Instruction

Should golfers over 50 try the square-to-square golf swing?

Published

10 years ago

Dec 23, 2013

If you have been looking for golf swing instruction on the Internet lately, you have probably noticed the recent surge in various golf swing techniques being offered. Vertical golf swings, Moe Norman golf swings, rotary golf swings, stack and tilt golf swings, etc.

One swing that I have been studying lately is the “new” square-to-square golf swing. I say the “new” golf swing because there was a “square-to-square” golf swing proposed in the late 1960s and early 70s that is different from the one advertised today. However, some components of that past swing are present in the “new” swing, but the current version appears to be be much more palpable.

In preparation for this article, I sat down with tour player Sam Goulden and discussed the basics of this new swing theory. Here are the highlights from that interview.

The Setup

Compared to the modern golf swing, the square-to-square golf swing recommends a slightly stronger grip, and presets the hands forward to help keep the club face square.

“The preset stronger grip does two things,” Goulden said. “Along with the kickstand trail foot, the preset helps ensure that the bottom of the arc is on the target side of the ball. [A] stronger grip makes it easier to keep the face square longer in the backswing. See Zach Johnson.”

Conventional golf swing wisdom says that the spine should be tilted slightly toward the trail leg to promote a more flat or ascending blow to the ball with the driver. With the irons, the spine should be vertical to promote a more descending blow to the ball. However, Goulden instructs golfers to preload the trail leg with all clubs.

“When pre-loading the trail leg, it’s actually the feeling of having a kickstand or support as you turn,” he said. “So at address, more weight will not be on the trail leg even though we want to feel “pressure” there. [Put] pressure on the ball of trail foot.”

The Takeaway

Keep your spine rotation centered with no posterior shift. You may also find this teaching in the stack and tilt golf swing.

Start the takeaway by “nudging” the lead shoulder down instead of initiating the swing with the arms moving back. This is a considered a “more square” backswing since the shoulders initiate the first part of the backswing. Golfers should avoid lifting their arms and rolling their wrists open. This keeps the club face slightly more closed, instead of rolling the wrists so the toe of the club is facing directly up. From here, the backswing is continued with rotation: no arm lift or vertical motion.

“[Keep] the club more comparatively square until about half-way up in the takeaway and allow the golf club face to then move naturally with the body turn,” Goulden said.

The trail leg is allowed to rotate and slightly extend, but no lateral knee motion is allowed. This is consistent with most swings.

Square-to-Square Swing Differences in the Through Swing

When I interviewed Sam Goulden, he stated that one of the most critical components of the square-to-square swing is to pause the swing slightly at the top. This gives the lower body a chance to move before the upper body to prevent an over-the-top swing motion and help the swing get on the right plane.

He further instructs that golfers should feel the lead shoulder moving back upward toward the target. I see the benefit of this in getting the swing back on plane, but you would have to avoid the tendency of pulling out of the swing. Focusing on keeping your spine angle consistent through the impact position would accomplish this.

Another big difference is that you want to focus on maintaining a square club face traveling down the target line as long as you can. Of course you don’t want to get carried away with this by contorting your swing. Once your arms travel past a certain point, you want to naturally allow them to turn around the body.

Physical Benefits of the Square to Square Golf Swing

For the golfer over 50, the appealing aspect of the square-to-square golf swing is its more limited impact on the body. More limited motion at the wrists and shoulders should reduce the risk of injury.

The focus of the swing is rotation. This can be a benefit to some, but might be detrimental to others. Four-time PGA Tour winner Doug Tewell promotes a three-quarters or less backswing to minimize spinal motion, but if rotation causes you back pain, this may not be the swing for you.

You can limit the rotation of your individual spinal segments by rotating your trail foot outward 20 degrees. This allows more hip rotation which is generally frowned upon by proponents of the modern swing and the X-Factor. However, if you have a lot of pain, the modern golf swing may no longer be a good option for you anyway.

