. Your continued insights are looked forward to by us all.
BTW, I love that quiet, athletic, complete triad.
Online Lessons
Has any Surgite recently had access to Dons "Online Golf Lessons" as when i did it came up as a restricted site. I did pay for a locker and give a password but there's no facility to access it now.
Haven't used it for a while
Neil, you may want to contact customer service on that one. Brady, Tom or someone else will surely figure it out for you:)
No Luck
Robert, done that, it seems that this facility has been disccontinued. I was directed to another web site "OnlineSkillsCoach.com", but this doesn't let me access my original videos which I sent.
I have your support ticket.
I have your support ticket. I just sent a response to you.
Great lesson
I have been hitting down into the ball and about mid round I find I'm chunking it. You just solved that problem for me. I have been trained in the past to keep the eye on the ball and not look up until the shot is finished. Impossible! You cannot make the turn and keep your head down on that ball.
Down
Down is a bad word around here, lol:) I prefer "stable" or "steady" instead. I am always reminded that it is our spine angle that we want to maintain until the ball is gone and then finish on the left (front) foot as we swing up!
Think Up for straight shots
If my last thought is "UP ", after triggering the forward upswing with the bump, my finish is very upright and Surge like and the balls fly straight for the most part but can have a bit of fade with the longer clubs. I find this a great swing for eliminating the left side misses and hitting controlled fades.
My course has 8 holes, including three long par threes where a miss even a little bit right can be disaster, because the slopes are in a direction that amplify any left to right spin. We also have several tee boxes that are placed very close to trees on the right side of the fairway so you have to hit away from them.
What I require for these holes is a shot that hooks to some degree or even a lot if there is room and eliminates any misses right. This gives me a lot more distance than the alternative, of trying to hit controlled fades,with my limited swing speed.
After a lot of experimentation, with different methods of Surge's and others to hit shots tee shots that won't miss right, I've found one that is consistent for me. The only change that I have to make with the Surge swing is to not think "UP" while doing the forward upswing. This results in a little bit flatter follow through and more of a sweeping swing through the ball. There is no change required in the backward upswing. If I use a tempo word such as "e del weiss", ( from Tom Watson's " Lessons of a Lifetime" video ) the Up part of the forward upswing just does not happen, to the same degree.
As Surge says " there is no such thing as muscle memory ", when it comes to this swing. If you don't think " UP", you won't get it. Reducing the " UP", in the forward upswing,has been helping my score a lot when playing these problem holes, but for 90 % of my tee shots and all of my fairway shots the totally upright Surge swing is still the best option.
A thought
I don't know if your clubs are fitted or not, but it's possible that either the longer clubs you're having trouble with are too long, or you're standing marginally too close to the ball with them, causing the tendency to fade the ball. In general, though, you're right. Even Surge's Working the Ball videos show a slightly more around follow through when you're intentionally hitting a hook. It doesn't have to be much, and just not thinking about up may well allow the over-release necessary (rather than the left hand forcing the club up the forward tree).
A playable fade
My overall ball flight with the Surge swing is straight with a small dispersion left or right and being able to hit a controlled fade helps with scoring. None of my clubs are fitted.
I recently violated one of the tenets of the Surge swing and changed my driver to a 46 inch Taylormade RBZ. This club is about 30 yards longer than my 44 inch R-9 and straighter when adjusted to the neutral upright setting. As you mentioned, I was standing to close to the ball and missing shots to the right. Addressing the ball towards the toe of the driver, took care of that problem and also gave me center clubface contact.
There are a lot of ideas out there about how to draw the ball, but I didn't want to mess with a swing that is working very well. Not thinking about UP in the forward upswing was an easy way to get the slightly flatter plane that Surge talks about in his video.
Fitting
Dave,
I second Robert F's indirect recommendation for a fitting soon for you. By fitting, I mean a basic examination and tune up (or retro-fit if you will) of your current clubs. That is basic golf 101 for any one as serious about their game as you are.
Though Robert referred to length, certainly important, lofts and lies are another extremely important consideration that many never consider.
