Opinion & Analysis
POLL: Who Has The Best Golf Swing?
Recently, I was working on some new DVDs for Swing Man Golf. During the process I reflected back on my journey, and noticed how my choice of a favorite golf swing has evolved over the years.
I forget exactly when I started playing golf — maybe junior high or early high school. But I do remember in those first few years that my Dad would take me out with him several times per season for 18 holes and I would mostly shoot between 110 and 120.
During my junior year in high school, breaking 100 on 18 holes was my barometer for having a good round, and those scores were actually good enough to play in the fourth or fifth slots on my high school varsity team.
Also during that period, Dad and I would watch a lot of sports together on TV. Depending on the season, it was mostly baseball, basketball, and football, but we would also take in other sports like golf when they came on, especially for a tournament like the Masters.
For some reason the swings that always stood out to me in those early years were Fred Couples and Greg Norman, the “Great White Shark.” I didn’t really know much about golf or technique at the time, but I could still appreciate how carefree Freddie looked with his buttery rhythm and super smooth swing.
As for Norman, I suppose parts of what made him noticeable to me were both his long blonde hair as well as his nickname, but I also really liked how confidently and aggressively he would go after the ball while still managing to stay in balance. With him, it seemed to be no-holds-barred when it came time for a full swing.
When I got in to college, Ernie Els was coming on the scene, and much for the same reasons I liked Couples’ swing I really loved watching “The Big Easy” swing. Again, with my knowledge back then, I didn’t really understand what was going on from a technical standpoint, but I sure enjoyed how pretty and effortless looking he was to watch.
Then after five years of working as a computer engineer, I quit my corporate job in Kansas City and moved out to California to pursue a golf career. Shortly after I arrived, I had the good fortune of having Dan Shauger take me under his wing and introduce me to his friend Mike Austin. At first mention, I didn’t know who Austin was but for some reason his name did sound familiar.
Later on, I remembered that as a young boy I had flipped through an old edition of the Guinness Book of World Records and that I had read about Austin’s 515-yard drive that he had hit in the 1974 U.S. National Senior Open in Las Vegas. Almost unimaginably, he was 64 years old at the time of the drive and he used a steel-shafted persimmon wood driver and balata ball to do it.
In a way it was magical for me to get to meet this mystical legend that I had read about as a kid. Shortly after, Dan introduced me to Austin and showed me some old VHS tape video footage of Mike’s swing, I had found my new favorite swing in Austin.
I’ve always been a naturally curious person, and in the years since my initial meeting with Dan and the now late Austin, I’ve spent a great deal of time studying many other great swings as a swing scientist of sorts, and I tried all kinds of different methods in and out of competition. Little did I know it, but both my background in anatomy, kinesiology, physics, patient case analysis, etc., from pharmacy school and also my work as a computer engineer would come in great handy.
In recent years, as a by-product of my research, the person whose swing I found to be my favorite evolved again. This time it would belong to PGA Tour player Ryan Palmer. In fact, some of the primary things I liked about Ryan’s swing are actually many of the same things that helped me go from 14-handicapper to professional golfer.
To me, it’s a low maintenance type of swing that doesn’t require great flexibility that you could just get up out of bed, head to the first tee, and put balls in play all day long. Overall, if you’re looking for a full swing to mimic, I think his is a great choice for both amateurs and professionals. Perhaps in a subsequent article, I’ll talk in more detail about why I like Ryan’s swing.
Anyway, all of that reflection about my favorite swings over the years and why I liked them got me wondering what swings other people liked the most.
As I couldn’t recall any significant poll ever being done to determine who has the best golf swing according to popular vote, I thought it would make for an interesting and fun article. So I did some initial research by asking my friends on Facebook and checking in with those on the Swing Man Golf mailing list to come up with a good list to vote on.
As expected, I got back a lot of nominations for guys like Fred Couples, a younger Ernie Els, Steve Elkington, Greg Norman, Luke Donald, etc, but I also was surprised at the diversity of other responses that came back in as well.
Of course, some of the golfing greats like Arnold Palmer, Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, Byron Nelson, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Sam Snead came up.
Tiger was mentioned too, but different people favored certain swings of his over others (Ex. Pre-Harmon, Harmon, Haney, or Foley)
There were also home grown swings from guys like Bubba Watson, John Daly, Miller Barber, and Tommy Gainey.
From the women, Annika Sorenstam, Mickey Wright, and Na Yeon Choi got nominations.
A number of long drivers got the nod including Jamie Sadlowski, Landon Gentry, Mike Austin, Mike Dobbyn, Mike Dunaway, and Pat Dempsey.
Several teachers were mentioned, like Martin Chuck and Stack & Tilt’s Mike Bennett.
Count Yogi and Moe Norman made the list…and even yours truly got votes.
Carl Spackler, from Caddyshack was also suggested, which I thought was hilarious, but in all seriousness I decided not to include his weed whacking excellent-ness in the final poll below. It did, however, make for a great title picture for this article.
Interestingly, what became really apparent to me from everyone’s feedback is that people have very different definitions of what constitutes the best golf swing. Their favorite swing could be from someone who is smooth and rhythmic, it might look pretty or ugly, it could be powerful, it could have certain swing fundamentals or mechanics, it could be more or less optimal from a mathematical or scientific standpoint, etc.
