Front Knee Straightens But Never Locks

Tue, 10/18/2011 - 20:20 -- Don Trahan

I received this email from one of our Midwestern Surgites, Dewitt Strong, who has been using the Surge Swing since the middle of last year.

"Your instruction to emulate a shortstop or tennis player is the best move I've made since I quit drinking 28 years ago. I have one question about the "accordion" [effect].

Both knees are in the shortstop position as the ball is struck. A "body in motion stays in motion", thus the follow through. Continuity of motion causes your weight to end up largely on your left foot. I've watched you swing on many videos. Your left knee straightens but does not lock. Is this automatic? Do the club and hands pull or straighten the left leg?

I've had five back surgeries, the last being a six level lumbar fusion. Before my operation I studied The Swing Machine theory. I was 3" taller and 15 pounds lighter and it worked. I can't rotate anywhere near enough now. You came along, solved my problem quickly and proved that God takes care of drunks, babies and fools."

Thanks, Dewitt, I'm glad you are having good success with the Peak Performance Golf Swing. As you, and hundreds of thousands of former rotational swingers, have come to realize, our bodies are not designed to swing like Iron Byron or any other machine for that matter. Rather than inflexible hardened steel, we are made of muscle, tendons and ligaments that rotate, stretch and flex as we swing. Anytime you lock up a flex joint and then apply the tremendous force generated in a golf swing, something eventually has to give. Just look to Tiger Woods and his long history of severe left knee problems if you need confirmation of this.

The truth of the matter is that the Peak Performance Golf Swing is the only swing that is designed around physics and physiology and that is why it is so body-friendly and easy to learn.

Now to answer your main question "Do the club and hands pull or straighten the left leg?". Yes they do-they are major contributors along with our hips. As I take the club back into the catcher's mitt and then lift it up the tree, I visualize an inverted desk bell just at the apex of my top-most vertical hand position that I ring a split-second before I complete my lift. This is my signal to initiate The Bump--and bing-bang!--everything starts the forward upswing as I Stand Up AFAP to a perfect T-Finish. All of this movement contributes to completing the lateral weight transfer from my PLHR position at address to the outer edge of my left foot. Remember, we roll our left foot slightly to prevent our knee from locking up. We also limit the rotation of our hips just to the point where our entire body is facing the target. By preventing our hips from rotating way past this point, as is done in a rotational swing, we keep our knees flexed and free of excess torque.

Another way of summarizing this is that the answer to your question is a combination of everything. The proper sequential movement of the parts of the body is the definition of timing. In the Surge Swing, all things are timed to move in the right order to finish in total dynamic balance without any hyper-extension of the knee or any of our other flex joints.

Keep it vertical!

The Surge

If you can't view the YouTube video above try CLICKING HERE. You must allow popups from this site for the link to work.

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Comments

Jack Graen's picture

Submitted by Jack Graen (not verified) on

Hi Surge, the following videos so far has been your best yet. The right amount of Flare.The  width of stance & the according set up. Also just recd the swing  tech this really  showes you how to do everything at one time right. Again thank you. Jack Graen

Kevin McGarrahan's picture

Submitted by Kevin McGarrahan (not verified) on

Robert,

Does your analogy mean that we should move to the "monastery"  in SC to be with and learn "at the foot of Surge?" From reading your post, I think "it is time for you to leave, grasshopper" (Kung-fu, 1972).

Simply Golf's picture

Submitted by Simply Golf (not verified) on

When you can walk the rice paper without tearing it, then your steps will not be heard. Quietly turn, lift, and finally cleanly strike the spheroid with mindfulness and yet...nothingness.  Therein you shall find happiness.

Is that you, Grasshopper ?

Craig63's picture

Submitted by Craig63 (not verified) on

I'm praying that guys like Tiger will take heed of this video and peruse the PPGS instructional material.   I watched a little bit of him at the last tourny he played and he looked so constrained and it broke my heart, I think I swing harder than him now :-()
With DJ starting to hit his straps, I like to see his GIR go up a bit more, this is more than an enough endorsement for Tiger to get on board the Surge Nation train.   Regards, Craig

T Medley's picture

Submitted by T Medley (not verified) on

Hal,

 I feel your pain.

