When Is The Swing Done?

Wed, 06/15/2011 - 09:31 -- Don Trahan

We got this question on the blog recently and it'€™s been a while since someone brought this up. This was a question about the importance of followthrough. So when is the golf swing finished?

Many know my answer: at a perfect T-Finish. Why not right after you hit the ball? What'€™s so important about the finish?

At impact, ball and clubface meet for a millisecond. If you stop at impact that would be like someone throwing a punch and as soon as his fist touched his opponent he stopped the punch. The correct followthrough is required there.

In the golf swing you have to accelerating through the ball at impact. Path determines the direction of the ball. The clubface determines the direction of the ball at impact. Without the correct followthrough, you would lose distance, direction, control.

Take a look at the video and you'€™ll see why the golf swing is done at the T-Finish.

Keep it vertical,

The Surge!

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Comments

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

I understand Robert. If it doesn't work out for a morning we'll brave the heat sometime. Wednesdays,Thursdays or Fridays are generally days I might be able to do 18 somewhere. Otherwise the 9 on Muni is on a sat/sun/mon or tues.

Boogm's picture

Submitted by Boogm (not verified) on

Surge, thanks for today's porch potent. Good stuff and I hope it helps those that more times than not are putting the brakes on to soon in their FUS

TinaB's picture

Submitted by TinaB (not verified) on

John said as much.  Maybe some Saturday morning we can work that out.  We can compare swings and stories  :)  
TinaB

Kevin McCarthy's picture

Submitted by Kevin McCarthy (not verified) on

I fully agree with your comment that if you set up right and transition, that the swing virtually takes care of itself.  I have been doing alot of things correctly, but still found my shots going flat or slicing.  I took a look at one of T. Medley's video connection and found an earlier you-tube of Don explaining how to get into a pre-loaded right stance by moving the belt buckle over an inch and settling in.  I went down and focused only on that aspect, and suddenly was hitting shots straight and long and my finish was all the way through to a t finish..  I was no longer concerned about all the other pieces of the swing as I felt I was in a good position over the ball and just had to swing the swing.  The arms basically pulled me through without having to think about it.  It all started by getting into a posture at address where I felt confident and gave me the feeling that I was getting through the ball rather than feeling I was in a reverse tilt position to start. 

TeeOn13's picture

Submitted by TeeOn13 (not verified) on

Ha!

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

Why would he be hitting off his front foot now? In baseball and softball you have a similar weight shift from the back foot to the front foot ahead of the contact with the ball, but with the Surge Swing the initial setup is pretty similar (perhaps not quite as much on the right, as some hitters will be completely off the front foot when they start their swing). The major differences are the location of the ball (at your feet rather than somewhere between your knees and shoulders) and the fact that the ball doesn't move. The latter part should actually make it simpler.

Is he learning to play left handed or is he a lefty learning to play right handed?

I'd say he has the perfect opportunity for the two of you to learn the Surge Swing together, rather than have him studying from a rotational teacher and the two of you ending up in arguments about some of the elements of the swing.

He undoubtedly will need to work on his tempo, but I'd think that once he gets the hang of the differences, he'll find golf an extremely enjoyable game.

Boogm's picture

Submitted by Boogm (not verified) on

Robert, I like to practice short putts with my eyes closed and just listen for the putt to drop, it really helps me keep my head down and not peeking to soon. It also helps you get the feel for the speed.For my longer putts on the practice green, I look at the hole once I'm aligned much like Harbounty mentions above. If I don't use these drills on the practice green somewhere along my round, I'll find myself peeking, like you mention, and will pull them as well.

nick's picture

Submitted by nick on

I even think you could say that the follow through is such an important part of the golfswing, that after some practice getting the vertical take-away right, your finishing of position will be the only swing thought you need.

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

I'd love to play a round with you and Boog too. In fact we're still hoping for a swing surgeon tourny in Las Vegas later this year. If that happens hopefully all the faithful will show up.

