Swing Sequence: Trevor Immelman
June 09, 2008
By
Trevor Immelman | Edited By Peter Morrice
Photos by
Dom Furore
TWO SETUP POSITIONS THAT MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCEGood golf is about maintenance. You have to develop ways to feel the right positions and monitor them. Two examples in my game are grip pressure and ball position. These might sound boring, but for me they're absolutely crucial to playing well.First, I set a medium grip pressure at address and try to keep it constant during the swing. I want to make sure I don't grab the grip midswing to manipulate the club in some way.Second, I keep a close eye on ball position. For iron shots, like I'm hitting on the next page, I want the ball off the back edge of the emblem on my shirt; for the driver, off the front edge.If I get these two things right, I have a head start on controlling ball flight. And that's what it's all about.AGE: 28 / __HEIGHT:__5-feet-10 /DRIVER: Nike SQ Sumo 5000 / 5-IRON: Nike CCI forged / BALL: Nike One Platinum / DRIVING DISTANCE (RANK): 289 yards (T49) / __GREENS IN REGULATION (RANK):__66% (42)TWO SETUP POSITIONS THAT MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCEGood golf is about maintenance. You have to develop ways to feel the right positions and monitor them. Two examples in my game are grip pressure and ball position. These might sound boring, but for me they're absolutely crucial to playing well.First, I set a medium grip pressure at address and try to keep it constant during the swing. I want to make sure I don't grab the grip midswing to manipulate the club in some way.Second, I keep a close eye on ball position. For iron shots, like I'm hitting on the next page, I want the ball off the back edge of the emblem on my shirt; for the driver, off the front edge.If I get these two things right, I have a head start on controlling ball flight. And that's what it's all about.AGE: 28 / __HEIGHT:__5-feet-10 /DRIVER: Nike SQ Sumo 5000 / 5-IRON: Nike CCI forged / BALL: Nike One Platinum / DRIVING DISTANCE (RANK): 289 yards (T49) / __GREENS IN REGULATION (RANK):__66% (42)
OPEN AND RELEASE
How Trevor shapes his shots*by David LeadbetterGolf Digest Teaching Professional with Pete McDaniel*When I first started working with Trevor Immelman in 2005, the goal was simple: Help him take his game to the next level by improving his ball-striking and shotmaking.Trevor was a multiple winner on the European tour prior to playing full time in the U.S. His swing technique was built to deal with the windy conditions he grew up playing and practicing in at home in Cape Town, South Africa. For Trevor, this meant playing the ball well back in his stance, shutting the clubface down and holding on to his release, which ultimately produced a low-flighted cut shot -- his go-to shot. Not surprisingly, several of his European tour wins were played in windy conditions, including back-to-back South African Opens, a feat previously accomplished only by Gary Player.This one-dimensional swing, however, didn't suit the firmer, faster greens Trevor faced in the U.S. For Trevor to be competitive on the PGA Tour, he had to release the clubhead more to control the shape and trajectory of his shots.The major focus was to turn Trevor from a shut-face player with a lot of lateral body motion while holding the face open through impact, to a player who rotated the face into a more open position going back, allowing him to turn through and fully release the club. Trevor now has the ability to shape the ball at will, evident in his brilliant ball-striking at Augusta, where he moved the ball right to left on command.I love Trevor's simple, efficient technique, which Player described as being very close to that perfected by Ben Hogan. The results during the Masters were Hoganesque, especially leading the field in fairways hit and tying for second in greens in regulation. The goal now is to maintain his improved technique, because as all golfers know, one tends to revert to old habits. He has worked hard to maximize his ability and perfect a swing some have described as the best on tour. I expect Trevor to win more majors in the near future.OPEN AND RELEASE
How Trevor shapes his shots*by David LeadbetterGolf Digest Teaching Professional with Pete McDaniel*When I first started working with Trevor Immelman in 2005, the goal was simple: Help him take his game to the next level by improving his ball-striking and shotmaking.Trevor was a multiple winner on the European tour prior to playing full time in the U.S. His swing technique was built to deal with the windy conditions he grew up playing and practicing in at home in Cape Town, South Africa. For Trevor, this meant playing the ball well back in his stance, shutting the clubface down and holding on to his release, which ultimately produced a low-flighted cut shot -- his go-to shot. Not surprisingly, several of his European tour wins were played in windy conditions, including back-to-back South African Opens, a feat previously accomplished only by Gary Player.This one-dimensional swing, however, didn't suit the firmer, faster greens Trevor faced in the U.S. For Trevor to be competitive on the PGA Tour, he had to release the clubhead more to control the shape and trajectory of his shots.The major focus was to turn Trevor from a shut-face player with a lot of lateral body motion while holding the face open through impact, to a player who rotated the face into a more open position going back, allowing him to turn through and fully release the club. Trevor now has the ability to shape the ball at will, evident in his brilliant ball-striking at Augusta, where he moved the ball right to left on command.I love Trevor's simple, efficient technique, which Player described as being very close to that perfected by Ben Hogan. The results during the Masters were Hoganesque, especially leading the field in fairways hit and tying for second in greens in regulation. The goal now is to maintain his improved technique, because as all golfers know, one tends to revert to old habits. He has worked hard to maximize his ability and perfect a swing some have described as the best on tour. I expect Trevor to win more majors in the near future.Soft arms, quiet body start the swing.Soft arms, quiet body start the swing.
He simply moves his well-organized address position away from the ball.He simply moves his well-organized address position away from the ball.
"Hoganesque" flat-plane position at the top."Hoganesque" flat-plane position at the top.
Great approach to impact while maintaining his spine angle.Great approach to impact while maintaining his spine angle.
Impact supported by firm left side and steady head position.Impact supported by firm left side and steady head position.
Full release of the club to a complete, balanced finish.Full release of the club to a complete, balanced finish.