Do you favour style over efficiency?
We have all done it at one time or another; whether on the golf course observing the first tee, on the driving range standing in the next bay or at home watching our favourite pro’s on the TV. Yes, I am talking about swing critiquing.
Whether you are comparing your swing to that of your playing partner who is scoring better or merely critiquing the unusual style of the leader in this week’s European Tour Event, we have all commented at some time on another golfers swing and how good or bad we believe it to be. These views and thoughts however are more often than not based on style and how aesthetically pleasing the swing is to our eye. How often do we consider the actual efficiency of that swing?
Jim Furyk is a great example of a player whose golf swing comes under attack and regular scrutiny due to its unorthodox style. For anyone who isn’t familiar with Furyk’s swing, he demonstrates a unique loop on his backswing which is not seen in a conventional golf swing. Most golfers if asked would not choose to have his swing style and would more likely favour those of Rory McIlroy, Ernie Els or Louis Oosthuizen. Jim Furyk’s swing however has led him to a US Open title in 2003, as well as top 5 finishes in the other 3 major championships. So surely a player’s swing should not be evaluated on style alone and we need to consider efficiency?
To the naked eye, efficiency is difficult to analyse but with 3D technology now available it is easy to evaluate how golfers generate speed and transfer this energy through their bodies. The ability to generate speed with the lower body and transfer this through the torso, into the arms and then into the club is termed the ‘kinematic sequence’. If you were to view and compare Jim Furyk’s golf swing on camera to say Rory McIlroy and Louis Oosthuizen you would see noticeable differences. However if you were to compare them all by their kinematic sequences you would find it difficult to find a difference between them, all great ball strikers demonstrate the same kinematic sequence regardless of the style they use to create it.
We are all individuals and have different physical capabilities which will impact how we swing the club and ultimately bring that club face back and onto the ball. Trying to copy the movements of others will only force us to move in a way that is unnatural to us and potentially could lead to a negative impact on your performance and even injury.
With this in mind shouldn’t we start to embrace our own unique individual swing styles, and rather than trying to change it so that it resembles more that of Rory McIlroy or Ernie Els, work on trying to make it more efficient and effective for us? This would definitely be a far more conducive method and approach to improving our golf performance.
Now that you can analyse your golf swing more objectively the key areas to focus on that have shown to create efficiency or kinematic sequence breakdowns are:
Improper swing mechanics
Physical limitations
Improperly fit equipment
The best way to address each of these key areas and really give yourself the best opportunity of improving your golf performance would be to:
Work with a PGA teaching professional on improving your swing mechanics.
Address your physical limitations through a physical screening and functional mobility/stability programme with a golf specific fitness professional.
Visit a custom fit and equipment specialist to have your clubs assessed.
If you are interested in finding out more about the kinematic sequence and how efficient your swing is please contact me on rachael@dynamic-golf.co.uk to arrange a 3D swing analysis and physical limitations screening.
Alternatively you can visit our website www.dynamic-golf.co.uk, and you can also find us on Twitter @dynamic_golf and facebook dynamicgolfuk.
