Sometimes people are struck with injuries that inhibit them to play golf or even practice. These unfortunate injuries could stem from any number of reasons, none of which are from swinging the golf club. Robert Grace has had some old issues pop up with his feet and he wanted to know if there was anything he could do to get back on the course more quickly.
Well Robert, sometimes we have to let our injuries heal before we get back out there. It can be frustrating, but it's better than further injuring yourself. But, there is an alternative to keep your game sharp and it just may surprise you.
I once saw an interview with Hale Irwin after he played a fantastic round during a Champions Tour event. The amazing thing was that he hadn't been able to practice at all leading up to the tournament yet he still managed to shoot a great round. Interviewers asked him how he was able to play so well without having the chance to hit balls prior to the tournament. He said that he practiced in his mind.
This really shows the importance of the mental side of golf. It also shows that you can still practice your game even if you can't swing a club. I've always said that there's no such thing as muscle memory. Mental memory is the only way you are able to repeat shots and have any sort of consistency in your game. I think that this can help all of us, even if you are 100% healthy and able to physically work on your game because it forces you to think about the position of the club throughout the swing.
I know that the vast majority of golfers would rather practice their games on the range and on the course, but sometimes that's just not possible. If that's the case, remember that you can always practice in your mind or even play a full round at your favorite course all in between your ears.
Keep it vertical,
The Surge!
Don Trahan
PGA Master Professional
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Comments
Thanks for the reminder Surge
Thanks for the reminder Surge that we can continue to learn and practice whether we have a temporary physical hinderance or there is poor weather keeping us home.
I tend to do alot more reading and goal reflection when I can't get out. I've been reading Don's "Golf Plain and Simple" from 25 years ago that I bought on Amazon two weeks back. Very cool to see the subtle differences and the same standards taught therein by Surge comparede to the SwingSurgeon methods of today. Most are the same and there are lots of excellent nuggets in this older book by a younger Surge. Just finished the first section on fundamentals of set up and took particular note of the part on alignment. Well done and just makes the importance of parallel left alignment better understood. great stuff and I'd recommend this book to all serious Surge students.
I hope Brian Gay gives his
I hope Brian Gay gives his caddy a hazard pay bonus for this one:ÃÂ http://www.pgatour.com/video/r...
Haven't heard from Boog in a
Haven't heard from Boog in a while but in case he is reading the blog:
Got to love Steve Spurrier. He didn't mean to do it but he just called Alabama what they are (winners), and giving them the best compliment ever, while intending to insult Saban.
"He's got a nice little gig going, a little bit like (John) Calipari. He
tells guys, 'Hey, three years from now, you're going to be a
first-round pick and go.' If he wants to be the greatest coach or one of
the greatest coaches in college football, to me, he has to go somewhere
besides Alabama and win, because they've always won there at Alabama."
Steve Spurrier
Way cool Robert. That's a big
Way cool Robert. That's a big gator!
It seems play must be halted for weather or something at Harbor Town. I noticed the score and players haven't moved for about an hour now. If so i hope play resumes soon. DJ is up next on the first tee when they due resume. He's one off the current cut and it loks like he'll need at least a one under round to play on the wek end. Unless the cut moves to 4 or 5 as it well might. Tough course and they say the greens are as fast or faster than ever. Likely windy too.
Wife and I want to play here in LV today later but are hoping our wind dies down. Cool in Las Vegas for the moment. We'll have 100* + soon enough so no complaints on my part (aside from the wind).
You need to be sure that you
You need to be sure that you keep your swing center (the point where your shoulders meet your neck) as stable as possible throughout the swing. You can help with that by maintaining the outward pressure on the knees in the BUS until the bump, helping to reduce turn, and by trying to hold your abdominal muscles relatively firm.
An alert finally popped up
An alert finally popped up saying that the problem appears to be with PGATour.com's live scoring system, and not a problem at the course. Play is apparently ongoing just fine. Hope DJ is busy birdieing the whole front 9 while we suffer in ignorance.