It doesn’t even necessarily have to belong to a great player because there’s more to achieving a good golf score and winning than just the full swing. You could have a wonderful player with a terrible full swing and at the same time have someone that doesn’t play that much and/or isn’t even on Tour who has a lovely and very desirable golf swing.
All that being said, this article is about doing a poll, so let’s get to it without further ado.
Below are 72 choice for your favorite golf swing, which is absolutely crazy for any normal sort of poll. I thought about hand picking ones that seemed to get the most votes in my initial research to narrow it down to maybe 5 or 10 options, but I didn’t want to limit the selections to those of my own personal bias and/or marginalize someone else’s choice of best swing. And who knows? Maybe the results will also yield some surprises. Plus, we’ll actually be able to determine by popular vote which golfer has the best golf swing and be able to rank them accordingly.
Perhaps there are some other swings that deserve to be on this list, but at the least this is as inclusive of anything that’s ever been done before.
So…what about you? Who do you think has the best swing in golf?
Cast in your vote and feel free to comment below about whom you chose, why you picked him or her, if you think someone else deserves to be on the list, etc.
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Club Junkie
Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie
On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.
I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.
Opinion & Analysis
AVL: We’re talking about practice! My best tips for taking your game to the course
With the beginning of June on the horizon and courses rounding into peak condition for the season, it’s time to hone the finer skills that often get rusty over the winter. More sunlight also means more time to get out on the course and work on your game.
Whether it’s the practice green or the driving range, there’s always something to improve—whether you’re enjoying the fresh air or preparing for a weekend game or tournament. You can work on drills or freestyle around the green, and friendly competition is a great way to sharpen your skills.
While there are endless ways to get better at golf, I’m going to focus on practicing around the green. Let’s take a look at a few things to keep in mind as we head into the summer months.
Drills
From the driving range to the practice green, it’s important to incorporate drills into your routine. Years ago, I spent a weekend working on my short game with James Sieckmann. He recommended doing drill work for 5–10 minutes, then returning to your main practice.
This way, you create a balance between structured drills and real-world scenarios, so you’re not confined to “perfect” situations. For example, hitting the same three-foot putt over and over is good for repetition, but after a while, it becomes less interactive for your brain.
My approach is to use a putting trainer with a narrow gate for the ball to pass through, or simply place tees just outside the width of the ball. I’ll hit a series of four putts through the gate for three sets. Then, from a similar distance, I’ll hit four putts without the training aid and repeat that sequence three times.
Next, I’ll hit a number of 15–25 foot putts in a random fashion, then circle back to repeat the short putt drills with and without the training aid.
This breaks up the rhythm of hitting short putts with the training aid. When you hit the same short putts over and over, it’s easy to get into a groove—which is great for the drill, but not reflective of actual course play. While finding a rhythm is fundamental for drills, I like to introduce variation with longer putts to keep things realistic.
Game Mode
Once you’ve established a foundation with drills, it’s time to simulate on-course scenarios. This is where a few practice games come in handy.
One that I’ve been enjoying lately involves putting 10- to 15-footers with two balls. If I make the putt, great! If I miss, I pull the missed ball back a putter length. Suddenly, that little tap-in becomes a nerve-wracking three-footer—at least at first. As you get better at this game, those three- and five-footers become much more comfortable and routine.
It may sound cliché, but each shot is just what it is—it’s how we react that makes the difference. I like this game because it blends the pressure of on-course putting with the consequence of leaving yourself a much longer putt than usual.
Another game I like is one I recently learned from Brad Faxon. Place three tees in a line at four different locations around the hole: one at 3 feet, one at 6 feet, and one at 8 feet. The 3- and 6-foot putts count as par, and the 8-footer is for birdie.
This game keeps you focused on scoring and helps you get into a competitive mindset. You can even think about this putting game while you’re on the course. I just started playing it, and last week I couldn’t get better than two under par.
Competition
Competition during practice is when drills and games come to life, and you start to see results. For me, nothing beats a putting contest with a friend or two. In the right setting, these contests can become talking points for the whole season.
Match play, a game of 21, or simply seeing who can make the most one-putts (with a small prize on the line) are all great ways to simulate real on-course pressure. Recently, I played in a putting contest where one competitor made back-to-back 30- and 50-foot putts. As they say, expect your opponent to make every putt—and he nearly did. That’s impressive, and it’s something you see on the course, too: you have to stay committed to your game plan, no matter what.
When it comes to practice, it’s important to blend feedback from recent rounds with the fundamentals you want to reinforce. Drills, games, and competition—from the driving range to the putting green—form the backbone of skills you’ll rely on during actual rounds.
Finding the right balance is something we’re all working on, one practice session at a time. With the beginning of June on the horizon and courses rounding into peak condition for the season, it’s time to hone the finer skills that often get rusty over the winter. More sunlight also means more time to get out on the course and work on your game. Whether it’s the practice green or the driving range, there’s always something to improve—whether you’re enjoying the fresh air or preparing for a weekend game or tournament. You can work on drills or freestyle around the green, and friendly competition is a great way to sharpen your skills. While there are endless ways to get better at golf, I’m going to focus on practicing around the green. Let’s take a look at a few things to keep in mind as we head into the summer months.
