Ben Allen Jr

Phil Mickelson surprised the golf world by winning a major Tournament, the 2021 PGA Championship, as an "old man" - age 50 years. While there was a decades or more difference between him and other competitors, there was also a major difference between his "old school" modern swing mechanics and the neomodern mechanics that now dominate Tour play.

The present work advances the argument that his superior swing mechanics were a significant factor in his competitive success.

Graphic analysis demonstrated the common elements as well as the differences between 40+ year old Tiger and his 11 year old son, Charlie. Both utilized neomodern swing mechanics with more-than-typical aggressiveness and with idiosyncratic and compensatory tactics that increased the complexity of their respective swing mechanics.

The author did not find elements desirable to be considered for intelligent design of a kinematic sequence for adult and older golfers.

PUZZLE 2 addresses the dilemma between incorporation of "loading the shaft" as a valid concept versus absence of a shaft role in current 3-D computerized, swing analysis systems.

Graphics analysis supports a major role for the club shaft in neomodern swing kinetics and is in an interdependent with down swing kinematics.

The author argues that today's computerized swing analysis systems fail to provide a valid base for swing instruction and cannot until shaft dynamics are part of a program.

PUZZLE 1focused on what graphic studies revealed about the lead scapula (shoulder blade) action in neomodern swing mechanics. This addendum offers perspective about the entire shoulder girdle as well as impediments to confident analysis. An opinion that current swing analysis systems are failing to account for tactics that are kinematically and kinetically significantly relevant is supported - their avatars are not an accurate capture of a golfer's real kinematics.

Graphic techniques document a range of rotation from about 40 to 80 degrees indicated by displacement of the lead scapula around a golfer's thorax. This scapular rotation is maximum at transition and usually resolved before the power action has been completed.

3D swing analysis systems are blind to the scapular action and via avatars assign the rotational function to the lumbar spine.

A conclusion that 3D programs, as currently structured, are unsuitable for instruction of adult, recreational golfers.

Failure to capture scapulothoracic rotation is only one of many 3D system deficiencies.

Deconstruction of golf swing mechanics via graphic imaging of gross swing movements demonstrates four intervals from Vardon to today. Each interval was characterized by common, defining, and unique foundational mechanics that represented evolutionary links between them.

The long-term changes were toward greater physical work and diminished efficiency. Pizzazz appeared to be the major for change.

Although stick figures have been used to visually communicate golf thoughts, no standard method for constructing them has emerged. This report describes a reproducible construction strategy.

By design it captures the major swing tactics that serve as criteria for identifying swing styles - aka mechanistic type.

Stick figures drawn from standardized locations on a visual source - such as snips from a video recording or photographs - depict swing mechanics in a tightly-focused format without the ambiguity of raw snips or photos.

The technique can be applied irrespective of when the source images were recorded.

With a level one abstraction, they are easily comprehended without "book learning".

Neomodern swing mechanics, now the most employed by Tour golfers, strain a golfer's lumbosacral spine more than any antecedent style. Graphic analysis demonstrated the neomodern tactics that require increased lateral flexion and torsion of the lumbosacral spine compared to "old school" modern swing mechanics.

Tommy Fleetwood's neomodern technique was compared to Phil Mickelson's "old school" (classic) modern swing mechanics.

Because the "arms swing" of Harry Vardon was more efficient and less physically demanding than swing mechanics used today, it is a better match for the abilities of adult and older golfers.

Graphic analysis supports a model very different from the double pendulum model described by Cochran and Stobbs in "The Search for the Perfect Swing."

This report addresses the Vardon-inspired model of his swing mechanics.

A graphics analysis technique, "SPIN graphic", provided a visual, qualitative display of the tactics Tour golfers use through impact. Roll, body rotation, and combinations were easily identified via the easy-to-understand graphic.

Golfers ranging from Harry Vardon to neomodern Tour rookies document swing mechanics, that over the history of the game, evolved from high-efficiency tactics based on roll-through-impact to high-intensity, inefficient tactics that showcase athletic prowess.

The set of abilities that adult and senior individuals possess are an unworkable mismatch with today's Tour swing mechanics. An opportunity for intelligent redesign exists.

Neomodern swing mechanics enabled Michelle Wie to achieve national eminence by age 10 and join the LPGA Tour before age 16 years.

