The Rotary Swing Book

by Chuck Quinton

by Chuck Quinton

View "Golf Biomechanics - Tiger Woods and Chuck Quinton Core Driven Driver Swing" Video
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I know many of you are eager to learn more about the biomechanical changes I've been making to my golf swing and how it relates to powerful swings of other great athletes. In this video, I'm giving a light introduction to some of these changes and how you can begin to focus in on some of the key aspects of moving the body correctly, in the correct sequence for maximum power and efficiency. In this video, I'm using Tiger Woods as a model of the proper core movements to power the downswing. Tiger's swing has long been marveled for it's power and in this video you can see how he uses his body to uncoil for serious speed.

As I mention in the video, the goal is not to get a student to "swing like Tiger Woods". The point is to educate on the proper use of the body and the athletic coiling and uncoiling motion seen in every athletic endeavor like hitting and throwing in baseball. A lot of interesting research has been done in this field, especially as it pertains to baseball and tennis and there is some information that is worth reading that has nothing to do with golf. An article that has a mixture of both can be found at http://www.aroundhawaii.com/lifestyle/health_and_fitness/2008-10-tigers-transition.html. The most useful information in this article is actually the animated photos near the bottom of the page with a rear view of Tiger Woods and a top amateur golfer. It is abundantly clear how much Tiger uses his hips and his left glute in particular for power and stability in his downswing. Without knowing anything about golf, it is obvious that Tiger "looks" more powerful in his movement than the amateur, and, in fact, he is. That's not to say this amateur is not a fine player, you don't have to move biomechanically correctly to become a superb golfer. But, if you want to move at maximum efficiency, generate maximum power with the least amount of effort, and protect your body in the process, then it's well worth your time to learn more.

Using a side by side face on view of Tiger Woods with a driver and a recent swing of mine with a driver, you can begin to see the similarities in movement. I'm far from being as sound as Tiger in my movements, but given the limited amount of work I have done, it is very exciting to see the progress. More importantly, it is quantifiable progress. For instance, my clubhead speed has gone up, well, wildly at this point. As you might have seen on my blog recently, I posted a 112 mph swing..... With an 8 iron. Given that I'm 5'9" and 155 pounds, that's a lot of speed and I fully attribute it to the changes I've made biomechanically. Now, of course, that speed is only possible because I already have good "golf swing mechanics." So, just because you move better biomechanically doesn't mean it's going to directly correlate to 220 yard 8 irons (sounds fun though, huh?). No, the truth is that they must be melded together, good biomechanics and good golf swing mechanics equal powerful, consistent golf that is safe and pain free. That makes this very exciting stuff! Imagine playing golf late into retirement completely injury free and still smoking 280 yard drives down the middle. Sound good? Then watch this video and begin to understand the proper use of the core to power the downswing!

Note how, early into the downswing, the weight has moved onto the left foot. This is not new, but what is new is HOW the weight was moved using the proper core muscles.