What Does Each Hand Do At Impact?

Wed, 02/15/2012 - 22:57 -- Don Trahan

There was an interesting question that Sip102 left on the blog last week [Footwear And Footwork] that I would like to discuss in today's lesson.

"I've been using your swing now for almost two years and can say my game has improved since day one. BUT...something always seems to get out of whack. Usually I can figure out the problem and it generally begins with my hands. I know that you cover the Surge Swing numerous times. I've read the manual and watch the dailies. I know you don't like to connect the dots when you break your swing down but I don't recall any daily specifically relating to just the hands except for being flat and no cocking. I know the swing should be automatic. I get hung up reaching perfect impact with the ball. You said the left hand was the power hand yet you swing up with the right. Should I be thinking coming back to the ball with the left and the right just following or thinking just the right hand or should I be thinking squaring the club head? You see my dilemma. This swing thought continues to disrupt my game. Any help will be appreciated."

Sip, you are right about my not liking to break the swing down into minute components. I just think that over complicates the swing and since the ball is only on the club face for .0005 second, trying to create a swing thought about sensing perfect impact is nearly impossible in my opinion. But that doesn't mean we can't talk about how the hands work during various parts of the swing so that you can ingrain that thought into your subconscious mind.

As you point out, I have said that for a right-handed player, the left hand delivers a lot of power, but it does so in concert with the right hand which also has a role in the power department. Both hands should grip the club with equal pressure and they should both swing at the same speed. And while the left hand's focus is primarily on delivering power, the right hand has an additional task and that is to control the amount of hand/arm rotation throughout the swing so that we can lift the club back and up into the catcher's mitt as we initiate the swing, square the club at impact and then continue to rotate the arms as we enter the forward mitt. So rather than think about that fleeting moment of impact, try to concentrate on getting the club toe up to toe up while controlling your turn and you'll find that the club will square up at impact like clockwork!

Keep it vertical!

The Surge

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Comments

Mario's picture

Submitted by Mario (not verified) on

To much BS here, videos should be worked a bit more, What about zooming the motion of the hands?, jokes and slang should be ommited and content enhanced, please be aware that there are lots of international viewers that do not understand slang

Jsmith's picture

Submitted by Jsmith (not verified) on

I am posting this comment with some trepidation. I first started with the Surge swing almost two years ago when I bought the 2010 Masters special. I have been very pleased with the service and with Surge's daily lessons. Thank you, Surge and team.

I want to add a commment about one of the problems I had, and that is with the concept of the "catcher's mitt". Watching the lesson today, the place I thought was the mitt was not the right place. So I gained some new knowledge today.

The trepidation I referred to above is about mentioning a tip I read way back in the mid-50's that seems to fit in with todays lesson about rotation. I am sure most of us know how  a hay bale is constructed with layers of grass folded. It is solid as can be on the ends, but on the sides it has spaces where the folding takes place. To get to the point, the tip was to imagine a hay bale lying across the target line a short distance down the line, maybe a foot or two. The tip was to imagine driving the toe of the club into the side of the hay bale.

This image seems to me to be consistent with the catchers concept, but I have learned over the years to be careful trying to add comments to professional's advice. I offer this information with best intentions. If Surge or anyone objects, it would not be my first time so take it if it helps, if not toss it

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Beat me by 15 minutes? Wow! I am going to have to quit multitasking in the middle of a reply. ;-)

Although I did beat Grunner by 17 minutes. Ha ha!

