The Bump Is For Real!

So, did I miss the news, Dick? How did the PAT go?

Thanks Surge,    IM a right hander, how long should the left arm stay straight after hitting the ball, someone told me yesterday, not until it is up, then let it fall back into a bend...???   Sometimes I think that is what I do, bend it to fast, then top the ball???

Thanks for all of your help, IM still at it..

Marilyn

 Steve

I don't know if that puts you in good company or not.  If you are doing something the same way I do it, you might want to reconsider.

Just saying,
Dick

Robert 

I am trying to play golf have 2 tourneys this weekend.Got to get away from mechanics and back to feel.
Sounds like you been having some good rounds yourself lately keep at it.

 I making a change in my irons They are MOI matched and am changing them back to swing weighted getting away from KBS shafts and putting DG XP back in and shortened to 5 iron 37.75 which is 1/2 shorter than the MOIed set / 5 iron and 1/2 increments between each club 5 - pw and the gap and sw a 1/4 shorter than the pw. I am just not accurate with them the way they are. I hit more greens in reg with my buddies shorter off the rack clubs than with mine. I think the  weight of them is getting to be a little much.  

Last Friday we were missing around and played our home course we played each others irons on the front side I had 7 out of 9 greens with his clubs for a 35 and 2 out of 9 on the back with mine and shot 40.

 Thanks coach

I will be a good boy and take the time to let it heal right.  Unless you have had it happen to you, you would never believe how much it hurts.  Before it ever happened to me, I would probably have laughed about the thought of popping a rib out. 

I ain't laughing now pal,
Dick

Great to hear from you Keith. The vertical position can be tough. I have a lot of trouble getting it there too. Keep working on what you can work on.

 Mike

Thanks for the thoughts.  I feel like I was ready.  Not disappointed.  The PGA says only 1 out of 5 ever pass it, and most have to take it 4 or 5 times.  Only 2 passed at my test.  One of our assistant pros took it 10 times.  One of my group was on his 11th time, and still did not pass it.  I even bet him on the 2nd round.  He works at my course.  When he got back there after the PAT, they had put up a big sign that said "Great job, you got beat by an old man with a broke rib." 

Those golf pros can be a vicious bunch,
Dick

 Yes it is through Master Grip and is called the Great Escape Wedge. You might also be interested in the very good prices on gloves available there.
Click on Clubs, then Wedges.
http://www.mggolf.com/irons.as...

You might also find actual Alien Wedges available on ebay for less.
http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html...

Mine is from the first year editions. I have no experience or knowledge about the later so called Sport or Pro Series models. Here is the one I have.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ALIEN-...

 Haven't had the time for any real testing yet, still staying busy with other family projects, and some golf in between. I really need some range practice and will have to find or make some time available for that too. I've played a dozen or so times now, but not one practice session yet.

Retirement my butt! I just switched bosses. It's nice to feel needed though, and I'm strengthening good connections and making pleasant memories.

 Steve

Now that right there is funny, and I don't care who you are.

I have been wrong a couple of times in my life too, when I thought something could not hurt worse.

Dick

Hey Robert,
I think it was a great time for all that went to the Old South golf links, I know I had an awesome time,
Its is a tough track which punishes ya at times me included, quite a few forced carries to island fairways and greens, but very rewarding when you make a good shot, a lot of thinking involved, managed to play to my H/C on the final day which I am chuffed about. as it's a damn sight tougher than my home course back in NZ.

Not sure many are heading to Harbour Town tomorrow. I'll be there all four days. Keep an eye out for me on "Tartan Day" (sat) as I'll be there in my MacKenzie Kilt, aye laddie will be a hoot!

  

 Robert

I will be a good patient.  I actually need some time to rest for a bit any way.  For the last 3 months I have been working on my game like crazy.

I am not much on taking meds.  I only used them to get me through the real heavy pain.  Now I am just bruised and sore.  It only hurts bad when I move or breath.  I just took an Aleve this morning.  I am going to try to get through the day with nothing stronger than that.

I have to be careful with this.  This is the 2nd time it has popped out in the last week.  I have to let it heal this time, or I could set myself up for a reoccurring problem.

Thanks pal,
Dick

A local guy who's played on some of the challenger tours and stuff said that he thought if Louis had actually hit the green with his second shot, Bubba would have probably missed his miracle hook, but with less pressure to be that accurate with it, he actually managed the miracle.

Bravo Steve, well said. I knew there had to be a way 'big brother' was able to spy on our golf by satalite or drone. Just never thought one of the members of that league would reveal the truth.
We are priviledged to have him speak for us here, wow....

I don't think of it as strengthening or weakening my grip, but rotating the club face slightly more open or closed but using the same grip. I do that a lot when dealing with crosswinds, also. If I rotate my hands out of their perpendicular starting position (what is generally done to strengthen or weaken a grip) it throws a lot of the rest of the swing out-of-whack by causing over or under rotation of the arms through the swing.
Like you, I certainly have a putting grip that you wouldn't use anywhere else, with both index fingers pointed straight down the shaft.

 Lynn

I had to have a toe nail removed once.  I too hobbled around like Festus.  I could not stop yelling "Marshall Dillon."

