Swing suggestions for my unusual body type . . .

DGA3 · February 3, 2016

I'm 5'6' and about 175 pounds. I've lifted weights on and off my entire life, and have a barrel chest with large arms (luckily, I have only a 32" waist, so I'm not fat). I'm flexible: can do the seated toe touch, and can turn my shoulders 90 degrees from my waist. I've been playing golf about 15 years and have been as low as an 8 handicap, but currently rest at 13.

What's my problem? When my shoulders turn 90 degrees, my arms can only get to the 9:00 position (looking heads-on, where 6:00 is at the ground and 12:00 is above the head). Consequently, I only have about 1/2 of a backswing. My left bicep hits my left pec and I physically can't move it any further.

Usually I work out all winter and barely touch the weights during the golf season, so things get slightly better as the summer goes on (I can probably swing back to about the 10:00 position).

Any swing suggestions? I took a look at Jason Zuback's swing, and it appears that he goes extremely steep - in fact, his left arm about touches his neck. That kind of swing might be good for long drives, but it's probably not the most consistent for every day golf. I also checked out Craig Stadler's, and he, too, is very steep.

Is that the answer? I've tried that upright swing before, and it just doesn't feel comfortable.

What do you guys think?

Help, please!

BrianL99 · February 3, 2016

I think you need a copy of the "LAWS of the Golf Swing" by Mike Adams, Jim Suttie & T.J. Tomasi.

http://www.amazon.co...e/dp/0062708155

You're likely a "Width" swinger, think Craig Stadler.

UberDave223 · February 3, 2016

Always helps to post a video as well, so people with a better understanding of the swing can comment.

EDIT: PS I'm interested in comments as well since my league partner is kind of similar: he has a very "built" upper body (although a little taller) and has a lot of trouble with how tight his bicep/pec connection is in setup and swing.

Kuuuch · February 3, 2016

If you post a video more people will be able to help out

Jobu · February 3, 2016

Why do you turn your shoulders 90*? You should know why you do everything in your swing.

DGA3 · February 3, 2016

Thanks for the suggestions, so far. Much appreciated. Sorry there's no video available - maybe in the future.

Told Mrs. DGA3 about my post, and she teased me, saying, "They're going to think you are bragging about yourself!"

When I considered that, I thought - maybe she's right! I certainly didn't intend it that way, so perhaps I should phrase my problem differently . . .

I am a short, stocky guy, who - because of a larger chest - can't get his left arm anywhere close to tight/flat against my chest. Consequently, my backswing is very short.

I'm looking for suggestions or thoughts about what an effective swing would be for this type of body. Maybe there are golfers (on Tour?) who have a similar problem - maybe even somebody who has a video I could watch.

Help, please!

Yrrdead · February 3, 2016

I'm a short stocky guy , I'm not sure exactly what you mean. Your left arm is probably already touching your left pec at address after 900 it just rides up a bit. The real question is what are you looking for? More speed ? Distance? There are many guys on this board who would love to get a shorter backswing.

GungHoGolf · February 3, 2016

Look on the bright side: at least you'll never have arm overrun. Some of us have to really work to keep our arms in front of us and stop them when our shoulder turn stops.

starsail85 · February 4, 2016

Sounds like you suck your arms inside , so they have no where to go . Keep your hands in front of the chest

oldschoolrocker · February 4, 2016

The Mrs. Was right, but we are all golfers here, so that's what we do, no need for 2nd post.

Anyway, short, stocky, old guy here. I am not sure what you are asking, but I think you are saying you don't like your backswing.

Look at BrianL99's post. Good read to get some insight. Variety being the "spice of life" and all that, we are not created equal in all aspects.

More than one way to skin a cat.