Lofts and lies of your clubs is not the complete fitting that is recommended by Don and Doc Griffin but it is a fundamental place to start and is under a $100.00 to have done but may mean several strokes saved on the golf course.
Here's a reminder of the importance of such a tune up. Don't put it off. I have my own loft and lie machine and check and tweek my lofts and lies at least once a year. There are hundreds of golfers out there that have NEVER had there irons checked.
http://www.mitchellgolf.com/news/bending-golf-clubs-facts-fallacies/
http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=adjusting+lies+on+golf+clubs&mid=9F73570014C7DC8B263D9F73570014C7DC8B263D&view=detai...
The value of fitting
Thanks to both of you for your concern. I appreciate that the fitting of irons is very important. My situation with clubs is a bit different. I only play with hybrids.
My first set of irons, purchased 27 years ago was fitted by a club maker, but I never hit them very well. A few years later, I had a full set of woods with only a sand wedge in the bag. My game was a lot less complicated with only one swing required and I was happy to not have to hit an iron, to score well.
Right now every club in my bag is a hybrid that looks more like a wood than an iron. I have 6 Wedgewood irons, sandwedge to 7 iron and they are a lot easier club for a senior, like myself, to hit and deadly accurate in the scoring zone. If you've never seen these clubs, check out the Wedgewood golf website. I think that their unique design makes fitting and tweaking unnecessary and shanking virtually impossible.
This may sound like an add , but the rest of my set is all Taylormade hybrids and woods. I love my new 6,5 and 4 RBZ hybrids, because they look and feel so much like a wood and are easier to hit than an iron. Whoever says that you can't buy a game, hasn't tried these babies.
Putter Fitting
I concur with the "fitting" comments prior. However, I must add, in the years I've been on this site, I don't remember ever hearing about being fitted correctly with a....putter. I spend maybe 40% (+ or -) of my strokes with this ONE club, and it just makes sense to have it professionally fitted.
It's funny, but I lipped out a 4-footer the other day, and my cowboy friend just laughed said... "dude.....you just negated your beautiful drive."
It was true.
As he laughed and as I reflected, I had my "aha" moment...get a putter fitting from someone who really knows.....Yes, my instructor/fitter had plenty to say.
Next episode: A putter change is coming.
putter fitting
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/putter-length-and-lie
\https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/putter-head-shaft-connection-does-it-matter
SG,
Here's acouple of examples of where Surge did discuss putter types and fitting.
Yes, ore discussions on this important subject would be great. never enough because we do use this stick for 40-50% of all shots. I had a good day with the putter yesterday. Converted 7 out of 9 up and downs around the greens I missed. Made putts from 4-10 feet several times and drained a 50 foot down hiller too. Rare day for me with the putter. Mikes reference to 'Quiet and complete' inspired me even with the putter as I wasn't "stabbing" at it but gently stroking through each putt. A light came on in my pee brain and I was able to send that signal to my hands:)
edit: Just thinking, the big trend on the tour is heavy putter or counter balanced. Many are adding weight. Surge has said he currently prefers a heavier putter. A full discussion of that would be cool too.
Tic Toc
Nice day putting, Robert. The tide comes in...the tide goes out.
(Edit: yes, I somehow missed the 7/25/12 daily.)
Surge, I was wondering if you could re-visit the subject of
professional putter fitting & your perspective on heavier and
anchored putters.
What are some of your key swing thoughts when putting ?
Thanks. SimplyGolf
Grip pressure
The following outlines changes in my grip after gaining thorough understanding of the why and then how to in Foundations: PPGS
1. Right hand "V" changed from pointing at chin to in line with right arm or pointing to rt, shoulder
2. Downward pressure of BOTH thumbs grip handle eliminated by repositioning with pressure points being rt side of thumb on rt hand against side of grip. Left thumb the same thing. Absolutely a "deal breaker" for a golfer to be putting downward pressure on handle with thumbs.......so thumbs are in alignment with foreams.....This is necessary to gain full advantages of the PPGS.
3. Equal firmness with both hands, last 3 fingers. And firm not squeezing tight. Muscles underneath are firm, top of forearms"soft". Tight muscles on top of forearms slow arm acceleration through impact zone.