"Golf Emperor" Woods' Advice: "Your Swing Doesn't Have to Be Pretty"

Pretty Swing 'NO', Functional Swing 'YES'
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"The Best Swing Is One That Fits Your Body"

Most amateur golfers have a romantic notion about their swing. They want to have a pretty swing like professional players. However, it is impossible to imitate the swings of tour players who have trained professionally since childhood. It often looks lacking and awkward. But there is no need to obsess over a "pretty swing." Here is advice from the "Golf Emperor," Tiger Woods (USA).

Tiger Woods emphasized that "the best swing is not a pretty swing, but one that suits your body."

Woods highly values the functionality of the golf swing. A pretty swing does not always lead to good results. He advises that a swing must be functionally competitive. Woods said, "There is no set way to play the game," and "Every golfer’s swing is different. Each player has their own swing and their own style." While a pretty swing can lead to good scores, there is no need to be overly concerned. Golf is about playing, not about having a perfect swing.

Jim Furyk (USA), born in 1970, is a representative example. Since his first career win at the 1995 Las Vegas Invitational, he has collected his 17th trophy at the 2015 RBC Heritage as a veteran. He has also won three times on the senior tour for players over 50. In the final 4th round of the 2016 Travelers Championship, he shot 12-under-par 58, becoming the first "Man of 58" in global golf history.

"Mr. 58" Jim Furyk (USA) uses an "8-shape swing." Unlike the typical one-plane swing, where the downswing follows the same path as the backswing, Furyk has two different swing planes for the backswing and downswing. Two-plane swings, where the backswing and downswing paths differ, generally have less accuracy. But this does not apply to Furyk. He emphasized, "There has been controversy about my swing for a long time, but now it has settled as a paradigm," and "If you feel comfortable with it yourself, it is the most suitable swing." Similar cases include "twist swing" Matthew Wolff (USA) and "fisherman swing" Choi Ho-sung. There are also Hideki Matsuyama (Japan), who pauses briefly at the top of the backswing, and Inbee Park, who has a slow swing and does not cock her wrists.

Woods said, "There are many ways to play golf. You can use your hands or your body," and "We all have our own fingerprints. You have to find the system that suits you best." He added, "If your game has improved, try all methods," and "If you hit the ball well and can maintain consistency, that is the best swing."

As Woods advises, there is no correct answer for a golf swing. Although instructors emphasize basic theories, they cannot be applied to all golfers. This is because body types, strength, and swing speeds differ. Enjoying rounds with your own unique golf swing is the best approach.