Drills
From the driving range to the practice green, it’s important to incorporate drills into your routine. Years ago, I spent a weekend working on my short game with James Sieckmann. He recommended doing drill work for 5–10 minutes, then returning to your main practice. This way, you create a balance between structured drills and real-world scenarios, so you’re not confined to “perfect” situations. For example, hitting the same three-foot putt over and over is good for repetition, but after a while, it becomes less interactive for your brain.
My approach is to use a putting trainer with a narrow gate for the ball to pass through, or simply place tees just outside the width of the ball. I’ll hit a series of four putts through the gate for three sets. Then, from a similar distance, I’ll hit four putts without the training aid and repeat that sequence three times. Next, I’ll hit a number of 15–25 foot putts in a random fashion, then circle back to repeat the short putt drills with and without the training aid.
This breaks up the rhythm of hitting short putts with the training aid. When you hit the same short putts over and over, it’s easy to get into a groove—which is great for the drill, but not reflective of actual course play. While finding a rhythm is fundamental for drills, I like to introduce variation with longer putts to keep things realistic.
Game Mode
Once you’ve established a foundation with drills, it’s time to simulate on-course scenarios. This is where a few practice games come in handy. One that I’ve been enjoying lately involves putting 10- to 15-footers with two balls. If I make the putt, great! If I miss, I pull the missed ball back a putter length.
Suddenly, that little tap-in becomes a nerve-wracking three-footer—at least at first. As you get better at this game, those three- and five-footers become much more comfortable and routine. It may sound cliché, but each shot is just what it is—it’s how we react that makes the difference. I like this game because it blends the pressure of on-course putting with the consequence of leaving yourself a much longer putt than usual.
Another game I like is one I recently learned from Brad Faxon. Place three tees in a line at four different locations around the hole: one at 3 feet, one at 6 feet, and one at 8 feet. The 3- and 6-foot putts count as par, and the 8-footer is for birdie.
This game keeps you focused on scoring and helps you get into a competitive mindset. You can even think about this putting game while you’re on the course. I just started playing it, and last week I couldn’t get better than two under par.
Competition
Competition during practice is when drills and games come to life, and you start to see results. For me, nothing beats a putting contest with a friend or two. In the right setting, these contests can become talking points for the whole season. Match play, a game of 21, or simply seeing who can make the most one-putts (with a small prize on the line) are all great ways to simulate real on-course pressure. Recently, I played in a putting contest where one competitor made back-to-back 30- and 50-foot putts. As they say, expect your opponent to make every putt—and he nearly did. That’s impressive, and it’s something you see on the course, too: you have to stay committed to your game plan, no matter what.
When it comes to practice, it’s important to blend feedback from recent rounds with the fundamentals you want to reinforce. Drills, games, and competition—from the driving range to the putting green—form the backbone of skills you’ll rely on during actual rounds. Finding the right balance is something we’re all working on, one practice session at a time.
For Korean golfers, we always look forward to the last of the kkot-saem-chu-I for the true start of a new golf season. The term refers to a cold snap, but literally translates as “winter being jealous of the flowers beginning to bloom, thus lashing out one final time before surrendering to spring”.
A rather poetic mouthful packed into a short expression.
Koreans can be like that. Understated, yet oddly expressive at the same time. And nowhere is this more true on the golf course and in our golf bags. In fact, I suspect many Korean golfers look forward to new apparel and accessory drops more than they do actual equipment launches each year.
At this point, Korean golf fashion may exist on its own timeline. (courtesy of @seonbi_golfer)
There is ample evidence to support that suspicion. Korea is the world’s third-largest golf market behind the United States and Japan, yet its appetite for golf apparel exceeds that of both countries combined. Recent estimates suggest that Korea accounts for nearly 40 percent of the global golf apparel market, placing it among the world’s most influential golf fashion markets and punching well above its size.
Simply, we care deeply about how new golf clubs look and feel, but enjoy looking good while swinging them even more.
Golfers in the West may laugh and say that golf is played on a course, not a fashion runway. Perhaps. But what’s the harm in trying to look and feel good, if the added self-confidence can help actual performance? It certainly seems to have worked for Jason Day, who may have unlocked a new stats category: dormant strokes gained. Coincidence?
During the COVID-era, estimates placed the market near $9 billion, an astonishing figure for a single country.
As a proud member of Gen X, I’ve witnessed the highs and lows of golf fashion firsthand. The pleated trousers and wing-tipped shoes of Jack Nicklaus, the stylish plus-fours and knickers of Payne Stewart, the baggy black trousers and fitted mock-necks of Tiger Woods, and the thigh-hugging athletic tailoring of Rory McIlroy. Golf fashion, like the golf swing itself, has rarely stood still.
But nowhere have those trends shifted, evolved, and been scrutinized quite as relentlessly as in Korea. Here, golf fashion moves faster than fairway gossip, and consumers dissect brands with a level of discernment that can be both impressive and mildly terrifying. New brands are studied, judged, embraced, or dismissed with startling efficiency.
