The Special "K" Effect

Thu, 03/22/2012 - 21:40 -- Don Trahan

As most of you know, the Swing Surgeon team of golf instructors recently introduced our online golf lessons. With this program, golfers from all over the world are able to send us videos of their swings. After reviewing your swing, we use our software to "coach up" the video with full audio and visual drawings to show what you can work on to improve. This program has been great and has really opened the doors to people who want to improve their Peak Performance Golf Swing. I've done my share of these videos and I've noticed one glaring similarity between many of you.

Most of the videos sent my way have all had golfers with pretty good posture. That doesn't surprise me because I really harp on setup and the importance of it while trying to execute a dynamically balanced golf swing. But, one thing that has also been popping up a lot is what I like to call the "special K effect". This is when the forward knee moves inward and forms the bottom half of a "K". The effect of this movement causes many of you to turn way too much, and you end up in the sacred burial ground. This leads to all sorts of bad habits, such as coming over the top.

The knees should have outward pressure in the Surge setup. If you start to feel your front shoulder turning with the forward knee, then you're moving that knee too much. We must do everything we can to resist the forward knee from moving. Remember, Special K is for breakfast, not golf!

Keep it vertical,

The Surge!
Don Trahan
PGA Master Professional

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Comments

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

Yep, the knee moves forward toward the target line slightly (about an inch is what Surge says). Even Surge's does, and in that move there's a little extra bend, but it's not a move back behind the ball, and that's what's really important. Even without your physical issues with the left leg, I'd be happy to have your leg action (though I'm also pretty happy with my own).

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

You can get it to click on 1? I thought only Steve could do that. :)

I like to do one-armed swings with it set around 7, to be sure I'm getting well-timed release with each, then I'll do two-handed swings winding to 4, which for me is a comfortable swing without feeling like I'm really going at it to get the click. It allows me to be sure I'm not adding other movements in to try to force the click, rather than sticking with good fundamentals and timing. For you it may be a different number.
I also use it to groove pitching by turning it down to 8 or 9 and making sure that I get the click in the right part of the swing, not early or late. Also, you can use it set at 9 for a different sort of chipping exercise, to be sure you DON'T break your wrists and get the click.

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

He's in the club house at +2 (T54 right now), so there is every likelihood he'll be playing the weekend. I don't think the afternoon scoring will be THAT much better than the morning.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Yeah Surge doesn't bend his much at all. On mine and DJ's it's more than an inch. It's not enough to see daylight between the left knee and the right knee from down the line but it doesn't lack a whole lot either so I figure it's probably at least 3 inches.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

 Did you just see Tiger do the "butt on a wall drill" against the fence?
Ha ha! The announcers were acting like there was no way to miss the fence. Tiger did barely miss it by taking a little bit more vertical swing than normal but I was sitting there thinking that I wouldn't have even considered that fence as a problem at all.

Dick Lee's picture

Submitted by Dick Lee (not verified) on

 Robert

I will try the chipping and pitching settings today before I go to work.  Do you know if it is allowable to carry it during a game or during the PAT?

Thanks,
Dick

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

I haven't been watching the broadcast. Funny. Definitely up against a fence shouldn't be a problem for a PPGS swinger. :)

Kevin McCarthy's picture

Submitted by Kevin McCarthy (not verified) on

I also started doing the front foot flare to 60o-70o, after seeing the video of DJ with Don explaining his belief in doing it with every club.  It helps restrict your body turn during the BUS, and makes getting to the front foot and square to the target much easier.  I also find it is easier on my front foot and ankle versus rolling it over.  One friend says I look like Charlie Chaplin in my set-up.  But, it comes naturally now. 

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Congratulaions to DJ for a good round today. After a double bogie on 11 and a bogie on 15 he came back with three straight birdies at 16,17 and 18 that gave him a -2 70 and right on the number to make the cut. Way to tough it out Deej. Think he wasn't grinding and determined?!!
Here's a rare link to a shot from today. Notice how he's right over the toeline going back and nicely vertical. He also looks wholesome with that clean shaven look :) 
Good luck on the weekend DJ!!

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

 If he was batting one hundred he might like that better. Ha ha!

Then he wouldn't have to be like the teacher that had to flunk everybody in the class. It surely has to be demoralizing to even have the repeat students flunk the course every time. ;-)

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

"Isn't it great to live in a society where the penalty for lying to a
congressman can be up to 30 years in jail, but the penalty for a
congressman lying to you is another two years in office. "

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Looks like DJ had a good round and would have been really good if it wasn't for whatever happened on 11.

I was watching shot tracker when he was on 15 and for his 2nd he had 10 yards and I thought he might have a good chance to save par but after the 3rd he still had 5 yards so it must have been a lot harder than it looked on shot link.

