Just wanted to take the time to show a couple different golf swings that most golfers are familiar with, to demonstrate two distinct ways to generate power.
These are the swings of Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson. Dustin Johnson ranked 4th in driving distance in 2019, while Koepka ranked 10th.
I should note that neither swing fits the model that any teacher teaches…they are two very distinct golf swings that demonstrate you don’t need a perfect looking golf swing to play great golf.
Both men are very athletic and very strong, so if you want to bomb it, athleticism and strength are two key factors.
Beyond that, the one thing these two have in common, as they do with other pros, is their swing sequence. I demonstrate the proper swing sequence here.
Ok, let’s take a brief look at these two swings.
The main thing I wanted to point out with each swing is their impact position, particularly their hips.
At impact, Dustin Johnson’s hips are very open, nearly facing the target. The position of his hips at impact is very similar to that of Ben Hogan. Rory McIlroy has a similar position, as do many long hitters.
On the other hand, Koepka’s hips are virtually square to the ball. This is an unusual position for a long hitter. Have a look at the positions below.
This is Dustin Johnson just through impact. His hips are nearly pointed at the target. Notice also that his weight is on the heel of his left foot, which has opened a bit with the hips.
Here is Koepka at impact. His hips are barely open, his left leg is perfectly straight, as is his right, and his left toe is pointing toward where the ball was.
Where Koepka seems to generate more power is his use of the ground when he posts up on his left leg, and the lag he creates in his down swing. Have a look at the two photos below of both golfers halfway down.
I like looking at these halfway down views to compare the angle of the clubshaft to the lead forearm. In the case of most amateur golfers, the clubshaft will be leaning away from the target.
In this case with Dustin Johnson, the club is still leaning toward the target. This means his transition from the top of his swing began with the lower body. Most amateurs lead with the upper body.
Now take a look at Brooks Koepka in the same position.
In the case of Brooks Koepka, you can see that his clubshaft is still leaning substantially toward the target at the halfway down position. This means he has created quite a bit of lag, and the club will whip through impact with a lot of speed.
Here is the deal with both of these golfers…they are gifted athletically, in different ways. Dustin Johnson has very flexible hips, while Koepka has very flexible wrists. Both, are very strong.
So what does this all mean for the average golfer?
First, it is critical that you improve your sequencing. That will automatically had more power to your swing.
Beyond that, train… improve your strength and flexibility. This way, you’ll be able to maximize your own athletic ability.
Brooks and DJ are gifted athletes who work hard at their craft. This is why they are among the best in the world. If you want to maximize your own potential as a golfer, put in the work, and it will pay off.
Now get to it!
