Find Your Perfect Swing

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You don’t choose your swing. It chooses you.

Now, with a simple and easy test, you

can discover for the ﬁrst time your most

dynamic, consistent and efﬁcient motion.

➳

By Top 100 Teacher Mike Adams

Hamilton Farm G.C., Gladstone N.J. / The Medalist Club, Hobe Sound, Fla.

with David DeNunzio / Photography by Angus Murray / Illustration by Keith Witmer

Hogan

Hogan almost almost had it right— had it right— there are two there are two other ideal other ideal planes in planes in addition to the addition to the one deﬁned by one deﬁned by the shoulders. the shoulders.

Find Your

PERFECT

SWING

FORGET BEN HOGAN’S

“SINGLE PLANE”

T T A A K K E E O O U U R R

N N E E W

W S S W

W I I N N G G

T T E E S S T T ! !

COVER STORY:

THE RIGHT SWING FOR YOU

YOU HAVE

THREE

PATHS

TO CONSISTENT

CONTACT

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GOLF MAGAZINE / golf.com

GOLF MAGAZINE / golf.com February 2012 88

88

This is the This is the SI SIcover thatcover that launched launched Hogan’s Hogan’s ﬁve-part series on part series on his legendary his legendary fundamentals. fundamentals.

COVER STORY:

THE RIGHT SWING FOR YOU

A

nyone who has ever

taught or played the

game has had a

precon-ceived idea—right or

wrong—of how a club

should be swung. This

multitude of theories

has produced enormous confusion over

the years about the proper way to move

the club back and through to achieve solid

results. The problem is exacerbated by

the fact that 99 percent of the

instruc-tion you read in books and magazines,

see on TV, or receive from your coach is

correct. It’s just t hat most of it doesn’t

apply to you because it’s far too general

to match your speciﬁc needs. The secret

to success is ﬁnding and listening to the

small percentage of advice that does.

Case in point: swing plane. For decades

we’ve assumed that there was only one

ideal plane—the lone swing track made

famous by Ben Hogan and his

sheet-of-glass theory over a half-century ago

(originally published in 1957 as one part

of a ﬁve-part series in Sports Illustrated ).

While Hogan’s single sheet of glass (tilted

to match the shoulder plane established

at address) is fundamentally correct,

it’s grossly incomplete. There are

actu-ally three ideal planes, and the one you

should use is primarily determined by

how you’re built.

It’s said that form always follows

func-tion, and your golf swing is no exception.

Doesn’t it make sense that your anatomy

would have something to do with how you

swing your clubs? I think it makes

per-fect sense—otherwise, you’re putting the

proverbial square peg into the round hole,

setting in motion an ineffective chain

of events that, truthfully, will keep your

game at the same level it’s languishing at

right now, while also potentially exposing

you to the risk of injury.

I recently developed a test (below ) that

nails your golf body type like never before

to help you determine the shape of your

best swing—the sheet of glass you should

follow to make your motion powerful and

consistent. The test is very simple—no

preparation or No. 2 pencils are needed—

and it takes only a few seconds to

com-plete. Once you perform it and decode

your results, the information you gain will

change your golﬁng life for the good, and

for years on end. There are thousands of

swings out there for you to try, and none

is more efﬁcient or better than the rest—

except for the one that ﬁts you.

I call it the “Elbow Hinge Test.” Stand tall and point your right thumb out like a hitchhiker. Set your right elbow against I call it the “Elbow Hinge Test.” Stand tall and point your right thumb out like a hitchhiker. Set your right elbow against your rib cage, just in front of the side seam on your shirt, and then fold your upper arm up without pulling your elbow oﬀ your rib cage, just in front of the side seam on your shirt, and then fold your upper arm up without pulling your elbow oﬀ your rib cage. Check where your thumb points in relation to your right shoulder.

your rib cage. Check where your thumb points in relation to your right shoulder. Three students

of mine—Renee Skidmore, Scott Chisholm and Paul Park (left to right)—show how unique our bodies are, and why it’s important to ﬁnd your own “best” swing to match yours.

Low-T Low-Track Golrack Golfeferr

Thumb points below the Thumb points below the top of your right shoulder. top of your right shoulder.

Mid-Track Golfer Mid-Track Golfer

Thumb points even with the Thumb points even with the top of your right shoulder. top of your right shoulder.

High-Track Golfer High-Track Golfer

Thumb points above the top Thumb points above the top of your right shoulder. of your right shoulder.

TEST:

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THE MID TRACK THE MID TRACK

If you tested out as a If you tested out as a mid-trackmid-track golfer, your ideal clubhead path is golfer, your ideal clubhead path is deﬁned by the plane that extends from deﬁned by the plane that extends from the target line through the tip of your the target line through the tip of your right elbow at address (right-arm plane). right elbow at address (right-arm plane).

