Last month I published a daily video in response to Drew Danko's question about obtaining greater distance, especially for senior citizens. Although I addressed most of what he asked, I failed to answer his whole question. So, today I'm going to answer the last part of his question in much greater detail.
Hi Surge,
Even though I am an advocate and user of your approach, I went to a local golf center the other day to have my clubhead speed assessed. My reason for going was to determine why, at the age of 73 and in good shape, I cannot hit a 200 yard shot off the fairway with a 3 or 4 wood even when I swing them well.
The swing speed recorded for me was 72 to 77. The pro said unless I can get it into the 80s, it will not be possible to reach that 200 yard goal. I can live with that, but it made me curious about what club head speed Surge reaches with his 3 and 4 woods. So, I would like to hear from Surge about that plus any thoughts he may have on how us senior citizens can achieve greater clubhead speed.
Thank you for all your good work,
Drew Danko
Clubhead speed is a major player in getting the ball launched into the air and having good carry to stay there. This is important if you play a golf course that's very lush and doesn't roll out. Even on a firm golf course, you should strive for good ball flight. Drew was looking for adjustments he could make to increase his clubhead speed.
Before I give some advice on how to do that, I'd first like to suggest that you all take a good hard look at your game and determine whether or not you're playing the right set of tees. It's okay to play up on the forward tees because your skill level dictates it. Instead of trying to dedicate your whole game to hitting the ball farther, you might first want to try moving up. Don't be afraid to play it forward.
Now, increasing clubhead speed is a tricky thing once you get into your later years. The thing I see often with seniors, and also ladies, is that the concept of acceleration is lost on them. They tend to just swing at the ball. Sometimes I call it "sleep swinging." You've got to have acceleration. Golfers always say they want to hit it smooth. That's fine, but you still need to be accelerating once you get to impact.
You want to hear the swish right at the ball. The key is to hear the swish and then repeat it so the sound is the same and is at the same spot everytime. You will not hit the ball far unless you get a sense of acceleration in your golf swing. Nobody swings 100% everytime. I like to swing around 90% most days. You want to have a swing that is well within your limits, but it must be accelerating.
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
Comments
Listening to Your Swing
A swish stick can also act as a simple "overspeed" training device. In this case, your body can actually be making a faster swing than with a golf club. Swing speed can be developed for some, but it comes from the believing and the training and the executing. (And with someone who is knowledgeable.)
That little swish is a beautiful sound, IF you hear it at the correct time.
"Accelerate through the ball " is also one of the most helpful things I've ever heard from Don. And Imagine: you can listen to the sound of your swing, and get some instant feedback.
For myself, I was instructed to swing so my club swishes just past (or through) the tee/ball. When I practice, club or swish stick, that is where I want to hear the little whistle.
BTW- when my grip is too tight, when I'm hurried from the top, or FUS without a timely little bump, that release/swish is really much more difficult to achieve.
Speed
In my personal perspective, If there's one flaw in Surge's teaching and all other golf coaches is the actioning of Lag. I too have a swing speed the same as Drew, but I can reach 200M with a 3W most of the time. Over the holidays
I played a 480M ( 520Yds ) par 5 and ended up 10M off the green fringe in 2 shots with a 3W, given it was wind assisted and fast fairways. The cause of my development is none other than the action of lag, ie leading with the but end of the club as long as possible and creating that 90* angle between the forearms and the club. Am of the opinion that Surge thinks that this automatically happens by keeping firm wrists, but only doing a video will let
you see that it doesn't always happen this way. I loved his comments about
poeple who swing easy, there's only one way for me and that's attacking the ball.
Lag
Here's an oldie from the past on lag, in response to a question from Neil Jun 2011.
http://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/lag-another-name
Lag
Good one Terry you have a good memory, LOL. Even after that video my game never did develop much until late last year when Steve Smith turned on the light for me by just stating that we lead the butt end of the club as far as possible towards the ball, this single statement has changed my game and
now I'm a very happy Surgite. This action alone was something I laughed
at when I did it the first time, then whoa, I was gob smacked by it's simplicity and power. Some might say "skipping a rock" is the way, but each of us respond to different lines/methods/actions, at least I found mine.
