Rotational Not Linear

Two of the more contrasting styles of teaching the golf swing is the Rotational School and the Linear School. Golf swing theories swirl around the game endlessly but they can generally be grouped into the above two contrasting styles.

The linear school instructors would have you keep your spine angle straight and start your downswing with a significant slide towards the target. To hit the ball straight the golfer must compensate by lifting up the lead shoulder, swing the clubhead steep into the ball, be square to the target line in the downswing, and flip/roll the wrists through impact. 

The rotational school instructors would have you keep your spine dynamic and flexible, start the downswing by rotating the lead hip away from the target, open the hips through the downswing, and hold the clubface square through impact. The arms only need to be straight at and just after impact.

There are more differences and variations of course, but it's easy to see that there is little in common between the two styles. But which style is best? We like to look at how the top golfers on the big tour hit the ball, or how long ball hitters in baseball swing, or at the best players in any ball and stick sport where distance and accuracy matter.

Watch these athletes swing the stick at normal speed and at slow speeds. Note when the hips start rotating to the target during the swing movement pattern, where the hips are facing at impact, observe the dynamics of the spine during the swing towards the target. You will reach one inescapable conclusion: distance and accuracy is best achieved by a fully rotational swing.

But many golfers complain of back pain and some instructors are telling us that the cause is rotation during the swing. Restrict rotational movement they say and the pain goes away. Well, that's a great way to hit short and put excess stress on the hip joints. 

Bottom line is the most effective golf swing is a rotational movement pattern with dynamic spine and arms that minimize muscle tension and permit full loading of your swing energy into the clubhead at impact. The hips open to the target through impact, weight has shifted almost completely off the trail leg. Wrist lag is maximized prior to the impact zone and the club face is square through impact.

It's easy to overthink the process. Remember, we are just swinging a club and allowing our body to develop explosive rotational energy through impact with the ball. Restricting essential movements work against your main goal -- distance with accuracy.