Long Limbed Golfers

[MysteryV]

I've been studying swings of taller golfers recently as I'm 6'3, and looking to clean a few things up in my swing.  

 

While golfers like DJ, Henrik, Aberg, and Els, are all nice - what I've realized is that they're all relatively normally proportioned.  Their wingspan is the close to their height, and their legs are not overly long.

 

On the other hand, I'm 6'3, with a 6'8 wing span and much longer legs than torso - which poses slightly different challenges. 

 

Any recommendations on nice swings to check out on similarly built golfers?

 

Thanks!

[DoughBack18]

Chesson Hadley and Akshay Bhatia are in that long limbed/thinner build category. 

[MysteryV]

1 minute ago, DoughBack18 said:

Chesson Hadley and Akshay Bhatia are in that long limbed/thinner build category. 

 

Chesson is a really nice call - thank you!

 

Akshay was one that came to mind as well - but his move is not something I think I can take much from at my age.  😄. 

[ChaosTheory]

17 minutes ago, MysteryV said:

 

Chesson is a really nice call - thank you!

 

Akshay was one that came to mind as well - but his move is not something I think I can take much from at my age.  😄. 

Hadley was my first thought.  I wonder if Keegan Bradley fits?  He is 6-3 and looks like he has long arms. I’m not fond of his super flat swing.  It looks to be extra high maintenance.

Edited March 31 by ChaosTheory

[ChaosTheory]

Kuchar might be another.  He’s 6-4 and also looks like long arms.

[BombinJim]

Finau?

[MysteryV]

The problem with all of these swings is that I hate them.  😄

 

Every one has the overly hunched look which I just can't stand.  I really don't want to believe that it's necessary to play great golf - but Fiunau, Kuchar, and Keegs make a pretty compelling argument :,(

 

 

[MysteryV]

For what it's worth - I'm built very similarly to this incredibly handsome gentleman 

 

 

[OnTheBag]

1 hour ago, MysteryV said:

The problem with all of these swings is that I hate them.  😄

 

Every one has the overly hunched look which I just can't stand.  I really don't want to believe that it's necessary to play great golf - but Fiunau, Kuchar, and Keegs make a pretty compelling argument :,(

 

 

See if you can find old videos of Al Geiberger's swing.  Mr. G was long and lanky with a smooth, flowing swing.  Players of my era are all a bit hunched as clubs weren't as long as they are now.  I'm 6'5"+ but proportionally large similar to Els or Vijay.

[MysteryV]

51 minutes ago, OnTheBag said:

See if you can find old videos of Al Geiberger's swing.  Mr. G was long and lanky with a smooth, flowing swing.  Players of my era are all a bit hunched as clubs weren't as long as they are now.  I'm 6'5"+ but proportionally large similar to Els or Vijay.

 

Silky

 

 

[MattM97]

2 hours ago, MysteryV said:

The problem with all of these swings is that I hate them.  😄

 

Every one has the overly hunched look which I just can't stand.  I really don't want to believe that it's necessary to play great golf - but Fiunau, Kuchar, and Keegs make a pretty compelling argument :,(

 

 

 

Or just swing you're swing, or find someone that does something you're trying to work towards. I'm 6'3" with a 6'10" wingspan so not many guys like that on tour and most of the bigger and taller guys all have their own swing.

 

One guy that I oddly watch a lot if Matt Fitzpatrick because I'm trying to queue a flatter swing and he does it well.

[MysteryV]

1 minute ago, MattM97 said:

 

Or just swing you're swing, or find someone that does something you're trying to work towards. I'm 6'3" with a 6'10" wingspan so not many guys like that on tour and most of the bigger and taller guys all have their own swing.

 

One guy that I oddly watch a lot if Matt Fitzpatrick because I'm trying to queue a flatter swing and he does it well.

