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Most golfers who have problem clubs are dealing with woods. But Bob writes asking for help with his fairway irons.
Bob Layte says:
Hi Don,
Thanks so much for the free lessons. My question is: can you teach me and instill the confidence to use my fairway irons? This may sound laughable, but I am so bad with a fairway (up to a 7) iron that I often use my 7 wood to hit from a hundred yards out trying to cut my swing down. I am a rare person who hits fairway woods better than irons.
The Surge says:
Bob definitely is in a boat with few passengers when he hits fairway woods better than irons. He does not give specifics about the shot problems he is experiencing. He could be hitting “chunky monkeys” to avoid that coming out of the shot and hitting thin blades and skull shots. Then there are the dreaded “hosel rockets,” or as they are better known. “S#&*@s.” Without specifics, I have to make assumptions. So here goes.
Let’s start with the tough one, the hosel rocket. In my 30 years of teaching I really have not run into a lot of cases of the laterals. But every time I have, the problem was the same: too much leg drive in the forward swing transition. The legs drive too much, causing the knees to collapse downward so the player looses their height and also falls inward and closer to the ball. Hosel hits ball and you have the most dreaded shot in golf. I cured them by getting the student into the PPGS master setup position of the wide knees with outward pressure. Then the swing thought was the limited turn ¾ backswing and maintaining their knee position and height in the transition to impact.
The most common problem with bad iron shots is hitting “chunky Monkeys,” the really deep divots that are also called, “laying the sod over the ball.” These are the divots that can really cause injury to the fingers, wrists and shoulders, and can even send the strain and pain all the way to the lower back. Then, after too many of these, the brain decides enough is enough and the player pulls out of the shot or pulls the hand up too soon and hits it thin, or “blades it” as it is called, screaming one waist high over the green.
The #1 cause of chunks is hitting down on the ball. Who has not been told from the first iron swing they ever made that, “you have to hit down on the ball.” I have had students tell me they were instructed to “pound the ball into the ground.” Whatever form of down is taught, I believe DOWN is wrong. Any thought of hitting down tends to cause the upper torso to move first in the forward swing, which is out of sync, because the lower should start first. The upper leading also means it is moving forward and ahead of the ball. Add in the hitting down and you have a steep angle of attack and deep divots.
The answer is “Secret # 4” in the PPGS Foundations Swing Manual, “Swing up to the T – Finish. Pop Tart.” I believe that the downswing is free because gravity helps the arms and club fall down. What is not free is the upswing after impact to the finish. We can accelerate through the ball and up to the finish smoother and faster by thinking swinging up, standing up AFAP, as fast as possible, taking shallow divots or nipping or clipping the ball off the turf. Naturally, you have to make impact before you come up.
I describe this swinging up in the first paragraph of the explanation of Secret #4 saying, “I have always stressed that once you hit the ball, you can’t stand up fast enough. After impact, I want you to stand up like a POP TART out of a toaster.”
My assumption, Bob, is that since you hit your irons poorly, you likely are hitting down on the ball. Since your woods off the fairway are hit well, you likely, even without knowing it, are swinging up, clipping the ball off the turf. So hit your irons with the same swing thought and swing like you swing your woods off the fairway.
Think swing up, shallow divots, POP TART, standing up AFAP, and you will hit good iron shots. You’ll also improve your wood shots as a bonus.
The Surge!
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Yep, I play with a fellow much like Bob, I see his irons hit the turf before he contacts the ball. It hurts my back just watching him.
Hub
Don, I am enjoying your videos, and the swing makes a lot of sense for me. However, when I observe DJ swinging with his driver (and, frankly, also with his 3 wood and 5 wood), he comes way past perpendicular to the ground with his shaft on the backswing, and even approaches parallel at times with his driver. How is this in keeping with your “light club” position at top of the backswing?
Thanks
Don, My biggest problem seems to be increased adrenalin as my round continues. I always start by hitting no more than 50 golf balls on the practice range. I hit the pitching wedge, my 7 iron, my seven wood and my driver. I almost always start with a fade or a push. As my round progress’s I start hitting the ball straighter. Then on the last three or four holes I start pulling or hooking. How can I start & finish the same as I hit the ball in the middle five to fourteen holes?