The result is a consumer base with one of the sharpest eyes for quality and authenticity anywhere in the world. It is difficult to quantify, but easy to recognize. Clean lines without trying too hard. Luxury mixed with utility. Trend awareness balanced by restraint and purpose.
It’s golf fashion shaped by one of the world’s most style-literate cities, something I like to call Seoul Sensibilities, referring to the taste level forged by a uniquely competitive environment.
And increasingly, global brands have noticed.
Many golf brands in Korea have their own flagship shops dedicated to apparel only
Titleist understood this years ago, when its apparel business in Korea took on a life of its own under new ownership and local direction. What had once been a straightforward extension of an iconic equipment giant became something sharper and more premium. By going all in on the serious Tour-player look (I couldn’t even fit into their XL sizes), Titleist struck the right chord with Korean consumers and helped its fledgling apparel business break into the mainstream. Titleist became a household name even for non-golfers who wore its caps, shirts, and windbreakers in daily life. In many ways, it proved that even heritage golf brands could carry real fashion credibility when viewed through a Korean lens.
Several years later, PXG took a page out of Titleist’s playbook and followed suit. Korean consumers helped transform the brand from one known largely for irons and loud commercials into something broader and more stylish. PXG apparel’s growth in Korea was explosive, where it found an early audience and turned the category into something more than mere logo merchandise. It is still hard to walk anywhere in Seoul without seeing its palindrome logo.
Malbon’s meteoric rise in the United States was genuine, but its ascent into a global golf lifestyle brand owes much to Korea, where it was elevated by a market already fluent in modern golf style. Korea did not simply embrace Malbon. It pressure-tested the concept, refined its appeal, and helped push it into the global spotlight.
As such, new brands may arrive from abroad, but more often than not, their sharpest evolution happens here. If a brand can earn credibility in Seoul, it’s deemed to have passed one of the toughest style audits in the game.
That is why the next meaningful chapter may not come from outside, but from a Korean brand moving in the opposite direction, carrying those Seoul Sensibilities outward as K-pop once did.
Play young Stay dope.
From Seoul, With Intent
Khalhon is a label that feels less like a trend-chasing newcomer and more like the product of a market that has already seen everything. Golfers here have long been surrounded by luxury logos, technical fabrics, and tour uniforms disguised as lifestyle wear and vice-versa. In other words, novelty alone rarely lasts here, and the Koreans seems to understand that instinctively.
Its style language leans into clean silhouettes, relaxed but tailored proportions, muted palettes, and premium materials that speak quietly but confidently. There is a modern city aesthetic running through it all, with strong layering pieces, thoughtful textures, and subtle branding that suggests sophistication rather than demanding attention.
“Built for the course. Designed beyond it.”
Most importantly, the garments seem designed to blur the line between golfwear and everyday style. Shirts, trousers, knitwear, and outer layers move comfortably between a game of screen golf, a lunch reservation, an airport gate, or an afternoon coffee in Gangnam with friends.
It raises the question of whether this is golfwear that happens to look good off the course, or everyday clothing that performs beautifully on the fairways.
Personally, I have long appreciated Nike Golf for its clean, athletic modernization of golf attire. It also has the useful side effect of making me look like a more serious golfer than I probably am. But off the course, there are times when being instantly identified as the golf guy in a crowd of non-golfers can feel a touch self-conscious.
“Built for the course. Designed beyond it.”
That is part of what drew me to Khalhon, which seemed to blend golf and everyday wear naturally. While some of the outfits may be slightly beyond my personal confidence level, the brand also offers tasteful options for older guys like me who still want to express a little personality without regretting the decision later.
These are not simply flashy outfits worn on the course and then banished to the closet until the next tee time. They work surprisingly well off the course too, and I suspect many of the pieces will still look right a couple of years from now, which would certainly be kinder to my wallet than most golf fashion trends tend to be.
And perhaps that broader lifestyle positioning also helps explain why someone like Sean Wotherspoon would find Khalhon creatively interesting in the first place.
“Built for the course. Designed beyond it.”
“Korea is not only one of the most fashion-forward golf markets in the world, but one of the most fashion-forward markets globally. Korea is ahead, and I love to watch and try to catch up.” – Sean Wotherspoon, Creative Director at Khalhon
Seoul and Beyond
If Khalhon’s rise says something about where Korean golf fashion is today, its relationship with Sean Wotherspoon says even more about where it is heading.
For readers less familiar with Sean Wotherspoon, his arrival at Khalhon is not some routine celebrity endorsement or influencer collaboration. In design and streetwear circles, Wotherspoon is regarded as one of the more influential creative voices of his generation, particularly when it comes to blending nostalgia, storytelling, and contemporary culture into products that people can connect with.
He first gained widespread attention through his now-famous Nike sneaker collaborations, where his vintage-inspired designs and instinct for color helped turn him into one of the defining artists of the late-2010s sneaker era. His work gradually expanded beyond footwear into apparel, automotive collaborations, collectibles, and broader lifestyle design.
Modern golf style now extends well beyond the fairways, where performance and functionality are largely expected by default. And while plenty of brands already make technically competent golfwear, Khalhon seems more focused on designing clothes people would genuinely want to wear even after the round ends.
