Subscribe now to watch the full video.
A colleague posted this in a discussion group about the trend of barefoot running. Lots of studies have come out showing how heel strike style running is less efficient, and can cause injury. Yet here we have an example of runners doing it at a very high level.
It leads to the question, is one good or is one bad?
In the golf blogosphere, you'll see a lot of suggestions for a one plane centered pivot. (heck, I suggest that style for most golfers). You'll see arguments that you can't "stall" your hips like Rory McIlroy. That you can't swing upright or sway off the ball like VJ Singh. That these golfers are able to succeed because they are superior athletes to those who do the prettier one-plane, centered pivot style. You'll here instructor's tout "go normal", or "pull up on the shaft" as a fix all for everything from slices to heartburn. But if these things are so important to success, how do some golfers succeed in absence of such key movements?
But here's a list of former number one golfers in the world...you'll see almost every style imaginable.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Number_One_male_golfers
I think the takeaway is this. If you want to coach yourself, or just understand the golf swing, you have to see how these pieces and components fit together. Should you stall in your swing? Well, if you're dominant lower body speed is produced vertically, and you don't like to rotate your trunk with your abs, or have enough external rotation of the trail arm...then it might be the perfect solution for you.
The stages of mastery follow a predictable pattern. Your goal is to answer the following questions and as you progress, you'll become more of an expert.
- WHAT do you need to do? (Most golf instruction, right or wrong, is here)
- HOW can you accomplish that? (Usually vague generalities, like swing out to right field)
- WHY does it work that way? (Where a lot of golf instructors jump to after what)
- WHEN can I break the rules? (True experts have multiple models for different scenarios)
My takeaway is this. Use your critical thinking skills to say, "what does this move do to HELP the golfer?" It may help you avoid making changes that go against what your body naturally wants to do.
PS - if you are going to model after VJ Singh and his sway...remember how many balls he hits a day in order to keep his "timing". It may work for you if you play everyday, but it may make you prone to high variability when you take a few days off.
Tags: Intermediate
