Mastering the Golf Swing: A Comprehensive Analysis of Charles’ Swing with Liam Mucklow

When it comes to improving your golf swing, understanding the mechanics and forces at play is crucial. Recently, Liam had the opportunity to review one of Charles’ early swings, and we asked him to walk through the analysis and the steps he took to refine his technique. From body positioning to force generation, here’s how Liam tackled the challenges and enhanced his performance.

The first step in analysing Charles’ swing was setting up the camera correctly. Positioning it parallel to the target line and in line with the trail elbow allows us to draw an accurate plane line from the hosel of the club through the trail elbow. This setup gives a clear visual representation of the club path.

One of the positives in Charles’ swing was his early body rotation, which is ahead of most amateurs. Additionally, the club face aligned parallel to his spine—a key indicator of a solid setup. However, some early sway was evident, with the pelvis sliding back out of position. This was a simple correction we’ll discuss later.

As we analyzed further, the lower body mechanics revealed significant issues:

• Pelvis Over-Rotation: The pelvis rotated excessively, shifting Charles’ weight onto his right foot, which compromised medial pressure.
• Knee Extension: The trail knee fully extended, making it difficult to achieve ballistic rotation to the left.

This combination created a scenario akin to “trying to shoot a cannon out of a canoe.” Without a stable base, generating power and maintaining consistency becomes a challenge.

Looking at the horizontal force profile, we observed:

• Early Force Drop: The right foot dropped force early, leading to premature hip sliding.
• Slow Force Ramp-Up: The force buildup was slow, akin to a diesel engine rather than rocket fuel.
• Late Peak Magnitudes: The peak forces occurred too late, affecting the sequence of motion.

Torque force, derived from the interaction of the feet with the ground, showed promise but was hindered by late generation. The right hip driving closer and the left hip pushing away were not in sync, limiting rotational efficiency.

Vertical force analysis revealed minimal force generation. At key moments, Charles’ body weight decreased, leading to instability and a late buckle in his swing. This lack of vertical force hindered his ability to resist the downward pull of speed through impact.

Using my own swing as a comparison, several key differences emerged:

• Horizontal Force: My force profile ramped up faster and more explosively, providing a stronger base for forward motion.
• Knee and Pelvis Position: I maintained slight knee flexion and avoided over-rotating the pelvis, preserving medial pressure.
• Torque and Vertical Forces: My torque forces peaked earlier, and vertical force was timed to resist the downward pull of the swing effectively.

These differences highlighted areas where Charles could make immediate improvements.

To address the foundational issues, we:

1. Introduced an Uphill Surface: Placing Charles on an 8-degree incline on the Zen Swing Stage forced him to brace stronger with his trail leg, reducing sway and increasing horizontal force magnitude and ramp-up speed.
2. Widened the Stance: Adding four inches to his stance created greater lower body stability.

• Force Improvements: Horizontal and torque forces increased significantly in magnitude and occurred earlier in the sequence.
• Stability Gains: The widened stance reduced sway, improved pelvis rotation, and eliminated the late buckle.
• Dynamic Force Patterns: Over time, Charles’ force patterns became more explosive and dynamic, leading to better consistency and power.

Analysing and improving a golf swing requires a deep understanding of mechanics, forces, and sequencing. By addressing the foundational issues in Charles’ swing—from lower body stability to force generation—we were able to make substantial improvements. With continued practice and refinement, Charles is well on his way to achieving a more efficient and powerful swing.

For anyone looking to improve their golf game, remember: the first step is understanding your current mechanics. From there, targeted adjustments can make all the difference.