Memory actually sucks
Thanks for the compliment, I only wish my memory was as good as others. I did recall the Lag By Another Name Video, but not the date or whom it was in response to, not until I gave it another listen. I was surprised to hear it was your original question, and then had to post it.
I intend to work a little more on that butt/grip end towards the ball this spring. I just started to give it a try towards the end of last season with marginal results. I'm one of those speed/distance inhibited individuals who have trouble with that 200yd mark, even from the Tee Box. I have a very low GIR count, unless on short holes and rely on keeping it in play and my short game to make up the difference. Seems to get a little harder each year with less time for practice though.
Signing off in Ohio and heading to bed. Good night all.
butt end
is it butt end towards the ball or butt end towards the toe line? because that is where it starts.
Butt End
At the moment i have the butt end leading to the ball.
Maybe Steve Smith can add to this as it was his comment that made me change my thought process/action.
I also believe that this same action activates the "bump" automatically.
Butt end
I recall others in the blog mention having the butt end aimed at various lines, such as the ball, toe line, and even shoe laces. It might come down to an individual parameter of what actually works best for the individual. I would suggest that since we raise and lower on the toe line, that would be the place to start, however, the bump and secondary spine tilt does indeed lay the club off a bit which may have the butt aiming closer to the ball line as it comes down depending on individual control. I intend to do some experimenting for myself come spring thaw.
Butt End
Terry, good call, I experimented on several planes and believe aiming around the
ball line was more successful for me, however it's still work in progress.
Love your analogy about the secondary spine angle and the club being laid back.
the butt
cheers terry and neil. maybe there is no 'one size fits all ' rule here but it seems to me if you aim for the ball then you are encouraging an in to out line. i wonder what Don does? and it seems steve smith aims towards the ball and he definately knows what he;s talking about.
Slower swings and distance.
On behalf of Charlie Y, from a couple years back, this statement is one worth remembering.
"Speaking of Newton's Laws, his first law of a body in motion staying in motion unless there are forces acting on it, I like this because of what I learned in a sports mechanics class concerning why the golf club swing needs to be completed properly (hands past the left ear and not short of the ear).
For those who are interested in an explanation of what sports science has to say about this (it applies to other sports as well), if you stop your hands short of a full swing, that means that you had to slow down the club earlier than you should, which means that you started decelerating the club too soon, which means that you lost club speed. So, in order to keep the club moving fast, it needs to follow through long (for lack of a better word). So, completing the swing properly is important to keep the club head from slowing down too soon."
We haven't heard from Charlie in quite a while, so where ever you are, I hope you're doing well.
Teaching flaw, lag and swish.
Hi fellow golfers,
I'm no expert in the field, but I if someone concentrates on creating a 'swish' as an end result, the lag develops automatically to create that swish without thinking about lag.
We already talked in previous blogs about aiming for results to acheive sucess. for example, where we should finish the forward upswing to swing it right without thinking about what goes within the wholeswing process, otherwise we start manipulating and suffer the consequences...
Please correct me if I am wrong Neil.
Regards
Teaching Flaw, Lag & Swish
Adel, I believe the "Swish" theory is very good for timing, but can't correct an
"over the top swing path". I could swish anytime I wanted, but it still didn't alert
me to a major swing flaw. I also believe that using a plastic rod approx. 10mm in dia. as means to determine timing and swing path cannot replicate a golf club. Both of these instruments are totally opposite in structure. I would imagine the "SwingTech" device would be suitable for determining the actual
position of Maximum power and acceleration as it it similar in weight, length
and flex, with a standard golf club.
Focus should be on Sequence.
The "Swish test" is undoubtedly a reliable indicator of 1. clubhead speed in the impact are - the louder the "swish" the faster the clubhead speed; and 2. where the clubhead is releasing - behind the ball, indicating an early release, in front of the ball, indicating a late release, or at the ball, indicating the preferred release.
But that's only one part of the swing and it's at the very end. The key to generating power and swing speed through the PPGS is performing all of those movements leading up to or rather setting up for the "swish" in the proper sequence.
If you follow the PPGS sequence as Don describes, you don't have to worry about lag because you cannot release the club too early if you're swinging hips, shoulders, hands. Proper sequencing puts you in the best position to create the greatest degree of lag and the greatest clubhead speed.