Note: I am 68 and have a current 17.4 handicap.
Thanks for any help,
John
Hi Don, I am new to golf and have realized that as poor a player that I am right now I have become addicted to the game. Now with that in mind I believe I will get better over time just by playing but I have a concern with learning bad habits along the way. My friends try to help my game with their concept of the swing, stance, etc. which is greatly appreciated but no matter what I have not been able to get my swing down properly. I am right handed and as I start my swing turning my body to the right I still have a bend in my left arm and have not been able to correct this. I know that this is adding strokes to my game due to inconsistancy in my swing. Is there a way I can correct my swing so that I can have a steady consistant swing everytime?
I sent in a question about your program when you offered me two weeks for $1.00 and then about $49.00 if you liked it, but I never recieved and answer. I was wondering if this was just a download or if it was the DVD’s. I would be interested if it was the discs but I hate to sit in front of the computer.
Please at least give me an answer.
Gary S McCausland
Hi Don,
Using the PPGS master setup position of the wide knees with outward pressure and a vertical club position works well for me with irons. I find I don’t have to move out of it to hit solid, accurate shots. However maintaining the knee position and height in the transition to impact doesn’t work for me with fairway woods and driver when I put the club vertical. All that happens is the club goes into the ground behind the ball. After spending some time at the range today I found I had to be moving forward to my left side prior to impact with these longer clubs. Have I missed something.
Best Regards,
Michael
I also find the same as Michael I am starting to get the swing but no way with my woods. I also have a problem with the swing finish I seem to over rotate and hit them strait but to the right because I am left handed. When I do finish right they are right on target. I seam to drop my left side a lot in my back swing but I know I am trying to hit to hard and end up behind the toe line. What is the best drill to make the proper finish? I did get your driver video but after looking at it one time decided to wait till I get the irons and hi birds down.
One more question do you have any idea why I can only hit my 3 wood 150 yards I hit my 7 that far and 4 wood around 180 but no matter what 150 +- only with the 3 it is part of the same set and it does not make any difference I have tried other 3 woods and same maybe I need a 2 wood but have never seen one.
Hi Surge: I was one of those poor souls with “the hosel rockets.” A number of pros would watch me and just wince. I played to a 9 but I would get the “rockets” with my irons and it took all the joy out of the game. The PPGS system has eliminated that problem. The wide knees with outside pressure really served to quiet things down and improve my ball contact. Best of all, there was no loss of distance compared to my old swing when it was working. Thanks for a great system.
I have the same comment as Gary S Causland, above. I thought that I was going to receive DVD’s when I paid the $49 but I did not receive them. I much prefer to watch a DVD with several tips in a row versus tips one at a time. And to re-watch them from time to time for new insights that I miss on one viewing. Please clarify as to why I did not get the DVDs. Thankyou.
I have had the same problem with my irons. Everything from hitting the ball thin to topping the ball. I have never hit down on the ball. If I try I come across the ball, over the top so I don’t even try. Maybe I need to play the ball back farther in my stance to hit it before the club comes up. Right now I’m at the point where I’m not sure what to do and my game is suffering. I shot 110 Saturday, not a 91 like I would expect. I’m in Arizona if you’re wondering. We play year round.
Hey Don,
I really enjoy your DVDs and daily blog. My question is, how do I prevent the dreaded “chicken wing”? On my follow through, I can feel my right elbow flaring out from my body. I am a 3 handicap, but I hit the ball very inconsistently. My consistent miss is a duck hook left and it happens on almost half of my full swing shots. I duck hook with every club, even a wedge. I believe the duck hook is due to my poor downswing. If I stop my swing half way down towards the ball, my club head is pointing to 7 o’clock (assuming 12 o’clock is my target line). It seems logical that my club head should instead be pointing more towards 6 o’clock.
Thanks for your help and I look forward to your blog every day.
Regards,
Jamie
great keep them coming.By reading again and again and your thoughts plus the comments starting to enjoy golf. thanks
Hi Don
I am finding these sessions invaluable to set me back to practising my golf shots with proper set up and most of the problems I hear you speak about, I have experienced.