 

I agree with the swing your swing - but I really enjoy working on my swing as much (or more) than actually playing golf.  While I have a decent understanding of various components of my swing - sometimes I can't quite figure out why something doesn't look quite right.  Recently it's been the right leg - which can move improperly leading to not having enough space forcing me to make some odd compensations - often times resulting in having to close the face too quickly and not timing it quite right.  😄. A lot there, I know.

 

While I enjoy watching Xander, Rory, the Camerons, etc - I feel like their being built significantly differently makes it more difficult for me to compare and learn from.  

[MattM97]

55 minutes ago, MysteryV said:

 

I agree with the swing your swing - but I really enjoy working on my swing as much (or more) than actually playing golf.  While I have a decent understanding of various components of my swing - sometimes I can't quite figure out why something doesn't look quite right.  Recently it's been the right leg - which can move improperly leading to not having enough space forcing me to make some odd compensations - often times resulting in having to close the face too quickly and not timing it quite right.  😄. A lot there, I know.

 

While I enjoy watching Xander, Rory, the Camerons, etc - I feel like their being built significantly differently makes it more difficult for me to compare and learn from.  

 

That's fair but are you working towards something with a coach or just trying this and that? Also feel and looks are completely different, it's odd. I'll swing super flat or what feels flat to me like along my belt line but in reality my hands are like 4" lower but it makes a world of different.

 

Also working in a previous sport that was technique based often copying others lead to technical issues unless you know the what, why and how.

[Ghostwedge]

17 hours ago, MysteryV said:

 

Silky

 

 

That swing will never work .....

He lifts his heal, replants it with beautiful timing, great rhythm and perfect balance. ☺

[Nels55]

On 3/31/2024 at 10:12 AM, MysteryV said:

On the other hand, I'm 6'3, with a 6'8 wing span and much longer legs than torso - which poses slightly different challenges. 

6'3" with a 6'8" wingspan are NBA numbers.  I used to be 6'3" and I have longer legs also but my arms a close to my height.  If I had your arms I would have been a bit better at blocking shots and rebounding back when I did that sort of thing.  I can see where you might like to stand tall to the ball.  Do you use standard length clubs or maybe a bit under length?  

[MysteryV]

6 minutes ago, Nels55 said:

6'3" with a 6'8" wingspan are NBA numbers.  I used to be 6'3" and I have longer legs also but my arms a close to my height.  If I had your arms I would have been a bit better at blocking shots and rebounding back when I did that sort of thing.  I can see where you might like to stand tall to the ball.  Do you use standard length clubs or maybe a bit under length?  

 

Just re-measured - it's actually 6'7.  My bad.  I play 1/2" over, 1 up (Titleist specs) currently - but think I need to go a little flatter as I'm often a bit toe up.  My wrist to floor is 36" so I think these specs are about what Ping recommends as well.

 

I actually feel like the super long legs are the real challenge as they make for an odd center of gravity and stability issues (in addition to things like ankle mobility). 

 

There was a point where I was in incredible shape, doing a ton of olympic lifting - and I was 225 of muscle, jumping out of the gym, dunking nasty.  I could do 300 lbs plus for reps squatting (also extremely tough given the build) - BUT I STILL COULDN'T DO A SINGLE PISTOL SQUAT.  

 

I'm happy with my build for the most part (except when on flights, but there are just some things it makes much more difficult.

 

[Nels55]

21 minutes ago, MysteryV said:

I'm happy with my build for the most part (except when on flights, but there are just some things it makes much more difficult.

I hear you on long flights.  The person in front of me is not able to put their seat back LOL.

[betarhoalphadelta]

Wondering if anyone has examples of the opposite problem. I'm 6'5" with about a 40" wrist-to-floor. I haven't measured my wingspan, but it would probably be a little bit misleading as I've got broad shoulders so it might be more chest width than arm length in the wingspan... 36" inseam if that matters.

