In today's video tip, Mark Ramsey asks for a review of the setup "from the waist up", which I am happy to do since the #1 Surgism is "The setup determines the motion". But before we get to Mark's request, I would like to commend him for his recent performance against a higher ranked opponent. It sure sounds like your handicap is going to be headed in the right direction, Mark, if you keep playing like that! Here is Mark's after-action report and question in full.
"Surge and DJ,
I love what you both do. I don't miss a daily video and I follow DJ every week he plays. Guys, can you revisit the setup from the waist up? I was that guy whose hands were too far forward with a shaft tilt that was too steep. I watched Surge cover this in a video before my men's league match in Maine against a 10 handicap player. (I am a 23 handicap) When I stiffened my left arm to reduce the shaft lean and paid attention to keeping my right arm pointed at 12 o'clock and worked with this on the range for 15 minutes prior to my match, I worked out the problem of pulling everything left and I beat my opponent handily. In a nine hole match I was plus 1 and parred two holes. (Both par 3's with lasers to the green). Please take us through the setup in the Peak Performance Golf Swing from the waist up. Thank you gentleman, I am a Surgite for life."
Now to answer your question, Mark, I must tell you that it is somewhat difficult to isolate the setup position of just the upper body since I teach students to use what I have dubbed "The Accordion Effect". This is where you walk into your shot, set up your "H" and then flex your knees and let your shoulders and legs sink down into your stance as one unit. This pushes the hips outward and gets you into an athletically-ready position. If you have your weight properly distributed over the arches of your feet and your alignment is square you'll be ready to go. The key here is that your lower body and upper body must work in harmony. If you lean forward with your shoulders, your knees will straighten out. If you flex just your knees, your upper body will push back and you'll be standing too tall. From there, you want to get 'pre-loaded, heavy right' where your weight sinks slightly onto your back leg. [See "Loading The Back Leg", published on 08/30/11].
I know you wanted specifics from the waist up, but as you can see, the setup position is really established from the ground up. The beauty of the Peak Performance Golf Swing is that is so simple to learn and even simpler to practice. With The Accordion Effect, there's no need for a complex, multi-step setup once it becomes second nature to you. If any of you want to see more on The Accordion Effect, just type the name in the keyword search box midway down the right hand column.
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
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Comments
You must have just received
You must have just received your Fall catalog as well. I was looking at the Srixon AD 333's sale. I think I'll check Dick's first though. The last time I bought balls on sale through a catalog on line, I went to Dicks a few days later and found the same price, Minus the S/H costs.
I would question the Surge
I would question the Surge comment that the system is easy to learn. In gross yes. The rudiments are straight forward. In detail I did not find it so easy. I started on the Surge swing in August 2010. It wasn't until about June of this year before I saw any benefit. Perhaps one needs the in person lessons to get a quick benefit. The attraction to the program was a promise of "longer and straighter". Straighter perhaps, although I have never had a major problem with hitting the ball reasonably straight, as to longer, forget it. I'm down about 30 to 40 yds generally on my driver some of which happened before I took up the PPGS.Synching the hip turn with the arm swing seems to be the key. When they work together well I can get the distance I used to get and perhaps a bit more. The bump with its weight shift is also not too great when I do it.
Just add 10%. I'm not even
Just add 10%. I'm not even any good at math but even I can add 10% fairly easily.
What no comments!
What no comments!
The accordian effect does really help when you get used to it, setting up and accordian towards the ball instead of place club to ground and in effect accordian away from the ball which effects and creates bad posture.
It really does come in to its own when you have a really bad lie! Like I did recently on a very steep ball above feet second shot. I chose my 5 iron and gripped down a bit then did the accordian to the ball which helps with balance. I have got to say I hit my best ever 5 iron shot straight like a bullet on to the green!
I surprised myself how good it was and was magical to watch it rip and pop on to the green 15 ft or so away from the flag!
That's to much work. That's
That's to much work. That's why I picked up a range finder. I just have to make sure its not set on meters.ÃÂ
Great lesson Don! As you know
Great lesson Don! As you know I have clients perform strength and power movements from the athletically ready position whenever possible. In 28 years of training athletes it continues to be a challenge getting trainees in the anatomically correct position.ÃÂ I will use the accordian analogy with improved results I am sure.
