Golf Swing Models

With so much emphasis placed on golf swing coaches in recent years, there has also been plenty of information published on a variety of golf swing models.  Some of these include…

Stack and Tilt

One Plane Swing

Two Plane Swing

Rotary Swing

Natural Golf aka Moe Norman Swing

The Swing Machine

Peak Performance Golf Swing

These are just a few of the different swing models being sold to the public through books and the internet.  As an instructor, I think it is necessary to learn as much as possible about what is out there.  Ultimately, however, I think it is difficult to pigeonhole golf students into a particular golf swing model. 

I find it interesting that the top instructors do not seem to endorse any of these models, with the exception of Jim Hardy, who is the author of the One Plane/Two Plane swing books.  While all of the top instructors do seem to subscribe to relatively similar fundamentals, and have their own ideas about the best way to swing a golf club, none are associated with a specific type of swing model. 

Let’s take Hank Haney for instance.  Hank is a big believer in swinging the golf club on the proper swing plane, or as he describes it, the proper plane angle.  His focus is on what the golf club is doing through the golf swing. 

Ben Hogan was also a big proponent of the swing plane, but he defined it a bit differently than how Haney defines it.  Other instructors may define the swing plane as the one formed by your shoulders at address.  You simply need to be sure to swing under that plane at impact. 

Many instructors feel that the swing plane, in one form or another, is an important fundamental, as is the grip, balance, posture, ball position, etc.  There are basic fundamentals and basic ways to move the body, and many of these instructors share many of the same views.  The differences usually lie in how they communicate with their students.

Take Michael Breed.  He is a great instructor, host of the Golf Fix on Golf Channel.  Michael likes to use a lot of props and gadgets to get his points across.  On the other hand, I can tell you that Hank Haney does not.  Hank prefers to move his students with a hands on approach, so they can feel the different positions throughout the golf swing.   Ultimately though, judging from the way both swing a golf club, they try to master at least some similar fundamentals. 

My point with this discussion is that it is important to not get caught up in all the hype regarding any particular golf swing model or even any particular golf instructor.  In my view, there are basic fundamentals that every golfer should strive to improve upon or master in order to maximize their potential.  Unfortunately, as with get rich quick schemes, golf swing promoters attempt to capitalize on the typical golfer’s desire to improve their game substantially with minimal work and effort. 

Just look to the example of Ben Hogan.  The man sought to make his golf swing the best it could possibly be with his own God given abilities.  He was known to hit balls until his hands would bleed.  He was also known to take a practice swing that would take ten minutes to complete so that he could get his body to feel every inch of the swing he was trying to achieve. 

Ultimately, it is up to the instructor to motivate the student to master the fundamentals in order to improve their game.  It really is not rocket science.  It just takes effort!  However, if the instructor can guide you down the right path, you will see many rewards along the way, and that is the bottom line, getting better!

So, be sure to do your homework and research before you spend a ton of money on a gimmicky golf swing model.  The golf swing is a very complex, athletic movement that even the most elite athletes have trouble performing well.  If you take the time to learn how to move your body and master the fundamentals, you WILL get the results you desire.