Brian Manzella for Golf Magazine, Golf.com & FRONT9 - Use Kuchar's Clubface Position

[Brian Manzella]

Brian Manzella for Golf Magazine, Golf.com & FRONT9 - Use Kuchar's Clubface Position

Big Play: Hit It Crisp Like Kuchar - Video - GOLF.com

 

[Keefer]

I'd like to see a comment on how for a tall guy he is able to have such a steep shoulder turn and a flat swing. That seems to be the change he made that has gotten him much more consistent with his swing.

Everyone mentions his flat swing, but he says he actually works on making sure he has a steep shoulder turn. They would seem to contradict each other.

So, two questions.

1. Why does a flat swing work so well for a tall guy?

2. How does a steep shoulder turn work so well with a flat swing (at least with his)?

 

[mgranato]

A general rule of thumb is that the amount of forward torso bend you have at address is also the amount of side torso bend you'll want at the top. I believe Kuchar's instructor believes, that for that particular swing style, they like to see at least 45 degrees of forward bend (probably more for him because of his height). Let's say he has 47 at address (7-8 more than average), at the top he will also be in that same neighborhood with his side bend. That's a steep turn (especially steep looking) for someone his height. That amount of side bend is also not something most can do and still be able to rotate effectively. From there it's just a matter of them getting his arms/club in a position they prefer for that style.

 

[Dariusz J.]

I'd like to see a comment on how for a tall guy he is able to have such a steep shoulder turn and a flat swing. That seems to be the change he made that has gotten him much more consistent with his swing.
Everyone mentions his flat swing, but he says he actually works on making sure he has a steep shoulder turn. They would seem to contradict each other.

Not at all. He wants to kill two birds with one arrow by doing this.

Cheers

 

[Keefer]

I believe Ben Hogan wanted his shoulders, left arm and club all on the same plane. Kuchar has his club and left arm on a much flatter plane than his shoulders which are steep.

That's the anomaly. mgranato explains how they want his forward bend on the same angle as his side bend which makes sense. But where Kuchar is different is that he swings flat from the get-go.

I suppose the benefit is he doesn't have to shallow out in transition. He's already there. Still, a very unique swing that sure works for him.

The only other taller golfer I can think of who has such a pronounced flat swing is Michael Allen (Champions Tour).

 

[Rick Dandy]

Owl Wisdom

Meet me at the flea market at the greyhound track.

Buy all the golf clubs for sale and throw'em.

There's steepening and flattening going on.

There is also acceleration.

 

[wulsy]

I believe Ben Hogan wanted his shoulders, left arm and club all on the same plane. Kuchar has his club and left arm on a much flatter plane than his shoulders which are steep.

Planes? I thought that was the realm of the uninitiated.

 

[Keefer]

Planes? I thought that was the realm of the uninitiated.

I guess my point is most Tour players have a more closed clubface at first parallel and last parallel to the ground. Nothing different there with Kuchar's swing.

But, what is different is for a tall golfer his steep shoulder turn and flat swing. I would've liked to here Brian's opinion as to why that has worked so well for him and why more tall players may benefit from that style swing.

After-all Matt Kuchar made a concerted evert to make this swing change. Much more interesting IMO. That's all.

 

[ryant91]

A general rule of thumb is that the amount of forward torso bend you have at address is also the amount of side torso bend you'll want at the top. I believe Kuchar's instructor believes, that for that particular swing style, they like to see at least 45 degrees of forward bend (probably more for him because of his height). Let's say he has 47 at address (7-8 more than average), at the top he will also be in that same neighborhood with his side bend. That's a steep turn (especially steep looking) for someone his height. That amount of side bend is also not something most can do and still be able to rotate effectively. From there it's just a matter of them getting his arms/club in a position they prefer for that style.

That amount of side bend is also not something most can do and still be able to rotate effectively.

Its not that they cant as much as they dont know how.