The bump is probably one of the most misunderstood concepts of the Peak Performance Golf Swing. In reality, it should just be part of the swing when things are flowing correctly. It starts with ringing the bell and ends with swinging up to the T-Finish before recoiling and relaxing.
The reason I wanted to discuss all the parts of the swing that make the bump happen automatically is because Vinnie wrote in asking for some clarification, as the bump is one of the harder things for him to grasp. I think it's a good idea for everyone to remember how the bump works when using the PPGS, so pay close attention today.
Don,
I realize that the concept proper weight transfer is inherent in other facets of the swing (pre-loading heavy right, outward pressure of the knees, standing up afap, etc.) but I would really like to hear you discuss this as a stand alone concept. The weight starts pre-loaded heavy right and ends up on the outside of the left foot.
How and when is this transfer accomplished, and where exactly is the weight centered when the ball is struck? Thanks for all the time you put into helping us all enjoy the game.
Vinnie
If you've got the proper impact position, it will produce a pop feel in your arms which leads to terrific ball striking. In order to achieve this desirable position at impact, you must execute the bump correctly. Once you get to 3/4 in your backswing, ring the bell and your hips should move forward freely. This is the bump.
Ringing the bell, doing the bump, and getting to the T-finish. Those are the key ingredients to becoming a solid ball striker.
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
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Comments
bing,bang,boom!
Thanks for another reminder concerning the sequence of the bump. I have been one of the many that had a hard time getting the bump done right. I am having much better success in recent weeks and think I have found what may help others. One, it is what Surge shows at the 5:27-50 mark in today's video. Here he states that when he bumps he makes sure it is lateral and not a turn. He says this way he stays down the line rather than come across. Actually as he says in other dailies, he gets slightly laid off in transition as he does the 'dipsy doodle' or 'coma' and secondary spine tilt. this puts him in the slot from the inside.
This video on "The Slot" explains this from the 7:30 mark thru the 8:30 point.
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/finding-slot
The big 'aha' for me has come from not doing what Surge says from the 8:30 mark forward about fighting the club getting too laid off with the right hand.
Why? Again because I like many others have the opposite challenge. Going over and above the slot and not getting too laid off in transition. Learning how to get that laid off move and feeling has been a boon to my driver especially helping me not only not come over the top but to hit draws and gain considerable distance that had been fading. If I ever have the problem of over doing it and getting to laid off in transition I can scale back but for now purposely allowing that lay off to happen is training away from years of poor transitions.
The other thing that makes it challenging for many Surgites to learn the bump is trying to do what Surge has likely done most or all of his correct swinging life- and that is starting the swing with the lower body before the back swing is finished. That feels impossible for many of us, me any way. So by letting go (at least for now) feeling that I have to start down before reaching the top with the lower body has helped. I am getting better by simply exaggerating the lateral bump from the top. It's working. Again, I'll get back to the "inch only" that Surge recommends some day.
laid off at the top
Hi Robert,
An important point to remember about fighting the club from laying off is the speed of the BUS.
Quick swings like Surge's create a lot more energy into the club head that needs to be fought in order to not get too flat. Slow swings will not produce as much laying off energy at the bump.
What is critical is to have the shaft pointing at the aim line when dropped into the slot. Too steep and a lot of upward leverage is needed to keep hitting fat toe shots. Too shallow and the arms and club have to be dropped even lower to keep from thin heel shots.
Slow or fast
Good point SGW, I am a medium tempo guy and my driver swing speed is around 98 mph. Surge does make a fast transition. I am sure you are right about the shaft and aim line.
One of the points that I am making is that unlike someone who seems to have received likely good instruction at an early age therefor likely bumping correctly starting the down swing with the lower body for decades, I like most recreational players played with way too much upper body for decades and never understood how to employ the lateral bump move until recently. So I have discovered that the new routine of pumping that move and feeling at the top a few times before swinging is helping me groove it and avoid the over the top move which I was great at for decades:) It is amazing to me how effective and powerful the moves are when done right. I'm hitting some really good and longer drives lately with a soft draw and lots of roll out. Fun when it all goes right. The move is gradually making it's way into my other clubs and swings.
Bumping
A good excersice I use for feeling the Bump & getting weight transfer is to accentuate leading with the butt of the shaft downwards during the FUS. By doing this, the brain automatically makes the hips move laterally as it knows it has to counter a releasing force that comes with the pronation position.
Excersise
Thanks Neil:) I'll give it a go. What I have been doing lately seems to be helping.
the bump
It occurs to me that the important thing is that the "bump" happens, and that there might be a few ways to get this to happen. For me, it is focusing on the dipsy-doodle (ie getting the secondary spine angle) that works best. If my mind is there, I stay behind the ball just fine and I'm sure the bump is happening, though I don't really think about initiating it.
Bump
There are really two choices.
1. Try to find mechanics of a bump.
2. Realize that you can't throw worth two cents without a bump.
Good luck if you go with number 1, but I'm going with 2 every time.
Bumping
Steve, loved your analogy. When i view my videos I can see that my hips move laterally during the FUS, but don't know whether it's a bump or they are just moving with the swing. This week ( after having a lesson with Surge ) started
working on thinking of getting the whole left side across as well and it increased my power by another 10% and also reduced pulling left, hoping it's downhill from here, LOL.
Dear Don
Dear Don
Thank you for your video the bell, bump, swing to T finish. I put this to good practice and played unbelievably well. Many thanks.
I believe understanding the bump and doing it correctly is the hardest part of learning your swing. Done correctly the results are dramatic creating a wonderful strike with great accuracy.
Your videos are very helpful I believe to all surgites and along with your skill enthusiasm and ability to communicate your message a great help.
Many thanks.
Kind regards
John