Graphic analysis detailed swing tactics and contrasted them with other options. A paradox that neomodern mechanics support success for young golfers, but are not appropriate for adult golfers.

"Lee6", Jeongeun, as representative of Korean and Asian women's dominance on the LPGA Tour, was selected for a graphic analysis study of her golf swing. Snips revealed that she used neomodern mechanics uncomplicated by personal tactics or tactics.

A sampling of other KLPGA players showed "pure" neomodern techniques to be usual.

Graphic analysis of the Matt Wolff golf swing mechanics revealed typical neomodern tactics with a personal-style takeaway and an outside to inside loop through transition.

After transition, his down swing tactics were similar to other neomodern golfers. An aggressive horizontal-axis-shoulders action powered his technique.

Spinal strain was severe.

Graphic analysis of Ben Hogan's pre-injury (1949) swing mechanics revealed they differed from his post-injury mechanics.

His winning swing through the 1950s mixed tactic from his old technique with modifications to compensate impairment of his hips and legs.

His tactics suggest he might have been an index golfer in swing evolution to the neomodern technique

The neomodern swing technique represents the culmination of a golf swing strategy for which the greater a golfer's effort, work, the greater the shot power has been doctrinaire. As such it has pushed to the limit measures to increase torque through the power action while suppressing free roll to square the club face at impact.

It has become the most commonly practiced, winning kinematic sequence on Tour. Graphic analysis documents the evolutionary process that has led to its role in Tour-quality golf swing mechanics.

Graphic analysis of the Cameron Champ swing mechanics contrasted his functional units and mechanics with Sandra Carlborg's driving technique. They drive the ball similar distances with him dominating the PGA Tour and her for many years the ladies LDA.

Both used modern swing mechanics with Champ having extremely effective tactics for generating positive torque through transition - a more physically demanding power action than Carlborg.

Carlborg's mechanics maximized centripetal acceleration through her lower down swing - less physical but more efficient.

Snips portray each of the functional units that comprise a modern golf swing

Graphic analysis via video-snips supported a display and definition of the horizontal-axis-body-action (H-axis) as employed by modern swing golfers.

The H-axis- actions in the golf swing, as described by Cochran and Stobbs over 50 years ago (The Search for the Perfect Swing), have been delegated to different regions of the down swing. While the H-axis-shoulders-action now transfers energy input via a golfer's hands through transition and into the upper down swing, the H-axis-body-action now controls the hands path through the lower down swing and through impact.

With incorporation of a H-axis-body-action in his swing mechanics, the modern swing golfer, virtually all Tour golfers, increased the physical effort to make an effective shot as well as greater strain of the lumbar spine compared to earlier swing techniques.

Tournament golfers use the same tactics to power their club head on the down swing. The mechanics of this "power move" is the horizontal-axis-shoulders-action - described over 50 years ago, but largely ignored.

This report gives a freestanding description of the H-axis shoulders action and a perspective about its role in a modern swing technique for striking a golf ball.

Now 28 years of age (2018) Ryu So-yeon has been a major competitor on the LPGA Tour since she was 17 years old. Graphic analysis based on snips from online videos of her making a swing supported deconstruction of her modern golf swing into functional units. These document that her swing mechanics differed from top U.S. LPGA contenders in being more energy efficient and less complex.

The author applied graphic analysis and snip studies to delineate the golf swing mechanics and tactics of Francesco Molinari, who recently won the British Open, July 2018.

His swing technique which significantly avoided body rotation as a tactic and which used roll-through-impact tactics translated to minimal lower back strain in a proven, world class method for swinging a golf club.

From a historical perspective Harry Vardon's technique for swinging a golf club marked both a move away from earlier methods as well as an initial point toward evolution of the "modern swing". This report explores what he did in terms of functional units and mechanics.


The data supports that viewed through the lens of science, Vardon's swing mechanics were more efficient and less likely to injure a golfer than the modern swing technique of today's Tour players

Harry Vardon's introduction of passive hands along with roll-through-impact tactics became the foundation for evolution toward the modern golf swing mechanics used today. The report-in-hand illustrates the significant modifications through the years - a background for understanding misdirection as well as opportunities for reengineering to follow.

