Russ Cochran is a former PGA TOUR Champion as well as a 5-time Champions Tour winner, so it's safe to say he knows what he's doing when it comes to swinging a golf club. What you may not know about Russ is that he's actually a vertical swinger, which is not all that uncommon amongst golfers on the senior circuit.
The reason I wanted to talk about Mr. Cochran today is because of an email I received from Roland Siegfried. Roland made some very astute observations about Russ Cochran's swing, most notably that he swings vertically. He wanted to know if I agreed with him and also why Russ has been able to be so successful as a pro using a vertical swing.
From my understanding, Russ had a lot of back problems earlier in his career. I'm not sure when he decided to swing more vertical, but he's certainly playing well on the Champions Tour today. As any golfer over the age of 50 will tell you, being able to play pain free is what it's all about! For Russ, I'm sure it was the same thing. By swinging vertically, he's taken all the stress, strain, and pressure off his back and has enabled himself to continue on as a professional golfer...a successful one at that!
So, I'd just like to commend Russ on his career and I'm happy to say he most definitely is a vertical swinger.
Keep it vertical!
The Surge
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Comments
Russ Cochran
Found a clip of Russ Cochran's swing. When you get to this link it allows a 'step by step' click by click, (frame by frame) way to look at his swing manually. Yes,very vertical. He starts with a forward press. Interesting that you can see exactly when he drops into the slot ever so slightly lays off as he bump and shifts his weight forward and starts down. Look closely and you'll see him step down on his forward foot as that shift happens. At the end he does more of an Arnie finish with his club and head rather than a recoil and relax.
http://www.golfswing4you.com/golfvideos/video/russ_cochran_drive_left_hand.html
12 oclock vertical
http://www.golfchannel.com/sites/golfchannel.prod.acquia-sites.com/files/styles/gallery_slide/public/C/0/D/%7BC0D11693-2...
http://www.golf.com/ap-news/russ-cochran-wins-senior-british-open-2-strokes
http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/russ-cochran-hits-to-the-18th-green-during-the-second-round-news-photo/1697...
Another subject: Rehearsing the slot swing
You might find this interesting, Robert, as an alternative to slow motion practice swings. This link shows Mike Weir doing a couple of practice swings. I don't do a practice swing that often but this looks like a good way to rehearse the slot swing with a version of the pump drill.
http://www.celebritynetworth.com/watch/RiEUPJNPY_Y/golf-swing-2012-mike-weir/
Rehearsals
Dave,
Thanks for the link. I have done a similar rehearsal swing previously. That one doesn't work for what I am developing because he has more of a flatter single plain move. I take it up more vertically and then loop under as I bump. Key in my development at this point is coming under (not starting under or flat if that makes sense).
Also very key in my break through is having the bump cause the drop and slot from the top not my arms or shoulders or hands. It doesn't need to be a big drop ( or loop under) though exaggeration helps at first. So that pump (for me) is generated by my lower body at and then then once the arms drop in fire everything up to the T finish. That's the goal and when it goes right (more often lately) it's so cool.
Shots of the year
How 'bout dat?!!!!!
http://golfstateofmind.com/top-10-short-game-moments-2013/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+h...
Two shots that are missing (guess that would have made it the top 12) - Phil's great wedge at the Irish Open and his 3 wood at 17 at the Open (British).