Ban---- Joe Douglass's picture

Submitted by Ban---- Joe Douglass (not verified) on

Surge,     You are to cool for school. needless to say an ole man talking. Just wanted to say "Thanks" for your, time, trouble, and great help to us, and the great game of golf.  A "Surge-ite"  Ban-Joe

Dragonhead's picture

Submitted by Dragonhead (not verified) on

 Robert, Lump in throat and tears in ma' een watching this one. A truly spectacular links course.The type I love. Watched the video of Danny Bhoy's one with the piper in the picture. It is a wonder my shrieks of laughter were not heard world wide. My first British Army posting was to a 'tough' area in Glasgow, Scotland. 3 years of never to be forgotten, genuine, hard, but friendly and loyal folk. I was proud to have been addressed during  those three years,by locals as "Hey Jimmy!" Some of the things I experience their in that lovely city, would make your hair curl. Yet I loved it.
Trumps course is now threatened with a bluidy windfarm. When will folk admit that they are an ecological nightmare,inefficient and costly?
So a quiet evening in prospect and then on the morrow........One handed swings and let 'er rip! Must turn the video on again and listen to the pipes. Have another great round tomorrow. DH PMGAS

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Comments below gave you some ideas. I will re-inforce the recomendation to get the "situational and working the ball" series offered here. I added 25-35 yards to my drives using the draw the ball methodes discribed by Surge.
These videos can add yards to your years! They're worth the small cost of purchasing them.

Russty Kiwi's picture

Submitted by Russty Kiwi (not verified) on

Yes Dave its a very important part of the surge swing & thats why he promotes the idea regularly. The one I have the most trouble with is the forward mitt & need to work on that.  I am getting a lot of pleasure from the Surge swing & cant see me playing any other way

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Hmmmm! You mean international viewers don't also use slang?
Isn't BS slang?

I think it's great. I can almost understand Australian, New Zealand, Scottish, English, Yankee and South American English now and I think some of those guys are starting to get the hang of Hillbilly.

You might be able to lighten up and feel a little better if you grab a pair of channel locks and remove that corn cob.

T Medley's picture

Submitted by T Medley (not verified) on

 Jsmith:

No trepidation needed. I have used make shift impact bags on the same drill. Place it where the mitt should be and deliver the club toe up into it on the FUS.
PS, don't use anything without a lot of give or the shock vibrations will get you. A hay bale seems well suited to the drill.

PMG

Doc Griffin's picture

Submitted by Doc Griffin (not verified) on

THE FOLLOWING IS TOTALLY UN-GOLF RELATED AND IS SELF SERVING!  IF EASILY OFFENDED BY NON GOLF POSTS ON THE BLOG, DO NOT READ FURTHER!

Alrighty then, my reason for this post is that Vaughan and I are in the process of discussing moving to Florida.  We prefer coast, west first, east second.  I would prefer to continue doing my fitting work.  I would look to work out of a golf club initially and possibly permanently or possibly even a driving range as I do now.  Any contacts that can be forwarded to me or suggestions as to possible venues would be greatly appreciated.  A retirement community such as the villages or a Dell Webb area would not be bad either.  Any other ideas or suggestions are also welcome. Let me say thanks for any help from Vaughan and me.  

Amos 's picture

Submitted by Amos (not verified) on

Steve :

    YANKEE is the hard one!  LOL  one "good ole boy" to another

    Amos

Roy Reed's picture

Submitted by Roy Reed (not verified) on

Great video Surge!!  I've watched it several times - you touched on the key elements of the swing - very simple but so easy to complicate because we try to overthink and over-analysis instead of just letting it happen.   Hit 'em straight!  R2

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

The Villages would be awesome Doc. Whoever gets you at their golf club, range or fitters shop will be better for it. Hope you can continue to help us regardless of where you go on line and in person:)

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

The camera angle can make it look like the ball is further back than it is. The video at this link shows that.
http://player.swingsurgeon.com...

"Thumbs up to thumbs up" is used by many people on the blog and it's a simple, yet effective swing thought.

I would caution about altering that thought to "in my ear" would be that many people already have a hard time keeping from overdoing wrist hinge and also trouble keeping the front arm relatively straight in the back swing. "In my ear" could easily promote both.

"Thumbs up" would be a better thought for people with those unwanted tendencies.

Also if taken too literally "in my ear" on the back swing wouldn't have the hands deep enough at the top of the back swing. Even the most vertical swingers like Surge will have the hands at least as deep as the base of the neck.

That's not to say that your swing thought doesn't work because it may very well be a great thought for you to keep you within parameters. Just may not work for everybody.

