Which Hand Is The Dominant Hand?

Sat, 12/22/2012 - 08:00 -- Don Trahan

Not everyone sees each daily video I publish, so sometimes questions get asked that have already been covered in the past. For whatever reason, there's a question that keeps popping up on the blogs and in golf schools about which hand is the dominant hand.

Joe Pursel wrote in that he was still a bit confused about which arm/hand holds the power in the swing. He has heard that the right arm should just serve as a guide and that it just "goes along for the ride." He's seen some moderate success while using that swing thought, but I think I've got an answer that will see him hitting it even better.  
Got your books/videos, etc., but am confused relative to which arm is the power arm. Somewhere I read/heard that the right arm just goes along for the ride. Therefore, on the downswing, do you "pull down" with the left arm primarily? I seem to have the best success that way. 79 years old, right handed, 18 handicap.
 
Thank you,
Joe
This is another really good question. This is one of the main things that's always told to people in the golf world. But, I'm here to tell you right now that not using the right hand or right arm (the lower hand) is absolutely 100% wrong. Physics states that if two or more things (hands/arms) are involved in the movement of an object (golf club) and they are not equal, then the one that is doing the lesser than the greater is going to put the system into a condition called drag. In physics, drag is a negative effect. The example I always like to use was ringing the church bell as a boy. 
 
Many years ago I was an alter boy. When I prepared to pull the big rope attached to the church bell, I pulled down with equal force with both arms. It wouldn't have been a natural movement if I pulled more with one arm than the other. The same thing applies to swinging a golf club.
 
I used to play baseball as well, and when I swung a baseball bat I was using both hands with equal force. Both hands have to have equal pressure. Equal grip pressure, speed, force...everything! I tell folks that the right arm is really the important arm because it's responsible for stopping the club from going inside. It's actively involved in the lift to make the club go straight up. 
 
Not using your right hand means it's basically acting as dead weight. Joe said he has been having success thinking of the right hand as not doing anything, but I think he'll find even more success if he actively engages both hands because he'll have more touch and better feel. This will no doubt lead to more consistency, which is what we all strive for. If your dominant hand is your right hand and you're not using it then it's basically like playing with your hand in your pocket. Get it out of that pocket and get it involved! 
 
When you use both hands together, you'll be swinging with more acceleration, more speed, and you'll have more control. Hopefully this puts the debate to rest about which hand is the dominant hand. The answer is to use them BOTH equally!
 
Keep it vertical,
 
The Surge

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Comments

rls4success@gmail.com's picture

Submitted by rls4success@gma... on

I have heard for many years that a weak right hand was desired. I have been using the Surge swing for a couple of years now and my game has improved mostly because in my change in grip pressure.

However, I do have a question about the bump. I have been playing poorly over the last several months. I have tried only bumping about an inch which basically is no bump at all. I have been studying your swing in your tutorials by watching them frame by frame. I noticed that your bump or the movement of your hips toward the target is actually about four to six inches. This makes more sense to me (to have more forward movement toward the target) because all the momentum is going that way.

Could you do a tutorial on the bump and what it is to accomplish?

I also noticed that you seem to tuck your right elbow in to your side as the club approaches the ball at the point of impact. Can you elaborate?

Thanks so much for all you do for us plus 60 year old bogey golfers out there. The game is fun again.

Rich Schinman
Houston Texas

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Sorry but you must be confused about what the bump is. The bump happens before the back swing is completed and I assure you that Surge has no more than 1 to 2 inches of bump (closer to 1" than 2").

As the hands start to fall down in the forward swing and the weight continues to transfer the hips continue forward another inch or two as they are starting to turn. At impact the hips have moved forward no more than 3 inches at most through the entire swing.

The right elbow falls toward the front of the hip to start the FUS but not in against the body. Just enough away to clear the body.

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

Surge, As many know I am a long time practitioner of the PPGS swing and feel I understand well your thinking on the back hand and arms importance. For righties that means the right hand and arm. As you said the confusion goes back decades to this being taught and it is still repeated today by many teachers. I have come to realize that the right hand is especially vital in getting the club more vertical in the back swing and avoiding the SBG and not being too laid off in the BUS but rather controlling the follow thru too. I get it as do most that have been with you for a long time.

