Is there an ideal body type for golf?

[hoselrocker]

What I mean are there ideal arm/leg/torso proportions? Has anybody compiled data? The tour of course is populated with all kinds of body types but as an amateur I'm thinking there is some benefit if you have a genetic leg up?

 

I'm characterized as a torso man, thanks to the old man. I top out at 6 foot. The rest of my family are all monsters in the 6 two to three and above range. I have shorter legs like at about a 32 inseam and the rest is torso and arms built for hauling suitcases!

 

When I do the wingspan drill I come in at 6 four which is an advantage for swimming but not so much for golf me thinks. When I take my stance with a little leg flex my arms are hanging pretty low which I believe forces me into a flatter swing.

When I choke down on the club I feel more free to swing and make better contact but I lose distance.

 

Is the wrist to floor measure a good method of base-lining club length because its a static exercise and doesn't account for dynamic action?

 

Just musing out loud...TGIF! Players weekend!

[CaddiesFault]

You see a lot more tall, lanky players on tour these days. Longer levers = longer shots. Id like to see some data on it too, but the tour is def getting taller.

[hoselrocker]

You see a lot more tall, lanky players on tour these days. Longer levers = longer shots. Id like to see some data on it too, but the tour is def getting taller.

 

Yeah were making bigger kids these days. My daughters boyfriend is 6 four. He's not an avid golfer but once a year we get out for a round. This kid gets up on the tee and with no practice just pounds it. Kind of answers my question I suppose...

[hybrid25]

You see a lot more tall, lanky players on tour these days. Longer levers = longer shots. Id like to see some data on it too, but the tour is def getting taller.

Rory McIlroy

5' 9"

161 lbs

[DavePelz4]

Adam Scott - 1 major

 

Craig Stadler - 1 major

 

The ball doesn't care what your body looks like.

[hoselrocker]

You see a lot more tall, lanky players on tour these days. Longer levers = longer shots. Id like to see some data on it too, but the tour is def getting taller.

Rory McIlroy

5' 9"

161 lbs

 

Understood, but these guys are gifted pros with a full time job hitting balls. As an amateur though, there must be an athletic advantage if your levers are all well proportioned right out of the box?

 

I don't have well proportioned levers and therefore need to make it all work together somehow.

[Krt22]

You see a lot more tall, lanky players on tour these days. Longer levers = longer shots. Id like to see some data on it too, but the tour is def getting taller.

Rory McIlroy

5' 9"

161 lbs

 

Look at everyone else in the top 20. A large majority are 6ft+.

 

There will always be outliers much mechanical advantage is a never a bad thing

[chigolfer1]

You see a lot more tall, lanky players on tour these days. Longer levers = longer shots. Id like to see some data on it too, but the tour is def getting taller.

 

On the other hand, I'm 6'2", skinny and lanky and I suck, lol.

[NikeGolferTX]

IMO long forearms, long torso and shorter legs for lower center of gravity.

[SirFuego]

What I mean are there ideal arm/leg/torso proportions? Has anybody compiled data? The tour of course is populated with all kinds of body types but as an amateur I'm thinking there is some benefit if you have a genetic leg up?

 

I'm characterized as a torso man, thanks to the old man. I top out at 6 foot. The rest of my family are all monsters in the 6 two to three and above range. I have shorter legs like at about a 32 inseam and the rest is torso and arms built for hauling suitcases!

 

32" inseam is considered shorter legs for someone that is 6' tall?

 

I'm 6' tall with a 29-30" inseam and I need to wear "tall" shirts or I they come untucked anytime I rotate my upper body or lift my arms for something...

[thejazzmarauder]

I'm 6'5 with long legs and short arms. It's not terrible, as I get plenty of distance without having long arms to have to control. On the downside, I'm a long way from the ball, so setup with short irons and wedges isn't comfortable.

[PorscheFan]

There's a preferred body type for a cart girl, but I haven't seen any published research on that...

 

I think the great thing about golf is that there are plenty of ways to get the ball in the hole, and there's no body type that can't get it done.

[ronstars]

This and this alone...absolute UNIT

 

 

[BB28403]

Molinari 5’8, koepka 5’11 1/2, Spieth 6’1, Reed 6’, Fleetwood 5’11

 

Stop grasping for excuses why your game might be doomed. They can make you into a golfing machine IF YOU put the work in.

[Matt J]

tall and skinny

[Man_O_War]

Ian Woosnam.

 

 

The golf swing is easy at his height and plane. little maintenance needed.

 

6 feet on up... Faldo...gotta work at it like a dope head

[ScratchyDawg]

Ideal for what? Full swings? There are a lot of aspects to this game, and the ball doesn't care what you look like.

[MelloYello]

Broad shoulders and narrow hips.

 

Greg Norman is the perfect example.

 

This is particularly evident on the women's side as the curvy types are out-numbered by a large margin.

