Carol has just taken up the game of golf (congratulations, Carol!) And had an interesting question. As a result of surgery as a child, her right leg is one inch shorter than her left, so her hips tilt slightly to the right. She wanted to know if she needed to make adjustments in the PPGS. I think the following demonstrates how a swing, based on physics and physiology, and work for everyone.
Carol,
I have had students in the past with one leg shorter than another, so I have dealt with this before. For starters, do you wear higher soles or lifts in your right shoe to level off your leg length and hips? If so, then you should pretty much be able to try and follow the PPGS setup and swing guide lines.
Even if you don't, the beauty of the PPGS is that there are parameters that have an acceptable range of setup and motion that is based on the physical makeup of the student. The key is to find the setup positions that allow you to setup and swing as close to the norm of the PPGS.
For example, you may need to setup a little more level with your shoulders and hips, that is not so pre-loaded heavy right, since, with the shorter right leg, you're somewhat already there. Also, if the surgery has reduced the range of rotation of your right knee, you may need to open or flair the right foot out even more, to allow the knee to remain flexed. This will reduce stress in the knee during the backswing when the weight loads over and onto the right leg.
What you have to do with this is a little trial test run. Make swings, opening the foot a little more after few swings and see how it feels on the knee and leg. Also, note how balanced you are during the entire swing. Finally, how good did you hit the ball. You are searching for what feels good in the setup, and then the swing, and what setup and swing produces the best hits.
One last point. Sometimes you may have to change the swing and your shot pattern. For example, I have a student who was a former big time college quarterback, who had his right (throwing arm) shoulder dislocated and beat up so many times that he cannot lift his right arm properly to reach the PPGS T-Finish that would result in a ball hit straight or to a draw. He is a solid 3 to 5 handicap and can hit the draw, but too often it gets out of control when the right arm over rotates and collapses around the torso, instead of up and over the left shoulder.
Despite his wanting to hit it straight to a soft draw, he just can't do it consistently and, sure as the sun comes up in the mooring, he is going to hit some serious pulls and hooks ruining a lot of good rounds.. Solution: We set him up a little open, from toes to shoulders, and he hits a power cut as long or longer that his old swing. The bad pull is a thing of the past.
So, to sum up your question, YES, you can make adjustments to find what setup will help you build the best PPGS according to your physical attributes. The key is to try and stay as close to the PPGS setup and swing standards as possible. I describe it as the center line in the street. The perfect swing is walking the dead center line. No one can swing that way. It is then your job, and if you are on the lesson tee with me, my job, to help you find the best setup and swing to maximize the laws of physisl and physiology to produce your optimum swing.
Let me know how it goes.
The Surge!