And when guys at Wotherspoon’s level show genuine interest in working with a Korean golf brand as its new Creative Director, fashion circles tend to sit up and pay attention. There’s already a huge buzz among the fashion-conscious here about upcoming collabs with iconic sports stars and brands.
“My creative direction for Khalhon is disruptive, colorful, nostalgic, and modern. My goal is to blend these avenues seamlessly within each collection.” – Sean Wotherspoon
In chatting with Sean, what stood out most to me was how genuinely energized he sounded about the project itself. Despite having already worked across and countless other creative spaces, he described golf as a completely fresh category for him, saying that Khalhon “will be an amazing vehicle for my design work.”
At the same time, his enthusiasm seemed tied just as much to Korea itself. He spoke openly about admiring Korea’s fashion culture while repeatedly insisting he is still a terrible golfer.
There was something oddly refreshing about that humility. Rather than sounding like a celebrity parachuting into golf simply because the category suddenly became fashionable, Sean sounded genuinely curious about what Korea might do with the category next.
And perhaps that is what makes Khalhon feel interesting right now. The brand feels less like a trend-chaser and more like the natural result of a market now confident enough to export its own point of view.
For years, global brands came to Korea to sharpen their image against one of the most discerning audiences anywhere. Now, a Korean label appears ready to send those Seoul Sensibilities outward instead.
Which brings us back to kkot-saem-chu-i.
That final cold snap before spring always arrives with a reminder that seasons are changing, whether we notice it immediately or not. Golf fashion feels a little like that right now as well, as the old boundaries between sport, streetwear, luxury, and everyday style continue to soften.
And somewhere in Seoul, a Korean golf label already seems prepared for whatever season comes next. I just hope they have everything in my size.
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Pingback: POLL: Who Has The Best Golf Swing? | Swing Man Golf
Cody flowers
Mar 18, 2015 at 10:45 pm
Bobby jones is by far the best ever. Anyone knows that the he who uses the least effort has the most efficient swing. No one knows what a good swing look like anymore they are all gone, all the pure swings. There may be a couple here and there but I don’t see how any of the modern players are very good when true lag cannot be created without the lifting of the left heel. People also do not have the proper take away anymore and they do not know how to achieve it. Most of these peoples perception of the game is all twisted and wrong. It’s sad really what has happened to this game. If everyone just watched those old bobby jones instruction tapes everyone would turn out to be a bubba Watson so that would be no good. This is all lost knowledge.
Ron
Nov 19, 2014 at 10:34 pm
Ben Hogan had the best golf swing.Words can’t make someone the greatest golfer but the actions of Ben Hogan’s swing did make him the best ever.Even Jack Nicklaus said that Ben Hogan was the best.That’s coming from a man that had one of the greatest careers in golf.A very humbling thing to say of someone else in the same field of work.Others have said as much as well.
charles
Jul 18, 2014 at 12:41 pm
TOM Purtzer WAS VOTED AS HAVING THE BEST GOLF SWING BY THE P.G. A. PLAYERS WHEN HE WAS ON TOUR . THEY WOULD KNOW,AND I AGREE.
CHUCK
charles
Jul 18, 2014 at 12:36 pm
tom Purtzer was picked by the PGA tour players as having the best golf swing on tour at one time. they would know and i agree.
CHUCK
Jace
Jul 7, 2014 at 4:22 pm
I like Gary Woodland. Simple, smooth and enormous power.
Shaun
Mar 26, 2014 at 6:38 pm
Mike Austin hands down. If I couldn’t have that swing, give me Tiger in 2000.
Matt
Sep 7, 2013 at 8:48 am
Billy Horschell and Adam Scott have the best swings on tour at the moment! How Horschell is not on the poll amazes me.
See it for yourself http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81zd65QgfnY
Matt
Chris arrand
Aug 14, 2013 at 6:18 am
What about faldo. His swing looked great shame about his putting
Johan
Aug 5, 2013 at 5:58 am
Henrik Stenson ought to be on the list. When he has a good year his swing and his game is so good and so versitile. Mybe a bit quick but still
Peter Reich
Aug 3, 2013 at 1:34 pm
I can’t believe that the mechanical swing of today has out shined the fluid and graceful swing of previous eras. I see Bobby Jones as having the best swing of all time! He has no wasted movements (a large leg kick on the backswing or an exaggerated dip on the down swing) like the swing choices above and he has the power and accuracy without being robotic or aggressive towards the ball. Overall when a lawyer from the 30’s addresses a golf ball with a slightly open stance, a posture that is at ease, and fluid controlling hands and then allows physics and gravity to coil the club back and then drop and release the club through the ball it can be nothing other than extraordinary!!!
Clayton
Jul 26, 2013 at 3:08 pm
I really like Martin Kaymer’s swing
Evan
Jul 24, 2013 at 10:53 am
Henrik Stenson is a really nice modern swing for a bigger frame/ bigger guy… many swings that are personal favorites or are being modeled need to have similar body types. One thing I always look at when comparing swings is taking body size/ type into account. Best big guy swings (6’2″+): Tom Weiskopf, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, Davis Love 3, Nicolas Colsaerts (very similar to DL3)
Sébastien
Jul 24, 2013 at 9:04 am
Great, really great article Jaacob!