I will be a good boy,  I promise.

I think we would need a ruling on the walker.  Is it permissible to use a walker for support while playing?  If it is, I want the "Caddy-shack" version with a stereo and a cooler on it.  My dad used to say that we were slower than grandma, but she was 84.

Dick

For me, that is not so. Once my grip is set, I Cannot move my elbows without it effecting and moving my hands as well.

I can however, place my elbows into the correct positions, and then assume a standard, strong, or even weak grip, all of them without it effecting the position or rotation of either elbow.

Perhaps, it is just me, who is built this way?

The left elbow will start to fold naturally as your arms go up into the forward catcher's mitt (it has to unless you let go of the club or your left arm is several inches shorter than your right). The trick is to be sure that it is not pulling behind you early. It needs to fold vertically.

 Lynn

Real nice pal.  You catch me down and then you kick me.  I have always felt that the best time to kick someone is when they are down.  You have a much better chance of landing a good one, and you don't have to raise your foot so high.

Thanks,
Dick

Hi all.
Would just like to put out a big thank you to Don, DJ, Greg, Arie, Doc Griffin, Debbie and Tom, for a great 3 days at Old South Golf Links , it was a pleasure!
Also to all that attended, it was great to meet you all! just need to win the lottery so I can come back next year!
Anyone out there that didn't make it to this one save your penny's for the next as it is worth it for the experience alone, more so to support the team of guys that give so much on the website without asking for much in return.

Good luck to DJ this week at the Heritage

Dick it sounds like you are close to success. I know a couple of people that took that took the PAT twice before they got through it. Hang in there you will make. I would take the Doc's advice and rest and heal up.Then pass it the next time which I am sure you will.

I could use some help please. At the beginning of this video Surge states that there is hip rotation with the bump, but as I look at the videos (I've been looking for a while), it looks like the hips are in-line to the target. In the peak performance golf swing do the hips open up at impact or stay on-line to the target? Thanks to all for their input on these forums.

Bbirtch, 

I understand.  I like to have my hand perpendicular to the ground, so I have a sense of the my hands reflect the club face as perpendicular, similar to the "paddle hand" drill that I think Dave Seeman showed on one of the Youtubes as a way to not over-rotate on way back (BUS) or way forward (FUS).  I have a bad habit of rotating my hands in the forward swing, so that has taken some conscious effort on my part not to do. All this golf talk and I want to get out on the course.  It has been COLD in the Northeast (Philadelphia). I like to practice the paddle hands in front of a mirror. Anyway, you have to go with what works for you. Good luck

Rbirtch,
I whole heartedly agree that the grip is supremely important but it is only one of the 4 key fundamentals that all carry much weight as far as importance. As for Surge learning from rotational teachers, actually he learned his golf in the 60's and 70's when most players were very vertical. Much of his method is in harmony with the greatest player of all time who was really vertical in his prime.(J.N.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...
Yes, Jacks swing is very vertical as were most greats of the 60's,70's and early 80's. Now his swing was past 3/4's and his leg work and lower body movement much more active than Don now teaches but his set up and funamentals were simular and Surge has spoken and writen very respectfully about Jack numerous times. The fundamentals, their importance and the grip were emphasised by Jack and still are and yes the grip taught then is basically the same one Surge teaches but for sure it was not related to any rotational methods which did not really come into vogue until the late 80's/early 90's. Few of the old timers ever converted to the flatter swing and stronger grip.
                                                            Yes, his grip is not revolutionary or radically different than many of the standard grip positions taught by several of the best teachers even today. It is generally much more neutral than many today that have the hands rotated into an extremely strong position. Surge has said we should (in his opinion) never, ever change our grip regardless of the shot. This does not apply to the putter where our grips, putters and putting styles can be all very, very different from one golfer to another.
      As another commentor mentions we need to use what works best for us and I'd agree that once we "get it" we should be consistent if possible. Admitedly, I have gone from a neutral grip to a stronger grip and now have settled into a much more neutral grip again that I have found helps me repeatedly get back to the ball squarely.

Robert, good catch from the interview. I remember reading (and there are people here who will know this much better than me) that Jack Grout had Nicklaus first practice a rolling of the ankles to the R then a roll to the L on the downswing, something like that.  I also thought that Bubba's swing is often very vertical, did I see that right? 

Rbirth,
What the Hell sir! Not sure who appointed you judge of the thousands of Surgites who frequent this site or the dozen or two who comment here frequently but we have some very good golfers who have much more than a "clue" as to where to start and finish with their swings. I already thought you were a bit out of touch when you said Surge learned from rotational teachers but when you say that "most' subscribers are no where near good enough you totally turned off all of us whether you are a scratch or 20+ handicaper. Thanks but no thanks and please go back to your cave. You are welcome to come back if it is to be encouraging and helpful and IF YOU want to share somethoing helpful and are still a learner and student yourself. If you are a self proclaimed teacher get you own web site we will be sure and NOT visit it frequently.
BTW, thanks Dick and Terry. I was out playing 18 with my brother and then at super with mt wife and son and couldn't respond to dip dittle. Your thoughts are right on as usual:)

Peace out and good night

Phil,
I know that course from two years back and yes I remember that par 4 dogleg left with the second shot carry of some 165 that seems to play like 190!. I think that marshland acts like a magnet for balls. It beat my pants off both days! Fun and challenging course for sure. Have fun at Harbor Town. Did Surge say he'd attend the Hertitage also? I assumed he would.
Give us a full report later and we'll look for you on the "telee" (TV) over the 4 days. If you follow DJ and he makes a good putt, give a
loud yeehaah! and we'll know it's you ! :)

Who won?  How many people where in the Spring tourney?  How exciting!