In the MANUAL the left arm is referred to as the POWER ARM more than once. I think the first time is on page 12 early on, 'Applying pressure to these fingers activates the muscles of the "power arm" as I like to call it.'
Then a couple of paragraphs down, ' ....left hand, arm and side must provide the power and control in the swing, not the right.'
Again on page 26 under figure 5 (picturing the left hand grip), " The left hand (for right handed players) is what I call golfs "power" hand."
On page 29 under fig 7a, 7b & 7c "this puts the right hand in a more passive, no power position."
Now admittedly these comments are here-in taken out of the over-all context and both before and after the it is clearly stated that we need equal pressure in our grips of both the right and left, also it is explained that there is a natural tendency for righties to overly dominate the swing with the right hand/arm/side and that is why a drill for stengthning the left side is given earlier on page 13 (one arm drill). Too the topic of equal power and pressure and the 'church bell' illustration follows on page 29,30. Off hand I don't think that I have ever heard you refer to the left as the power hand (arm/side) in any of your other videos.
Remember, this is NOT a criticism, only a possible explanation to why Joe Pursel and others may have the wrong impression. Also if you read the entire manual in complete context a better understanding along with Surges many follow up details about the use of the right and (and both hands used equally) one gets a clearer picture.
Hope this doesn't confuse some further. If you have the manual and foundation videos it all becomes much more clear as we see the whole picture.
Now especially those who read this blog and don't have the manual AND the paid for foundation videos, you have not earned right to jump on my observations and use them as a form of criticism. These comments can really only be appreciated by those who with good motive are part of the Surge Nation. I expect civil and intelligent observations only please.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

As all of you know I go much more by what I see on video than what is said or written in describing a golf swing.

That is true no matter who is describing their swing (especially when reading descriptions from years ago).

The first time I read the manual it was clear that some of the descriptions didn't match what I was seeing. Over time the daily videos address the discrepancies one by one (and sooner or later) and eventually we get a clear picture if we do the research.

Confused people really should get the V1 program. It doesn't cost anything and with the ability to draw lines and angles there is no question that can't be answered other than feelings and sensations of mechanics, or how to achieve them.

tpolston@mac.com's picture

Submitted by tpolston@mac.com on

Surge, I am a active follower, weekly golfer and past attendee to your clinic. I was recently treated for bursitis of the right shoulder, PT and rest provided short term relief. Recent MRI shows a partial separation of tissue in rotator cuff. I have been advised that a tear could be underneath the surface separation. I am faced with a decision of surgery and possible long recovery or rest and hope for a recovery that allows a less painful BUS & FUS. If a tear is located, I was told that recovery is 5 months.

I would welcome comments from other surgities who have faced this dilemma. 67 old and 9 handicap that loves golf.

Dragonhead's picture

Submitted by Dragonhead on

My sympathies on your dilemma tpolston. My rotator cuff tear, was the worst of my surgeon's 13 [now there's a co-incidental number] cases he had on his books. After the op I was "banned" from playing for 7months!!! Frustrating though it was, what a difference when I started playing again. It was worth the time away from the game with bells on. Did I stop for 7months? hahaha! Yes and No. I chipped and putted a lot hahaha. Now about 18 years later, it is giving me grief again, and the other one too! At this very moment, I am hors de combat for at least a couple or three days, letting it settle. So would I have the op in your shoes? Yep, in a heartbeat.Mine is bearable most of the time. It only causes me pain when I thump the hallowed turf hard. I blame me for that not the PPGS swing. Surge and his beliefs have given me a year of sheer pleasure. A 5month lay off would not be all downtime. Watching the videos, reading the manual......etc, If it is Winter for any length of time where you are, have it done when you can't play anyway. Just a few random thoughts. We the Surge nation, will still be here whatever you decide. Have a Great Christmas and New Year, from one who also loves his golf with a passion. DH in NZ

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

I also have a like situation. I have had MRI's on both shoulders. First it was my left that gave me the most trouble. It has actually lessened as far as pain and discomfort. Then it became my right shoulder but much worse than the left. Both have nearly identical diagnosis, bursitus,arthritis and tears in the supraspinatus muscle. Bursitus does run in my Moms side of the family. Any how I am hoping to avoid surgery. We'll see. I have an appointment with an orthopedic doctor on January 10th.
DH and others have said the surgery is worth it if needed. A last resort for me. Mean while it has cramped my life style an limited my golf. My job is likely the biggest culprit. I am a full time massage therapist at a major hotel and spa. I am looking at a couple of options in the future. One is becoming a personal trainer and the other a nutritionist.
Let me know what you decide. I will also be posting my decisions down the road.

