Greetings Golfers,
A week ago today, the Tour boys were playing the second round of the 3M tournament in Blaine. The course was wet and loaded with water hazards … the young guys who could hit it high and far were taking over the leaderboard.
On Sunday, two rookies from California were in the final group – Matthew Wolff and Collin Morikawa. They both needed to eagle the 72nd hole to win tournament. Wolff eagled and Morikawa’s eagle putt just missed. Who are these guys!
Matt Wolff is only 20 years old. Playing for Oklahoma State, he won the NCAA tournament about 7 weeks ago. Not only is Wolff a ridiculously good player, he also has a very unusual swing. Even before winning the 3M … he was the subject of constant swing critique on golf internet boards.
In an era of video, golf swings had become much more robotic than in the past. Maybe the recent era of Trackman numbers allows unique swings if the numbers are better. Whatever the reason, Wolff’s swing brought back memories of “flawed” swings like Miller Barber, Eamon Darcy, Calvin Peete, Doug Sanders, and Larry Nelson. Those were all great players who made a “weird” upright move on the backswing.
Jim Furyk makes a similar move and gets the club back in the slot every time. To me, getting the club into the slot is the point of the golf swing. Also, a move that starts the swing so that it can get down into the slot is also a priority. Wolff does both. He initiates his backswing with a big turn of his hips towards the target, then rebounds with a backswing that goes almost straight up and “crosses the line” at the top. I love it. That initial hip move is athletic and gets him going. That position at the top allows him to pull the club DOWN into the slot. He can not come over the top with that move.
Those two moves are heresy to the modern swing. Old school golfers used to rock left and then rock back right to initiate their backswing. Sort of like a pitcher rocking forward to get the windup going or a tennis player rocking on the serve. At the Ryder Cup I couldn’t believe how rigid the players looked.
Hopefully Wolff’s success will free up a bunch of golf swings and instruction. I’m not saying Wolff’s swing is for everyone. Lot’s of people are more comfortable with a flatter swing with less movement … that’s great as long as they can get the club into the slot. There are many ways to swing the golf club as long as it gets back into the slot.
Well, the 3M tournament definitely got into the slot. What a debut! And its champion also got his first victory. I think we’re seeing the start of a new superstar.
Cheers,
Tom Abts
GM/Head PGA Professional
tabts@deerrungolf.com
Deer Run Golf Club
8661 Deer Run Drive
Victoria, MN 55386
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