Greg Norman: Golf Swing Analysis

The only reason that Greg Norman is not considered as one of the top 5 players of all time is that he could not find a way to close out majors that he had a very good chance to win. If he had even a little of Tiger Wood’s ability to maintain a lead (Tiger won 14 majors from the front without being beaten) he would have won 7 or 8, and certainly may have accumulated double digit major wins. That said, he is still one of the greats, having led the World Rankings for 331 weeks (second only to Woods), and did win 2 majors, 18 other PGA Tour events, and 14 European Tour events.

Norman was a physical specimen, and he used his strength and athletic ability to great advantage, hitting the ball extremely high and straight. His golf swing was fast and powerful, with tremendous arm acceleration. His lower body action was somewhat suspect, as he tended to slide his right foot backwards as he came into the impact area in order to compensate for a hip movement that drove toward the ball a bit from the top of the swing. His swing became more noticeably flat and across the line at the top upon taking up with swing coach Butch Harmon, but the results were quite positive as he came out of a 3 year slump to regain the #1 world ranking. The “shark” proved he still had the goods when he almost won the 2008 British Open.

Everett

If I remember correctly, I remember reading Norman said that when he really started to focus hard on golf he considered Nicklaus’s instruction book as his bible. Now I know why his back foot flew backwards. Thanks. Well explained. BTW- I think his first big business deal was Cobra. He made 80 million on that deal. I’m not sure what instruction book he read to do that deal. I’m still looking for it.
http://www.facebook.com/people/Robert-Holding/1600208125 Robert Holding

Mr Defrancesco Great analysis and love the way you communicate your ideas across. Can you clear one thing up for me? Does the lowering of the head that you point out in the best players happening naturally or are they doing it on purpose. When you say it is through compression into the ground what does this actually mean? In my swing my head bobs up and back, should I attempt to make an effort to lower it consciously? Robert Holding

http://www.waynedefrancesco.com Wayne DeFrancesco

Sam Snead spoke of pushing off from the ground, and other pros have mentioned such things, but I don’t believe that it has been taught as a purposeful movement. It seems, however, that it should be, since most good ball strikers do it and most others don’t. If you wind up and throw a ball sidearm you will feel lowering and compression into the ground. It is the way you shift from right to left in an athletic movement. If you don’t do it naturally you should do it on purpose.

Dunny

I Followed Greg in a practice round 1983 playing in the Irish open when I was 11 years old with my older brother. The first time I saw him hit a driver up close was one of the most amazing things I had seen in my life up to that point. It was like watching a force of nature. The speed, strength and width of his swing was mind blowing for an 11 year old. And on top of that he hit it further than everyone else. He was also a very charming and tolerable guy alowing lots of kids follow him inside the ropes and he would give his old balatas away.
Bsbarnes2002

Mr. Defrancesco: I really enjoy your clips and your analysis has provided a substantial amount of conversation for myself and one of my buddies who is working really hard on his game. We have watched a lot of video and keep coming back to your analysis as part of our work in progress. I was expecting to see a little cleaner action from Norman having seen him for years and in person a couple of times. Keep up the good work.
http://twitter.com/p13708 Peter engelbert

Wayne, Are you able to determine what causes this type of standing up action in the downswing. Is it a fear of hitting it left or possibly attempting to generate additional power? Maybe it does not matter as long as we know it is wrong and how to correct it. In that case, what two drills would you use to eliminate this action?

I have a similar action (probably a little more severe) and am working on maintaining posture and clearing the hips. Would be nice to have some drills to help feel the lower body pull the upper body and then arms and club down. Thanks.
http://www.facebook.com/people/John-Anderson/100002435068799 John Anderson

One thing that has gone by the wayside now andno one seems to mention is how Greg used to have that deal with his right foot where it would slide behind him in the downswing, Wayne, any thoughts on that?
http://www.waynedefrancesco.com Wayne DeFrancesco

That was a great move on his part to keep his hips deep. Check out Jeff Sluman and Bob Gilder. Same thing.

Greg Norman: Golf Swing Analysis

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