T Medley's picture

Submitted by T Medley (not verified) on

Saturdays are actually the best days for me. Keep me posted on any future Saturday meets in Mansfield.

Lynn42's picture

Submitted by Lynn42 (not verified) on

Surge Nation,

As promised, The fat lady was in fine voice today.  Once I figured out I was hitting my short irons (PW,9 and 8) a full club farther than normal simply by swinging to a full T finish I gave myself chances for birdie on 5 holes..all withing 10 feet.  Only converted 2 of them (my putter obviously did NOT get the memo).  The T finish did 2 things for me that are issues I struggle with.  1. It emiminates the "hit" impulse and 2. The "bump" just happens.  Side benefit is I gained a full club length with those three clubs. 

The 2 birdies were on par 3s with my 8 iron to within 5 feet.  Normally I hit 7 iron on both of those holes. 

BTW, Steve, they are NOT 170 yard par 3s....lol.

Now if I can take this lesson to the course on friday for my son-in-laws father's day scramble, I'll be a happy hacker. ;0)

Thank you Surge and thank you Doc.

Lynn42 

T Medley's picture

Submitted by T Medley (not verified) on

Hello fellow Surgites, Yesterday was a good day in my realm of the Surge Nation. I had my first 39 with the new sticks. The front went well, with 4-pars, 1-birdie, and 4-bogies, on a 6000yd course. The back was not as pleasant, with a few doubles, but managed a 43, with one lost ball. I actually drove it through the fairway, into the woods on a dogleg right. Mixed emotions over that one. I scored, 3-pars, no birdies, 3-bogies, and the others. I am pleased with the 82 and especially the 39. I am due to play in 2hrs again today and hope to play as well if not better. I also have my first scramble of the year on Saturday, through my hard earned(30yr) pension paying employer. Better golf is just a fit away. I wish I could remember where I've heard that.

Doc Griffin's picture

Submitted by Doc Griffin (not verified) on

Center

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

Yes, proper timing and release results in much more consistent results than manipulation.

Lee Martin's picture

Submitted by Lee Martin (not verified) on

Thanks Robert,
I am going to pay more attention to the spine angle and follow through as I think these may be the main issues for me. I was second guessing myself when it came to my clubs but then so many people have said to me that a more vertical swing plane does promote a higher ball flight, which I have a great control with and wouldn't swap it, as I said just to have that low shot would be another great asset to my game.

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

The other important point about follow through is that it ensures that you properly release the stored energy of the swing. To stop the club quickly, you have to tense up all sorts of muscles, rather than letting them fully extend, and all of the effort to keep the swing center (base of the neck) behind the ball has to be allowed to release to pull you into the upright finish position as you pass through impact. Stopping before the point where your head is directly over the left leg and your weight is pretty much entirely shifted forward means that you had to hold back a lot of the potential power (or push it back in the form of a reverse weight shift).

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Usually the main "swing thought" that I have is how I'm going to hit the ball under this limb but over that limb and around those two trees and hook 30 yards back to the green and land soft enough to not go in the creek behind the green. LOL
I'm not sure if a finish will take care of all of that. It might keep me out of that situation though. Ha ha!

Dick Lee's picture

Submitted by Dick Lee (not verified) on

Surge Nation

Hope you all had a great day and wonderful rounds.  I am beat from the heat and the length of my day.  I am hitting the rack at 1 AM.

I am finishing my move tomorrow.  I will be glad to get it done.

I wanted to leave you with this little story.  It is golf related.  Hope you enjoy it.  This guy knows how to make the most out of a bad situation.

Dick

Ransom

A Yuppie was sent a ransom note saying that he was to bring $50,000 to the 17th hole of the country club at 10 o'clock the next day if he ever wanted to see his wife alive again.

He didn't arrive until almost 12:30. A masked man stepped out from behind some bushes and growled, "What the heck took ya so long ? You're over two hours late."

"Hey ! Give me a break." whined the Yuppie. "I have a 27 handicap."

