Different golf swings?

Look at the sequence again, a little more closely

By Joe Lembo

2008-09-30

You may have wondered how a golfer such as John Daly, who has such an unorthodox swing, can play at the same level with a Tiger Woods who has that picture perfect style. Well, there’s something that all the great ball strikers have in common. It’s the kinematic sequence — the way in which a golfer transfers speed through different parts of the body and gets that speed to the club head.

Even if you study drastically different swing styles, you can find that the sequence with which they transfer speed with their bodies during their downswing is the same.

That sequence is:

1. Lower body first; 2. Trunk or torso next; 3. Then arms; 4. And the club last.

This creates a whipping effect.

In order to achieve this type of sequence you need to do a couple things:

First, get your golf pro to explain what this sequence is so you know what you’re trying to accomplish.
Next, let your certified golf fitness instructor help you develop the proper body mechanics to actually be able to do what the pro is teaching you. This is where the fitness pro and the golf pro can collaborate to help you be the best golfer you can be. They may use a 3D motion device, such as a vest or special cameras, to measure your sequence.

Remember, you’re not trying to make your swing look like Ernie Els’ or Tiger’s, but you can try to get your swing to be as efficient as the best players in the world. That’s the kinematic sequence.

Joe Lembo is a Titleist certified golf fitness instructor. He can be reached at j5lembo@yahoo.com or 653-9266.