I definitely notice the
I definitely notice the difference when I forget my GPS as I did yesterday.
Even though I know about what the distance is I find that I am much more committed to the shot and feel good about my club selection. That is just as big a factor as anything in my ball striking.
There is no telling how many strokes that GPS has saved me. Especially those times when I'm way off line, and without a line of sight to the green, and not a yardage marker in sight.
That was great to watch, Don
That was great to watch, Don.ÃÂ I will take that to the range later today.
Perhaps it will help overcome the feeling of unbalance I sometimes find after taking shots where I feel like I am going to fall over backwards with way to much weight on my heels.
Great day to you!
I have both a gps and range
I have both a gps and range finder, The range finder I traded a driver
and 3wd for it. I carry both just in case my gps is off. My home course I
have them with me but usually do not use them I know the course so well.
Did not get to play today did not get out of bed until 11:30 was cold
and windy went to the range though to work on fundamentals. Playing
tomorrow hopefully.
GO BAMA ÃÂ GO NDÃÂ
This should definitely help,
This should definitely help, as the problem was probably leaning over too much with your upper body and not enough knee bend. When I get lazy or out-of-sorts, I have the exact same problem.
I've had the Sky Caddie 5 for
I've had the Sky Caddie 5 for about 4 years now and love it.
That is a great feeling, isn
That is a great feeling, isn't it? One of the big things that keeps us going back on the course.
Thanks Surge.ÃÂ This tip
Thanks Surge.ÃÂ This tip was extremely helpful.ÃÂ (As they all are)ÃÂ In a past tip you had shown this accordian move at the set up and I have used it ever since.ÃÂ What I was referring to with the upper body was the position of the arms.ÃÂ In seeing all of your videos, I have noted that the right arm (right hand player) elbow is pointed at 12 o'clock and is below the left arm.ÃÂ The left forearm is aligned with the shaft of the club however, I have noted that the left upper arm is relaxed.ÃÂ Also, I have noted that if the upper left arm is too stiff and in line with the left forearm then problems occur.ÃÂ This is where I was looking for a tip.ÃÂ How do you know that your arms are in the proper position.ÃÂ My sense is that the accordian effect allows me to position the arms naturally.ÃÂ Thank you for all you do in helping me with my game.ÃÂ Take Care.
Hi Robert, I don't know how
Hi Robert, I don't know how the game does it, I went today and hit some bad ones, sending them right or hook pull badly left. I only did 11 holes and cut through to finish on the 18th with my head low and a wondering of what do I need to do to get it right as it feels I am playing army golf at the moment.
I teed up wanting to end my agony and then ripped a great drive long and straight, my second 6 iron shot I actually hit it too well and over shot the green in to a bit of rough, so I ended on a very positive note. Without this good last hole I think it would have taken the wind out of me and would have left me confused indeed.
Cheers Keith
Hi Don-ÃÂ Thanks for the
Hi Don-ÃÂ Thanks for the Accordion lesson--a good review.ÃÂ Regarding a recent blog regarding choosing the correct ball -----for those Surgites out there with lower swing speeds (myself included) you mentioned the Laddie golf ball which, with the cooler weather upon us, is a terrific product.ÃÂ Being a "thrifty" (not cheap) guy on SS payments I naturally look for the best deals in everything I purchase.ÃÂ Any of you guys looking for the Laddie golf balls will be able to get 2 dozen packs at TGW.com for only $19.95--definitely in the great deal category.ÃÂ I have 4 dozen of these eggs on their way.ÃÂ Hope this is helpful to my fellow Surgites.
Also, Don, took your advice and bought a Ping woman's driver and am hitting it 8-12 yards longer and at least 25% more accurately.ÃÂ Shot a 77 yesterday while out with my buddies but what made me happiest was one of my friends had a hole in one on a 155yd. hole, his 2NDÃÂ of the year!
Best wishes to all,
Ray
I played a course this week
I played a course this week where the yardages were marked in Metres not Yards - I expect they wanted to show how 'advanced' their course management was , but when we pace out yardages I know of nobody who paces out in metres - one full step is approximately 1 yard !
I had no idea how far distant the flag was and distances might just have been written in binary code for what use they were. I do hope that this is not a trend with Golf courses.