Forged4ever · February 4, 2016

I don't know if this is helpful as I shy away from physical swing advice however being 6'2"/225 with a 49" chest/51 jacket, which is always a PITA as the stuff usually comes in even sizes, however My chest never stopped me from gettin it back-

I was extremely flexible my last year(2012) in the game as I was actively still playing hoops and I was Natiional Ski Patrol-

The only "key" that I ever thought of, and that was decades ago as my body and swing was the same from college on and that is my left tricep across my pec going back-

You might look at some single plane stuff and I've posted a vid of Hal's swing and while he's taller than you, he's got the barrel chest-

I got to Play with him in 2010 and '12 and along with bein a super guy(I started likin him when he scoffed at the Tour boi Tiger love and scoffed at Tiger and beat him when few others could), he's still got a sweet swing-

And he's proud of that belly, tellin me in that Texas draw, "I earned this some b****," lmao

The best to ya and have a great season :)

Fairways & Greens My Friend,

RP

KMeloney · February 4, 2016

I am taller and thinner than you, but I spent a lot of time swinging the way it sounds you do, Not before I got in front of a mirror after reading many posts on the subject here did I realize that I had no "up" to my swing. It was all "around." I'm guessing that if your bicep gets pinned on your chest, then you have no sense of raising your arms as part of your backswing.

There's space between your chest and chin that I'm betting your left arm will fit in just fine -- but you have to add some "up" to your swing.

Monte has a video on this and has talked about it plenty on this forum. It's just that there are folks who advocate that the arms don't raise at all, that your hands go up by virtue of turning your shoulders on an incline, but this thought can be damaging to folks like you and me.

trapsmv15 · February 4, 2016

Mike Adams in particular has stated that at address the left arm could set on top of the pec, not to the side, for folks with this issue.

I have a broad chest as well and lack proper external right shoulder rotation - you can either go 'up' toward the anterior like some have described, or you can stay in depth (and some width) with low hands and reverse loop a fade out of it.

I've done either and vary on it. What's right for one may not be for another. Not restricting the right hip may be another way of adding a touch of height via the body turn.

leegee38 · February 4, 2016

Gerry James, another long drive guy, was Mr. California. Not exactly short and stocky though.

Mike Dunaway played football at Arkansas, I believe, and was rather stocky.

Plenty of Youtube vids of both to check out. Both nice looking golf swings, IMO.

Forged4ever · February 4, 2016

Mike Dunaway played football at Arkansas, I believe, and was rather stocky.

Mike Dunaway was a Freak, a Beast and a Super Guy!!!

He played at Central Arkansas, where he was a Backer. He Played at 225(5'11"), though he would spend most of his LD career at 240-245. He was solid as a rock-

Oh yea, he friggin CRUSHED Norman...

CRUSHED him :)

RIP Bro....

Fairways & Greens My Friends,

RP

DGA3 · February 4, 2016

This is great stuff, all.

Thank you so much!

AlexCzervic · February 6, 2016

If you are strong but lack mobility, especially in thoracic spine, you should be a 3 barrel hitter. Always need good footwork and posture.

AC

DGA3 · February 7, 2016

What's a "3 barrel hitter?" Never heard that term before.

Another thing I think I need to work on is stretching. Besides my chest/left arm getting in the way of a bigger backswing, my lat muscles are too tight, and that is also adding to the shortness of it.

Yrrdead · February 7, 2016

What's a "3 barrel hitter?" Never heard that term before.

Another thing I think I need to work on is stretching. Besides my chest/left arm getting in the way of a bigger backswing, my lat muscles are too tight, and that is also adding to the shortness of it.

I posted some of this in another thread recently but i'll link you some of these video's of great warm up routines that should improve your mobility.

DGA3 · February 8, 2016

Yrrdead - those are some great stretches. I especially some of the work with the roller. I'm going to have to get one!

Thanks for your help.

UberDave223 · February 10, 2016

yup, great stretches. I've been doing the limber 11 for the past few days, and will be starting an exercise/stretching routine at Fore Performance (a golf/fitness place near me) this coming Monday after a TPI assessment. I'm very excited. I thought about buying new clubs but decided to put the money into fitness and some lessons: I'm confident that it will have much better results (short and long term)!

Warning, just doing the stretches will make you sore and realize how out of shape you are if you are like me and haven't worked out in a long time!

trapsmv15 · February 10, 2016

If you are strong but lack mobility, especially in thoracic spine, you should be a 3 barrel hitter. Always need good footwork and posture.

AC

Very interesting; my thoracic is trashed and not going to get better, and I've been considering this change myself.

DGA3, Lynn Blake's forum has a ton of older posts on hitting (it's a pattern based in TGM). I'm not learned enough to explain the three-barrel part but was a lurking member years ago there, and it was certainly an information-packed place.