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

Russty, maybe you should forget about it during the swing but make it part of your waggle? Set up to the ball and swing the club into the mitt on each side before you take your actual swing.

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

We have lots of International viewers that understand just fine. I love slang and accents of my foreign friends. When I liston to a Brit, Scot or Irishman I love it pal. Our Ausies and Kiwis understand just fine. I am forced to liston better and end up learning more. Get over it buddy or move on.
Good golfing to you:)

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Evening Surge Nation. Enjoyed todays daily video. Played 18 and turned around a tough front nine 45 with a tidy 39 on the back that included a fun birdy on a 185 par 3 that I hit my 3 wood stif to a two foot kick in. Ball wasn't flying to far today in a cold rainy breezy day for golf here. Almost didn'T play today for the weather but had a good feeling some good shots would happen anyway. Glad I went though I did get wet and cold. Oh well, worth it of course.

Here's  beautiful jaw dropping golf course that Trumps team put together in Scotland-
Enjoy and dream a little

http://www.youtube.com/watch?f...

Grunner's picture

Submitted by Grunner (not verified) on

If you want a "little" draw, experiment with closing the clubface in varying degrees at address and make your normal vertical swing.  If you want a "bigger" draw, check out Surge's "Working the Ball" video.  He'll show you how it's done.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Some reasons why the English language is hard to learn:::

The bandage was wound around the wound.

The farm was used to produce produce.

The dump was so full that it had to refuse more refuse

We must polish the Polish furniture.

He could lead if he would get the lead out.

The soldier decided to desert his dessert in the desert.

Since there is no time like the present, he thought it was time to present the present.

A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.

When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

I did not object to the object.

The insurance was invalid for the invalid.

There was a row among the oarsmen about how to row.

They were too close to the door to close it.

The buck does funny things when the does are present.

A seamstress and a sewer fell down into a sewer line.

To help with planting, the farmer taught his sow to sow.

The wind was too strong to wind the sail.

After a number of injections my jaw got number.

Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.

I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.

How can I intimate this to my most intimate friend?

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

DH, Your enthusiasm is infectious. Glad to hear about your lights on moment. Isn't golf grand. Good golf to you my friend.
PMG

Roy Reed's picture

Submitted by Roy Reed (not verified) on

Doc:  Florida sounds like a great place to live, especially this time of year!  I hear there are a lot of nice courses down that way.  Keep us posted on how things go.  Wish I had some contacts down that way, but I can't be of much help :-((   Wherever you move to, they will certainly be very, very lucky to have you in the neighborhood!!  R2

Lloyd Luke's picture

Submitted by Lloyd Luke (not verified) on

Great explanation of what each hand does at impact. When I analyze the swing, and hit a bad shot, I can usually figure out what I did wrong, to cause it to go where it did. If you follow the Surge as I have, you will eventually figure out how to correct your bad shots. This great explanation of what each hand does is just a description of getting things in sync, so that beautiful results will happen.

T Medley's picture

Submitted by T Medley (not verified) on

Mario:

I am trying hard to give you the benefit of my doubt, in spite of your sarcastic and belittling criticism. Perhaps there are in fact, slang words or American terms you are unfamiliar with. If that is the actual facts, then please ask for clarification in a little more of a friendly and humble manner, and you will receive many pleasant and helpful replies, instead of the style you are now getting from the majority. You might also keep in mind that this sight has a search block of it's own in the right column. You might find it quite helpful with further clarification and information. In regards to American Terms, try using Google or just simply ask, pleasantly, and you shall receive.

Play nicely with others, give it a try, what can it hurt. You might be surprized to find solid friendly advice and help. A little laughter and joviality is healing medicine and good for the soul, do not discourage it so lightly.

Good luck and PMG.

Howard Pilgrim's picture

Submitted by Howard Pilgrim on

Today's video is right on the mark, Surge!  For many years I struggled with big blocking shots while better players kept telling me to "release" through impact. i couldn't make any progress on this until I came to realise that I had to be less conscious of my impact position, not more. Trying to control where the club was at impact made my hands lock up so I could only try to push the ball towards the target. Totally counterproductive. I think this is what the old Scottish pros used to call "pressing" ("Do nay press, laddie!" in P G Wodehouse, anyone?)