 I have met the enemy, and it is ME.

PMG

Hal's picture

Submitted by Hal (not verified) on

Robert,
 I clicked on your mentioned web site, golfstateofmind, and found it to be very interesting. I printed out The 4 Steps to Laser Focus and I am going to put that in action after I commit it to memory. Thanks.
Hal

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

It amazes me that self preservation wouldn't have been enough for Tiger to have come up with something long before now that would limit the stress on his knee.

My knee hyper extends very easily since a football injury years ago and I have learned through the years to never, ever let it completely straighten no matter what I'm doing.

ITSMERUTHY's picture

Submitted by ITSMERUTHY (not verified) on

Dear Sir

I agree with everything you posted. But my question is if we are not concerned with results and scores how do we measure our success?

PS  DJ
Play well this weekend so you stay in the top 125. A win for the PPGS surgets would be great good luck.

Ruthy

Roy Reed's picture

Submitted by Roy Reed (not verified) on

Steve:  You are so right!!  Reminds me of the old saying about doing the same thing the same way over and over, but expecting different results.  I've heard it said that "Some folks have 20 years of experience; others have one year of experience 20 times".   I guess some people just never learn and/or don't know how to change.  Glad we saw the light.  :-)  Have a great day and hit 'em straight!  R2 

T Medley's picture

Submitted by T Medley (not verified) on

Kevin,

 For me it is more like Don Miyagi Trahan. Focus, Terry-San, best golf is still inside you Terry-San.

 If only I could get it to come out. Focus, Focus, Focus

PMG

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Well Arando, I re read and thought about your question. Perhaps you could have more onsistent flex with your front knee if you flared that front foot more. This may make it easier to move your weight to the front foot and yet not lock out. Also Surge recomends that we roll a bit onto that front foot. give these ideas a try.
Good luck and PMG

Roy Reed's picture

Submitted by Roy Reed (not verified) on

Surge;  GREAT VIDEO!!  Loved the introduction - really cool!  You covered so much in such a few minutes - thank you for your continuing willingness to help each of us understand the basics of the Surge Swing.  R2 

Dragonhead's picture

Submitted by Dragonhead (not verified) on

Indeed Grasshopper. My focus yesterday for the front nine yesterday was not too bad.Not hitting the ball any great distance,but not in too much trouble. Then a patch of about 5holes where a hand full of noodles would have been more effective. Then two holes from home, the noodles stiffened their resolve and Draginhistail became a GOLFER! Narrow fairway,trees both sides [on the last hole a left to right slope to the left which feeds balls towards the right tree line], bunkers guarding the green which slopes every which way.Flag in the right hand front corner [OB to close to that side].
17th hole, hit a poor 3W off the tee hit an overhanging branch and dropped straight down. The Yen dropped, I grabbed my 5W and smoked it.Couldn't believe it. Dropped another ball and hit it even better, into the bunker 40yds before the green 45yds from the pin. Grabbed the SW dropped the first ball on the pin. Landed like a butterfly with sore feet 18" from the pin. The second, out of the bunker in one. SW from 30yds dropped it 6" from the first butterfly.
With the stirring within my chest, I strode to the 18th tee, hauled out the Driver and hit it straight up the middle. Hit two balls from that spot with the trusty 5W.One in line with the pin just off the green. the second right and in the lush short rough. Chipped the one at the front up the slope to inches away for a tap in. The one in the rough SW still with lots of good shots in it, dropped it close to the hole. Two tap ins. After that, smiles and the knowledge that Yen which dropped made a loud noise. Back to basics, in the mitt and up the tree was all it took Grasshopper.
Bought some Tiger Balm yesterday. What a difference that made pre and post round. Can't wait to get out there and give it what I now know is within me. PMGAS
Focus on the basics Grasshopper. O yasumi Nasai or in Chinese Mingtian Jian,Wan An.

Arando's picture

Submitted by Arando (not verified) on

Thank You sooo much!  I just hit some balls and that was exactly what I needed to do!
Hitting much better after just 3 swings. Can't wait to get back out.
I appreciate your imput! Take care!

Lynn42's picture

Submitted by Lynn42 (not verified) on

I agree, Steve.  Sadly, I think it's just a matter of time before Tiger hurts himself again.  Such a shame to see that talent ruined when when we all know there is a way to avoid it.