I am looking forward to going out and putting your hints into practise. I am up to Session 3 and looking forward to the rest of the series.
thanks and cheers
Cheryl
Don,
hmmmm … not sure about this one boss … I have lots of duffing friends and I’m no golf pro, but the one thing I see all the time from those who hit awful iron fairway shots (push, pulls, scuffs, tops, chunks, flares, etc.) is SWAY … big SWAYING action that the whole body back over the right foot (if he’s right handed). It pulls the pendulum out of line and now no two swings (sways) are ever the same – therefore, every shot is different. Fairway woods are easier to hit because they’re more forgiving and force people to swing slower from shorter distances. Not saying, just saying it’s possible.
I don’t comment because I’m not a teaching pro and I don’t believe people should correct swings unless they’re on the driving range – there are a few exceptions to that with lower handicapper close friends who understand it, in which case “swing in the barrel” usually tightens up the sway and corrects it quickly.
love the column brother,
thom
To Jamie P., Perhaps you are trying to get your power by rotating your body around as is taught in a rotational swing and works very well with that swing for power but in the PPGS, you do not rotate for power but rather you swing your arms as fast as possible, its the rock and string principle that Don speaks of in his lessons. If you need more detail I can give it to you but I think if you look at Don and DJ’s swings focusing on their arms and torso, you will see what I am trying to communicate.
Happy Golfing
Ken
15 hdcp
To Jim Benjamin. Forgive me if this seems too trite. I’ve played with numerous people, including my wife, who were consistently topping the ball. When I ask them what their eyes are focused on during the golf swing they say the ball of course. I ask them specifically where on the ball they focus, and they usually touch the TOP of the ball with their club. I suggest that they focus on THE BACK of the ball and try to imagine driving a nail into the back of the ball with the club head. Usually the topping problem goes away after a few swings.
I was reading one guy’s post about his 3 wood being less distance than his 7 wood. I have a similar thing. I hit a driver around 230. I hit my 5 wood 10 yards farther than my 3 wood (about 210), I hit my 9 wood the same distance as my 7 wood (about 190), and I hit my pitching wedge the same distance as my 9 iron; consequently, my setup is 1-5-9 woods, 6-7-8 hybrids and 5 wedges (PW, SW, 58, 60, 64). What I do for a 5 iron shot is choke down on the 9 wood and for a 9 iron shot I choke down on the 8 iron hybrid (there’s a 30 yd gap between the hybrid and PW). I hit my 6 iron hybrid 175, my 7 iron hybrid about 155 and my 8 iron hybrid 140. My PW is about 115. I notice my 3 wood and driver have a high trajectory; not quite like the ones I had with persimmon woods.
How far away do i need to stand from the ball? Is there a certain shaft angle i should be looking for? I’ve read the PPGS manual about the setup, but I’m not sure it specifically talks about this? Thanks, really enjoy the videos and the site and the inner circle!
Hi Guys,
I too tend to hit the fat shots on the fairway, playing in England and the weather we are having here currently makes the shot all the more horrible not to mention time consuming cleaning half of Wiltshire off the club face and mine!
I find it’s all about confidence, when i’m hitting a ball well, the ball tends to creep forward about an inch.
I’m told by my friends that although it looks to me that when i set up, the ball looks to far back (towards right foot) it actually is not there for my attempts for that extra 5 yards ends up leaving me 75 yards short!
Matt
Gary,
Sorry for the delay. The videos are downloads.
I want to build a driver with components. I don’t know which are the best or where to find them, however I was looking at an Aldila NV shaft used on the pro tour often and the trimming instructions said don’t tip trim, butt cut to length. Now why would they say that if you go from 46″ to 44″. Don’t they know it would change the weight? Lighter weight shafts do not always bring absolute positive results. Lightweight shafts yield lighter total club weight, resulting in some players struggling with the timing of their swings and, therefore, less than stellar ball striking. For years, swingweight or additional head weight has been the panacea for clubmakers trying to cure the “lights.” Often this would remedy the problem, but at other times, a different solution was necessary. Counterbalancing means adding weight to the butt end of the club. This additional weight adds to the total weight of the club but does not necessitate additional leverage on the part of the golfer. The end result is a tool for clubmakers that enhances the feel of the golf club without any additional effort required by the golfer.