Anyway, my point is that I can monitor where my hands and the club are pointing at about waist height before and after impact ... Toe up! In between is one glorious blur in which centrifugal force takes over, if all goes well, and the ball is gone like a rocket. How can I be confident that the timing will be right to square it up at impact? By keeping my head still, right opposite the ball. Works like a charm!

Thank you for making it so simple for us all, Surge.

Dragonhead's picture

Submitted by Dragonhead (not verified) on

 As one who can have no influence on where you and Vaughan re-locate to, other than having you in our prayers and thoughts. 'Self Serving'? You have more than earned our respect for your untiring assistance to so many of us Surgites. Hope the Surge Nation comes to your assistance BIG TIME Doc.We wait with interest further news. Come on FLORIDA here is a man of courage, character and honesty, with the skills to make your Golfers happy.What more do you want? Are you LISTENING?
Good Luck and God Bless from a Scots/Irish rascal in New Zealand.
Respectfully Yours DH and his Ball Hound.

Dick Lee's picture

Submitted by Dick Lee (not verified) on

 Steve

It also does not help that we; Park in the drive way, and drive on the parkway.

And us hillbillies are always fixing something.  Like I am fixing to go to the store.

How would we explain the shortening and running together of words?  Like our own Ebonics.

Like:
jwanto - do you want to
juetyet - did you eat yet
and my favorite
getrdone - get her done

Then there are the one word replies that say it all.

really - is that really what you meant to say
             is that really what you meant to do

get - you had better take off running or prepare to get  
         a good whippin.
get - also yelled at a dog to run it off

shucks - ah, it was nothing, really

Nuff said,
Dick

 

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Twas and is a beautiful site laddy!
:) Happy to bring a bit of joy to your heart

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

I  agree that descriptions of takeaways are confusing.

That said, I also don't understand at all what you are talking about in regards to "active lift with the arms". There is no way in the world to make a golf swing of any kind without an active lift of the arms at the same time the body is rotating. Without lifting the club would be dragging on the ground as we turned.

Discrepancy comes from whether the arms are rotating while they are lifting. It is possible to use no arm rotation and simply be lifting the arms straight in front of your chest as you turn with a full 90 degree or more turn in a rotational swing but with a limited turn the arms must actively rotate to make up the difference of the lack of enough turn to get the club head to the toe line while they are lifting.

Some perform this rotation subconsciously without ever knowing they are doing it while others have a conscious effort of the arms controlling the movement of the club head to the toe line.

Either way it is all done in "one piece" with both the body and the arms, just as if you were reaching in front of your body to grab a glass and then turned to set it up on a shelf beside you on the toe line.
One piece move? I would say so. Some body turn? Absolutely. Arm lift? Absolutely. Arm rotation? Unless you just enjoy turning a full 90 degrees every time there will be some rotation.

A two piece move to set the glass on the shelf would be to turn it toward the shelf and then lift it up in 2 distinct moves.
A one piece move would be to simply lift and turn at the same time, creating an arc, and set it up there.

Russty Kiwi's picture

Submitted by Russty Kiwi (not verified) on

Cheers Robert.  My practice swings are a thing of beauty , but when I address the ball, all is completely forgoten as the ball becomes my focus. End up hitting off the back foot & you name it.  I have improved a lot & now regularly beat my mates, but still fall back to bad habits 30% of the time. This is only on full swing shots mainly & maybe should start playing with my eyes shut like DH does to snap out of it

Dick Lee's picture

Submitted by Dick Lee (not verified) on

Mario brothers

How is this for international slang?

Don't be a wanker.

Did I say that right Dragonhead?

MikefromKy Go Bama. Go Irish's picture

Submitted by MikefromKy Go B... (not verified) on

Got my video lesson back today. Was not as bad as I thought it would be.

