The PPGS is all about a setup and swing that is body friendly and thus reduces stress and strain on the body. Lee, in his question below, brings up a good point about the PPGS resembling the swing of long ago that finished in a reverse pivot or C as it was called back then. He also brings up the point of this causing him to get a sore back. Let's see what Lee says and then I will answer his question.
LEE GRAY says:
I HAD A STRAIGHT BACK (UP A TREE) BACK SWING YEARS AGO AND I DEVELOPED A SORE BACK WITH REVERSE PIVOTING. THIS TAKEAWAY SEEMS SIMULAR IN THIS COURSE. HOW DOES THIS DIFFER?
The Surge says:
Back in the 1970s and 80s, and until the early 90s when the X – Factor swing, now referred to as the Rotational Swing, came into vogue, the swing of choice taught by most instructors was a very vertical swing and had many similarities to the PPGS. It called for relatively straight back takeaway, a 90 degree shoulder turn and extremely high hands at the top of the backswing. The finish was square to the target and was suppose to be relatively erect, like the T-Finish of the PPGS. The model for this swing would look almost exactly like the swing of Davis Love when he came out on Tour in 1985.
There was also another teaching philosophy in vogue at this time that liked keeping the arms and elbows close to the body in both the backswing and the finish. Tucking the back elbow in the backswing to avoid the 'Flying Back Elbow' was a major cause of not being able to keep a relatively straight front arm. Keeping the front elbow close and tucked in the follow through and finish caused the torso to be pushed backwards in the upswing, as the torso turned, squaring up to the target. This backward push caused the reverse C Pivot and a lot of back pain.
The first thing we have to look at and discuss in reference to the Reverse C Pivot and back pain is the width of stance. Back then, as is still now taught in most instruction, the recommendation of the width of stance is much wider and the legs look triangular. This differs from the narrower stance knees in line, described as 'riding a skinny horse' look, taught in the PPGS setup. For example, the desired width stated for the 5 iron in modern instruction is what is recommended for the driver in the PPGS.
The PPGS master setup position is defined as wide knees with outward pressure and feet shoulder wide. We teach the back foot is under the back shoulder for all clubs and not outside of it. Also, the foot and knee are in line under the hip and shoulder. Wider feet and triangular angled legs caused the torso to be pushed backwards in the weight transfer in the backswing. That caused the reverse C pivot which increased stress on the lower back leading to pain.
So, as Lee states, the in-the-mitt-takeaway and vertical lift up the tree of the PPGS is quite similar to that earlier swing he used. The key to remember here is that the emphasis of instruction of that time, like the PPGS swing, was on vertical and high hands at the top of the backswing. As long as high hands are emphasized, the shoulders likely turn less than 90 degrees. Turning to 90 or more causes the arms to be pulled downward. So, as long as high hands were the requirement, less shoulder turn was overlooked in the backswing.
The finish was another issue. Many instructors wanted the hips to turn faster and the arms to swing up and over the shoulder, folding down quickly, which could cause enough momentum to severely tilt the torso and spine into the reverse C pivot when the shift hit the angled front leg. Then add to that those who taught tucking the elbows both in the backswing and finish and there were a lot of reverse C finishes and sore backs.
The PPG setup and swing is based 100% on physics and physiology, science and simplicity. The narrower feet and 'riding the skinny horse' legs in line setup are the foundation for a simple, stable and dynamically balanced swing. The limited turn, 3/4 backswing and the swinging up and stand up to the T ' Finish, square to the target, eliminates the reverse C pivot and the back problems.
The Surge!