While Vardon's most recognized contribution to the golf swing has been his way of gripping the club, his through impact tactics, in which his hands were passive have had equal impact on the evolution of swing mechanics. His roll-through-impact action, in which his club head turned around the longitudinal axis of his left, non-dominant forearm, put centripetal acceleration as the major mechanism for club head speed.

This brief report shows Vardon's swing as the earliest demonstration of the "roll-through-impact" tactic.

Part 2 of the Jack Nicklaus functional swing deconstruction uses graphic analysis of video snips to reveal his swing mechanics.

His weak grip and roll-through-impact hands action were associated with swing mechanics different than those of a strong grip modern swing.

The reader may be provoked to ponder why the square to square through impact tactic became "standard" on the PGA Tour when Bobby Jones, Ben Hogan, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus were "rollers".

The focal issue is how can a nerd, "Those who do not read deeply, cannot think deeply", and a jock, "What works in practice can't be wrong in theory" exchange ideas when they lack a common perspective. If there is agreement on a question, a series of relevant snips can support or refute the "brain child" of either.

The intent of this work is demonstration of how graphic analysis golf swing deconstruction and functional units of the swing can be applied to generate a "picture supported" point of view that does not require a STEM background for comprehension.

Functional swing deconstruction based on snip studies revealed details of the Jack Nicklaus swing mechanics that were different than those of a typical modern swing Tour player. Use of a weak grip coupled with roll-through-impact tactics played such a central role in the composition of his other tactics that Part 1 of his swing study explores the impact and logic of roll-through-impact tactics on his total swing action.

It is a prelude to reports that follow.

Functional units, derived from graphic analysis of modern swing mechanics, served as "tools" for deconstructing the swing of Sandra Carlborg, 5X WLDA Champion, and contrasting her swing mechanics with typical modern swing techniques.

The focal research issue questioned whether she was so dominant because she executed modern swing mechanics in a superior fashion or did she employ superior mechanics. Snip studies supported the latter.

Here are instructions for learning the BAD SNAP golf swing, an intelligent design, reengineered version of the Tour-dominant DSI plane Type 4 technique. With mechanics that optimize centripetal acceleration, the BAD SNAP swing...
...is equal, or greater, for shot power than a modern swing,
...is suitable for golfers of all ages,
...is free of lower back strain,
...is deconstructed to permit serial learning,
...is made with moves guided by the golfer's thoughts, cognitive control,
...is validated by published snip studies that are available online.

Deconstruction of modern swing mechanics enabled a reengineering effort that isolated centripetal acceleration as the dominant swing feature. With fractions of the swing functionally defined, a serial swing-learning-strategy with cognitive control became possible.

This first of two-part instructions for the "BAD SNAP" swing describes the elements of cognitive control as adapted for a golf swing.

The author offers a narrative that accounts the evolution of the modern golf swing. He proposes that changes in swing mechanics were shaped by a imitation of the "best swings of the day" intermixed with adaptations to changes in the golf club itself.

Along the developmental timeline, the swing mechanics of Tour golfers diverged from those of everybody else - by default: recreational golfers. At no point was there any evidence of intelligent design; therefore a number of opportunities for improvement in swing mechanics were surfaced.

Graphic analysis of swing snips provided the source data.

This follow up to Part 1 of the BAD SNAP swing technique gives a "bare bones" illustration of the tactics that comprise a basic SNAP swing. It precedes a detailed version that will include cognitive control. The intended audience is golfers who are averse to lengthy text, but who might desire to test a basic SNAP swing.

Deconstruction of the power action in the modern golf swing enabled an "intelligent design" strategy for reengineering. Graphic (snips) analysis offered visual demonstration of evidence to support the theory and logic of a swing technique focused on maximizing centripetal acceleration as the critical mechanism for club head acceleration.

Preservation of modern swing power while eliminating significant lumbar spine strain are "high points" of the BAD SNAP swing technique.

Part 2 will follow, and provide detailed instructions on mastering the kinematic sequence of this swing.

The down swing of a modern swing golfer can be divided into a part in which the golfer applies a positive torque on his club and another part through which he applies negative torque. The present report describes deconstruction of the positive torque portion; in a modern swing this region extends from just before transition until the point at which the non-dominant arm is parallel to the ground. Snip studies define the mechanics of the swing through this "power action" region.

Snip analysis, a graphics analysis derivative, documented differences between the golf swings of Tour versus recreational golfers, "Joe Golfer". While "Tour Golfer" made his power action through transition and into his upper down swing, "Joe Golfer" made his through his lower down swing - below UDS 1.