I certainly understand.  Was Jack there?  The putting coach.  He is such a nice man.

 nah Jack wasnt there. would have been nice if he was!

The BUMP, think this is still a missing link in my swing at the moment. checked my
recent videos and while my hips do move laterally a couple of inches, it's not a true
"BUMP" but more of a gentle slide. If I try to mentally activate a "BUMP" then my swing just goes out of whack, big time. Just starting to put together some nice 
rounds of golf, so it may not be the problem. 

Any one out there have a similar situtation?   

 Surge Nation

Well Monday was an interesting day.  The weather was great.  I was doing well.  I was only 1 over par through the first 4 holes, so I was ahead of where I needed to be.  On 5 I hit a really good T shot.  I hit a solid 2nd shot with my 5 wood.  The ball ended up on the green.  But, that shot is where my problems started.  There was a hugh clump of weeds right in front of my ball.  After the ball was on its way to the green, my club hit the weeds and came to a screeching stop.  As you might guess, my shoulders and hips did not stop as quickly as my club.  I popped that darn rib out again.  The pain was so intense, I thought I was going to pass out.  Of course, I did not have the good sense to quit.  The next several holes were pure hell.  My score went into the tank.  After the first round we had time for lunch and an hour break.  I was able to ice down my back, and it felt better.  The 2nd round went better, and was close enough to par to have passed the PAT if I had shot both rounds at that score.

The bottom line is that I did not pass the PAT.  But, it was still worth it for the experience.  I am under doctors orders to take a month off from any hitting balls.  After 2 weeks, I can putt, then after 3 weeks I can start chipping again.  The next PAT locally is in June.  I am going to be a good patient and take the time off as ordered, then start working hard to get ready for June.

Even though the outcome was not what I was hoping for, I am really glad I did it.  Next time I won't have the rookie jitters.  It was great to be part of a PGA event.  When you break it down, it did not really cost me much to be part of it.  It cost $150.  If I went to that course and played two rounds with a cart, and had lunch, it would cost $100.  So, it really only cost me an extra $50.  Worth every penny of it to be part of that event.

Thanks for all your thoughts for me as I was getting ready for the PAT.  I will keep you posted as to how I am doing and how the prep for the next PAT goes when I can go back to hitting balls.  The last few day have been kind of fuzzy for me.  The pain of the rib being out really does not compare to the pain of getting it put back into place. 

Thank God for modern chemistry,
Dick

Rbirtch, Here one of Surge's Youtube on the grip
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...

Also his basic video series had this

Dave Groth

Dick, hope you heal soon pal. Take the correct precousions for a bit a get the rest and recoup needed.
On another note thanks for responding to the dimigod who thinks most of us are clueless. You and Terry said it well for us all. Look at my response for your viewing pleasure when you can.
Get better soon buddy.

Phil, if by some magic life allows you, come join us for the Fall tourny in Las Vegas. Same crew, diiferent venue. As for everyone else, yes do save your change and come to the Fall tourny (if not the Spring at Old South). As Phil testifies, it's an amazing time and more than worth the expense.

TM.....

You noted a Sand Wedge similar to Alien....

Please resend sight.

Thanks.....Phillip

Steve, thanks for the quick post. I also was looking at page 103 in the manual and it 'looks' like hips are square at impact. Will be working on the swing later. Once again, thanks.

I think Bubba's thinking (and the guy who was talking on the range) was that with Louis not on the green after two, Bubba missing wouldn't put him in any worse position, but making it would give him an advantage, so why not go for it.

Sounds good Terry. I'm actually enjoying more freedom now than I might later. How so? Well I'm still working so that's a blessing that I'm able to do so and blessed with employment that allows me three days off and the health and vigor and $$ to play 18 once or twice a week and 9 holes before work on normally two additional mornings. All my kids are over 21 and doing well (working and stable and 'good citizens'). However my middle daughter is now pregnant so I'll be a grandpa in about 7 months God willing. i look forward to it! So I may have less freedom and likely less money and health as the days roll by. I watched my Dad become inactive and not do much of anything including not playing golf the last 10 years of his life (and he dearly loved golf). So I count each day a blessing and an opportunity. I don't look to "someday" because my best days are right now and I know it. So we play golf as we can and as much as we can along with all the other good things being active and healthy offers.
Headed out to play 18 with my only brother now. Glad your hands are recovering and you're able to be an asset to your dear family. PMG as you can pal.

Dick,

Didn't they do a movie about your problem....Uhhh "Brokeback    ".  Wait, that wasn't about ribs was it?