As I said yesterday, Jim had a two part question. In the second part he asked: “When you begin the backswing is there some weight going into the inner portion of the right leg and do you, when starting the downswing, pull down with both hands and give a little shift to the outside of the left hip.” Here’s my answer.
Jim,
The weight transfer to the inner part of the right leg that you ask about, happens in a slightly different way than in the start of the backswing. I believe and teach a setup I call “Pre-Loaded Heavy Right.” This means that in the setup, we set our weight on the inside to center of the right foot and leg. This sets us behind the ball for starters and tremendously reduces and eliminates any chance of one over-shifting the weight in the backswing, over sliding, and reduces the chances of the right leg bowing outward as well as straightening up. This pre-loaded starting position also helps reduce and, in fact, is a cause and factor in assuring that the backswing will be a limited turn and to 3/4 length. When Pre-Loaded Heavy Right, turning the shoulders too much and/or going to parallel and getting the club laid off at the top of the backswing, will cause a loss of balance. Since the balance mechanism of the body has the job of setting and maintaining balance, this aids in making sure the swing stays short, with limited turn.
This Pre-Loaded Heavy Right position is similar to a baseball pitcher loading onto his right or back leg, just prior to lifting his arm to throw. We know he is completely loaded onto the back leg because he lifts his front leg to begin his delivery motion to throw. A tennis player also does the same move, loading the back leg when he first sets his weight onto the back leg and then tosses the ball up above his head to serve it. It was watching pitchers and tennis players that helped me figure out the Pre-Loaded Heavy Right starting setup position.
You also ask about starting the downswing by pulling down with both hands to give a little shift to the outside left hip. The correct move is that the left hip and knee actually begin the lateral left shift or slide, “The Bump,” as I call it, a split second before the arms and club reach the top of the backswing. This is similar to casting a fishing rod where one is already pulling the handle forward while the tip of the pole and the line is still going backwards. The key to The Bump is that it a very small one. With the PPGS setup being around shoulder wide, the hip bump, to start the weight transfer forward to the left leg — which in turn ends the arm and club swinging up and begins pulling them down – will have the belt buckle move no more than around one inch. That’s all.
Now to address this pulling down with both hands. You are 100 percent correct that both hands are used in pulling the down the club. It is like pulling a church bell rope. You pull down using both hands and arms with equal power and speed, and then they are both pulled up with equal force and speed when the bell snaps back up. The key point is that when the bump stops the backswing and begins the change of direction of the hands, arms and club, there is actually a slight free fall for a few inches. This is GRAVITY giving a super free boost of energy and speed to begin the change of direction into the downswing. At this time, both hands and arms are firing up to simultaneously, with equal power and speed, begin pulling the club downward to impact and then to swing up to the T-Finish. Both hands have to be involved because if only one hand is used – usually the left as most instruction teaches, with the right staying out of the picture – the other becomes dead weight and creates drag. There is a law of physics that basically states that if two or more objects are involved in motion, if one is doing less then the other, the “lazy or lesser” one is placing that system in a condition called drag. Webster’s defines “DRAG” as “anything that hinders.”
Lastly, I believe that the pulling down of both hands and arms in the transition is enhanced and more efficient if we in fact think of and swing by “Swinging up to the T- Finish.” This swinging up actually triggers the lower body and hips to bump, and is much more smooth, efficient and powerful in starting the transition and the subsequent swinging the arms down to impact, and then up to the finish. For these reasons I now call the swing motion from the transition, to impact and up to the finish, as “The Forward Upswing.” Since the downswing part is FREE, because of gravity, we don’t need to think of and put a great deal of effort into hitting down. But since, from impact to the finish, is going up and “against gravity” — which is no longer helping but rather hindering – I believe that is where we need to put the mental and physical effort. And, the sooner you start it, “SWINGING UP,” right from the transition, is the optimum way. So, when you transition, swing up, using both hands and arms with equal power and speed.
The Surge!
P.S. Learn more about pulling down and swinging up. Click here for our PPGS series.
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A lot of good here, but I do not like the idea of any “two-piece” swing (cather’s mitt then up the tree). The swing works best when you start it properly then continue naturally. I like the 3/4 backswing, the grip, the balance, etc. but I don’t like a two-piece swing
answer to Joe
It is not a two piece swing, Joe! The catcher’s mit is solely a refference point as to where the club starts back and where the vertical motion starts. It is all one fluid motion to the top of the backswing and actually all the way through to the “T” position at the end of the swing. The start and end being tied together by th little bump move. At least that is the way I see it.
Just read your email on the two hand pull on your downswing.
Years ago while playing with a guy who just always hit very long drives & irons, I asked him how he got so much power in his swing. And this is what he told me. (This for righties & oposite for lefties) think of your left thumb as a trigger. At the top of your backswing, the thumb is pushed to it’s upward limit (like hitch hicking), you keep the thumb like that for as long as you can. Sintrifical fource will know when to release and (pull the trigger)
This then will increase your clubhead speed and make the ball go further. I have used that ever since and it works!
And thank you for all your emails on your tips, they do help me allot. All the best and keep em coming.
Joseph Darrell
I have been playing golf and have tried to be a student of the game for over 50 years and I think your descriptions of what should happen in the swing are fantastic. When ever I have been playing well I have felt the things you describe so completely. Your methods are great for a beginner or wonderful review for an old dog like myself.
