J.B. Holmes: Swing Sequence
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Swing Sequence: J.B. Holmes
Analysis by Top 100 Teacher Bruce Patterson Butler National Golf Club, Oak Brook, Ill.
One of the members at our club hosted a round with Ryder Cup hero J.B. Holmes. He told me that on the 7th hole, which is a 621-yard par 5 that winds around a salt creek, J.B. reached the green on his second shot with a 7 iron. Yes, he's that long!
How does he do it? Sure, it helps that J.B. is built like a small NFL linebacker, but his real power source is his ability to store energy and release it at the precise moment of impact. Instructors call this having the proper sequence of kinetic linkage, like the motion needed to crack a whip or snap a towel. As you can see from these photos, the kinetic sequence starts with your legs — they're the first to move in your downswing — and is followed by the turning action of your hips and your shoulders, and, finally, the release of your hands through impact.
J.B. follows the sequence to the letter. The result? A swing so powerful that it automatically compensates for a few faulty positions in his backswing. Copy J.B. and you'll reach previously unreachable par 4s and par 5s.
J.B. HOLMES
• Percentage of drives 300+ yds.: 56.1
• 2008 Ryder Cup Record: 2-0-1
• World Golf Rank: No. 73 (No. 208 in '07)
Swing Sequence: J.B. Holmes
Analysis by Top 100 Teacher Bruce Patterson Butler National Golf Club, Oak Brook, Ill.
One of the members at our club hosted a round with Ryder Cup hero J.B. Holmes. He told me that on the 7th hole, which is a 621-yard par 5 that winds around a salt creek, J.B. reached the green on his second shot with a 7 iron. Yes, he's that long!
How does he do it? Sure, it helps that J.B. is built like a small NFL linebacker, but his real power source is his ability to store energy and release it at the precise moment of impact. Instructors call this having the proper sequence of kinetic linkage, like the motion needed to crack a whip or snap a towel. As you can see from these photos, the kinetic sequence starts with your legs — they're the first to move in your downswing — and is followed by the turning action of your hips and your shoulders, and, finally, the release of your hands through impact.
J.B. follows the sequence to the letter. The result? A swing so powerful that it automatically compensates for a few faulty positions in his backswing. Copy J.B. and you'll reach previously unreachable par 4s and par 5s.
J.B. HOLMES
• Percentage of drives 300+ yds.: 56.1
• 2008 Ryder Cup Record: 2-0-1
• World Golf Rank: No. 73 (No. 208 in '07)
CREDIT: Getty Images
