Colin Monty - flight path - bad but accurate....

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Mathew

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One thing I meant to get input on is about monty's ball flight. It is unique in its own sence - it is very parabola in shape in comparison to almost every professional I have seen yet at the same time, when he is 'on' he is one much the most accurate ballstrikers I have personally seen.... - His ball flight doesn't seem to soar.

I remember being at the Loch Lomond course watching him go round shooting a low 60s round and it was phenomenal the way his balls seeked the pins like a radar. His driving was good but his short-mid irons were nothing short of spectacular...

Perhaps someone could give insight into why his ball flight is this way in regards to his mechanics and why he is so accurate....
 
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Mathew

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Thanks redgoat - This is the first time I have seen a still swing sequence. I find the stills (like most professionals) don't do his overall grace of his swing justice but is a wonderful tool to disect the mechanics of how he plays.

It is interesting how far back he plays the ball with his wedge- He seems to be use multiple ball positions in relation to his upper body as with a modern day player who most usually keep it roughly in the same area as swings become more and more modeled on average through the years.

It is far less rotational than what I think most players would normally try to utilise, almost a steeper slinging motion which might explain his parabola ball flight which is encouraged by the set-up he does. Does anyone disagree with this....

Is the multiple ball position a nessesity for him ?

His swing reminds me slightly of players further back in time. Did more players back in 60's and 70's and even 80s have a similar ballflight ?
 
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hue

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Monty was taught by Bill Ferguson as a kid right up to the point of his peak in the world rankings. He then went to Denis Pugh just before I stopped being taught by him . A good friend of mine and very good player was taught by Ferguson at the time. We both felt that the change in coaches was a bad move. At the time he played the driver quite a long way back in his stance. All his clubs were played further back than most players. He was very straight and as Mathew points out hit short and midirons that never leave the flag and in this area was the most accurate player I have seen. He had a really funny looking pivot where his hips would bump right in the backstroke with the right hip getting higher giving him a reverse pivot look at the top. I think his unusual pivot motion is the reason why he plays the ball so far back in the stance.

"It is far less rotational than what I think most players would normally try to utilise, almost a steeper slinging motion which might explain his parabola ball flight which is encouraged by the set-up he does. Does anyone disagree with this...."

I agree with you 100%. I understand that when he first went to Pugh he wanted to learn to hit the ball right to left. He ended up doing this at first but hit a lot of really bad shots which he never did before. His action looks like a fader's swing to me not given to hitting the ball right to left. IMHO he should have left his action alone and stayed with Ferguson. His swing looked a bit funny but was super consistant and very straight. He was very much a feel player that played on automatic . I had his group at the Open on the first day when he was playing with Faxon and Elkington when working for ABC TV as a spotter. He can't play in heavy winds with his ball flight. His ball was being blown all over the place when Elkingtons held it's line much better. He retired on the 8th hole with a wrist injury. Had he continued he would have carded IRO 85. Monty has a funny action and is an example of "If it is not broke don't fix it" IMHO.
 
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razer

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Bad but accurate? What nonsense. If it's accurate, then it's good. The guy swings down on a steeper plane than many others, which is why is straighter than most. How about good AND accurate.

Geez, Mathew, I hope you don't teach golf for a living. The students will actually pick up strokes with your teachings.
 
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ej20

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From what i can see,his backswing is very steep,but he shallows it quite nicely coming down...not steep at all.

I think the reason he hits a high ball is his follow through..reverse c.Tell me one player that doesn't hit a high ball with a reverse c.

He needs to lean his upper body towards the target on his follow through to hit the ball lower and more penetrating....but then again,that might ruin his whole action,who knows?
 
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EdZ

New
What his 'club' does, especially on the downswing, is quite good - at the 'limit' of a steep approach/plane IMO, but very well on plane from hip high on the downswing through the shot

He better have his ball position 'on' though, or he will have problems

and with that move, his back will end his career sooner than later
 
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Mathew

Banned
quote:Originally posted by razer

Bad but accurate? What nonsense. If it's accurate, then it's good. The guy swings down on a steeper plane than many others, which is why is straighter than most. How about good AND accurate.

Geez, Mathew, I hope you don't teach golf for a living. The students will actually pick up strokes with your teachings.
Click to expand...

Not really - in the true sence of the word.... good. Like hue I have made similar observations that his game often falls apart on any kind of wind. He cannot hold his ball flight whereas other people with more penetrating flight can. This is exactly why Faldo wanted to change his swing just IMO he could of picked someone better than lead.

I have seen him practice often and whenever I go to a tournament I always watch him play for a few holes. His ball flight is accurate - one of the most accurate ever with short to mid irons ever assuming no wind. Its like the ball just plops straight up and seeks the hole.

I never stated I wished to teach, infact I honestly wouldn't know what to do with Colin's swing because it is very far removed from my own. Unlike in FGI, where in comparison I had a very good understanding on mechanics to the people there communicating faults and often even arguing over which fault is correct...

I know I am not the most knowledgable in this forum, infact I have asked Brian and Redgoat for advice and funnily enough actually their advice isn't that disimilar to each other and thank you both for taking the time for free for helping me out. I really appreciate your time and help.

A while I know that if I was to get better I would have to learn from others because although I could see faults -During the summer last year I played good and I mean I played the best golf I had done for a long time. But during that time I bought a camera and saw my swing at first I thought it looked great and on the surface it actually looks prettier than it does now. The more I watched the film the more I didn't like it and found I had real trouble fixing the faults. I believe now I am on the right track and honestly believe one day I will seek the accuracy I want. I often wonder if after these changes whether I will actually hit further too but it is a secondary consideration.

PS if either Brian or Redgoat is coming down to the British Open at Troon I believe - I was wondering if it would be possible to get a lesson on a day when your down here ? - paid of course....lol... if you would be too busy would understand too.... or even if you guys wanna grab a drink at the tournament I would love to discuss golf... :)

Hey maybe you could have a day teaching people from Britain from this forum... :)
 
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