This Setup 4 Impact golf swing starts by aligning the body close to the impact position at address, promoting a smooth, swing on a single plane, and low-stress motion.
5 reasons why it's good for the back:
- Eliminates vertical spinal compression by maintaining consistent spine angle and hip level through impact, avoiding the upward "lifting" common in traditional swings.
- Reduces torque and strain on the lower back, hips, and joints with a simplified, single-plane path that minimizes complex rotations and compensations.
- Customizes to individual body types and limitations, allowing a natural, effortless motion without forcing unnatural positions that aggravate pain.
- Promotes a taller, more upright posture at address with higher hands, preventing excessive forward bend or reaching that stresses the lumbar spine.
- Enables smoother, fluid tempo with less forceful pivots, lowering overall body stress and supporting pain-free play for seniors or injured golfers.
A centered-weight approach with minimal backswing shift, focusing on stacking the body over the lead side and tilting into impact.
5 reasons why it's good for the back:
- Keeps weight forward/centered throughout, eliminating excessive lateral sway or reverse pivot that can shear or compress the lower spine.
- Reduces rotational torque on the lumbar area by limiting big hip slides and promoting a more stable pelvis during the swing.
- Minimizes the need for aggressive lower-body drive or "hanging back," which often causes extension stress and pain in traditional swings.
- When taught correctly, it protects the back by avoiding over-rotation or side bend compensations, with some experts calling it one of the safest methods for spinal health.
- Allows consistent contact with less overall body movement, decreasing cumulative strain and enabling pain-free rounds even for those with prior issues.
3. Hands-and-Arms Driven Swing (e.g., Jimmy Ballard or similar "connection" styles)
Emphasizes arm motion with the body responding passively, reducing aggressive body rotation.
5 reasons why it's good for the back:
- Shifts focus to hands and arms leading the swing, minimizing forceful hip/shoulder coil and torque on the lumbar spine.
- Encourages limited rotation and a "throwing" action with the club, avoiding excessive lower-body drive that compresses the back.
- Promotes a more upright posture and connected motion, reducing reverse spine angle or hanging back faults that aggravate pain.
- Allows golfers with injuries to maintain power without over-relying on spinal twist, supporting pain-free returns to play.
- Often recommended for older players or those post-injury, as it lowers cumulative wear from repetitive rotational stress.
4. Floating Spine / Senior Swing (e.g., elements from Proper Golfing or Champions Tour styles)
Features a gliding spine motion backward on the backswing and forward through impact, with weight shifting in the same direction as the spine.
5 reasons why it's good for the back:
- Aligns spine and weight movement to reduce opposing forces, causing far less stress than traditional swings where the spine fights against shift.
- Allows natural head release and an "I" finish (standing tall), relieving neck and lower back pressure while promoting balance.
- Accommodates reduced flexibility in seniors or injured players by shortening the swing arc and minimizing extreme bends or tilts.
- Encourages smooth, flowing tempo over aggressive power, decreasing the risk of spasms or strain during play.
- Enables pain-free golf on longer rounds by prioritizing body-friendly mechanics over maximum distance.
5. Modified Classic Swing with Adjustments (e.g., taller stance, narrower/flared feet, together turn – per tour coaches like Jim Suttie or TPI modifications)
A traditional swing adapted for back issues: stand straighter, turn upper/lower body as one unit, use narrower stance with feet turned out.
5 reasons why it's good for the back:
- Standing taller at address reduces forward spinal bend, placing less initial strain on the lower back and allowing better alignment.
- Turning upper and lower body together minimizes differential rotation (coil), cutting torque and X-factor stress on the spine.
- Narrower stance with flared feet eases hip turn without forcing excessive lumbar movement, improving mobility and reducing restriction.
- Emphasizes hands-and-arms dominance with body response, avoiding modern tour-style aggressive pivots that overload the back.
- Provides practical, coach-backed tweaks (including TPI-inspired neutral posture and no reverse spine angle) for consistency and pain relief without overhauling the entire swing.