Tactical actions through the dominant shoulder were distinctly different in terms of both mechanics and kinematics. These differences served as a reliable proxy for the complex, associated moves of both Tour and recreational golfers.

The recommendation of Tour swing tactics to recreational golfers lacks objective support. An opportunity for improvement exists.

The core mechanics of the modern golf swing require strong lumbar spinal strain as an essential tactic for applying torque on the club through transition. This report presents the data that supports and justifies that conclusion.

The shoulder turn in the swing is predominantly a rotation of the thorax on the pelvis - an action supported by the lumbar spine. Through the power action of the modern swing that happens through transition, the lumbar spine functions as a rigid link between the thorax and pelvis; severe strain of the spine results.

A modern swing golfer accepts a back strain related risk for back pain.

Because DSI plane concepts for dissecting a golf swing arose from study of the modern golf swing, a question of how its principles would apply to understanding uniquely different swing mechanics. The cross-handed swing of J0sh Broadaway afforded to demonstrate such an analysis.

This report details the tactics and mechanics of the cross-handed golf swing as demonstrated by a DSI plane-graphic analysis strategy.

The basic technique for an intelligently-designed-golf-swing-technique centered on angular velocity was described in a previous report on the BAD SLAP SWING. The current work assumes the reader to be familiar with that material and to have mastered the basic-slap-swing-drill. Emphasis in the preceding report was on precise form and cognitive control of the golfer's swing mechanics; increasing the swing power by building on the basic technique constitutes the present effort. As before, three domains are considered: 1) mechanics, 2) cognitive neuroscience, and 3) specific tactics.

Instruction about making an intelligent design golf swing comprises the bulk of this report. The BAD slap swing technique centers upon use of a hands and arms lever scheme that maximizes angular velocity as the core mechanistic concept. The method differs from the modern swing in not depending upon body rotation as a power source and not straining a golfer's lumbar spine while supporting a serial learning strategy.

Core mechanical, cognitive neuroscientific, and specific tactical factors justify this slap swing as an alternative and improvement to the modern swing.

Because a Vardon overlapping grip of a golf club results in a short lever for applying torque on a golfer's club, his hands "work as a unit" with a near passive role in the power action of the stroke. Use of a ten finger, split, offset grip, as described in this report, supports active hands to power the swing. On this basis alternatives to modern swing mechanics can be designed with benefits of improved energy efficiency and opportunity for serial, versus implicit, learning strategies.

The grip will be fundamental to swing techniques to follow.

Snip studies of the modern golf swing indicate that it is mechanically inefficient, kinematically more complex than alternative techniques, and high strain on the lumbar spine. Lack of mechanical advantage at the hands-club lever system constrains power action to the top of the swing, and thereby forces particular tactics to be included in the modern swing technique.
The study advances possibilities for energy efficient alternative swing mechanics that could support serial learning strategies.

Type 1 and type 3 Downswing Inertial Plane Swing techniques are similar in that rotation of the golfer's shoulders and arms are linked to his body rotation as he moves through his upper down swing. High fps video imaging displays the similarities as well as the differences in uncomplicated swings as well as some of the swing inefficiencies, complications, that a golfer can impose upon himself.

Type 2 and Type 4 DSI plane swings differ from Types ! and 3 in that the golfer's shoulders and arms rotation through his upper down swing is not linked to his body rotation. High fps video imaging shows the essential features as well as some of the complications that a golfer inflicts upon himself.

Current golf dogma views the golf swing as a discreet, not a serial, motor action. Consequently golf swing teaching strategies are out of synch with those of complex motor skill development in other sports. The relevant points of divergence between modern golf concepts and cognitive neuroscience are discussed.

Down swing inertial planes (DSI) of top ranked men and women golfers along with dominant players of the modern era comprised the study subjects. Previous 'Foundational Concepts' served as the method for classification. The Type 4 DSI plane, one in which arms and body rotation is not linked in the upper down swing, was the most common. Pictorial evidence for each subject comprises the bulk of the paper.

Because Gene Sarazen developed his golf swing before the advent of steel shafts, his technique could not have been the 'Modern swing'. This study utilized a graphic analysis technique based on video snips to define his method. Essential differences are illustrated and interpreted.