Do you play in Otelfingen?…I had to laugh when I saw the range and thought wow, really?? 🙂
Jaacob Bowden
Jul 24, 2013 at 5:22 pm
Thanks. Yup, I’ve played Otelfingen many times!
Sébastien
Jul 25, 2013 at 7:50 am
nice. maybe we see us there one time or in zumikon.
Jaacob Bowden
Jul 25, 2013 at 11:09 pm
Haha, I play Zumikon too.
Sébastien
Jul 26, 2013 at 3:35 am
seriously? haha… do you might know Tim Pfister? I play and practice often with him.
viper
Jul 23, 2013 at 2:49 pm
Sergio
aliceryder
Jul 15, 2013 at 12:52 am
It doesn’t matter if who really had the best golf swing. What’s important for me is that my faves on the list! Adam Scott being on top and Tiger Woods!
Jim.
Jul 14, 2013 at 4:34 am
Totally agree with JJMule…. Robert Rock has a fantastic swing in so many ways not least aesthetically.
Another vote for Rocky here
Dolph Lundgrenade
Jul 13, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Why wasn’t I on this list? I have the best swing of all these jokers
Jaacob Bowden
Jul 19, 2013 at 11:21 am
Yes, of course! I can’t believe we missed you! 😉
Nicholas
Jul 13, 2013 at 3:39 am
Rickie Fowler**** not “Ricky”
Sky
Jul 12, 2013 at 8:46 pm
Who the heck voted for Tommy Gainey? lol
Boda
Jul 12, 2013 at 7:47 pm
Hubert Green?
Boda
Jul 12, 2013 at 7:48 pm
and moe norman
Sean
Jul 12, 2013 at 6:43 pm
I’m not really interested in who has the best swing, what impresses me is who has the lowest scoring average. It doesn’t matter how the club head gets to the ball, as long as it gets there the way it’s suppose to. 🙂
John
Jul 12, 2013 at 11:16 am
There’s a lot on that list that aren’t great ball-strikers, and a ton of great ball-strikers that are on the list. Maybe update it?
Jaacob Bowden
Jul 12, 2013 at 10:56 pm
How are you defining someone as a great ball-striker or not?
Of the 60 million or so golfers in the world, every one of these guys could be considered an upper 99th percentile ball-striker.
But anyway, this piece was more about determining and ranking everyone’s favorite swings regardless of ball-striking skills. 😉
Paul
Jul 11, 2013 at 5:50 pm
Sam Snead – Timeless and won more tournaments then any other player in the US. Not as many majors as Jack but proved he could win – over and over again…!
K Biebs
Jul 11, 2013 at 1:09 pm
No love for Geoff Ogilvy?
Ryan williams
Jul 11, 2013 at 7:19 am
Carlos Franco’s double eagle such a smooth epic swing.
kiko
Jul 11, 2013 at 6:56 am
Frankie Minoza
franc
Jul 11, 2013 at 6:54 am
jim mclellan
David Schultz
Jul 11, 2013 at 3:03 am
Jim McLellan
Lee
Jul 11, 2013 at 1:43 am
Noh Seung Yul. Hands down.
Blaise
Jul 10, 2013 at 8:30 pm
tom watson!!!
Rusty Cage
Jul 10, 2013 at 8:27 pm
No love for Lydia Ko?
dario
Jul 10, 2013 at 3:12 pm
Where Is Hunter Mahan ?? He is definetly a top ten in that list !
jjmule
Jul 10, 2013 at 2:58 pm
My personal all-time favorite is George Knudson (Hogan also loved his swing…)
Recently, I’ve really been impressed with Robert Rock’s action – the best I’ve seen on any tour. Sort of a cult has grown up regarding his swing – check YouTube if you don’t believe me.
He should be on your list
dg7936
Jul 10, 2013 at 1:36 pm
Tom Purtzer has a great swing. Not many wins but a classic move through the ball. Stuart Appleby has a solid simple swing that lets him crush the ball. Lots of different ways to hit it, a lot depends on your body type.
Joel
Jul 10, 2013 at 12:41 pm
How about a Canadian in the Mix, Graham Delaet, he swings the club so good! I believe if people mimic’d his shoulder turn alone, they would find themselves hitting further and with more consistency.
steven
Jul 11, 2013 at 8:18 am
Good call with Graham. I was following DL3 at The Barclays last year and Graham was in the group, little guy, but has some muscle to him, the kid hit it forever
Jaacob Bowden
Jul 10, 2013 at 12:00 pm
Some great diversity in favorites here. Good learning.
The “Other” category is sitting in 12th…and looks like it would now be filled up with a combination of Hunter Mahan, Tom Watson, Billy Casper, Raphaël Jacquelin, Marina Stuetz, Phil Mickelson, Retief Goosen, Jim Furyk, Bruce Lietzke, Billy Horschel, Robert Rock, Ryo Ishikawa, John Merrick, and Vaughn Taylor.