After that he went on a good run. On 9 (his last hole) he had 195 yards out of the rough and hit it to 4 feet and made the birdie put. Pretty impressive.

Maybe making that many birdies will give him a kick start toward some good play.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

 Like SGW, there is no way I would have it in my bag for the PAT. Probably legal but those officials can be squirrels sometimes and I would probably get one that claimed it could be used as a club giving me too many clubs.

I usually try to avoid potential hazards if I can, and that includes rules officials.

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Surge,
This reminder comes at a good time because inspite of inproving as of late I still get too long in the backswing and come over the top occasionally, especially with the 3 and 5 woods.Ii'm sure it is because of wanting to get acouple more yards and instead I often get a shot that is either right of target or off the inside (heal) and short left.
It's amazing that when I just keep it 3/4's and out of the SBG again assisted by holding that front left knee in that outward pressure position, I often hit it longer and certainly straighter too. Holding that left knee not only helps limit our swing it helps me keep my head steady and not move off the ball going back. Over swinging and allowing that knee too collapse leads to all kinds of poor results.
Thanks for reinforcing these thoughts.

T Medley's picture

Submitted by T Medley (not verified) on

 No, I just came in from doing the butt behind the mower drill, and boy is my butt tired.  Fortunately it is on the DVR, for later viewing.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

 Heck I can't even do it with what I would call my golf swing.

Well maybe my swing looks like that in a scramble when somebody already has one in the fairway at about 320 yards and I've nothing to lose.

Probably about 1 out of 20 I might pull it off and hit the fairway at that speed. The other 19 are in another county. LOL

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

That extra flare is a good reminder for me too Steve. I haven't maintained that flare as much on my fairway woods and that might be contributing to my over swing with those clubs. I'm going to focus more on that next time out. My fairway woods are my weakness lately. i've been saving it with good short irons and fair putting.

Kevin McGarrahan's picture

Submitted by Kevin McGarrahan (not verified) on

 Dick,

Pursuant to Rule 14-3:

"Except as provided in the Rules, during a stipulated round [which the PAT would be] the player must not use any artificial device or unusual equipment, or use any equipment in an unusual manner:

a. That might assist him in making a stroke or in his play."

Since the purpose of the SwingRite is to assist you in making a better swing, you cannot use it during the PAT.  I personally would not even carry it in my bag, as I would probably be too tempted to use it if I had to wait between shots or holes.

T Medley's picture

Submitted by T Medley (not verified) on

 Dick,

I remember the tournament where Annika got a penalty for using a weighted doughnut on a club, to stay limber, While waiting for a green to clear on a par 3. It is my understanding that you can carry any aid you wish, but once the round formally begins, no training aids are allowed to be used.

Also, I wish you the best on your PAT. Go get em...

Lynn42's picture

Submitted by Lynn42 (not verified) on

Steve,  Congressmen lie?????  I can't believe it. ;0))

Ohh, wait, I guess that's how they get elected in the first place.

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

Great video, Surge. I know stopping the left heel lift and knee kicking in was one of the hardest elements for me to grove when I switched to the PPGS. I spent a lot of mornings standing in front of the mirror just practicing the BUS and carefully watching that knee until I could trust it to stay.

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

Remember that DJ started on the back 9 this morning, so he was 3 over on the day, 7 over on the tournament after his first 6 holes of day 2, and was 5 under from there to the club house.

Sandy Shuetrim's picture

Submitted by Sandy Shuetrim (not verified) on

Dear Don,

You have given us yet another wonderfully clear explanation and lesson on the PPGS.   You really are a champion and you are so generous and delightfully enthusiastic.   You take the frustration out of the game of golf and give your enthusiastic followers so much advice that will make tangible and significant improvement to our game and thus increase our overall enjoyment.  
Thank you again!!
Sandy from OZ

Craig63's picture

Submitted by Craig63 (not verified) on

The dreaded special K knee, yes I suffer from it as well causing me to over rotate past the toe line into the SBG and over swinging at the top of the BUS past 3/4s to parallel.    BTW a special thank you to Robert F for the feedback left on one of my swing videos, some very good info and tips to work on, I very much appreciate it.   

I plan to shoot some more video when I go home to visit my folks at Easter (using their videocam).    I've been working on, and trying to get comfortable with, changes in my swing that will tighten things up and reduce the over turning.After watching this Special K video on Friday I went out and played 18 holes at Penrith (West of Sydney).   I was just only working on the one swing thought of holding my forward knee in place more and not letting it turn in with my forward shoulder.   The result was an immediate improvement in ball striking, the BUS was more compact and controlled and I was getting through my shot much smoother and with more power to boot.   It's a pity I couldn't putt though, I started with a 4 putt then a 3 putt and I was a nervous wreck for the rest of the round with the flat stick.   The guys I played with who would scramble for a 6 or 7 would ask what I had and upon saying that I had the same score would remark "really, after those first two great shots?!"  Oh well back to studying the putting videos I guess. 