I also have a severe problem with my fairway irons and hit my fairway woods much better. I have two problems with my fairway irons once i get to the 5 iron and below (5,4,3,2) then it does not matter which one i use there is no difference in distance i get out of them!! The second problem is with those same clubs everything i hit hooks left bad and i mean REAL BAD, to the point that i use my fairway woods for anything over about 160 thats about the range of my 6 iron which i have no problems with. this whole problem causes several situations in each round where i am sitting pretty in the center of the fairway but have no confident shot. any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
I think it is time to give it up after 40+ years! From the Square-to-Square in the mid70s to the Stack&Tilt a few years ago and to every other “FIX” in between to now Don’s PP golf: my conclusion- nothing works! If you can’t play then you these “FIXES” are only adding expense to a lousy game. Sorry!
Check your head/shoulder movement! After video taping my swing I realized what I have been doing wrong. If you notice on the videos of Don and DJ their heads/shoulders stay perfectly still during the takeaway. The torque of a fast/strong takeaway pulls my head and shoulders back and up, thus causing the brain to command the arms to hit down to make contact with the ball usually hitting fat, or if the torque is really bad your swing radius will bottom before making contact with the ball causing to hit it thin.
To see if your head is moving stand in front of a mirror in your set up position and loosely swing your arms/hands left and right gradually increasing the speed, notice when your head/shouders start to move back and up. Then imagine how this would be magnified while swinging a golf club.
For my situation I noticed my left shoulder was hitting my chin causing the head to go up.
My cure is to swing the club back slowly not pulling the head and shoulders, rotate arms and wrists naturally, Sweep the clubhead just over the surface of the ground in a natural arc to about 50-60 degrees then up to the catchers mitt and 11:00 then, keeping your head still & eyes focused on that spot on the ball you wish to hit, release down and through. The release should mi mic the takeway returning the club head to the same position it was at address, sweeping across the surface of the mat or grass or in my case the carpet of my floor.
Keep in mind the body from the waist down also has to stay still during this takeway and release not moving until the club head contacts the ball and the momentum of your arms/swing carry your whole body to the finish.
For me keeping my belt buckle or navel coordinated with or slightly behind the club impacting the ball is a mental/visual sensation that I am coordinated in my swing. This practice also creates a natural tempo that I have been lacking in.
Start out slow until the body memorizes this practice and gradually increase your release speed to what feels comfortable and gets you the desired results. The main idea is to control the backswing and not let it control you.
Don and DJ have been doing this so long that it is 2nd nature and they are swinging fast because they have learned the technique. I will take it slow, train myself and with luck increase my swing speed to increase distance with accuracy.
Hey Don, love PPGS system but I seem to be developing a 2 problems with my irons. The first is when I strike the ball I am taking a shallow divot but i am striking the ground a inch or so behind the ball thus loosing distance. To correct this I make shure I am going after the ball and hit it crisp but I then I will pull the ball a little left of target. I can adjust right to hit the target but feel this is an incorrect adjustment. What do you think?
Tampa Mike:
How tall are you and what size shirt sleeve do you wear. Or, what is your wrist to floor measurement?
To Gene, I am sorry to hear that things are not going your way and that’s why I have tried to keep a perspective of this ever elusive game that helps me from going crazy. First, I play it for fun and the comraderie of hanging out with friends and being in the great outdoors, I dont normally play as well during those rounds and I think that is because it is not a competetive event and secondly, I like to play competetive golf as it gets my attention and I get more focused when there is something to be won and my handicap means something during the tourneys. I take it by reading this website that many of you are retired golfers on fixed incomes and may or may not play competetive regularly but I think it would help any golfer to focus better when there is something on the line and knowing that your handicap is actually going to benefit you.
Happy Golfing
Ken
15 hdcp
My game is coming together nicely but I have one problem in the fairway. I have a tendency to top my fairway irons on a downhill lie. Level and uphill lies are not a problem. On the driving range I don’t have an opportunity to practice the downhill lie. Any suggestions out there will be helpful. Thanks.
