The PPGS can find adjustments that will cure the problem.
ScottW says:
Don, I am an occasional golfer with a somewhat unique swing issue. I've got some titanium hardware in my lower back which has dramatically altered my ability to stand, address and swing properly. Because of this, what were once straight drives are now hooking almost exclusively'even when aiming far left of target. Any suggestions?
The Surge says:
Scott, it appears from your explanation of your situation, the first issue we have to address is your setup, since the titanium hardware in your lower back has altered your ability to stand and address the ball. Since the main premise of the PPGS is 'The setup determines the motion,' we have to start an evaluation of your hitting hooks with your setup, which has changed.
Since you don't mention how your posture at address has changed, I will have to make an assumption that you now have to stand with your upper body more erect as compared to bending over at the waist. This means you are standing much closer to the ball and your arms are hanging more straight down and closer to your legs. This can cause a problem with your hips and legs being in the way of your arms swinging the club to impact. I suspect this may be the case since you mentioned you have tried aiming far left of the target, opening your setup.
If that is the issue then we have to figure out how you can clear your hips and legs but not spin out or rotate through impact too soon, too fast and too much. We have to figure out how you can transition better and have a straight unobstructed path to the ball to hit straight drives as well as all you other clubs.
I suspect, if anything, the hardware in your lower back is likely slowing down your transition. If that is happening, you are likely not clearing your hips and are, in fact, hanging back and doing what is called a reverse weight shift. The weight stays on the back foot in the transition, actually shifting farther back as the hips and shoulders turn and the arms swing the club toward the ball. The arms collapse around the torso, closing the club face and the shot is a pull or hook.
My setup adjustment suggestion starts with a question. How do you place your feet at address? Are they pointing straight forward perpendicular to the aiming line or flared outward 30 degrees, as the PPGS setup recommends? If they are perpendicular to the aiming line, my suggestion is to flare them both outward 30 degrees as the PPGS setup calls for. The key is both feet must always have the toes touching the parallel toe line when flared.
The flared left/forward foot should help you clear your forward side smoother and faster allowing your arms and hands to swing the club straight into the ball and hit straighter shots. Note: It should only take a few practice swings to re-program your timing and balance to impact and, most importantly, to a dynamically balanced T ' Finish.
If flaring the forward foot helps, then you can also experiment with even a little more flare to see if that makes the swing even better. Your balance, ball striking, direction and flight pattern will determine how much flare is correct for you. At some point, too much flaring of the front foot will cause loss of balance and control of your swing, and your ball striking and flight will also deteriorate. At that point, revert back to and play with the last flared position that worked well.
The mission statement of the PPGS is: 'To help every golfer build the best setup and swing they are physically and mentally able to do for their abilities or liabilities, to maximize the laws of physics and physiology.'
You now have physical limitations placed on your body movement. It is amazing how subtle adjustments, like flaring the forward foot in your setup, can allow easier, smoother, 'less stressful' and more powerful movement that will improve your balance and swing for better ball striking, and bring enjoyment back to playing golf.
The Surge!