THE LOW TRACK THE LOW TRACK

If you tested out as

If you tested out as a low-tracka low-track golfer, your ideal clubhead path is deﬁned golfer, your ideal clubhead path is deﬁned by the plane that the

by the plane that the shaft of your driver (orshaft of your driver (or any club, really) sits on when you sole it any club, really) sits on when you sole it on the ground at address (shaft plane). on the ground at address (shaft plane).

Although you’ve read about other ways

to move your club between your

back-swing and delivery positions (by slotting

or applying a two-plane method),

mindingminding your track from start to ﬁnish produces the your track from start to ﬁnish produces the most consistent contact and reduces body most consistent contact and reduces body stress to a very low level

stress to a very low level. It’s important to

note that the three tracks are equal—no

one track is better than the other two.

A low-track swing, for e xample, won’t

produce any more distance or accuracy

than a high-track swing, and vice versa.

It’s a matter of what best ﬁts your body.

_➳

The Elbow Hinge Test deﬁnes your natural swing plane. The Elbow Hinge Test deﬁnes your natural swing plane.

The Elbow Hinge Test exposes the

difference (if any) between the length

of your upper arm and the length of

your forearm. This is important,

be-cause as you swing your right arm

back in your takeaway, a longer right

forearm (compared with your upper

arm) will “track” the clubhead higher

relative to your right elbow (the

op-posite is true if your forearm is

shorter

than your upper ar

m).The test deﬁnes

The test deﬁnes your ideal backswing plane, blowing your ideal backswing plane, blowing the single-plane theory right out of the single-plane theory right out of

Hogan’s secret dirt.

Hogan’s secret dirt. It also indicates

your ideal delivery plane. While there

are other variables that determine on

which plane you swing the club back

( p. 95 ), missing your track coming

down forces your body to contort in

order to place an appropriate strike on

the ball (causing stress to your body

along the way). A lot of good players

have learned to make these

compen-sating moves automatically, but most

golfers lack the skill and timing to do

so consistently and without injury.

HOW TO DECODE YOUR TEST RESULTS

Finding your natural Finding your natural track makes it easy to track makes it easy to swing with a dynamic swing with a dynamic and eﬃcient motion. and eﬃcient motion.

LEARNING THE THREE TRACKS

1

2

1

3

2

3

THE HIGH TRACK THE HIGH TRACK

If you tested out as a high-track If you tested out as a high-track golfer, your ideal clubhead path is deﬁned golfer, your ideal clubhead path is deﬁned by the plane that extends from the target by the plane that extends from the target line through your right shoulder at address line through your right shoulder at address (Hogan’s famed shoulder plane). (Hogan’s famed shoulder plane).

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COVER STORY:

THE RIGHT SWING FOR YOU

TRACKS IN ACTION

The backswing and downswing clubhead paths of some of The backswing and downswing clubhead paths of some of the best ballstrikers on Tourthe best ballstrikers on Tour prove that hitting it consistently long and straight is easiest

prove that hitting it consistently long and straight is easiest when you swing track to track.when you swing track to track.

Swings back along his shaft plane and delivers the club to the ball along his shaft plane. Swings back along his right-arm plane and delivers the club along his right-arm plane. Swings back along his shoulder plane and delivers the club along his shoulder plane. MR. ACCURACY MR. ACCURACY

Heath Slocum

TRACK:

TRACK: Low-to-lowLow-to-low

DRIVING PHENOM DRIVING PHENOM

Keegan Bradley

TRACK:

TRACK:Mid-to-midMid-to-mid

BALLSTRIKING WONDER BALLSTRIKING WONDER

John Senden

TRACK:

TRACK:High-to-highHigh-to-high

ADDRESS

ADDRESS BACKSWING BACKSWING DELIVERYDELIVERY

ADDRESS

ADDRESS BACKSWING BACKSWING DELIVERYDELIVERY High path High path (right shoulder) (right shoulder) Check when Check when the butt of the the butt of the grip points at grip points at the ball. the ball. Again, check Again, check when the butt when the butt of the grip of the grip points at points at the ball. the ball. ➳ 90

90 GOLF MAGAZINE / golf.comGOLF MAGAZINE / golf.com February 2012

KEY STATS KEY STATS 2011 Driving Accuracy: 74.9%74.9% (2nd) 2011 GIR: 71.4%71.4% (2nd) KEY STATS KEY STATS 2011 Total Driving:T12thT12th (300.7 yds., 61.5% fairways hit)

KEY STATS KEY STATS 2011 Total Driving:8th8th 2011 Ballstriking:2nd2nd Mid path Mid path (right elbow) (right elbow) Low path Low path (clubshaft) (clubshaft)

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COVER STORY:

THE RIGHT SWING FOR YOU

FALLING OFF TRACK

2011:

_{OFF TRACK}

A completely diﬀerent swing from what the former World No. 1 used in previous seasons—it missed the ideal track both going back and_{coming down.}

2010:

_{ON TRACK}

By sticking to his natural high track on both sides of his transition, Kaymer reached No. 1 in the world in just his ﬁfth full year as a European PGA Tour pro.

