Stack & Tilt Critics Speak Out

Teachers Weigh In On Stack & Tilt

>ARE THE POSITIONS ACCURATE?

The head is not a stationary post, and there is definitely weight shift in the golf swing. Anything can be overdone, certainly lateral motion, but there is lateral motion in great golf swings, and you can take that to the bank.

-- JIM McLEAN, No. 4

PLUMMER / Yes, there should be lateral motion in the swing, but not away from the target. The lateral shift of the hips on the downswing should be fast and full. However, lateral motion away from the target limits the player's ability to get to the front side at impact.

As for the head not being a stationary post, look at some of the best golfers of all time, such as Hogan, Snead and Nicklaus--their heads never moved off the ball on the backswing. You're trying to hit a stationary object, and moving your head is like moving the ball. Plus, it's not necessary. Here's a quote from Nicklaus in a recent article in Golf World: "I don't believe in a lateral shift. I believe in staying on the ball."

>WILL LEAD TO BACK PROBLEMS: Stack & Tilt requires a tremendous amount of flexibility. Without that flexibility, which is mainly coming from the mid-back, the swing will seemingly develop a tremendous amount of sheer force [sideways movement] at the lumbar spine. And sheering is the most destructive force the lumbar spine has to deal with. Additionally, the Stack & Tilt requires an increased load on the lead knee. In the presence of arthritic or wear-and-tear issues, the lead knee will probably become inflamed and painful.
-- RALPH SIMPSON, Physical Therapist, 12 years in the PGA Tour fitness trailer; BENNETT / Not a single player has complained to us about back pain. A lot of times their backs feel better after they switch. We've been told by orthopedics and physical therapists that the hips pushing forward and upward reduces the amount of lumbar stress created by rotation and lead-knee stress due to sheer force. We're saying stand up, extend, stretch--that's better for the back than twisting.

>YOU BETTER BE PHYSICALLY GIFTED: I believe the hip thrust on the downswing is difficult physically, especially for average players. I think you need to be physically gifted to do it. I can see how it works, though.
-- TOM NESS, No. 48; PLUMMER / Golfers don't have a problem doing it; teachers have a problem explaining it. The bottom line is, if you don't thrust your hips through impact, the angle of descent is too steep and the player will struggle to hit the ball solidly.