So I’m guessing none of these golf swings would individually crack the top 10, but certainly still worth including in the overall poll.
freddy
Jul 10, 2013 at 9:52 am
sam sneed. played longer than anyone. and everyone loves syrup!
Steven
Jul 10, 2013 at 8:17 am
Billy Horschel or John Merrick
Max
Jul 10, 2013 at 6:04 am
Ry? Ishikawa!
Martin Chuck
Jul 10, 2013 at 1:46 am
Honored to be on the list. My mom must have voted.
Ryan
Jul 9, 2013 at 11:06 pm
Robert Rock???
Tom Miller
Jul 9, 2013 at 10:29 pm
If you didn’t pick Ben Hogan or Byron Nelson, then you are not a student of the game. I picked Ben. They should be tied for first place.
John M
Jul 9, 2013 at 9:06 pm
Jeev Milka Singh… JUST KIDDING
But seriously, justin rose or oostie
Brian
Jul 9, 2013 at 7:49 pm
I’m going with Billy Horschel right now. Just about perfect.
Steven
Jul 10, 2013 at 8:15 am
You nailed it with Billy, Todd Anderson has my boy swinging it right
Bman
Jul 10, 2013 at 11:13 am
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81zd65QgfnY
Jerry Crowell
Jul 9, 2013 at 7:41 pm
1950’s Mike Austin. Jack Nicklaus 2nd. DJ Watts 3rd.
DJ Watts
Jul 9, 2013 at 5:30 pm
Jack Nicklaus. Nearly flawless and didn’t crack under pressure. 18 majors. My choice for best swing.
John
Jul 12, 2013 at 11:15 am
Your equating success with ball striking ability. Doesn’t work that way
terry
Jul 9, 2013 at 4:14 pm
So are most people here picking the best swing based on what top instructors think is the ideal swing…? The best swing is one that produces the best results, especially under pressure. The best swings are ones that you don’t have to think about to execute, alla Jim Furyk. According to Trackman, Furyk has delivered the club head into the ball on all the proper angles more consistently than any other player on tour. Before trackman, Lee Trevino, Greg Norman, Fred Couples and Bruce lietzke come to mind. and finally, Moe Nornam deserves a mention. Not only were these swings consistent, they were poetry in motion, not like all the robots you see today. when i think of best swings, i think of poetry and art, not robots.
Aeron Bowden
Jul 9, 2013 at 3:31 pm
My vote is for Charles Barkley!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NxLkEPb5DzI
x125
Jul 9, 2013 at 2:41 pm
Retief
Jaacob Bowden
Jul 9, 2013 at 3:28 pm
Retief’s another good one from South Africa.
Oosthuizen, Els, Shwartzel, Immelman, etc…what are they putting in the water down there?
This list was 72 but it could’ve gotten to 75-80 good choices.
JC
Jul 9, 2013 at 2:36 pm
I’m always mesmerized by Freddie Couples’ swing. At 53 he can still poke it out there 300 yards and he’s just so smooth and fluid. The club head looks like it’s moving through quicksand…and then he makes contact and the ball just ignites. Fantastic.
Omar
Jul 9, 2013 at 2:28 pm
No Phil?! Such a beautiful swing, and the only lefty swing that doesn’t look awkward to me
Jaacob Bowden
Jul 9, 2013 at 3:22 pm
Phil has a crazy amount of club face rotation down through the hitting area…I think that’s one reason why he’s so streaky.
But yes, it is a beautiful looking motion and not as awkward as many other swings.
Weird that no one mentioned him either in my initial polling research. I probably should have put him in anyway.
GCC
Jul 9, 2013 at 2:26 pm
Ol’ Neil Wilkins will be one proud dude when he sees this!
anom
Jul 9, 2013 at 2:16 pm
LPGA rookie Marina Steutz has an absolutely beautiful swing. Currently it has to be her so I’m going with other
Jaacob Bowden
Jul 9, 2013 at 3:19 pm
I had never seen hers before…just looked at a face-on video on YouTube.
Good call. She’s smooth looking.
anom
Jul 9, 2013 at 4:28 pm
she hits driver somewhere in the 270’s
Jaacob Bowden
Jul 9, 2013 at 4:37 pm
Must be those glasses. :-p
Rob hogan
Jul 9, 2013 at 2:11 pm
John daly has to get my vote with Bowden just behind!!
Sean
Jul 9, 2013 at 12:07 pm
To me, it’s not who has the best looking swing, it’s what is the best swing. The best swing is the one which will not injure your body over a period of time. A good instructor will not force/make you swing a certain way, just because the instruction book says to do it this way. A good instructor will help you develop a swing based on your body type and physical limitations. It may not look pretty, but it will be effective and not cause you to injure yourself. Yes, Fred has a great looking swing, just don’t ask him how his back is doing. Obviously golf is not a physical contact sport, but just look at all the pro’s who have to take time off to recover from injuries. If it wasn’t for
golf, a majority of Chiropractor’s would be serving happy meals.