Bruce Kelso
Swing speed
Surge, i am also a senior citizen (70) and suffer from loss of distance; primarily driver. The guy at the golf shop said I had a very vertical swing which was imparting a lot of backspin and swing speed was in mid 80's. Said both were costing me distance. Is he right about the vertical swing and the spin and should I consider changing to a senior shaft?
Swing Speed
Ron, there are several factors that could contribute to backspin and lack of distance off the tee. Club head speed is definitely one, however many 'mature' players with slower club head speed still get relatively fair distance with a swing speed in the 80's. A vertical swing is not a cause of loss of distance in my opinion.Too much back spin? Perhaps the biggest contributor to back spin is angle of attack. You are likely hitting down on the ball. With the driver it is normally advisable to sweep it off the tee as the club head is past the bottom of the arc and on the upswing. In other words you need to swing up on the ball as you clip it off the tee. This can be done both with a flat or vertical swing. It has to do with both your ball placement and your angle of attack from the top of your back swing. Are you staying behind the ball with minimal head movement? Video tapping your swing will help you see whats's going on. How often are you hitting the center of your club face on your driver? Putting tape on the face and checking out what area is marked after hitting a few at the range will show you. Nothing generates more distance than solid, centered sweet spot strikes.
Another consideration has everything to do with todays 'swish' lesson. You may be too aggressive at the beginning of your FUS from the top and wasting your energy and speed long before reaching the ball. A lesson from a certified PPGS teacher may be in order.
Many players (seniors or not) get more distance after learning to draw the ball which by it's nature imparts more top spin and certainly less back spin allowing the ball to have a more piercing flight with much more roll out.
Consider a senior shaft? Absolutely! Most players as the age need shafts that are more flexible. Too, many are playing with shafts that are too long. There is one thing that is certain, a professional fitting by a certified professional fitter is highly recommended. It may be the single most effective way to be able to hit your drives solid and as far as your personal swing will allow. That along with spending one or more days getting a lesson from one of Surges PPGS teachers. I would say that taking the advice of "the guy at the golf shop" may be the last place to decide your next move.
Do you have Don's driver video?
Have you reviewed the many free vids here on the subject of the driver and club fitting?
Here's a few that may help:
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/accelerating-driver
Take note of the first two comments underneath this first video by Robert F. and Lynn 42. (I could be wrong but I think Lynn42 is about 70 so his advice may help you)
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/club-fitting-length
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/long-distance-club-fitting
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/why-do-some-hit-their-irons-well-not-their-driver
https://www.swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/hitting-down-your-driver-slice
There are many more but these may help you.
Getting shafted
Ron
As a player's driver speed goes down, there are a few things to look at. The senior shaft, a ladies shaft, a higher launch angle, and balls that fit the swing better would be the first things I would look at.
Dick
DJ
DJ starts at 9:30am off the 10th tee playing with Bud Cauley and Jerry Kelly.
At -11 he is tied with 14 other players for 53rd after 69,68,68. Hopefully he'll move up but in any case he is set for a decent check and certainly a confidence boost because of some really solid and steady play.
For those who would like to follow on shot tracker here is the link:
http://www.pgatour.com/shottracker.html#/current/r000/4/player/23788/
Senior players
Senior players [70+], like me, should consider lower compression golf balls! We just don't have the swing speed to compress the high end tour-type golf balls, yet Surge NEVER addressed this issue in any of his Dailies that I've seen. Me, I play the Callaway [Ladies] Pearl [no longer produced-- I bot a gross when they were going to discontinue] which is a lower compression 3 piece ball that acts like a Pro V around the greens-- hop & stop-- but for lower swing speeds. Wilson also makes the Fifty Elite-- 50 compression! Soft-- very soft! Elders should consider ladies balls and play Forward!
Lower comp balls
Mike, This has been addressed by both Surge and Doc in past dailies and also discussed numerous times by various of us in the blogs. You can use the search block (under the log in/out tab) to find information and dailies of interest to you.