 

[TonyRo]

Might be worth looking into some of the Mike Adams / Terry Rowles stuff. One of their claims is that the "wingspan vs height" and "elbow to middle knuckle vs elbow to top of shoulder joint" can affect what swing plane your body naturally swings on in both directions. As an example, a long wingspan would generally mean a more upright posture (since your arms will hang lower), which would cause a more flat pivot and therefore more raising of the arms, which is a steepener. Similarly, you could imagine someone with extremely long forearms may take the club back more steep as well. I am on the steep side of both of these, 6'2" with a 6'4" wingspan and a 1.5" longer elbow to middle knuckle. 

 

Not sure how much that really ties in, as I feel like there's so much "nurture" in the golf swing. They also don't discuss leg vs torso length! 😁

[Simpsonia]

15 hours ago, MysteryV said:

 

Just re-measured - it's actually 6'7.  My bad.  I play 1/2" over, 1 up (Titleist specs) currently - but think I need to go a little flatter as I'm often a bit toe up.  My wrist to floor is 36" so I think these specs are about what Ping recommends as well.

 

I actually feel like the super long legs are the real challenge as they make for an odd center of gravity and stability issues (in addition to things like ankle mobility). 

 

There was a point where I was in incredible shape, doing a ton of olympic lifting - and I was 225 of muscle, jumping out of the gym, dunking nasty.  I could do 300 lbs plus for reps squatting (also extremely tough given the build) - BUT I STILL COULDN'T DO A SINGLE PISTOL SQUAT.  

 

I'm happy with my build for the most part (except when on flights, but there are just some things it makes much more difficult.

 

 

 

Funny, I'm similar but also kind of the opposite, 6'3" with a 6'5" wingspan, but short legs and a long torso. I always felt that I had a real challenge since my center of gravity is higher up and less over my feet than others (since my considerable torso is tilted forward). Basically if my weight isn't in my heels I would fall over forward. 

[iacas]

10 minutes ago, Simpsonia said:

Basically if my weight isn't in my heels I would fall over forward. 

 

Huh? Your weight could be in the same exact place as someone else - in the middle to front of your arch - and you wouldn't fall over…

 

If you tried to match the angles of someone else, your weight might be too far out toward your toes, but sticking your butt back a little would just move the center of mass to… the middle to front of your arch, unless you keep pushing your butt back farther, in which case you could get it into the heel.

 

You could also bend forward a bit less (which might put you too far from the ball).

 

Edited April 2 by iacas

[MysteryV]

2 hours ago, Simpsonia said:

 

 

Funny, I'm similar but also kind of the opposite, 6'3" with a 6'5" wingspan, but short legs and a long torso. I always felt that I had a real challenge since my center of gravity is higher up and less over my feet than others (since my considerable torso is tilted forward). Basically if my weight isn't in my heels I would fall over forward. 

 

Haha - you and I are neighbors arguing that the other persons grass truly is greener.  😄

 

 

[MysteryV]

2 hours ago, TonyRo said:

Might be worth looking into some of the Mike Adams / Terry Rowles stuff. One of their claims is that the "wingspan vs height" and "elbow to middle knuckle vs elbow to top of shoulder joint" can affect what swing plane your body naturally swings on in both directions. As an example, a long wingspan would generally mean a more upright posture (since your arms will hang lower), which would cause a more flat pivot and therefore more raising of the arms, which is a steepener. Similarly, you could imagine someone with extremely long forearms may take the club back more steep as well. I am on the steep side of both of these, 6'2" with a 6'4" wingspan and a 1.5" longer elbow to middle knuckle. 

 

Not sure how much that really ties in, as I feel like there's so much "nurture" in the golf swing. They also don't discuss leg vs torso length! 😁

 

I don't see it used in golf discussion often, but the term I searched for prior to starting this thread was "Ape Index" .  I think i's popular with climbers but not entirely sure where it originated.

 

This old article discusses some of the stuff you mentioned I believe.  I found it to be pretty accurate for me, but not overly actionable.  