‘’sintrifical”?????where did that come from?
Learn to play better golf and forget about your spelling expertise.
I’M HAVING A LOT OF SUCESS WITH PPGS WITH MY IRONS ANWOULD LIKE TO THANK YOU FOR THAT. THE PROBLEM I’M HAVING IS WITH MY DRIVER THIS MIGHT NOT SOUND RIGHT TO YOU BUT I KEEP MISHITTING IT AND IT’S MOSTLY TO THE LEFT. I WOULD APP. ANY HELP ON THIS PROBLEM THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.
PETER
I echo Peter Loya’s comment about the driver, except that I find all my drives going to the right. The PPGS works well with my iron shots, but my drives are a problem.
Tom
absolutely intriguing insight into aspects of the swing,that when explained through your perspective make so much sense.but needs someone with your dedication in estsblishing these facts,to make them accessible to the rest of us.
My question is about long clubs, too–fairway woods and hybrids. I hit fat half the time with my fairway wood, and way too often with the hybrids. What am I likely doing wrong. The shorter the club, the better my vertical PPGS swing works.
I’ve been following your e-mail clips for some time and have recently purchased the DVDs. I’m in my mid 70s (with lower back trouble since my mid 20s)and I find your swing really helpful. Since taking up the swing, I have won 2 ’senior’ comps and my handicap has moved from 13 to 11. However, like Peter and Tom, I find it difficult to find any reliability from my driver. I either cut it to the right or pull to the left = which I realise is classic ‘out-to-in’ with different club-face direction at impact. Unfortunately, in this case,I don’t seem to be able to prevent it. I also have trouble out of sand because I’ve got out of the habit of wrist break and I now hit ‘up’ too early – causing a lob wedge to fly about 2 miles! I would really appreciate a bit of help (haven’t seen sand play mentioned in any of your DVD or video clips)
Thanks for your lessons so far,
With best wishes,
Tony
Is it helpful to slightly lift the left heel(right handers) to initiate the backswing and then drop the heel to initiate “the bump”? It looks like I may need knee surgery or replacement soon and I want to finish the golf season first:-) Thanks for the tips for easier golfing.
The PPGS works well with my iron shots, but my drives are a problem.
What am I likely doing wrong??
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THANK YOU DON!!!!!!!!!
Mr. Trahan:
First, let me say that I like your way of presenting things.
My question is this:
I have been a single digit handicap in the past. I have had back surgery and many musculo-skeletal problems recently, as well as family issues with the death of my father which depressed me severely. I am over these things and my health/flexibility has improved. My demeanor has likewise improved since I am no longer depressed. Golf is my outlet and I love the game. I’ll love it more when I move from my 13.6 down to the 7 I once played to.
I practice long hours on lag putting and wedge play. I find, however, that alignment is the bane of my existence. I feel sometimes that my hips and shoulders are not pointing the same way. Do you have any suggestions for a “check point” that I can use on the course to insure that I am properly aligned, not only to the target, but to myself (e.g., feet, hips, shoulders). Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
By the way, tell DJ that I believe. He should too!
Sincerely,
Victor McCoy
I AM HAVING SOME DIFFICULTY WITH THE PPGS. FOR SOME REASON, MY SLICE HAS COME BACK WHEN I THOUGHT I WAS RID OF IT FOREVER. I’M NOT SURE, BUT I THINK MY LEFT HAND GRIP IS TOO WEAK. COULD THAT CAUSE A SLICE?
i have tried your swing for amonth now,i cant seem tofind the nack. i am not hitting my irons good. Iwas hitting a lot better before. I find your book and dvd’s very interesting but i just cant get the nack. please help.
Everything you have sent me has been helpful. Of all the emails, though, I have to say this one has helped me most……….probably because it answered a couple of questions that were important to me.
Thank You.
Don you like baseball. If you think about it a decent right handed batter would also have his right leg pre-loaded. A good hitter is loaded and ready to spring forward.
As a recent buyer of the dvd’s, I give PPGS an A+.
I am hitting my Driver well as well as irons. If your having problems, maybe going back through the basic instruction again will help. My swing thought is “take the club up the tree” on back swing and “Swing the club up the tree” on forward swing. Simplifies it for me.
Surge, When you swing the club back to the weightless position with the shaft pointing at the toe line what kind of compensation must happen on the downswing to get the club back on the plane that is required for good contact with the ball?
Tell DJ to feel the putting stroke coming off
his right hip. I hope he wins a major soon.
THANK-YOU SOOOO MUCH. I COULD NOT HIT THE BALL WITH AN IRON UNTIL I WATCHED YOUR VIDEO. I NOW KEEP MY KNEES FROM SWINGING AND NOW I AM HITTING A LOT BETTER. I HAVE BEEN ON A COURSE THREE TIMES AND I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO MY NEXT ONE FEELING BETTER ABOUT THE GAME. THANK-YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. MIKE
To Gary Adkins,
None! You are on a backswing plane that automatically and naturally is in sync with the plane of the downswing.
HI I am getting results with the fundamentals but cannot grasp in my minds eye and feel if I should be getting the feel of a dropping in the “slot” to prevent “out- in” path similar to other swing princibles, especally with driver