ADDRESS

When Martin Kaymer won 5 times in 12 months

bet ween Januar y 2010 a nd January 2011 and

soared to No. 1 in the Ofﬁcial World Golf

Rank-ings, he swung the club back and down on his

shoulder plane ( bottom sequence ), which is a

perfect match based on his Elbow Hinge Test

results (left ). For most of 2011, however, he tried

to drop the club down on his right-arm plane (top

sequence) and his ballstriking took a big hit (he

ﬁnished 2011 ranked 114th in GIR and 155th in

fairways hit). Interestingly enough, the swing

Kaymer used to birdie nine of the ﬁnal 12 holes

to win last November’s WGC-HSBC Champions

event in Shanghai, China, was his old

high-track-to-high-track motion. If he can stick to his natural

swing, he’s a lock to return to No. 1.

BAD TRACKING:

Cost Martin Kaymer the World No. 1 Ranking

Even the best players in the world start to struggle when they fail to move the club Even the best players in the world start to struggle when they fail to move the club along their natural swing plane. The proof is in the sequences below and opposite. along their natural swing plane. The proof is in the sequences below and opposite.

Below natural Below natural swing plane. swing plane. Tracking on Tracking on natural swing natural swing plane going plane going back... back... High-track High-track golfer golfer Below natural Below natural swing plane. swing plane. ...and coming ...and coming into the ball. into the ball.

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February 2012 golf.com / GOLF MAGAZINEgolf.com / GOLF MAGAZINE 9292 NOTE: NOTE: THE GOAL IS THE GOAL IS EFFICIENCY EFFICIENCY Swings that switch tracks aren’t as eﬃcient as those that don’t, but they’re a real and viable option for many golfers (and you may be one of them). A lot of players utilize slot swings to draw and fade the ball. If you go back on a lower plane and come down on a higher plane you’ll probably hit fades. Conversely, if you take the club back on a higher plane and swing it down on a lower plane you’ll probably hit draws. Ideally—and I can’t Ideally—and I can’t repeat this enough—you repeat this enough—you should swing your clubs should swing your clubs back and down on the back and down on the same plane. same plane. It’s okay to swing the club above your ideal plane on your backswing as long as you slot down to your ideal plane coming back (and vice versa if you take the club back below your natural swing plane).

TABLET EXTRA!

See how your favorite Tour pros test out, and whether they’re hitting their natural track. Go togolfmagazine.golfmagazine. com/allaccess com/allaccess.

2011:

_{OFF TRACK}

Excessive downswing slotting currently has Villegas delivering the clubhead to the ball way below his natural plane, and it’s costing him wins and money.

2008:

_{ON TRACK}

Villegas was ﬁring on all cylinders throughout 2008 (two wins and seven Top 10s) using a swing that tracked on his natural shoulder plane.

If you’ve wondered where Camilo Villegas has di

s-appeared to, check the results of his Elbow Hinge

Test at left and the swing he’s used throughout

2010 and 2011 (top sequence ). He’s another

ex-ample of a great young player who has fallen

off his natural swing track. Villegas measures

out to be a shoulder planer (high-track golfer),

but he’s currently swinging as a mid-track golfer

(right-arm plane). In previous seasons he swung

the club on his natural shoulder plane (bottom

sequence) and ﬂourished—two wins and more

_{than $4 million in earnings in 2008. Last year}

he hit only 57 percent of his fairways (140th)

and only 60 percent of his greens (163rd) while

earning $1.2 million, the lowest season money

haul of his career.

BAD TRACKING:

Caused Camilo Villegas to Take a $3 Million Hit

BACKSWING DELIVERY BACKSWING DELIVERY BACKSWING DELIVERY BACKSWING DELIVERY Below natural Below natural swing plane. swing plane. High-track High-track golfer golfer On natural On natural swing plan swing plan e..e.. ..

Below natural Below natural swing plane. swing plane. ...and perfectly ...and perfectly on his natural on his natural plane for delivery. plane for delivery.

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COVER STORY:

THE RIGHT SWING FOR YOU

PRACTICE:

HOW TO GROOVE YOUR BACKSWING TRACK

Once you discover Once you discover your ideal plane, take your ideal plane, take some time during your some time during your next range session to next range session to get a feel for nailing it get a feel for nailing it every time you swing. every time you swing.

TRACK IT TRACK IT Set an aiming rod into the ground just right of the hosel (top photo), then angle it away from the target line about 30 degrees to give you room to swing ( bottom). Then follow the directions at right for each track type.