Dragonhead's picture

Submitted by Dragonhead (not verified) on

Hahahaha indeed Kevin. In Chinese it is GongFu heh heh heh and kow tow is kou tou. The oil bowing machines in China are called KoutouJi bowing machines.
GongFu is far from dead my friend. The Shaolin Monastery is bursting at the seams with a host of "Grasshopper" Monks. Just imagine what would happen were they to take up the PPGS mantra? Now that would be something indeed,hahaha.

Jim Wile's picture

Submitted by Jim Wile (not verified) on

Marilyn, did you warm up and hit some balls before you played those 6 holes?  I find that my timing is better when I have taken some time to stretch and then hit at least 15-20 balls on the range before playing.  If you can work that into your routine of playing golf, I think your timing will be more consistent, especially on the early holes.

Kevin McGarrahan's picture

Submitted by Kevin McGarrahan (not verified) on

A most intriguing thought to contemplate. I have often thought that much of the mystical Oriental philosophies would be of great assistance in maintaining focus and control. I have been dabbling with Tai'Chi for a few years and use some of the exercises to warm up before playing or practicing. It helps me to get loose and relaxed, and to let go of most of the tension that I have accumulated. I even do some of it during rounds, especially during tournaments, while I am waiting for others to play their shots. 

Arando's picture

Submitted by Arando (not verified) on

HI SURGE,
This is very interesting for me because I am absolutely killing my driver longer and straighter but my irons hits are awful. (thin or fat) more than 50% of the time.
The interesting part is my front knee stays slightly flex with driver every time, but with the irons I either lockout knee or bend it too much. I can't seem to keep it slightly flexed.
So the question is WHY WHY WHY !!!!!   ????????
THANK YOU!

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Surge, I too loved your intro/advertisment for the Surges shop. "In a world of rotational swingers and teachers, ONE man, defied the odds!" Awesome music too with what appears to be the Matahorn mountain. I felt like a golfing Monk seeking and gaining golf truth....... at the foot of Surge :) Cool stuff. And oh so true. As Dewitt said, God helps drunks,babies and fools and you added 'those thhat are consistently seeking the truth.'
Seriously, any of you who have been enjoying these free daily lessons and have not purchased the teaching videos found by clicking on "Surge's Shop" are missing out on tremendous instruction.
Lately I have been working on my mental a approach to my golf game. It is in harmony with "feel the swing and then swing the feel." It is following recomended steps of;
1- Analyze
Analyze the shot your about to hit, the lie, the distance,the target, where you want to land it and the club selection.
2- Visualize
Visualize the shot shape (trajectory and curve -draw/fade-straight). See it landing excactly where aimed and coming off the clubface how wanted. If the shot is coming into the green see it land, hop and roll to cup.
3- Feel
With the one or two practice swings feel the swing intended while seeing it come off the way intended. (eyes can be closed so we can see it in our mind and relay this to our bodies). It's how the shot will feel that is important.
4- Swing the feel
Not focused on results but whether it comes off the way we visualize and feel it.
     I read recently that the closer we get to the green (ie., inside 50 yards, the more it becomes about feel and less about mechanics. Putting should become completely feel.
PMG by feel without being concerned about results and score. We just may find we enjoy the game more and our scores will lower anyway:) 

ITSMERUTHY's picture

Submitted by ITSMERUTHY (not verified) on

Marilyn

Keep with it you will get it.

Sandy from Oz's picture

Submitted by Sandy from Oz (not verified) on

Thank you again Don for this clarification of ringing the bell.   Mastering the golf swing appears to be a  matter of fine tuning and almost every time I watch one of your informative and enlightening messages from the back porch or the back garden I gain a little extra knowlege and it has made all the difference to my golf.    It is no longer a matter of "what did I do that was wrong" but "what are the fundamentals of the right swing".   With much gratitude   - Sandy from Oz

Simply Golf's picture

Submitted by Simply Golf (not verified) on

Guys: our testosterone can work against us. 
Watched a college kid the other day who brought a PPGSelement to his otherwise conventional swing, and it was noteworthy.He was just smoking his hybrid, one after the other,with a 3/4 swing, limited turn swing. Not once did I see the full turn.He didn't need to. Though he was not vertical, but he had found a wayto take this one element, and apparently adapt with success.His poor buddy was trying to match, using a driverand a huge conventional turn, and it was, no pun intended,rather painful to watch.Check your ego in at the front door.Use the elements that work. Adaption can be helpful in this game. 