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Ryan York

Doctor of Physical Therapy and Certified Golf Performance Specialist, Dr. Ryan York has been working exclusively with golfers between the ages of 50-75 since 2008. York co-directs Age Defying Golf at http://agedefyinggolf.com/ which is dedicated to improving Golf Performance, reducing the effects of “age”, and resolving golf related pain in golfers between the ages of 50-75.

35 Comments

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Pingback: 8 Myths by Doug Tewell and Arron Oberholser on Betterswingsecret.com - US Golf TV
- jay henman
  
  May 12, 2015 at 9:11 pm
  
  I just got off Doug Tewell’s 28 minute spew to see the free videos..there were none..every
  5 minutes we were going to see video..never did see anything..I had to buy them to see them.
  a ripoff ..no integrity here.. don’t waste your time or money on this sham presentation.
  
  Reply Report comment
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Pingback: Square To Square Golf Swing Review | Golf Swing Tips
Graham

Jul 12, 2014 at 10:20 am

I have been using a swing much like this for years. When, as seems to happen in golf, I start to have problems, pros and friends tell me my club face is closed as it goes back. When I try to use a more classic swing with weaker grip I really get screwed up. Then I watch the Zach Johnson and some others, and decide to go back to what I have always done.

Presently, I have been hitting shots thin, pulling to left, hitting off toe and generally having trouble keeping face square at impact. Trying restricted backswing with acceleration through ball, and it has improved ball striking.

I will have a look at the videos – hopefully find link that is currently missing. Being 74 with less and less flexibility may be part of my problem!

Reply Report comment
- John
  
  Dec 28, 2017 at 2:14 am
  
  Sir…playing at 74…while trying to always seek improvement is most admirable. Thank you sir!!!
  
  Reply Report comment
preston

Jan 1, 2014 at 7:21 pm

Basically, you want people to set up on the impact position and swing form there. Problem is, you have to remember to set up one way for driver, another way for irons, and anther way for hybrids. This whole article seems like an advertisement for the latest fad. People, just go to a reputable PGA pro and learn the basic fundamentals.

Reply Report comment
Me

Dec 27, 2013 at 2:48 am

Isn’t this the same as stack & tilt?

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Steve

Dec 26, 2013 at 11:45 am

I think that if the readers would focus on the concept rather than Square to Square that there would be fewer negative comments. The swing is actually a very centered swing around the spine as an axis. The takeaway with the left shoulder (RH) working down and back is what Carl Lorehn advocated in One Move to Better Golf in the early 70s. It is very simple move and works. I started using it because I tended to come up and hit too many thin shots.

Reply Report comment
- Ryan
  
  Dec 28, 2013 at 2:37 am
  
  Steve, thank you for your comment. I agree, the name appears to be the hang up
  
  Reply Report comment
Mateo

Dec 26, 2013 at 1:48 am

Wow. Any golfer that wants to get worse………… read this article. Nice work.

Reply Report comment
- Sam
  
  Dec 26, 2013 at 9:37 am
  
  Could you explain this Mateo?
  
  Reply Report comment
Eric

Dec 24, 2013 at 10:03 pm

This is a direct result of a basic fundamental ” the grip” being strong. I agree that this is beneficial for senior golfers who want hit the ball low and roll the ball onto the green. It is beneficial for students who have wrist problems. Think of this as a type of golf shot. Not a swing fix!

Reply Report comment
benseattle

Dec 24, 2013 at 8:50 pm

Curious about an online ad I noticed about a golf swing involving “one weird trick,” I made the mistake of clicking on the link. There was former tour pro Doug Tewell touting his version of the Square To Square swing. Ho hum… moving on.

Well, not exactly.

For WEEKS… perhaps even MONTHS afterward, I couldn’t go on the internet without seeing that Same Damn Ad popping up. Google’s marketing algorithm was in relentless overdrive, shoving the same “weird” ad down my throat over and over.

If I recall correctly, Jim Flick introduced the square-to-square swing to the world in the early 70’s and it screwed up so many golfers that he spent the next 40 years apologizing.

So you’re “over 50” and you want to try THIS? Good luck, pal.