Here is the list of dailies that come up by entering balls.
https://swingsurgeon.com/search/node/balls
Lower comp balls
Terry and Mike,
Wow, Terry that was an awesome way to give Mike the whole barrel but in a loving way. On page 2 of the dozens of articles you just gave him was the following;
http://swingsurgeon.com/daily-video-tips/choosing-right-golf-ball
What have we not discussed that the curious can not find with a bit of research?
I still think that some day all the great gifts Surge has given us free could be sold for big $$$$$$$$$. The archived library is such a tremendous display of generosity. I hope we never loose it.
Aiming at:
Hey boys,
Disclaimer: DO NOT COPY MY SWING!!! LOL
I do things that even I don't like. Partly because I'm not good enough or physically able to swing the way I would like to swing, and partly because I can hit the ball pretty well the "wrong way".
One thing that makes it possible for me to play pretty well that I think WOULD apply to anybody's swing is that I don't get in a hurry in the transition and just LET my arms start to fall until my right elbow starts getting fairly close to my body. I never feel like I am swinging my left arm out toward the ball but want to swing my left arm toward the toe line at first and then along my toe line until impact.
When the right elbow starts falling toward the front of the hip the club has no choice but to lay off some. It's not something that is intentional. That effect makes the butt end of the club point a little outside of the toe line but the direction of travel is toward the toe line. As the right elbow gets close to the body the club is more on the parallel left toe line with the butt of the club pointing down that line.
At that point (and not before) is where I am putting my power into the shot. It is also the point my left arm does drift out toward the ball (but not intentionally). If I was a better player like DJ that left arm would never drift out toward the ball but would continue down the toe line all the way through impact. That's something that is very slowly getting better.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsx7oSVrXSw
Edit: Robert. As long as we LET the swing happen from the top instead of trying to hit the ball from the top we will be OK. Trying to hit toward the ball from the top will lead to bad sequencing, turning the shoulders and spinning out, over the top, and out to in. The first few inches of the forward swing are the main difference between good players and bad players (no matter what swing they use). With enough patience from the top people can have success with a delayed bump (as some people have mentioned they have).
Great visual
Steve,
You have a knack of describing your moves in a way that is easier to 'see'.
Don't know if I'll ever get that inside move down but it is something to work on, particularly your intention to let the butt (club) fall toward the front hip with that right elbow getting close before you crank up the acceleration.
At this point I am more among the crowd that allows the bump first to happen with intention but certainly not forcing it. I over do it if I do. It's actually better for me to have the thought of the move and an image of the feeling (if that makes any sense) and then it just kind of happens when the sequence is right. The 'feeling' is unmistakable. It usually turns out bad if I manipulate and attempt to force it. Having it happen correctly and consistently is another story :) Thanks again for your description. And don't worry about copying any Surgites swing. I likely couldn't any way. Everyone has their own unique body and abilities and liabilities as Don says. Getting more of the latter lately.
left foot
wow steve you sure have that left foot well flared out. any reason for that?
richard.
Left foot
Oh yeah. Long story but I can't take a chance on the weight rolling over to the outside of my left leg or ankle.
What is a good finish (and a natural finish) for most people with their left ankle rolled would be a disaster for me.
Aiming At
Steve, what kept you, have been waiting for a response from you for several days and as usual you didn't dissappoint me with an excellent contribution.
I owe you heaps for that little comment you made on the blog late last year as it has change my whole game.
Still working on the "dropping of arms" aspect, but I'm playing much more consistently with my new found technique, your video in slo-mo is like poetry in motion, lol.
Busy
Reading Criminal Justice books. ;-)
What you reading?
Steve
Is that what you are taking since you have been back in school?
I think it is great. What area of the C.J. system are you hoping to find work in?
Send me an email with the details,
Dick
SMASH BAG
I was at the Golfsmith getting a larger grip; the one I was using was a GP standard (I kept hitting the balls consistently about 10 yards to my left (using my SW thru 7 iron). I had a GP medium installed. It worked. I mentioned to the tech, that with my driver and long irons I kept slicing, he suggested using a SMASH bag placed about 6 inches in front of the ball and practiced hitting my clubs making sure I hit the bag with the toe of the club. So, I picked up one up from eBay. So is anyone out there using a smash bag and should my club shaft at impact be in front of the ball.