Don M. 's picture

Submitted by Don M. (not verified) on

I know enough about physics to sound good in a bar and that's all I need.  I also know from experience the importance of following through-hit two shots, follow through on the first and stop stop at the bottom on the second.  If it takes more than that to convince you you must be related to my ex-wife. 
Should stop but-----following thru like Surge says is the only way to achieve your personal maximum club-head speed.  This is because the club-head speed vs. club-head position curve is symmetrical.  What happens in the  first part depends on the second part.   If you slowdown after impact you have to have been slower from the start of your downswing to impact. 
My problems occur when I do something on the take away to prevent me from following thru like jerking the club back inside and the coming over the top.  When I take the club away correctly and get a good weight shift and transition back down I always follow thru correctly.  So I guess the answer is to get the posture, weight distribution, transition right and you don't have to worry about the follow through - the swing symmetrical. By the same token, a pretty follow-thru isn't going to produce a good result if the first half of the swing is lacking. 

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Couldn't comment below....
Great fun on the skins you and your pal won over those kids. That's right! They'll think twice next time  :)

Brian in Salt Lake's picture

Submitted by Brian in Salt Lake (not verified) on

Here's a question for Doc Griffin. I think I am getting the surge swing down pretty well, but I keep on fading left to right. I decided to make a little change by closing the club face at set up. Now I am hitting much straighter. I know that that's kind of a bandaid, but here's my question. Is it possible that my clubs are just not right for me, as in shaft flex or whatever? You always say that we would all play better with truly fitted clubs. Thanks for all your input. Take care.

Richard Cleary's picture

Submitted by Richard Cleary (not verified) on

Guys,
As somebody with a memory like a goldfish, please remind me, whats FUS & BUS
 
Ritchie 1

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

That's great Bob!!!
Except for the root canal. Even the front nine would be better than that.
I saw a guy make three birdies in a row a few weeks ago after getting a little drunk. Then I saw him swing and miss at three balls after getting a lot drunk. LOL
I don't know if novocaine has any effect or not on the game. Maybe the "prescription" has to be just right like it did with the alcohol for that guy. LOL

Brian in Salt Lake's picture

Submitted by Brian in Salt Lake (not verified) on

Thanks to all of you for your great comments. It's great to talk to golfers that all understand the basic tenents of the Surge Swing. I'll try some of your advice and keep practicing. Thanks again to you all.

Boogm's picture

Submitted by Boogm (not verified) on

Thanks,Robert, being the country boy I am, the wife wont let have any of her towels, so I use a 6' piece of 1/4 nylon rope and double it back. Doesn't take many swings to painfully (slightly) remind you if your off track. :)

Doc Griffin's picture

Submitted by Doc Griffin (not verified) on

If you remove the clubs as a variable to "bad" golf, then it becomes just the operator.  Depending on what is "wrong" with clubs, it can produce all kinds of errant shots or cause the user to have to make a myriad of different compensatory moves.  If you have moved the club face at address and it is helping, then that is a good thing.  Whether it is actually closed or not remains questionable and I can't tell with out seeing the set up.  It is entirely possible that you now have the club face square as opposed to open. 

A fade is caused by having the club face open at impact, an out to in swing path which imparts clockwise spin on the ball, improper ball position which results in the club face being in the improper position at impact.  Generally a shaft that is too stiff will cause the user to leave the club face open.  However, this is just in general.  Too whippy a shaft in the hands of a golfer that has sense that the shaft is too weak and therefore doesn't release can also leave the ball going right.  In other words, there are lots of things that can cause a ball to go right and without having the person in front of me or seeing video, it's hard to diagnose.  It seems that for the moment you have found a key to remedy the problem.

My best advice would be to see a certified fitter that also knows the swing to have it all checked out.