LOW-LOW-TRACK

TRACK GOLFER

GOLFER

MID-TRACK GOLFER

DRILL SETUP

HIGH-TRACK GOLFER

If you’re a low (shaft-plane) tracker, position the aiming rod so that it matches the angle of the shaft (left photo), then make

slow-motion backswings, guiding the shaft of your driver up the aiming rod until at least the point at which your left arm is parallel to the ground ( right photo).

If you’re a mid (right-arm-plane) tracker, position the aiming rod so that it points at your right elbow (left photo), then make

slow-motion backswings, guiding the shaft of your driver up the aiming rod until at least the point when your left arm is parallel to the ground ( right photo).

If you’re a high (shoulder-plane) tracker, position the aiming rod so that it points at your right shoulder (left photo), then make

slow-motion backswings, guiding the shaft of your driver up the aiming rod until at least the point at which your left arm is parallel to the ground ( right photo).

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February 2012 golf.com / GOLF MAGAZINEgolf.com / GOLF MAGAZINE 9494

PRACTICE:

HOW TO GROOVE YOUR DELIVERY TRACK

Hitting your Hitting your backswing track is backswing track is good, but nailing it good, but nailing it on your downswing is on your downswing is absolutely critical to absolutely critical to solid ballstriking. solid ballstriking. TRACK IT TRACK IT Reposition the aiming rod six inches beyond your target line and about a foot outside your right foot, as shown above. Then follow the instructions at right for each type of swing tracker.

LOW-LOW-TRACK G

TRACK GOLFER

OLFER

DRILL SETUP

MID-TRACK GOLFER

HIGH-TRACK GOLFER

If you’re a low (shaft-plane) tracker, position the aiming rod so that it matches the angle of your shaft (left photo), then make

slow-motion swings, making sure your clubhead moves just under the rod as you deliver it to impact ( right photo).

If you’re a mid (right-arm-plane) tracker, position the aiming rod so that it points at your right elbow (left photo), then make

If you’re a high (shoulder-plane) tracker, position the aiming rod so that it points at your right shoulder (left photo), then make

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If your right If your right arm folds arm folds immediately, it immediately, it will direct the will direct the club back on club back on the shaft plane, the shaft plane, regardless of regardless of your best track. your best track.

ATTENTION! ATTENTION! VARIABLES VARIABLES AT WORK AT WORK The actual route your club takes on the way to the top is determined by variables other than the results of your Elbow Hinge Test. Things like chest thickness, shoulder width, and how your right arm likes to work in an athletic motion all contribute to how your clubs naturally want to track back. Here’s what I Here’s what I mean. mean. Take your natural address position without a club and press your palms together. Without separating your hands, swing your left arm across your chest without turning your shoulders. Your right arm will naturally do one of three things: move back and up (top photo, below ); move back and down ( middle), or fold in front of your right hip ( bottom).

The trick is to not ﬁght your natural tendencies during your backswing. It’s more important to hit your downswing track. If you get at least that part right, your game will improve faster than ever before.

COVER STORY:

THE RIGHT SWING FOR YOU

PRACTICE:

HOW TO PUT IT ALL TOGETHER

HOW TO PUT IT ALL

TOGETHER

SWING THOUGHTS SWING THOUGHTS TO STAY ON TRACK TO STAY ON TRACK Once you have a feel for swinging your clubhead back and through on your natural track, remove the rod and hit some shots for real. Most students do a pretty good job of nailing their backswing track after working with the aiming rod. The trick is in the downswing, because the delivery system for each track diﬀers. Follow the guidelines below for each tracker type.

H

HIIG

GH

H T

TR

RA

AC

CK

KE

ER

R

M

MIID

D T

TR

RA

AC

CK

KE

ER

R

L

LO

OW

W T

TR

RA

AC

CK

KE

ER

R

If you’re a low (shaft-plane) tracker, you should feel as though you’re delivering the club to the ball using only your hips. Your lower body turn should initiate your downswing and literally pull the club into the impact zone. This will help ﬂatten your angle of attack and allow you to hit your natural track.

If your right If your right arm folds back arm folds back and up, it will and up, it will direct the club direct the club back on the back on the shoulder plane, shoulder plane, regardless of regardless of your best track. your best track.

If your right If your right arm works back arm works back and down, it and down, it will direct the will direct the club on the club on the right-arm plane, right-arm plane, regardles regardless s ofof your best track. your best track. If you’re a mid

(right-arm-plane) swing tracker, you should feel as though you’re delivering the club to the ball using only your trunk (hips to chest). Think about using more of your midsection than lower-body turn, and try to get your shirt buttons in line with the ball as you make contact. If you’re a high

(shoulder-plane) tracker, picture a steeper downswing, with your shoulders powering the club into impact as you rotate them toward the target. A good feeling to have is that you’re turning your right shoulder under your chin with your left shoulder higher than your right as you strike the ball.

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