To Gene
I hear you and I empathize with your frustration.
Help is on the way as evidenced by Ken’s fine post to you on this thread. Let me give you some perspective and then some enlightenment that is GUARANTEED to return you to and upon a righteous path towards golfing nirvana!
Background: As evidenced by the swing systems you refer, you have been subtly victimized by the large muscle, rotary crowd of instructors who in the last twenty years have managed to increase (not improve) the collective handicap of the golfing masses! And unfortunately today, these instructors compose approximately 98% of the swing teachers invading the driving ranges of courses all over the country.
Gene, today, immediately, like right now, read and reread on this site Don’s post “Words from Warren.” There is no doubt in my mind that a true swing motion has never been a part of your game. Warren’s words will give you the proper intellectual insight about the swing and then you will be able to apply that insight into a small muscle pure swing motion. A swing motion that will work because it will appeal to the most important swing part of your body — your instincts!
Gene, the PPGS is “diametrically opposed” to the large muscle crowd. It is a system that returns a true swinging motion back to the golfer by emphasizing the critical role of the hands and forearms. Believe in the PPGS and you will become eternally enlightened and liberated! And a true swinging motion will finally and forever become a natural INSTINCTIVE part of your game!
Namaste and Merry Christmas
BIG RON
I THINK IF YOU TRIM THE TIP THE SHAFT GETS STIFFER.
I THINK IT ALSO CHANGES THE KICK POINT.
JB. THE CALLAWAY KID.
Hey Don,
I must confess that I have’nt the time to look at your tips closely due to several circumstances
coming across my path, so I was forcedn to put them in my archive in order to look at them
at a more relaxed moment, which will be as of January.
The only thing I would like to know is how do I have to pay this 1 (one) dollar to you because I
live in the Netherlands and the also applies to the 20 dollars for the videos.
And Don please continue to release the tips,I really can’t stop to stress that; I myself have
already experienced that.
Thank you again!!
Regards,
Kenny
To The Callaway Kid
You gave good information re shaft adjustment. I would add,if the goal in making the club shorter in length is a desire to gain an improvement in accuracy, it is absolutely necessary to add weight to the clubhead in some manner to restore the swingweight feel of the club.
If clubs are shortened and no weight is added back to the clubhead, the chances of the length reduction having the desired effect are somewhere between slim and none.
my follow through on the practice range is full with all the clubs and i am pleased with the flight and direction of the ball however on the golf course i quit about half way up resulting in a bad pull shot i know this is a mental fault but how do i cure it?
hi i have a problem my iron from 7 up to pw are ok but my lower distance iorn i can barly get off the floor ?
On shortening a driver.
If you go shortening the driver by butt cutting and then add weight back to the head in the form of lead tape you will lower the shaft frequency. If you remove 1″ of shaft, you’ll have to add back about 10 grams of weight. Depending on the beginning weight of the head, this could be producing a club head that is in the 3 wood head weight range. Before you just start cutting, check with the shaft manufacturer and see what tip trimming instructions they give. If they do not recommend any tip trimming for the 3 wood, then have at it. If trimming is involved for a 3 wood then it’s best to remove and cut from the tip. The very best thing to do is to go see a certified professional fitter that can not only determine the proper length but the proper MOI (bit more technical than SW. SW was actually an adaptation of MOI) and then fix your club accordingly. In the long run it’s less expensive than messing up a $300 driver. I don’t know many people that would take out their own appendix but come to club repair, no big deal! There’s a reason we study and are trained at what we do.
To Eddie
My brother, you stopped swinging! And when you stop swinging, club manipulation occurs through the sudden application of leverage. Hence the pull.
The cure you seek is to restore a swinging motion to your game. Here is an excellent exercise that will guarantee that restoration. With no ball on the ground, practice swinging with your feet close together (an inch or two apart). Once you feel and discover a good sense of balance, go to the range, take an eight iron, and hit balls. When you can hit ten shots full and straight at a target, then go to a six iron up to the driver. The key here is NOT to graduate to longer clubs until you achieve that ten shot goal. The discipline that must be applied to this exercise might be difficult but it will pay off richly in the future.