[tno]

If you want to refer to "how far people can hit the ball," then I'm not sure one's length matters that much. Louis Oosthuizen is 5'10", and that guy can pound the ball. Fowler and McIlroy are both 5'9" and they can drive over 3 bills. The advantage, I believe, is in the flexibility and core/leg strength. These guys are extremely flexible and have incredible core/leg strength. I think I can personally attest to this though. I haven't been working on my core/leg strength, but I have been working on my flexibility (I have also been using the SuperSpeed training system to increase my clubhead speed) for about a month, and I am already noticing a big change in distance. Not only has my swing speed increased, but I am noticing a larger degree in shoulder turn on my backswing. I am driving the ball over 300 now, and I'm 5'9". So based on my personal experience I don't think length matters as much as flexibility and core/leg strength. Those are the keys for hitting it longer.

[dcfas]

I think this body type works best:

https://mountain.descente.com/site/images/athletes/paige-spiranac/body1.jpg

 

[Krt22]

OP I have basically the same height, wingspan, and inseam. Never been called a torso man. Being 6ft with a 6'4" wingspan means I get plenty of mechanical advantage ,yet can still play standard length irons which translates to decent speed . When I get flat I suffer as well but I don't think it's my body to blame, just my setup and swing mechanics in general.

[Wesquire]

Molinari 5’8, koepka 5’11 1/2, Spieth 6’1, Reed 6’, Fleetwood 5’11

 

Stop grasping for excuses why your game might be doomed. They can make you into a golfing machine IF YOU put the work in.

 

Reed claims he is 6'???

 

He's like 3" shorter than Spieth. http://cdn.bostonsportsextra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/ryder-1200x640.jpg

[NoTalentLefty]

What I mean are there ideal arm/leg/torso proportions? Has anybody compiled data? The tour of course is populated with all kinds of body types but as an amateur I'm thinking there is some benefit if you have a genetic leg up?

 

I'm characterized as a torso man, thanks to the old man. I top out at 6 foot. The rest of my family are all monsters in the 6 two to three and above range. I have shorter legs like at about a 32 inseam and the rest is torso and arms built for hauling suitcases!

 

32" inseam is considered shorter legs for someone that is 6' tall?

 

I'm 6' tall with a 29-30" inseam and I need to wear "tall" shirts or I they come untucked anytime I rotate my upper body or lift my arms for something...

 

Me too . But mine has a gut that makes it come untucked.

[gsea33]

No, Thats why there's not one identical swing. Square up the club face period.

[BottleCap]

You see a lot more tall, lanky players on tour these days. Longer levers = longer shots. Id like to see some data on it too, but the tour is def getting taller.

Rory McIlroy

5' 9"

161 lbs

 

I have a picture of Rory with my son who was way shorter than 5'10" at the time and my son towers over him

[dpb5031]

Broad shoulders and narrow hips.

 

Greg Norman is the perfect example.

 

This is particularly evident on the women's side as the curvy types are out-numbered by a large margin.

 

^^^Not so sure about this^^^

 

Nicklaus was thick through the waiste, hips and thighs. Not only is he the GOAT, but he was one of the longest "great" players relative to the field ever to play the game. Jon Rahm is is similarly built with that low center of gravity, as was David Duval in his prime.

 

Ian Woosnam is 5'4" with his shoes on and for a stretch was the longest driver of the ball on the European Tour. So much for needing long levers...lol!

 

Ben Hogan had extraordinarily long arms for his height but it didnt seem to hurt him!

 

Stads, Lumpy, and Aphibarnrat have been very successful and are notably well-fed.

 

I dont think there's truly an ideal body type, but I'd suspect being taller than about 6'4" does present some challenges.

[MK7Golf21]

Flexibility for being able to rotate easily and create levers that deliver the club to the ball with room. Generally this is slender and flexible build. Being slender helps with having to walk the terrain of an 18 hole course and not get tired as well. Of course there are exceptions like John Daly etc but we are talking ideal general build. Look at tiger woods in 2000 as example and tiger in his youth,

[BMC]

Hogan and Tom Watson - 5'8". I don't think there's an ideal body type.

[oikos1]

No.

 

The 7 golfers with the most PGA Tour wins

• Billy Casper. PGA Tour wins: 51. ... 5'11"
  
• Byron Nelson. PGA Tour wins: 52. ... 6'1"
  
• Arnold Palmer. PGA Tour wins: 62. ... 5'10"
  
• Ben Hogan. PGA Tour wins: 64. ... 5'8"
  
• Jack Nicklaus. PGA Tour wins: 73. ... 5'10"
  
• Tiger Woods. PGA Tour wins: 80. ... 6'1"
  
• Sam Snead. PGA Tour wins: 82. 5'11"
  

[BottleCap]

Phil Mickelson is pear shaped