Antonio
Jul 9, 2013 at 11:10 am
From Booby Jones, Byron said ” Bob´s golf swing was quite elegant – it was a long swing with great rhythm and it had a wonderfull pace -“
Jaacob Bowden
Jul 10, 2013 at 11:26 am
Hehe, Booby Jones
Tommy
Jul 9, 2013 at 10:29 am
“Swing YOUR swing”
Arnie, 2013
Darrren
Jul 9, 2013 at 8:27 am
Id say GOD would be envious of Adam Scott, there no question his is the best, 2nd would have been woods.
G
Jul 9, 2013 at 8:47 am
You couldn’t be more wrong.
JC
Jul 9, 2013 at 2:21 pm
Based on the voting so far G, I’d say you’re pretty clearly in the wrong here!
G
Jul 11, 2013 at 10:43 pm
Ha! This is just opinion, not fact. Technically, Oosty has a better swing. So does Bill Haas.
Cris
Jul 9, 2013 at 7:08 am
Really? No Hunter Mahan? You can’t be serious.
Andy
Jul 9, 2013 at 2:14 am
How in the world is Ben Hogan sitting outside the top 5…? What are you people doing?!?!?!
Jaacob Bowden
Jul 9, 2013 at 10:33 am
Haha, certainly some surprises here, eh?
As it sits right now, I would never have guessed Adam Scott would be #1. Top 10, yes…but I didn’t expect #1.
It’s also interesting to see how the different versions of Tiger’s swing are rating.
Fun poll. 🙂
Gregor Reeves
Jul 9, 2013 at 2:04 am
When Ryan was in high school his parents were members at Tascosa CC in Amarillo. It is fun watching a nice kid grow up and become a great man. He hasn’t had many tweeks to his swing since high school.
DJ King
Jul 8, 2013 at 11:30 pm
Ben Hogan has the best swing of all time, he makes it seem so fluid and simple
tyler brooke
Jul 8, 2013 at 11:15 pm
Modern player I’d probably go with Adam Scott. Vintage would be Hogan
Emilio
Jul 8, 2013 at 10:43 pm
I like Byron Nelson. Basically he design and redesign his swing to make it one of the most reliable under tournament pressure. Just 11 wins in a row, one of the biggest streak in history of any sport, made him enough money to retire early in his life. Even the golf club designer named their testing robot Iron Byron!!!
Scott
Jul 8, 2013 at 10:34 pm
Where’s Hunter Mahan.
Jim
Jul 8, 2013 at 8:58 pm
I didn’t see Tom Watson? Great swing with longevity, yes?
Jaacob Bowden
Jul 9, 2013 at 10:29 am
That’s true, Jim. I think Tom Watson should be on here as well.
Similarly, to what I said above about Hunter Mahan, I’m surprised he didn’t show up in my initial polling.
Thus far from the comments, between him and Hunter Mahan, it looks like those are the only two that were missed as significant voting options. Not bad!
So far, with the “Other” category currently in 13th place, I would think those votes would mostly be taken up by Watson and Mahan.
Although, perhaps Billy Casper would have been a good addition too.
Anyway, I’m pleased at the comprehensiveness of the list. It’s a great list to choose from and I think it was covered well.
We got almost everyone!
Jaacob Bowden
Jul 9, 2013 at 3:11 pm
Hmmm, maybe Raphaël Jacquelin too.
Chris
Jul 8, 2013 at 4:59 pm
I didn’t look carefully. Elk is clearly on the list. My apologies!
Derek
Jul 8, 2013 at 4:49 pm
Adam Scott. I think even God himself wants his swing
G
Jul 9, 2013 at 8:46 am
I totally disagree. It’s such a forced, showy swing. Bill Haas, all the way – totally natural and fluid.
Chris
Jul 8, 2013 at 4:44 pm
Steve Elkington should be on the choice list. Flawless swing.
tyler brooke
Jul 8, 2013 at 11:13 pm
Agreed, was looking for him on the list.
Dolph Lundgrenade
Jul 13, 2013 at 6:27 pm
agreed
Peter Reich
Aug 3, 2013 at 1:21 pm
He is on the list. I’m amazed so many people can’t find him, lol.
Adam
Jul 8, 2013 at 4:38 pm
Gotta have Hunter Mahan on here, it’s the swing that Foley says is the model for TW and JR to strive for.
dingleberry
Jul 8, 2013 at 4:51 pm
He has to much face rotation in his swing.
Jaacob Bowden
Jul 9, 2013 at 10:21 am
He’s not my favorite swing.
However, I agree with you, he would’ve been good to have on the list. I’m surprised in my initial polling that his name didn’t come up.
The “Other” option in the poll is currently ranked 13th, so it’s feasible he could finish that high in the voting.
shane
Aug 22, 2013 at 11:56 am
What about alvaro quiros?..:)
Joel
Jul 10, 2013 at 12:38 pm
Couldn’t Agree with you more Adam!
c
Jul 10, 2013 at 5:56 pm
Chad Campbell over Pat Bates all day, I bet he’d be in the top 30 if you made him a selection
John
Jul 10, 2013 at 10:21 pm
Completely agree, one of the top ball strikers consistently. If you look, boo, hunter, and dufner have similar “foley,s&t,hogan,turn in a barrel” type swings, though with there own style and subtle differences.
Dolph Lundgrenade
Jul 13, 2013 at 6:27 pm
Seriously… the modern swing model is not even on the list? pssh.