I think one of the most fascinating things that is happening since we started our site, is the number of golf professionals who have responded with comments. I couldn't be more humbled and … pleased. I established a 'Swing Surgeon Certification' program several years ago and there are, in fact, several PPGS teaching pros out there. But, quite honestly, the response, from teaching pros, has been more than I ever expected. We'll be expanding the program world-wide as soon as we can. And letting you know where to find them.
In the mean time, I think those pros are probably asking some of the more significant questions I've seen in years. And I want to give them an answer as quickly as possible. I also think their questions are so 'right on,' they will help everybody!
James had a great question: his back was sore, really sore, from putting. I've never see James putt, but from his email, I was able to pinpoint his problem.
James was spending way too much time practicing putting. The hours he was spending on the practice green was acvtuallu hurting him ' literally.
Here's what I wrote:
James,
The number one thing I can surmise is that you likely have a problem with your posture, being bent over too much at the waist. When we bend over too much at the waist, on long shots as well as putting, the key problem is being out of dynamic balance. The head and shoulders are too far out from the center of gravity, which is at the base of the spine. Bent over too much like this, with too much weight too far out from the center, causes the lower back, hips and upper legs to have to tense up to support and balance the upper torso as it moves in the swing or putting stroke. With all the practice putting you have been doing, the back is sending you a message. Dr. Armstrong, an orthopedic surgeon who is my mentor for physiology, has a saying: 'God gave humans the ability to feel tension, stress and strain, as they are the prelude to pain. Ignore them too long and you pay the price with pain.'
Now, what to do. First, lighten up on the putting practice. When you feel tension, stress, and strain…STOP! Relax…and… STRETCH. Do stretching throughout the day to keep the muscles relaxed.
Second, try standing a little taller, with less spine tilt at the hips. You may need to get a longer putter, or even go to a belly putter or longer. Standing taller should end the stress, strain and tension, and may even allow you to practice as long as you like. But, I may even go so far as to say, you may not need to practice as much with better posture, because a balanced putting setup produces a better and more consistent stroke, which will help you make more putts.
Hope this helps, and you start making everything you look at!
The Surge!
P.S. The “good thing” starts here. Click for the new PPGS offer.