Jack Nicklaus' Swing vs. PPGS

In honor of our country's independence day, I'm going to talk about the greatest American golfer that has ever played the game. Jack Nicklaus won more majors than any other golfer and was at the top of the game for decades. He had a timeless swing that enabled him to win the Masters at the age of 46, older than any winner of the green jacket before or since.

Brian Leene sent in a question asking about Jack's swing and whether or not it was a vertical swing. As Jack got into his 40s, his swing became more upright, perhaps because he understood the benefits of a limited turn, vertical swing.

A couple videos have been put together that compare Jack's swing next to mine. They are terrific at comparing our two swings and it really sheds light on the evolution of Jack's swing. Brian also sent in a video link with his question that showcases Jack's swing from multiple angles, which I've also included below.

Here are the links to these three videos, which I highly recommend you watch. Just click on the titles below.
Golf Swing by Jack Nicklaus (submitted by Brian Leene)
Evolution of Jack Nickalus' Golf Swing (by Mike Bartholomew)

I hope you enjoyed these videos. Jack certainly had what I consider to be a vertical golf swing. If I would have had the chance to work with Jack in the past, I may have tried to tweak just a few things. Nevertheless, Jack's record speaks for itself.

Keep it vertical and HAPPY 4th OF JULY!

The Surge

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Comments

Ride the Wave

In surfing, a key element is keeping one eyes on the horizon, watching for changes.

PPGS community, there is a "set" of waves rolling our way, and we are right smack in the middle of the line-up. Enjoy as it unfolds.

This "upright element" spans the generations, from Inbee to Jack.
Surf's up.

Thank you for Don, Mike and all for bringing the words "upright" and "upright swing plane" into the conversation more often. Not to step on the holy grail, but when the word "vertical" is the lead terminology, there may be misinterpretation. At least for me. My thot is to get a conversation started first, with language that allows some breadth.

Edit: Or not. Don has a beautiful swing, has some great instructors and fitters within the PPGS family. He can and should (and will) do exactly what he thinks is best. This foregoing was simply my honest input for some further success in the marketplace of ideas.

Upright

Watching for changes while maintaining traditions.

Terminology. An interesting subject. Though you are likely correct that the over all acceptance may be a bit more palatable if 'upright' were more prominently used rather than 'vertical' I don't feel a change is in order. Upright also gives the feel of body lines being upright to me even if one says,"upright swing". Perhaps most importantly, vertical is very unique to Don Trahan among golf teachers and gives a clear picture of the 12:00
goal of the BUS and a fairly vertical FUS. So I guess I have mixed feelings on that one SG. It is reasonable that sharing an understandable terminology may help Surge "ride the wave" of the current success of many going more vertical (ie., In Be Park).

Just read your edit. I don't think your observations on the matter for the market place are off at all SG. It is really a thoughtful suggestion and one to consider. Perhaps Surge may think about incorporating both. Likely it is something he has thought over and decided on long ago. Mean while when we share our positive thoughts to friends and fellow golfers as to why the PPGS may indeed be a superior way to both have a good repeatable swing and one that is truly body friendly, using the description of upright along with vertical may be wise and helpful.

For the most part "Keeping it Vertical" may be the upright thing to do:)

Works For Me

"upright along with vertical" Nice, Robert.

I like it. They are not the same thing, but they both have their place in the conversation. It's interesting, but the PPGS club is only truly "vertical" (or plumb) once, that micro-second in the BUS as it passes through that point in space.

This point of reference was troubling for me, the literalist building contractor
who was trying so hard to maintain or "keep it vertical".

Can you say "ugly swing" ? I was quite cynical and frustrated.

I believe it was Doc Griffin who gave me my first Rx on this site. He could tell what was going on, and Dx'd it correctly. (No small task without video or pix)
As my rotational thoughts were transitioning, the word "upright" was used, and it was a liberating moment, for both my painful shoulder and my brain. :-)

-------------------

Working on the sink drain the other day......checked online fixes.
"I can do this." 3 hours later I called the plumber.
Five minutes.....it took him 5 minutes to fix it.
It's his world. He sees it, knows it, and corrected it.
Call your "plumber" and let him take a look.
Some of my best golf lessons have been those little
5 minute "aha" moments, courtesy of someone who
really knows what they are talking about.

Vertical Jack

Those videos by Mike are excellent and a great watch and study. All things considered, especially the equipment they they played with makes me feel that J. N. was indeed the greatest golfer of all time. He had it all.

I found those videos a few months ago when looking up Mike Bartholomew after he became part of the PPGS team. Really good stuff and certainly worth the time of watching and recommended to save to your favorites library.

Thanks for sharing that Surge:)

We are hoping to get out again today and play 18. We want to wish a happy 4th to all and like the Memorial is another time to reflect on all those American warriors who gave there life and limbs for our freedom. here's something that Surgite Richard Higgins sent me yesterday.
A special thought to our dear friend Dick Lee and his family. he and others like him made our freedom possible

http://www.dinarrecaps.com/1/post/2013/05/six-boys-and-thirteen-hands.html

First Things First....

Thanks, Robert, for the reminder.

Freedom is a beautiful thing, and the price was (and is) huge.

Happy 4th to all.

Agreed

Robert and SG:
Could not agree more - thanks to all of those who paid the ultimate price for our freedom. And God bless those who serve our country today.

Surge / Mike:
Excellent videos. JN was the best - ball striking, clutch putter, but the thing I always admired - 1st class sportsmanship.

DJ:
Way to go - birdied last two holes for even par. Good luck for tomorrow. Just stay away from the big numbers.

Me:
Played the first day of the weekend tripleheader at Marsh Oaks. Shot 43-44=87. Birdied 2nd, had a lot of pars, but could not avoid the big numbers. One of the tips on the first JN video said to takeaway slow and smooth, also to swing the same tempo. I really need to do this with all of the clubs. No 3 putts - have putted better since cutting my putter down to 33". Rattle Run tomorrow at 6:08am - a great test.

Have a great 4th all Surgites,
Jerry - Warren, MI