Reply Report comment
- Sam
  
  Dec 26, 2013 at 9:36 am
  
  It’s interesting that so many people find square to square a difficult concept to accept. Zach Johnson won a major with it and most recently held off Tiger Woods by holing out a wedge on the final hole.
  Doug Tewell’s method is not the same as mine but he was a tour winner.
  I personally have made 8 holes in one using this method.
  My students are scoring better than ever.
  I’m not saying that it’s the most amazing method ever but to discount a swing which has produced multiple wins on tour seems a little harsh.
  I’m happy to speak with anyone who needs more clarity on my approach to Square to Square. I’m confident that the confusion is due more to a misunderstanding of the concepts than anything else.
  636-221-4133 if you would like to talk 🙂
  Happy holidays!
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Hayssam
    
    May 20, 2014 at 1:19 pm
    
    Hi Sam, your method wich I discovered on youtube is really worth trying for any skill Level, I was convinced from the first shots that it’s really consistant and easy to put in practice.
    I never thought that I could switch to another technique than the classical one, but yours is much more repeatable and I would advice it to any new golfer taking up the game.
    Thank you and best regards
    
    Reply Report comment
  - Adam
    
    Jul 27, 2014 at 8:15 am
    
    Sam
    
    I have seen your online videos on youtube and incorporated those principles you speak of in them. I have dropped from a 7 handicap to a 5. It works. My fairways stats have improved and I am averaging 12 gir. I have always looked for swings that work for tall golfers and this method is gold. Thankyou for your teachings Sam.
    
    Reply Report comment
- GolferX
  
  Dec 27, 2013 at 2:44 pm
  
  Try downloading Adblocker! It will cancel those ads and then some.
  
  Reply Report comment
- Patrick Doherty
  
  Dec 30, 2013 at 6:29 pm
  
  I am 55 years old, a student of Sam Goulden, and have a 10 handicap. I was a range rat for 13 months before I ever played a round of golf. Had lessons from local pros, bought tons of dvds, etc. After watching Sam’s square- to – square videos I set-up a couple lessons. It was refreshing to find a simple, repeatable, swing that does not land me at the chiropractor’s office. It works for me. For the naysayers:
  
  “There is a principle which is a bar against all information, which is proof against all arguments and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance–that principle is contempt prior to investigation.”
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Jerry
    
    Mar 21, 2014 at 8:37 pm
    
    Contempt prior to investigation. I like that. I didn’t have any contempt and I’ve changed to this swing plane with its other tweaks. The result has been phenominal. Ball flight is a little lower, however accuracy and repeatability are great. These are the results I’ve been looking for.I’m 73, haven’t lost much length at all. I like the accuracy. Now, if I could just improve my putting. WOW.
    
    Reply Report comment
Martin

Dec 24, 2013 at 4:14 pm

I was really hopeful when I saw the headline, any ideas for guys with two bad knees?

Reply Report comment
- Ryan
  
  Dec 28, 2013 at 2:40 am
  
  I can help with bad knees….what is causing your knee problems? I am guessing arthritis and pain?
  
  Reply Report comment
  - Martin
    
    Dec 30, 2013 at 4:02 pm
    
    One needs to be replaced, I play with a full ACL brace and I appear to have damaged my meniscus in the other this summer. My physiotherapist theorizes the edges of the inside of little hole my thigh bone slides around is is wearing out. Sorry for the non-technical explanation, I can’t think of the right word.
    
    I have lived it the pain and instability in my left knee for a while and am using the brace to put off the inevitable replacement, the right knee problem is new and unpleasant.
    
    Reply Report comment
pav

Dec 24, 2013 at 3:25 am

Sam, you compare in your video the STS swing to Steve Striker’s swing. Seems to me like the STS swing as
you demonstrated is a heck of a lot flatter than Striker’s swing, with the club seemingly so far behind with the
left arm lower than the shoulder plane, while in Striker’s swing, the left arm is higher than his shoulder plane
and does not feel so far behind. Can you comment on that, or am I just seeing things ?

Thanks for the youtube video!

