Matt Kuchar’s Golf Swing

Written by Larry Keltto on June 17, 2011 in Backswing On Lower Plane Than Downswing, Flat Plane, Full Body Rotation, Full Shoulder Turn, Head Dip, One-Plane Swing, Passive Hands, Square Stance, Strong Grip, To the Inside on Takeaway, Uncategorized - 4 Comments

Matt Kuchar’s story is well-known. He enjoyed great success early in his golf career. He won the U.S. Amateur in 1997 and was a two-time all-American at Georgia Tech. He turned professional in 2000 and won his first PGA Tour event in 2002. But by 2006 he was playing on the Nationwide Tour.

Fast-forward to the present, June of 2011. He’s ranked in the Top 10 in the world. He’s considered a favorite to win the 2011 U.S. Open. In 2010 he had the lowest scoring average on the PGA Tour and was its leading money winner. A big reason for Kuchar’s turnaround is a new swing.

Kuchar’s swing looks unusual because it’s rare to see a 6-4 golfer swinging on such a flat plane. Golf instructor Wayne DeFrancesco says: “Matt Kuchar swing should be enough evidence for anyone paying attention to prove that just about any combination of backswing arm, hand and wrist positions can be utilized to play great golf.”

Photos of Matt Kuchar’s Swing

• Matt Kuchar swing sequence and Plane Truth forum discussion

• Matt Kuchar swing sequence in Golf Digest

• Golfweek analysis of Matt Kuchar’s swing

• Golf Digest cover story on building a repeatable swing

Characteristics of Matt Kuchar’s Golf Swing

• Strong lefthand grip

• Brings the club WAY inside on the backswing, which means that the hands are deep and behind him.

• Flat backswing

• Full shoulder turn

• Club face is closed at the top

• Downswing plane is steeper than the backswing plane, which is almost inevitable, given how far he brings the club to the inside on the takeaway

• In the downswing, hips make it possible for him to get his arms back in front

Chis O’Connell Explains Matt Kuchar’s One-Plane Swing

Chris O’Connell, Kuchar’s swing coach, offers a two-part analysis of Kuchar’s swing.

In part one, O’Connell explains why he doesn’t think Kuchar’s swing is especially flat.

In part two, O’Connell explains Kuchar’s swing changes.

Compare Matt Kuchar’s Swing To

• Bruce Lietzke (downswing plane is steeper than the backswing plane)
• Ben Hogan, Bobby Jones, Ken Venturi (deep hand position, use of the hips)
Miguel Angel Jimenez (flat plane)

Video Vault of Matt Kuchar’s Golf Swing

Kuchar’s swing, down the line, slow motion:

Wayne DeFrancesco’s analysis of Kuchar’s swing:

Kuchar’s swing, side view, practice range:

Kuchar’s swing, back view, practice range:

To Learn More About Swing Plane, You Might Be Interested In:

• “The Plane Truth for Golfers: Breaking Down the One-plane Swing and the Two-Plane Swing and Finding the One That’s Right for You,” by Jim Hardy
• Hank Haney Plane Finder
• SKLZ Rick Smith Perfect Plane – Swing Plane Training Board