Things to work on posture getting my ankles back under the hips / hip joints. Ankles / feet to far under my body resulting in to much weight on the heals rotational habit. Work on not dragging the hands inside to quickly and shorten the swing. But the posture may the cause of a lot of the issues.

Was well worth the investment. Now I have something to work on to get me over the hump.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Good luck Doc. I'm sure you will do great wherever you decide to live.

If my wife ever talks me into it we will end up living on the Gulf coast ourselves. She would pack up and move in a minute.

Funny thing is I moved back to this county 18 years ago because there was basically 0% unemployment but since all of the manufacturing jobs have headed overseas there is nothing at all going on around here.

Hilbridan (NZ)'s picture

Submitted by Hilbridan (NZ) (not verified) on

Welcome back Dorothy. You have been missed.
I have been looking longingly at hybrid sets lately, too.
Will just have to pray my boat comes in soon.
Regards
Bob

Russty Kiwi's picture

Submitted by Russty Kiwi (not verified) on

Hi Jsmith.   For some reason I have never thought about the catchers mitt during the swing. I'm sure Surge tells us this to stop us from turning too much & keeping over the toe line, but for me its hands perpendicular throughout the swing, to a vertical club at the top & maintain firm wrists throughout the swing.   Aiming for the left ear to finish. I think its ball position, both forward & back in your stance & closer or further away from you that dictates the outcome

Doc Griffin's picture

Submitted by Doc Griffin (not verified) on

It says the torso is the hub.  Hold the club passively, means don't move the hands.   The shoulders turn, the arms lift, call it what you will but a rose......you get the point.  One piece take away simply put means that everything moves in unison. Which is exactly what this swing is.  Not to be belittle anything at all but we know that the lifting is not really what is being done.  If that was the case the club would be up in front of us before we ever got the shoulders turned.  The more accurate description would be that the turn and lifting are happening simultaneously.  It has to or else one would get out of sink with the other.  Sometimes you just have to hear between the lines.

Roy Reed's picture

Submitted by Roy Reed (not verified) on

Russty:  Do what Dragonhead does: Start making practice swings without a ball.  Focus ALL your attention on the T-finish, recoil and relax.  Then try it with your eyes closed so you can get the "feeling" of the swing.  I've been doing this for a year now and FINALLY, I've ingrained the way a full swing should feel.  It takes some practice but you can do it!!  Hit 'em straight! R2

Jsmith's picture

Submitted by Jsmith (not verified) on

Russty Kiwi--I am just the opposite. It is part of my being. Trained as an engineer, I can't look at a pipe without thinking is the fluid in laminar or turbulent flow? If Surge says mitt, I have to see the mitt. This attitude has ruined a lot of good days on the course and is probably the reason I never became an accomplished golfer

My buddy is a Class A professional and past sectional champ. In the old days we used to do our pub crawl act. One day he hit the curb when we were parking in front one of our watering holes. I said,"Don't you ever wonder what that does to the rayon cords in the tire?" he looked at me and said simply, "No."  My conclusion was that was the reason he could play and I couldn't.

But, I really liked today's lesson. If I can just swing as you suggest and as Surge describes in the lesson, I will take another step forward.

My wife and I have always wanted to visit your beautiful country. Maybe one of these days.

Dick Lee's picture

Submitted by Dick Lee (not verified) on

 Doc

I spent the last 35 years in Fl.  I lived in north Fl for 5 years and then SE Fl for 30 years.  I have spend considerable time in SW Fl as well.  I would recommend SW or the west gulf coast highly over SE Fl.  The people over there are so much nicer, and the pace is a lot slower.

All that being said, I have to throw our hat in the ring.  It is great out here in Ok, and the people are great.

Any place you guys land will be blessed to have you.

You are in my prayers,
Dick

Amos 's picture

Submitted by Amos (not verified) on

Robert :

    Likewise -- it was cool and a little breezy in the "low desert" also.

    Played 18 today -- not as well as Monday - but certainly better than last Friday -(See previous posts)

    I am blaming the cooler wether, but I culd not seem to make many putts - a lot of "good putt but no cigar" -- everything from just short to the "cellophane bridge" to just missing the edges, etc - and similar with the chipping.