Reply Report comment
- Sam
  
  Dec 24, 2013 at 6:07 pm
  
  Pav,
  
  Thanks for having a look. It’s not essential that the plane of the swing be flat. The concept is more about keeping the face square and pre-setting the impact position with a little forward press. Some players who have components of s2s but differ in address position or plane are Zach Johnson, Steve Stricker, Dustin Johnson, and plenty more. Zach and Dustin both set up neutral and hinge on the take away. Steve Stricker sets a little forward press and then just turns his shoulders. In the end, the most important thing is the ability to get the face square to the arc with a forward low point. The book leads a little more toward a draw pattern but for myself, I hit many draws and fades throughout the round.
  
  Reply Report comment
  - pav
    
    Dec 24, 2013 at 6:57 pm
    
    Hi Sam,
    
    Thank you for the reply. I tried the S2S swing concept on the practice range this afternoon and
    it seems to work great for shorter iron (7I down, the contact was crisp with a nice divot, and the
    result was very accurate). As I move to longer iron and fairway wood and driver, it seems to get
    progressively harder, esp with the driver when I hit more pull than usual, probably from the
    feeling of over the top or the shut club face on impact with the driver. I should take a look at
    your video on S2S driver swing again to see what I am missing.
    
    Thanks and happy holidays.
    
    Reply Report comment
Ty

Dec 24, 2013 at 12:14 am

Anywhere we can see video of the new square-to-square swing?

Reply Report comment
- Sam Goulden
  
  Dec 24, 2013 at 12:34 am
  
  Ty, feel free to check out the free videos from the ebook.
  http://youtu.be/5xrV6lHE60w
  More info in the ebook but the videos should give you a good concept of the swing.
  
  Reply Report comment
steve z

Dec 23, 2013 at 9:30 pm

Square to square = total disaster, disproven many moons ago, I read the book back in the 70’s. Forget it! Go find a good PGA pro.

Reply Report comment
- Ryan
  
  Dec 24, 2013 at 12:05 am
  
  Steve z, thanks for your comment. As I mentioned in the article, this square to square swing is not the same square to square swing that was brought about in the 70’s.
  
  Only the name is similar, the two philosophies are different. Sorry for the confusion.
  
  Ryan
  
  Reply Report comment
Ian

Dec 23, 2013 at 5:28 pm

I’m 55 playing off 2. I have used a square to square swing most of my adult life. It helped promote a draw and a lower ball flight, something essential playing in Scotland in windy conditions. Now I find my swing speed slowing down I have problems getting the long irons airborne. I have recently been experimenting with more shoulder rotation and more wrist rotation and I can once again hit my long irons with the flight I am after. I play with Mizuno blades that don’t help but I could not get used to looking down at oversized cavity backs. Everydays a school day.

Reply Report comment
Sean

Dec 23, 2013 at 3:55 pm

I’m 58 Ryan. Interesting concepts. Any way you can post some diagrams? Little confused on the through swing. 🙂

Reply Report comment
- Ryan
  
  Dec 24, 2013 at 12:08 am
  
  Sean, after reading it again, it is pretty confusing without a diagram. Sorry about that!
  
  Here is a link to Sam Goulden’s youtube video where he demonstrates the these parts of the swing. Hope this helps you:
  http://youtu.be/jX1LM-rkzOw
  and
  http://youtu.be/tuBTVdoet-o
  
  Thanks
  
  Ryan
  
  Reply Report comment
- Sam Goulden
  
  Dec 24, 2013 at 12:37 am
  
  http://youtu.be/5xrV6lHE60w
  
  This is a link to the video from Chapter One of the ebook.
  
  Reply Report comment

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Instruction

Clement: Laid-off or perfect fade? Across-the-line or perfect draw?

Published

1 week ago

Apr 24, 2024

Shawn Clement

Some call the image on the left laid off, but if you are hitting a fade, this could be a perfect backswing for it! Same for across the line for a draw! Stop racking your brain with perceived mistakes and simply match backswing to shot shape!