The result of all this activity will be a magnificent swing motion that will eliminate the hesitation you have been experiencing on the follow through.
Also, immediately, like right now, go to Don’s post entitled “Words from Warren.” All that you need to know AND TO FELL will be revealed in Warren’s fine and most timely words.
Merry Christmas!
NINER MIKE
GOOD INFO
CAN THE SWINGWEIGHT GET BACK TO CLOSE WITH TAP AND GIRP WEIGHT.
OR WOULD IT BE HIT AND MIS.
JB. THE CALLAWAY KID.
Eddie,
The point that you made is that you can do the shots on the range. The bad shots happen on the course. It has nothing to do with your abilities since you can do the shots, just not when you play. The mental problem that you have eluded to is called FEAR. Because of FEAR of hitting a bad shot you are pulling back and in on the follow through which results in a pull to a pull hook. Unfortunately there is no drill to remove fear. Instead, try visualizing the shot that you want to pull off. Remember a time on the range where you did it. Then, get over the ball and shut out the FEAR and hit the shot. Nobody can do it for you. It’s like diving off the high dive board, you have to block out the fear and just do it. As long as you’re afraid of hitting a “bad shot”, you will. Draw on the positives, Relax and hit it like you’re on the range and have fun!
STOP! STOP! STOP!
To Eddie
As regards the comment someone brought up about the “fear” that they postulate has infested your being. Nonsense! Balderdash! If you were an afraid person, you would forever stop swinging a club and you definitely would not be seeking advice through this forum.
No, it is not fear you are experiencing. It‘s courage! The courage you have displayed by honestly admitting “… I know this is a mental fault but how do I cure it?” I applaud your desire for insight. I applaud your openness. I applaud your quest for knowledge.
Fear only enters the picture when you close your mind to knowledge, to new understanding — by believing you can’t learn. By believing you have been possessed by an emotional mental thought.
Exorcism are us! LoL!
Eddie please, it’s not about fear! But you do experience apprehension and confusion in all swing attempts because you lack confidence in your swing motion. And this insecurity is the result of the lack knowledge on how to make a swing motion consistently and constantly. And if truth be told, you really do lack that consistency, that correct swing application, on the practice range. Visualizing any good swing you think you make on the range will only lead to further and extreme frustration. I know this as a successful professional athlete and as a successful amateur golfer.
Now please review my original post to your query. It will lead you to that the kind of knowledge, to that kind of understanding, that will forever restore your shaken confidence to a righteous security. Guaranteed!
So, Niner,
Just what sport did you play professionally before you went into teaching?
And, from your professional experience, you’re telling us all that positive thoughts and visualization have no place in sports as we’ve been told by countless professionals and psychologists?
And, since you’ve never seen the dude swing, just who are you to think that you can site there on the dock of the bay and tell him that his swings on the range aren’t even good swings. Man, that’s awfully condescending.
And, why keep playing the stupid word games. APPREHENSION, CONFUSION, LACK OF CONFIDENCE, INSECURITY, all sound like another name for FEAR to me.
And, what does FEAR of hitting a bad shot have to do with FOREVER stop swinging a club or being an AFRAID person?, GIVE ME A BREAK!, and infested his being, a bit overly dramatic don’t you think? Standing on the tee box, up by a stroke, out of bounds left, water right, tight fairway, COME ON DUDE, even the pros have a FEAR in that scenerio.
So, why didn’t you pick apart my advice on the driver fitting, you pick apart everything else that doesn’t agree with your ideas? If you are trying to see just how far you can push, you’re just about there. Your pompous holier than thou attitude. BTW, return your phone calls.
Yo Griff
Your beautiful!
You have been trying to avoid me but you and I both know, I challenge the sometimes contradictory and confused information you relay to the masses on this forum. And my challenges keep the cerebral juices of that magnificent brain of yours flowing hot and heavy. Now if we can only retrain those juices to reignite gray matter so constricted and so encumbered by old swing thoughts constricted and encumbered!?
You: “…So, why didn’t you pick apart my advice on the driver fitting, you pick apart everything else that doesn’t agree with your ideas? If you are trying to see just how far you can push, you’re just about there. Your pompous holier than thou attitude.”
