Cures for Hitting the Ground First

Tue, 01/06/2015 - 15:00 -- Don Trahan

If you tend to hit the ground first when swinging a golf club, there are a few different reasons why this could happen. The first thing you need to check is the length of your clubs.

If your clubs are too long, as most woods are today, it's most likely the reason why you're hitting the ground. This is especially true if there are certain clubs in your bag that you hit great and others that you can never hit solidly.

There's also a few other elements of your setup and swing that could causes you to hit the ground first or top the ball such as ball position. I'll go over each cause and how to fix them in today's video.

Keep it vertical in 2015!

The Surge 

Comments

dbrucesteele@btinternet.com's picture

Submitted by dbrucesteele@bt... on

Thanks Surge for the advice- very useful indeed. I actually hit the ground with my irons more so perhaps the alignment of my nose will help.
Bruce Steele
N Ireland.

Curtis Niglis's picture

Submitted by Curtis Niglis on

I was in Florida over the Holidays playing on Bermuda grass. For some reason I kept digging into the turf a lot just behind the ball. Ground was soft and sandy. I live in Wisconsin and do not have that problem here. I finally shortened up on my grip and that helped but I still was not making the best contact. Does Bermuda grass effect a shot that much or is it me?

cwilson4par@yahoo.com's picture

Submitted by cwilson4par@yah... on

Help!!! For some reason my swing path is changing from the way I set the club head behind the ball. For me to hit the ball in center of club face I have to set the club down behind the ball near the heel of club. I know this not correct and would like to set the club down in center of club face
Contact is always near toe of club. I am a left hander.
I have been using and working with PPGS since fall of the year 2009 after shoulder tear.
Thanks,
Charles

resumez@cox.net's picture

Submitted by resumez@cox.net on

cwilson4par;

I sometimes have a similar problem - and the cure seems to be moving a little closer to the ball -- about 1/4" to maybe 1/2" (toe line to ball line).
Hope this helps

Keep hitting them STRAIGHT and LONG
Amos

Gregman55's picture

Submitted by Gregman55 on

First off let me say I am a fairly new golfer at the young age of 59, I took up the game about 3 years ago and really love it. I knew some things about the game by watching it and had some friends that played. Ok fast forward to now, I have improved some since starting, I am in the high 90's now and try to play once and week and to the range one time a week. Here's the problem, too many "swing thoughts" and all this crazy instruction from everyone and his brother. I am really frustrated with everything and don't enjoy going out on the course much anymore. Don't get me wrong, I love the thought of going but when I get there it's almost gets to the point to where after 9 holes I am ready to throw in the towel. I am blessed with good health, but do have a bad back due to a ruptured disc 14 years ago but have gotten along well with it but all the twisting and turning from all of your so called top instructors will really mess you up even futher, all this X Factor, lag, power move, ect. it just goes on and on. I guess my main question here is will the PPGS work for me? I have read that it is easy on the body and simple to learn, I have watched the videos and I really like the simple style of it. Ok didn't mean to go on and on but I am to the point to where it's make it or throw in the ole towel! Thanks in advance. God Bless

Kevin McGarrahan's picture

Submitted by Kevin McGarrahan on

Greg,

The PPGS is indeed a body-friendly swing. If you follow Don "The Surge" Trahan's swing methodology, you will be able to play golf with minimal stress on the body. Most of us, like you, came to the Peak Performance Golf Swing looking for a way to play golf with minimal or no pain, and have not turned away from it. It is easy to learn. I would recommend that you start by purchasing the Foundations Manual and get three videos: PPGS Swing Fundamentals, Ultimate Alignment Video, and the Jr. Blueprint Video. These have assisted me immeasurably. Regardless of the number and amount of pains that I have (knees, back, shoulders, hips, etc.), I can still enjoy playing golf. I have some Almost Golf Point 3 Balls that I can hit in my yard with almost any club. I have to be careful with my driver through 5-wood because I can hit the house next door if I start hitting slices. The Almost balls fly just like a real ball, but go in feet what a real ball goes in yards. I love them! I can practice every day if I want.

Go luck to you and keep it vertical.

golferthomas@att.net's picture

Submitted by golferthomas@att.net on

Just came upon this site today, and went ahead and bought the intro package. Still have quite a bit to go through, but I've already picked up the basics (my goodness, the Surgeon has a wonderful manner of explaining things). The reason I even found the site was that for the last 6 months, I've been toeing almost every iron shot, and hence, losing tremendous distance with the rotational swing. As I've watched the Vertical videos, ive "dry" swung (ie, no club) to test every piece of advice. Now I know you never make judgments based on 2 shots, but before it got too dark, I hit a couple with my lob wedge into the field across the street from my home using the vertical method. Both shots dead center of the clubface, nice high trajectory, and dead straight. I cannot tell you just how good it felt to not toe the shots! You've already made a new convert.

By the way, I love the advice not to wonder "what I did wrong" but to rather focus on what to do right on the next shot. You've got me excited about the game again.

Glenn McFadgen's picture

Submitted by Glenn McFadgen on

Have played a lot of representative golf and got down to scratch handicap but now at 57 playing inconsistently so are giving Swing Surgeon a go and have bought intro package. It all seems to make sense physically so lets hope I see results. Spent a bit of time on Lee Trevino,s swing but found that a bit inconsistent also. I would be interested to hear what the Surge thinks of or the merits/downfalls of Trevino,s swing. Look forward to getting the information so I can get started as new methods or changes are eagerly awaited as the thought of improvement is really exciting.
Regards Glenn

Brady's picture

Submitted by Brady on

Travel and technical difficulties. Don has had audio issues and he has been on the road a lot. That combined with bad weather in South Carolina and Don had storm damage to his house that has kept him from being able to use the backyard.

We will have them back up to a higher frequency as soon as we can.

markyoung.email@gmail.com's picture

Submitted by markyoung.email... on

OK, that's great . . . . . I/we love Don and PPGS, and the dailies. I find them invaluable as I strive towards "technical excellence" as Don demands. Thanks!

Glenn McFadgen's picture

Submitted by Glenn McFadgen on

Are there any plans to come to Melbourne,Australia for golf instruction/clinics in the reasonably near future.
Regards
Glenn