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Instruction

The Wedge Guy: The easiest-to-learn golf basic

Published

1 month ago

Mar 29, 2024

Terry Koehler

My golf learning began with this simple fact – if you don’t have a fundamentally sound hold on the golf club, it is practically impossible for your body to execute a fundamentally sound golf swing. I’m still a big believer that the golf swing is much easier to execute if you begin with the proper hold on the club.

As you might imagine, I come into contact with hundreds of golfers of all skill levels. And it is very rare to see a good player with a bad hold on the golf club. There are some exceptions, for sure, but they are very few and very far between, and they typically have beat so many balls with their poor grip that they’ve found a way to work around it.

The reality of biophysics is that the body moves only in certain ways – and the particulars of the way you hold the golf club can totally prevent a sound swing motion that allows the club to release properly through the impact zone. The wonderful thing is that anyone can learn how to put a fundamentally sound hold on the golf club, and you can practice it anywhere your hands are not otherwise engaged, like watching TV or just sitting and relaxing.

Whether you prefer an overlap, interlock or full-finger (not baseball!) grip on the club, the same fundamentals apply. Here are the major grip faults I see most often, in the order of the frequency:

Mis-aligned hands

By this I mean that the palms of the two hands are not parallel to each other. Too many golfers have a weak left hand and strong right, or vice versa. The easiest way to learn how to hold the club with your palms aligned properly is to grip a plain wooden ruler or yardstick. It forces the hands to align properly and shows you how that feels. If you grip and re-grip a yardstick several times, then grip a club, you’ll see that the learning curve is almost immediate.

The position of the grip in the upper/left hand

I also observe many golfers who have the butt of the grip too far into the heel pad of the upper hand (the left hand for right-handed players). It’s amazing how much easier it is to release the club through the ball if even 1/4-1/2″ of the butt is beyond the left heel pad. Try this yourself to see what I mean. Swing the club freely with just your left hand and notice the difference in its release from when you hold it at the end of the grip, versus gripping down even a half inch.

To help you really understand how this works, go to the range and hit shots with your five-iron gripped down a full inch to make the club the same length as your seven-iron. You will probably see an amazing shot shape difference, and likely not see as much distance loss as you would expect.

Too much lower (right) hand on the club

It seems like almost all golfers of 8-10 handicap or higher have the club too far into the palm of the lower hand, because that feels “good” if you are trying to control the path of the clubhead to the ball. But the golf swing is not an effort to hit at the ball – it is a swing of the club. The proper hold on the club has the grip underneath the pad at the base of the fingers. This will likely feel “weak” to you — like you cannot control the club like that. EXACTLY. You should not be trying to control the club with your lower/master hand.

Gripping too tightly

Nearly all golfers hold the club too tightly, which tenses up the forearms and prevents a proper release of the club through impact. In order for the club to move back and through properly, you must feel that the club is controlled by the last three fingers of the upper hand, and the middle two fingers of the lower hand. If you engage your thumbs and forefingers in “holding” the club, the result will almost always be a grip that is too tight. Try this for yourself. Hold the club in your upper hand only, and squeeze firmly with just the last three fingers, with the forefinger and thumb off the club entirely. You have good control, but your forearms are not tense. Then begin to squeeze down with your thumb and forefinger and observe the tensing of the entire forearm. This is the way we are made, so the key to preventing tenseness in the arms is to hold the club very lightly with the “pinchers” — the thumbs and forefingers.

So, those are what I believe are the four fundamentals of a good grip. Anyone can learn them in their home or office very quickly. There is no easier way to improve your ball striking consistency and add distance than giving more attention to the way you hold the golf club.

Clement: Stop ripping off your swing with this drill!

Published

2 months ago

Mar 4, 2024

Shawn Clement

Not the dreaded headcover under the armpit drill! As if your body is defective and can’t function by itself! Have you seen how incredible the human machine is with all the incredible feats of agility all kinds of athletes are accomplishing? You think your body is so defective (the good Lord is laughing his head off at you) that it needs a headcover tucked under the armpit so you can swing like T-Rex?

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