Roy Reed's picture

Submitted by Roy Reed (not verified) on

Brian:  Not sure where you are in SLC, but I'm north of you in Clearfield.  I could meet you at the Lakeside course in Bountiful and look at your swing.  I have all the camera stuff to video it, and you could post it on u-tube and have the regulars take a look at it.  I also have a Swing Rite and a Swing Tech Trainer that may be useful.  Let me know if you'd like to get together.  Doc Griffin should have my e-mail and phone number.   Have a great day.  R2

Phil Merrick's picture

Submitted by Phil Merrick (not verified) on

Surge...I understand the need to follow through to the finish.  Also look where you throw and throuw where  youj look.  What about putting?  Why do we not look at the hole when we putt?

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

FUS is official Surge acronym for Forward UpSwing, Don's term for everything between the transition and the T-Finish. BUS is an unofficial term employed here on the blog by some folks for everything from the takeaway to the transition, standing for Backward UpSwing--a reminder that on both sides we're trying to keep the club on a maximum incline vertical plane.

SODAK65's picture

Submitted by SODAK65 on

Great explanation.  I know I don't follow through well enough most of the time.  I recall a video that Don did last year that used the example of throwing a towel across your back.  When I use that image, I follow through much better.

Lynn42's picture

Submitted by Lynn42 (not verified) on

T

Be very wary of the treacherous old guy with new sticks. He probably knows how to use em. Good job.

Lynn42

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Hey Bob, you're living the dream pal playing that much golf. Jealous I am. I'm home nursing a rare head cold and watching the Golf Channel in prep for the US Open. Pulling for Phil this week. 37 on 9? Wow, super! Keep it going Bob, have fun and good golfing to you.

MikefromKy Go Bama. Go Irish's picture

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

Robert

I agree LOL .

I play with this customer on somewhat of a regular basis this was the 4th time we played this year he has beat me 2 out of 4 times he generally shoots upper 70's to mid 80's.

He gets mad if he thinks I am playing customer golf plus loser had to by lunch. The other thing is I have a tournament their next month so he new I was going to play plus it cost me 130.00 bucks for our greens fees I for sure will not sandbag at that price. .

 

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

As a recovering Catholic, that sounds like a vaguely familiar practice. ;-)

Amos's picture

Submitted by Amos (not verified) on

Steve Smith:

   I have never broken a shaft on my back either.  However, in the "good ole days" when I had a near 100 mph driver sweing speed, I frequently touched my back with the shaft on the follow through, in the region between the spine and the right shoulder blade, just below the shoulder blade.

    Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG

    Amos

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Heck Lynn, if you keep stepping it up like that we'll be seeing you out on the Champion's Tour!
Five birdie chances in a row is outstanding (and it's not how far your irons go but whether they end up on the green). No extra points have ever been given to me for hitting irons a long way. Ha ha!

CervezaFria's picture

Submitted by CervezaFria (not verified) on

The other day my wife was asking me golf equipment related questions. I figured out that she was trying to figure out what to get me for father's day. I seized the opportunity and said, "what I really want is a swing rite." She of course responded with the "what is that and how much does it cost" routine. After I told her how much it costs, she responded that she thought it was a little expensive (which I expected her to do). That is okay, because I had an ace up my sleeve. I reminded her that I really didn't get anything for graduation and that combining the two for one big gift was reasonable. She agreed and told me to order it.

The order is now in. I realize it will most likely not arrive before father's day. That is okay. Sometime next week I will have a new toy and a better way to practice a few swings a day in my backyard.

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

Oddly enough, this is something I was playing around with yesterday at the range and then again in the yard today. I used to always address in the center of the club but I started hitting out on the toe for some reason, so I adjusted until finally I was practically lining up on the heel of the club, and still I'd hit shots on the toe. Yesterday it occurred to me that I was also basically handcuffing myself, knowing I had to bring the club in to NOT shank it I couldn't get good release and extension. So instead I tried judging my distance with the ball just slightly outside the center toward the toe, so when I accordion into my setup position, the ball is just slightly on the toe side of center, and now I know that I have to extend through the ball. I'm making much better contact.

Kenmatsnowwolf's picture

Submitted by Kenmatsnowwolf (not verified) on

In today`s lesson what you are trying to say about follow through is , and I hope I`m right, momentum. follow through is a part of momentum, and without it you loose power.

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