    Driving was more accurate than Monday, but a little shorter on average.
     10 of 14 fariwasy, 175 yard average -- and again, two of the misses by a matter of inches in the first cut.
      Only 2 GIR but one par and TWO BIRDIES  -- I can not remeber the last time I had 2 Birds in one round!  On the other hand - only one par sucks!  But I had 9 bogies -- several of them "coulda" been pars with just a touch better putting or chipping.   One of the Birdies was a chip in from about 20 feet off the green.

      Wound up with a 92 -- about my average this Winter. Boy am I looking forward to warm weather and lower scores!

      Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG

      Amos

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

 I've poked a relative I have down there. I'll let you know what, if anything, I hear.

You've never thought of moving to Vegas, have you? ;-)

JP's picture

Submitted by JP (not verified) on

Help  Has anyone out there been able to play golf with the surge's swing after a back fussion surgery from L-2 to S-1 let me know rentalguidefresno@att.net e-mail

Ritchie 1's picture

Submitted by Ritchie 1 (not verified) on

Dragonhead or Steve Smith, where can I see the one handed swing video? Played yesterday and my swing fell apart after about 4 holes. I certainly need a LIGHTS WENT ON moment. I am using the Surge Swing for about a year now, some times it works very well and sometimes it just disappears. In the past year my handicap has gone UP by three shots eventhough i feel i am playing well sometimes, just no consistency. Maybe I need more practice!!!!!!. Ritchie 1  

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Not confusing to me. Sometimes Surge emphasises certain aspects of the take away but over all he is very consistent. He has always held that it is "a little turn and alot of lift". Though the arms are mentioned, it is normally discussed as a rotation in the shoulder sockets. Referance to the hands and wrists are are sometimes passive sometime quiet other times firm or stiff, but it is always said that no wrist action is good wrist action. Rotation? Absolutely. But as Steve says, for some it is conscious and others it just happens as part of that one peice move. As for the "lifting from the get go", yes and that may be said to remind us that it is not a turn then lift but it all happens together simultaneously.
This daily lesson was about the hands so more thought was placed on that aspect.
Conclusion, no, not a two peice takeaway. The torso moving is the"little turn" and the "alot of lift" happens as the arm to hands unit moves the clubhead through the mit and up the tree. All done with no wrist cock and very subtle rotation toe up in a one peice move.

Gil B.'s picture

Submitted by Gil B. (not verified) on

Perhaps my question was not detailed enough. My thought of "to the ear" works for me because it's not literal, but a thought which raises the hands to a more vertical position versus around me and "laid off". My hands are between my ears and my shoulder, literally, at the top. This "to the ear" thought has also helped my position of my left wrist at the top. I was normally, and incorrectly, cuppy at the top with my left wrist. When I think of a flat wrist at the top it naturally changes the position of the club at the top from a more "in the ear" to the present location of in between as mentioned earlier. Maybe my explanation needed an explanation. Thanks for the video link. It was helpful.

Stickman's picture

Submitted by Stickman (not verified) on

What does each hand do at impact? My answer is nothing except hold on to the club. To feel the timing for releasing the arm rotation, I like to turn my arms back and forth over the ball (or spot behind it) the same distance each side and see the club face square in the middle. For me, it helps time the arm rotation to the bump. It's more of a set up feel than a swing thought.

jon's picture

Submitted by jon on

As the Surge said , " let it happen ."  Both arms swings equally through impact , with the right wrist rotating through the fus , over shoulder , recoil and relax finish . This rotation for me happens naturally after impact . Although there's times the club face would  open and " under release " the ball resulting in a slice . Also if  the club face closed  and i would pull the ball left .  The " one " big difference is at impact , the vertical swing at impact has a " clean sound " as we don't swing down on the ball we swing " up" on the ball . At the driving range i hear the " thump sound " of people striking down on the ball , and it's not a good sound it becomes quite annoying . Vertical it Is !

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