on Worldwide Golf

SWING IT LIKE JT

SWING SEQUENCE

BY Jonathan Craddock, PGA Professional, Peter Cowen Academy

Justin Thomas is one of the most exciting and popular golfers on the PGA Tour, and one of my model players when showing my students how to create power with dynamic balance.

The American is one of six players in PGA Tour history to win 15 times as well as two Majors before his 30th birthday, joining Jack Nicklaus, Johnny Miller, Tom Watson, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods. His father Mike is his coach and has been teaching him the game since he took it up as a youngster.

Mike’s a PGA Pro and the former Head Pro at Harmony Landing Golf Club in Kentucky. We can certainly see the PGA coaching heritage in JT’s swing with such solid foundations and one any aspiring golfer should also try to implement to improve consistency.

Fantastic fundamentals here as the former World No.1 maintains a lovely dynamic posture with his arms hanging beneath is shoulders.
Notice JT’s left knee. He’s begun his swing with the dynamic movement of his body working cohesively. His arms are passive and clubface is square matching his spine angle.
There are many positives to list in the American’s swing but the main one to highlight is his ability throughout the movement to maintain balance and therefore his spine angle.
JT’s left arm position matching his shoulder angle. This is perfect due to the combination of the arm, hand and club movement coupled with his body action. Left knee below right, left hip below right and left shoulder below right. These are text book positions.

The 30-year-old stretches to the top of his backswing fully rotated more than 90 degrees with his upper body whilst still maintaining his posture. His right arm is now raised above the shoulder angle, creating a large amount of coil and potential power.
JT starts his transition with his lower half and notice how his left knee has started to uncoil in the other direction, or is becoming less visible. This movement allows his club to shallow slightly and produce pressure down into the ground.
The shaft of the club is now matching the shoulder angle. Hips matching address position with his knees slightly more flexed indicating the downforce he’s creating. Also note his shoulders are still facing back towards the camera.
Look at the potential stored power of JT’s dynamic body movement into the ground. Hips opening up with shoulders still facing the camera. This allows him to move the arm, hand and club action down on plane without any manipulation.

Beautifully in the position of delivery with the butt of the club parallel to his target line. Note how the clubface is still square. I see too many golfers in this position trying to turn which opens the clubface as opposed to creating the correct down force.
The club is in the perfect position with his arm structure out in front of his upper body. Trailing elbow angle matching the shaft which is the hallmark of a great ball striker.
JT’s left leg is extending, allowing him to not only maintain posture but more importantly create a stable face throughout impact. We say here at the Peter Cowen Academy he’s matching his movements which in turn reduces inconsistencies.
The ball’s been collected with the free wheeling movement of the arm, hand and club action. Clubface’s still square following the strike, body is still in wonderful posture which is something I would like everyone who is reading to takeaway and implement.

Despite this being more of a controlled shot, we can still understand how JT creates his energy through these images. He can sometimes leave the ground with his left foot but it’s his ability to stay in posture which leads to consistency and pressure on the ball.
Upper body following the position of which the lower body created. For all golfers who would like more consistency and distance, it’s not just speed but also pressure on the ball. This is created by the correct positions of the arm, hand and club action.
Even though JT is so explosive you will never see him off balance which is another secret to his entire movement. Without balance the aforementioned points are almost impossible to create consistently.