tpolston@mac.com's picture

Submitted by tpolston@mac.com on

I am trying acupuncture to help with pain and stimulation before I go back to my orthopedic doc. I had success in treating the symptoms of carpel tunnel along with a wrist splint that avoided surgery last year. Diagnosis was mild carpal tunnel and the Doc wanted to operate. My first treatment shoulder provided relief, will have 4 more before 1/23.
Merry Christmas and best of health

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

I have now had acupuncture suggested as a treatment option by at least 4 people. I actually received a recommendation of a specialist and haven't called yet. So we'll see. Meanwhile my research has said that about 5 months is indeed thhe likely recovery time. Although I hope to avoid surgery i must admit several folks have said it's commonly very successful. Looking at my options carefully.

Hope you enjoy Christmas day

Terry Medley's picture

Submitted by Terry Medley on

Might as well make it 5. I have never tried it for any of my ailments, but just read an article about it's significance when conducted under test studies versus placebos and random pin punctures against properly performed procedures. I think in was in this months AARP but have already tossed it.

Merry Christmas Surge Nation and the best of New Years

Robert Meade's picture

Submitted by Robert Meade on

Notice his comments on causes. I am an example of both degenerative happening between age 50-55 and week end worrior who develops a tear over time from over head activities.
I think most of my challenge is aresult of my job and it was magnified and speeded up by golfing and practicing 5 days a week this past season. Damn, I hate to ever blame golf:(
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a2e0E9j_1jI

Mine is of the partial tear nature at this point. I will be asking for more details as to the extent of the tear when i meet with the Ortho Doc on the 10th of January. I appreciated how the doc in this next video correctly refers to that particular muscle/tendon as the supraspinatus and not just the rotator cuff muscle as there are actually 4 separate muscles among the the rotator cuff muscles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoiJna_hCAY&feature=endscreen&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoiJna_hCAY&feature=endscreen&NR=1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3_pMXu3d7c

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ra08VECHadQ&NR=1&feature=endscreen

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww6bk_3-ANE&feature=endscreen&NR=1

Acupuncture for
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=89vKO8jtYDk
Looks like shoulder version of a pin cushion, hmmmnnn.....
All these link may seem like over kill but not for those actually dealing with this injury who want to know more.

Ed from Madison's picture

Submitted by Ed from Madison on

Merry Christmas Surge and all you fellow Surgites! Thanks for another year of great daily videos. I improved 6 strokes this year using Surge's PPGS and I know I've still got a ways to go. (A personal video analysis by Dave helped a bunch). As I look out at the 15" of snow out in my backyard, I really wish I lived in a place I could golf all year long. Instead, I'll be swinging (and recording my swing) in my garage this winter. Ah well.

Anyway, I'm looking forward to watching golf on TV through the winter months. Does anyone know DJ's tournament schedule for 2013?
Happy Holidays,

Ed from Madison

robb60's picture

Submitted by robb60 on

I'm pretty much in the same boat, Ed. Weather will slow me down too. I'm south of you a bit though. My buddy and I just finished our 3rd year as Surgites. It's been great, with the help of Don, understanding this fun game so much better. We always recommend Surge's site to anyone who is frustrated, most are over 60. Some take us up on it, some don't.

robb60's picture

Submitted by robb60 on

Stupid me kept the right hand, I'm RH'd, out of the swing more and more to avoid the dreaded over the top and cut across the ball. Just the opposite of what Don said the right arm/hand actually prevented. Result? In the fairway and near the green, but with little pop, driver or irons. If I tried to get on it, like into the wind, I would just be like a loose cannon. With more side spin. I remember imitating one of my favorite baseball players as a kid, Harmon Killebrew http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbS47sXKaoA. He seemed so balanced with effortless power. I see now that I had focused on his right arm/hand whipping through the strike zone. Half way through this season, I started to bring my right hand / arm back into the swing. Presto! More power, more touch and better feel on all shots. I could swing my arms faster and still stay in control and balanced. I think Don has hit a home run with this tip. JMHO.

Steve Smith's picture

Submitted by Steve Smith on

Changed my grip again today and everything inside of 200 yards seemed down right easy.