Belshaw12's picture

Submitted by Belshaw12 (not verified) on

Thanks for this daily!  I have wanted to understand better the "forward knee" movement for some time.  I'm sure it was covered in the past, but I really never understood what was suppose to happen with the forward knee (left knee for right handers).  I was mostly puzzeled because I see quit a bit of movement from players of all levels.  I only see very little movement from when Surge is swinging on the daily's.  I know when I hit a bad shot, there might be several things bad going on, but I always notice that I swung my forward knee in to gain extra power.  Anyway, just wanted to say thanks for the explanation.....excellent!

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

If some rules official tried to pull that on me, I might, in fact, use it as a club--right over his idiotic head. :) Then I'd still be disqualified for unsportsmanlike actions, but I'd feel better.

charles r. friend's picture

Submitted by charles r. friend (not verified) on

several weeks ago i paid for the special book on the short. I have not received it. Please look into this thanks   crfriend31@yahoo.com

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

You and I would have made a heck of a scramble team the last time I played.

I couldn't hit the ball to save my life but I couldn't miss a putt if I wanted too. Making putts doesn't help much if it takes 2 over regulation to get on the green.

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade (not verified) on

Are training aids allowed during play?
This link says no.

http://www.livestrong.com/arti...

It is also said to be a no no at this link according to rule 14-3

http://thesandtrap.com/t/33976...

Dick, although I am not personally positive whether it is allowed (or not) during the PAT it seems not. Why not simply ask those  in charge of the PAT and be double cautious.
For myself personally, any doubt would have me "leave it out". Additionlly, I would be too nervous and it would only be a distraction. This might be a "less is better" situation.

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

Yep, the way the lower body works in the PPGS is a HUGE difference between this swing and pretty much all other swings being taught. Definitely DO NOT want to try to emulate any PGA pros leg movement aside from DJ. 

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

 I made myself a promise about 15 years ago that I would try to avoid situations where I would be tempted to hit somebody. Never get to have any fun anymore. :-(

Dick Lee's picture

Submitted by Dick Lee (not verified) on

Doc

What is the best number for me to tune my swing on the Swing Rite?  I love it and it works for me.  I can make it click all the way down to 1.  I don't know if I should be swinging that fast on every swing.

Is it allowable to carry the Swing Rite in my bag while playing and can I take swings with it between holes? Would it be allowed during the PAT?

Dick

Dick Lee's picture

Submitted by Dick Lee (not verified) on

Surge Nation

Thanks for the input on carrying and using the Swing Rite during the PAT.

It will stay in the truck.  Better safe than sorry.

Dick

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

You can keep anything you want IN YOUR BAG, but you cannot use any assistive device or training aid during the play of a round. My Swing Rite stays in the exterior tube of my bag (I think it's supposed to be for your putter, but I don't like keeping my putter there). I use it when loosening up before heading to the first tee, but as soon as I pull my first club to start my round, it remains in its sheath until the round is over.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

I don't know that I will ever completely quit lifting my left heel and I am not very motivated to do anything about it. Over time it may become natural to leave it down and with the extra foot flare I don't have a physical reason to lift it but I feel I lose my rhythm without it as a key.

With the extra foot flare it is fairly limited and at least goes back down where it was to begin with. Before I was picking it up from 30* and setting it back down at about 80*.

I was motivated to stop letting the left knee kick in toward the right knee and that was easily accomplished with the extra foot flare. It still bends some but is not moving back and goes straight at the target line and then forward.
Not sure what Surge would have to say about the knee bending but mine isn't bending much differently from DJ's.

Anybody wishing to stop letting the front knee move back toward the back knee might try a 60* or 70* foot flare. It's not for everybody and takes a little getting used to on alignment but it did solve a couple of my problems that I wanted to solve. Pretty much comes natural now for me to set up that way.

T Medley's picture

Submitted by T Medley (not verified) on

SGW,

Thanks for the correction, Don't know why I was thinking Annika when it was Julie. It's a terrible thing to waste ones mind.

Robert F's picture

Submitted by Robert F (not verified) on

If you're talking about the Kenny Knox short game videos (or any of the training videos), they are downloadable by signing in to your account here on the site and going to My Downloads under the My Account tab, or you can watch them online via the My Videos link, also under My Account. If you don't know what your account information is, click on the Support tab and I'm sure they'll help you.
However, it is not a "book." The only book is Surge's Foundations Manual, and that's a downloadable PDF.

Amos 's picture

Submitted by Amos (not verified) on

Steve:

    YES! And when I do and get a solid hig hit -- it going LEFT of the target line -- maybe "Left of Left" (for a right handed golfer)

     Amos