And, that gator wasn't all that big. Really. But he'd have made some nice golf shoes and head covers. ;-)
N, What has helped me in
N, What has helped me in keeping consistency is mentally thinking that you neck and
not your shoulders are the centre of the swing as indicated by Robert below. This actually stabilises your body and also assists with the FUS & T finish, hope this helps.
NeilofOz.
Surge
Surge
May i start by saying sorry...... sorry for trying a new swing, when i say new i mean not yours, i have been in the wilderness now for 1 year and have no progres to show, only the experience I GAINED FROM TRYING YOUR SWING 2 YEARS AGO,ÃÂ match play and slightly lowering my handicap by playing in the medals, as the season is about to get underway, i am frantically trying to take everything on board you preach. I am currently in the process of recording my swing to send to one of your coaches what a great idea.
I had a lesson with a pga pro and my back was so sore after the lesson i had toÃÂ get some pain killers and go toÃÂ bed when i got home. He wanted me almostÃÂ 90 degree turnÃÂ in my back swing, now you can see why my back was aching. I want to play for the next 50 years and swinging the way he wanted me to i would be lucky to be playing at all in 3 years!
AND THE LESSON ENDED WITH ME TOPPING AND PULLING..... THANKS
What im looking to achieve is to hit my irons better my hands are to close to my head and im hitting high week balls i feel im hitting them clean but they just dont go anywhere i hit my driver around 240 and 3 wood around 220 but my 5 iron well 150 at best, the pga instructor said i was casting i understand release but cant put it into pracice.
Anyway its good to be back surge.
dannyboyÃÂ
Unfortunately DJ card is one
Unfortunately DJ card is one stoke worse for the first 7 holes. He's going to have to really turn it around sooner than......well or there won't be a later this week. Come on Deej!! Get'r going!
The cut has moved to 4 over
The cut has moved to 4 over and he's at 5 so a one under over the back nine would get it.
edit update:
DJ hit a 153 yard second shot to 18 inches for tap in bird on 10. Even par from here might make the cut.
Opps, cut is at +3 so he needs to get one more bird and no bogies.
Surge
Surge
As usual, you came up with the solution for me, even before you knew I had a problem.ÃÂ I will try all of your ideas while I am out of the loop for a bit.
Keeping it vertical, if only in my mind, in Oklahoma,
Dick
You should look at that drill
You should look at that drill from Dave Seeman the other day, with the stick and making the woosh sound at and through impact up to the finish. To get that to work properly, you have to get the timing of the bump, shoulder drop, swing, and release all timed in sequence correctly. It's an easy drill, and you can do it with something as simple as a bamboo rod or a small dowel or a club shaft with the head broken off. If you want a second way to help with that and have the money, you can get a Swing Rite.ÃÂ
Another great video Surge!!Ã
Another great video Surge!!ÃÂ I did a lot of "mind-golfing" this past winter when all the snow and cold prevented me from playing, and found that it does in fact work very well.ÃÂ It also helped me ingrain the PPGS mechanicsÃÂ so when the weather allowed, I could go right to the course and play.ÃÂ Thanks for all your efforts and outstanding backyard tips.ÃÂ R2
thanks robert i have tried
thanks robert i have tried this drill with the club turned upside down, so i have the head pointing to my stomach, also ensuring i hear the whoosh sound after impact. I did see a slight improvement in distance.ÃÂ ÃÂ ÃÂ
ÃÂ R2
ÃÂ R2
How are you doing out there?
Hope the winter was not so bad that you had trouble making your daily trips.
Dick
ÃÂ Getting the video of your
ÃÂ Getting the video of your swing is a good idea. It probably won't look like you think.
In the meantime drop into the slot before really swinging at the ball and you will certainly fix the over the top move.
Surge,
Surge,
Excellent point.ÃÂ I'm heading out to chase the little white ball and will try to use the 5 1/2 inches between my ears to stay vertical and down the middle.
Here's hoping Friday the 13th is a lucky day for DJ.ÃÂ
Surge, " every golfer should
Surge, " every golfer should be striving for a consistent bottom of his swing". How do I find the
bottom of my swing and be consistent, that is, on every swing? Thanking you in advance. Please keep up the excellent video's. God Bless,ÃÂ ÃÂ ÃÂ Nick Medawar