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

The point was not about not keeping score, but rather that better golf results from the score and results not being our key focus but rather the process, our pre shot routine and the target, visualizing and focusing on the feel of each shot. As they say let the results be what they may. When we get too caught up in what we did on the last shot, what might happen if we miss this next putt, what our score might be (good or bad) if we do such and such on these next few holes, well none of that seems to help us shot lower scores(but rather often has an adverse effect). Believe me, I will still be able to recount my score accurately even if I don't take time to record it as I play. Even if one does continue to jot down thier score as they play, the point is don't let each result follow you to the next shot. Each needs it's own focus and all have the same value. Ultimately a lower score is what I am looking for too.It's primarily the emotion and mental focus I am working on shifting for better results, you know the game is the 5 inches between our skull part :)
http://golfstateofmind.com/

Ruthy, after re reading your post and question, "if we are not concerned with our results and scores how do we measure our success?" I thought of the following;
When we're focused on our calm routine as I outlined above we are measuring our success. After each shot we can quickly analize in a practical way how we did with our pre shot routine. Did we feel we analized well before the swing?Did we set up comfrtably well? If we hit it fairly solid, was that the right club (ie., did we fall short or long?). How was the trajectory and shape? Was it close to what we hoped? Do we feel like we focused on our target and less on our mechanics? Did we learn more about how that shot feels and how to repeat it next time? Or did we just go enternally and cuss ourselves for not hitting the shot we made rather than observe where we could have improved, log it and move on to the next shot that is equally important and won't benifit from an angry memory?
Bob Rotella says that most golfers remember the putts they missed and the shot that was out of bounds. We are encouraged to remember the shots we hit well and review those after each round perhaps even writing them down. Those are the emotions and feelings that will help us move toward lower scores and better days on the golf course.

So there are many ways aside from score that are results from which we can measure ourselves.

Dmwheat4's picture

Submitted by Dmwheat4 (not verified) on

Thanks Surge!

Went out today and played six holes, darn, my timing was really off, I was coming up again way to soon, not hitting the ball square, I just was hitting the top of the ball, so, after six holes, I had enough.   What can one do, when your timing is off???    Seems like I bring my arms up to soon, will I ever learn?  Yesterday I played good, well, good for me!!

Thanks so much,
marilyn

Hal's picture

Submitted by Hal (not verified) on

Robert
The mental aspect of the game has been my problem these last few months. I get it going for a few rounds and have a few bad shots and there goes my game. Mental. I get out of my setup and my brain starts smoking and then I start double bogeying or worse. Don is trying to get me out of this mess.
Hal

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Yes my son it does. Wise you are. We shall only I say if we can have that same music (from the intro) accompany our meditation.= to golf excellence. 
OOOOOOOMMMMMMMMPMG

Jfnorris's picture

Submitted by Jfnorris (not verified) on

After one year of concentrating on the Surge body movements I have come to the conclusion that this is a musical instrument,fine tuning and timing will get great results and if it is out a bit the results are still good.With the body parts moving the Surge Way there is no better feeling then hitting the sweet shots.    

T Medley's picture

Submitted by T Medley (not verified) on

Surge and Crew,

 Finally found some time to catch up on the blog and the latest video. Love
the new intro. It would be nice to see it in commercial format on the Golf
Channel some day.

 It is also a pleasure to see you and the whole crew continue to make improvements to the site and entire program as it continues to evolve. I just wanted to offer my thanks and gratitude.

 Someday, somehow, I hope to be able to attend one of the Tournaments or Training Session's to meet you and some of the others in person. Until then, please know that your instruction is needed and appreciated by many folks, whom you may never meet or even know as your students. On behalf of all, I say thanks.

T Medley

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Yes, I too have had the smoking brain problem. i wonder if it relates to the stuff I smoked as a teen? Hmmmmmnn.