Sweetheart, I have always been in admiration of your club fitting knowledge. And I’ve told you so. But there is a definite button I seem to press in your psyche whenever I point out swing information that simply doesn’t relate, can’t help, and contributes, continues the confusion.
My Dear Griff, now let’s be open and honest here. You are on this site because you seek a better way — a swing system that perhaps will prove far more effective for everyone as opposed to the big muscle theories that abound all over the net and all over most of the driving ranges in existence. I applaud your interest to consider change in your instructional approach. But here is the big caveat you must accept before you can move on into enlightened swing theory and enlightened instruction. And it goes like this…
You bring old rotary, big muscle philosophy to a site that is 180 degrees in opposition to that decrepit system. And you bring to golfers who “have been there; done that” golf instruction obsolete and tired. Why? Because you are still encumbered, constricted by a swing methodology that simply doesn’t apply on this site — doesn’t apply to the PPGS! And your weakness is an overly sensitive ego ithat prevents you from acknowledging those instances when it is apparent you really don’t understand small muscle application. This was most evident in your attempts to analyze and describe Ernest Jones. And this misunderstanding is even more evident in your “take” on the PPGS. I know I have adequately demonstrated the difference between Don and your rotary school position. And I know you deep down that you acknowledge to yourself that yes, you do “mix and match” the two systems making your thoughts on the PPGS almost indecipherable!
Put aside your emotional reaction to my presence and appeal to your latent skill of rational thought. The testimonials of now thousands of individuals who have walked away from your philosophy and discovered a golfing nirvana through the PPGS is in a word “remarkable.” And yes, in another word, “miraculous.”
Griff, put aside that confounding and pathetic attempt to patronize your critics by stating “We really both are in agreement. It’s really just all about ‘semantics’ “ Griff, with you, it’s never about semantics. You just get so incredibly threatened when old ways are challenged and criticized. Old ways the masses have proved and are proving are no longer effective.
Now Griff, I told you I have extensive experience in teaching teachers how to teach effectively. I really like you! I hang in there because I really do feel you have the “right stuff’ to be effective and affective. You do an excellent job on relaying your club fitting knowledge. But remember this fundamental axiom as regards being a successful teacher. The job of a teacher is to teach the student — so that in the end, he/she is able to teach themselves.
Griff, I want you to be a part of this exciting PPGS revolution. I think, once you put aside that feisty, grumpy mentality that you don’t need any system nor anyone to be critical of anything you have learned about swing methodology, you will attain golf academic greatness! I believe in you. Now believe in yourself by demonstrating that you will work with me towards an eloquence that will promote the PPGS and contribute to the Surges universal quest to helping and instructing all golfers “…to help and instruct on to themselves.”
Hey, Merry Christmas to you and your sons!
PS “And, why keep playing the stupid word games. APPREHENSION, CONFUSION, LACK OF CONFIDENCE, INSECURITY, all sound like another name for FEAR to me.
Griff, we all experience those emotional conditions. Not from fear but from lack of insight, lack of information. Fear is a consequence for those individuals who don’t seek guidance — who don’t seek the insight that will restore confidence and replace the apprehension and confusion with self belief and purpose.
PSS And Griffin, pros don’t “fear” the water hazard, the out of bounds marker, while standing on the tee box. If they did, they wouldn’t be on the tour — and, they couldn‘t, wouldn’t be able to make a free, unencumbered swing. The fear they once experienced with these conditions has been replaced with understanding and knowledge correctly applied. And the positive experience from correct application makes impotent, demystifies, the fear that would make any decent swing attempt an impossibility.
Ugg boots are especially manufactured keeping in mind more of a casual look,so it definitely matters if you are to carry a casual look or for a party.When it comes to clothes,we do have certain preferences.It feels like on the top of this world when we get to have something which is so smart yet elegant.So,try out once and wear with that outfit.You will feel on the top of this world.
SORRY NINER MIKE
SHOULD BE TAPE NOT TAP.
CAN THE SWINGWEIGHT GET BACK TO CLOSE ,
WITH TAPE AND GRIP WEIGHT.
JB.