 

https://www.golfwrx.com/181715/biomechanics-and-how-they-affect-swing-plane/

[Simpsonia]

19 hours ago, iacas said:

 

Huh? Your weight could be in the same exact place as someone else - in the middle to front of your arch - and you wouldn't fall over…

 

If you tried to match the angles of someone else, your weight might be too far out toward your toes, but sticking your butt back a little would just move the center of mass to… the middle to front of your arch, unless you keep pushing your butt back farther, in which case you could get it into the heel.

 

You could also bend forward a bit less (which might put you too far from the ball).

 

 

Mostly hyperbole in jest. I do feel pretty unstable if I get onto my toes, so I just have to feel a bit more in my heels to counter that. 

[ewaldbeukes]

On 3/31/2024 at 9:13 PM, MysteryV said:

For what it's worth - I'm built very similarly to this incredibly handsome gentleman 

 

 

Are these your swings or am I missing something?

 

[TLUBulldogGolf]

Robert Karlsson for a past swing. Adrian Meronk is quite tall with what look to be long legs.

[MysteryV]

5 hours ago, ewaldbeukes said:

Are these your swings or am I missing something?

 

 

Lol - yes - they are.  3rd "round" back from a long injury layoff at the recently redone Golden Gate Park, par 3 course in San Francisco.  3 of the 9 shots are pretty bad (the attempted 8i knockdown, the laughing chunk, and the thinned flippy wedge) - but it was my first time filming my swing in the wild.  Definitely some stuff to clean up.

 

I also made the song for what it's worth (not my vocals).

[bladehunter]

5 hours ago, MysteryV said:

 

Lol - yes - they are.  3rd "round" back from a long injury layoff at the recently redone Golden Gate Park, par 3 course in San Francisco.  3 of the 9 shots are pretty bad (the attempted 8i knockdown, the laughing chunk, and the thinned flippy wedge) - but it was my first time filming my swing in the wild.  Definitely some stuff to clean up.

 

I also made the song for what it's worth (not my vocals).

I’m very similar to your numbers too . Im definitely more legs than torso.  I do have broad shoulders plus long arms , so my elbow is hanging down to my waist at rest. .  I find that upright is where I hit it the straightest.  “ best “. But if I go flatter , and bend more , i can make a lot more speed. But do they give extra shots for speed ?  Not as far as I can tell.  Of course that’s from the context of hitting a stock 7 iron 176 yards from the more upright position.  So I get it if someone is searching for speed. 
 

I find Sheffler to be a good thought for the upright move.  Not the footwork. But the general cupped to flat  wrist , and fade favoring path that can turn it over if needed.  It’s also miles better for shortgame.  50 yards and in shots. 
 

to be fair. I’ve worked with both setup positions ( flat and upright ) and really wonder if there’s a better path or if  it’s just personal preference? 

Edited April 4 by bladehunter

[MysteryV]

1 hour ago, bladehunter said:

I’m very similar to your numbers too . Im definitely more legs than torso.  I do have broad shoulders plus long arms , so my elbow is hanging down to my waist at rest. .  I find that upright is where I hit it the straightest.  “ best “. But if I go flatter , and bend more , i can make a lot more speed. But do they give extra shots for speed ?  Not as far as I can tell.  Of course that’s from the context of hitting a stock 7 iron 176 yards from the more upright position.  So I get it if someone is searching for speed. 
 

I find Sheffler to be a good thought for the upright move.  Not the footwork. But the general cupped to flat  wrist , and fade favoring path that can turn it over if needed.  It’s also miles better for shortgame.  50 yards and in shots. 
 

to be fair. I’ve worked with both setup positions ( flat and upright ) and really wonder if there’s a better path or if  it’s just personal preference? 

 

I love the idea of being able to decide, but not all of us have the luxury unfortunately.  😄  My ability to cup my wrist and make a passable move is non-existant.  Same with my ability to have an out-to-in path without hitting down 12 degrees on it - and even then there's a good chance I stall and slam the face shut.

 

The most amazing tall guy with long arms swing (though a pretty long torso and maybe short legs?) is DJ.  Beyond having super human flexibility, I still can't wrap my head around how he get's the numbers he does, particularly with his build.