The Newest Golf Fad
Throughout the history of golf, maybe more so than any other sport, there have been fads that would “revolutionize” how the game is played. These fads have come and gone throughout the centuries and tend to leave confused golfers in their wake. Since a channel came on the air that was specifically devoted to the game, these fads have gained more prominence and garnered more dollars from the average player. Mention “Stack & Tilt”, “Natural Golf”, or some other instruction methods around seasoned professionals and you’ll likely receive a chuckle. Before you go further please understand that a “revolution” is not likely to come when the game has been played for almost 600 years.
What can only appear to me to be the newest swing fad is touted in Golf Channel Analyst Brandel Chamblee’s new book, “Anatomy of Greatness: Lessons from the Best Golf Swings in History”. Similar to other golf instruction fads, this book bases its premise off the players of yesteryear and there is not a player studied that has been relevant in professional golf in the last three decades. Studying some of the best players in history lends it credibility, but doesn’t allow for the game having changed significantly since the time that these players were at the top. Mr. Chamblee hasn’t been relevant is professional golf in over two decades and is biased to the game of long ago. Ask every professional athlete if their generation would beat those competing in that sport now and the vast majority will say “absolutely”. (My favorite example of this is Michael Jordan thinking he would average 100 points a game in the NBA today.) The harsh reality for these athletes of generations past is that with every new year technological gains make the newest competitors bigger, stronger, faster, and more knowledgeable with equipment that is lighter, of better quality, and optimized to the athletes needs and performance. While this book does have a few good points, the two main fixtures of this “revolution” that have been promoted are completely false when it comes to modern golf instruction.
First, let’s discuss the notion that all of the players studied had a “stronger” or more “closed-face” grip than what is taught today. In any basic instruction class for a beginning golfer, the participants are taught to have the “V’s” in their hands point to the shoulder furthest from the target. (Right shoulder for a right handed golfer.) This position is considered neutral and can be modified as the golfer develops a more consistent swing. A golfers grip can affect many different aspects of the swing and it is therefore important to have this consistent neutral fundamental. Most amateurs would benefit from having this neutral or a grip with the “V’s” pointed outside of the shoulder. This can correct a slice and create a better swing plane. Chamblee’s critique is based on looking at touring professionals of today; most of whom have a grip that is much “weaker” than the champions of the past. There are a couple reasons for this:
1. Speed-Professionals will always state that a golfer should never feel as though they are swinging at any more than 70% of their maximum effort. This is no longer true for the top drivers on tour. With stronger bodies and swing mechanics that are built hitting the ball as long as possible, these players will now go at the ball with 90-100% effort. In doing so, the rate of forearm rotation or “release” is increased. This increase creates speed, but also closes the clubface at a much faster rate. Doing so with a “strong” grip would lead to wild hooks that would rarely find the fairway. Using a “weak” grip allows the clubface to stay square longer near the moment of impact, increasing the accuracy of the shot. With the increased length off the tee, driving the ball in the fairway is not as important as it once was, but there is a huge difference between hitting the rough and hitting the trees.
2. Equipment-Advances in technology have drastically changed the game in the last twenty years. When I started playing in 1998, golfers had the choice of playing a surlyn covered ball for distance or a balata covered ball for greenside control, both of which had a rubber wound core. Two years later, the solid core golf ball came on the market and completely changed how golf balls were created and allowed for players to get the best of both worlds. These balls spun significantly less off the tee and did not require players to play a draw to get the maximum distance. For touring professionals, this meant that they were able to play a fade, which tends to not miss the target as significantly as a draw on poor shots. Advances in golf club fitting technology have also led to golfers having the ability to swing the perfect club for them and not have to modify a swing to fit the club.
Secondly, Chamblee discusses how these great players all allowed their front foot to “lift” off the ground in the backswing. This motion does create some positives for these players including the claims of a greater turn, less tension, and more consistency. These will not be true for many golfers. All of the golfers studied were able to properly turn their hips and shoulders, shift their weight, and keep their balance. Most amateur golfers lack this ability and will do the following it they try to swing in this manner:
1. Reverse spine angle-This move in the golf swing occurs at the top of the backswing and results in the player forcing their torso back towards the target before starting the downswing. It is the result of a poor turn which does not allow the weight of the body to stay behind the ball while finishing the backswing. There is no swing fault that causes more inconsistency or back pain. By shifting all the weight off your front leg, this move will become prevalent in about 90% of golfers.
2. Improper knee flex-The golfers studied also were in peak physical condition, with few chronic injuries. Most golfers suffer from knee pain and the motions stressed in this book can cause more injuries in your knee. To alleviate the pain, the body tries to get back to its most comfortable position, which is standing straight up. Doing so results in the golfer raising the level of their entire body and causing them to no longer be aimed at the ball. You’ve know doubt heard “keep your head down.” This is actually a cliché that is meant to prevent you from lifting your whole body. Additionally, straightening your rear leg on the backswing makes it a lot more likely that you will have a reverse spine angle.
3. Sway/Slide-This again has to do with the body not functioning properly in the golf swing. The combination of lifting the front foot while straightening the back leg will no doubt lead to swaying away from the ball initially. The other faults will force the body to slide towards the target, as it gives the body the fastest route to return its weight to the target. According to the Titleist Performance Institute, 37.2% of golfers sway and 31.4% of golfers slide. There is a good chance of you having one of these swing faults already; the Chamblee technique only increases that likelihood.
In conclusion, I’m not saying that this method cannot work for you, but please take the advice in Chamblee’s book with a grain of salt. Regardless of swing methodology, it is a poor idea to compare your swing to that of some of the best golfers who ever lived. You need to have the swing that best suits your body, game, and level of commitment to the sport. Whatever you decided to work on, please do so under the guidance of a PGA Professional. A skilled professional will not only be able to fix your swing, but can map out a game plan for your improvement. This will include the ability tell you what adverse effects a swing change can have on your game. Also, please utilize the physical screen that can be conducted by Certified Golf Fitness Instructors from the Titleist Performance Institute. The knowledge this screen provides will guide you in fixing physical imperfections and helping you achieve your most efficient golf swing. To find such Professionals in your area, please visit PGA.com and Titleist Performance Institute.