THE
CALLAWAY
KID.
HI Don,
Can i start by thanking you for your innovative tips and hints which i have put into practice and reduced my handicap bu twelve shots, into single figures, i n under a year! Wow…. I always looked at golf as a technical game that only perfectionists could play, not any more!
However, i wanted to comment on the question Bob Layte raised re struggling with his fairway irons…. I could empathise with this as i too struggled with my irons. Imagine hitting the perfect drive only to pull out a five iron on the approach, knowhing that you were going to “hit it fat” and knock the ball forty yards …… so annoying!
This was typical for me when i was applying your technique but i soon realised that it was all to do with poise and balance, not the swing that you had instilled in my mind.
I realised this as when i went to the range and applied your theory off the deck, my irons were crisp and awsome …. Take this to the soft fairway and they were disasterous. I was too steep on the downswing as i was always told ” hit down into the ball then turf”. Thinking back to the range and the hard mat, i stood over the ball, took the club back as you advise but then stopped, composed my balance and made sure that my head was above the back of the ball , then swung down and through making sure that my head remained slightly behing the ball and bingo!!!
No more huge divots! I had been swinging too hard and letting my head get in front of the ball , thus, moving the bottom of my swing plane in front of the ball and inevitably digging in on every strike! Now, i can commit to the shot with your theory… i just make sure my head remains behind the ball….. Whay a game this is now. I’m hitting irons long and straight… It’s heaven.
I see this all the time when i’m playing, someone driving the ball beautifully and unable to hit their irons…. The forty pounds i spent on your advice is the best money i have ever spent on my game .
Thanks and i hope this will be of help .
Duncan Inglis
Hi Don, thank you for the opurtunity to learn how to pin point the little areas of this excellent but very fustrating game – I teach golf at Waipu Golf Course in Northland New Zealand my class is from ages 6-9 yrs, your lessons are being told to these guy’s & girls and I can honstly say they hit the ball sweeter and understand now why I’m a stickler form Stance , Grip & inlinement
their a pure pleasure to watch and see an 8 yr old drive a 7 iron 120 mtrs down the fairway and it’s straight or use their little 10 degree drivers with tremendous accracey and good distance but importantly Straight, then run after it laughing wanting to hit it again & again hopefully for years to come
cheers Don
KR
Daniel Orr
Sorry JB , THE CALLAWAY KID
J Griffin spelled “tape” correctly. He did not type “tap.”
Merry Christmas
HEY! LOOK HERE! IMPORTANT!
To All Of My On-Line Colleagues
When I started a year ago learning about the PPGS methodology, I never anticipated such a collective interest and such a collective acceptance of “The Gospel According To The Surge,” Lol!
In the spirit of this holiday season, I would like to compliment and acknowledge the brilliant and insightful swing information shared on this site by individuals brilliant and insightful!
In recognition of outstanding posters, the honor role listing is as follows….
“Mr. Chief Justice” Warren, Craig “I’m really 64” 63, Ken “The Gem” Genz, “Golfing Jones” GJ, “Ms Master Teacher“ Pamela, “Famous” Amos Terrell, “Handy” Randy S, Jim ”I Know How To Read” D, Tom “7-10 Split” Daugherty, Charlie “Rose,“ Ronnie “The Analyzer” Mc Curry, “Words Are Us” Stretch C, Michael “The SwingArch Angel,” John “Never” OB, Harry “Don’t Call Me Hairy” Thompson, Randy “The Dandy” Beckett, Jimsha, and Ken “When?” (Do we play)!
And last but not least, as regards the anatomy and physiology of all golf club implements, special commendation to the Master Club Fitter and Builder, J Griffin.
Together we have formed a PPGS resource team second to none! An investigative body sensitive to the pitfalls of the big muscle rotary swing of yesterday. Ours is a research body ever cognizant and watchful of PPGS interpretation inaccurate and misleading. And I also want to recognize those who have joined me since the first of the year in a crusade to vanquish those pathetic miscreant hackers whose sole existence in life is to disparage innovation and ridicule innovators. It now appears in the last few months, the instigators themselves have been vanquished into a well deserved oblivion. Amen!
MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!