Paul Casey Swing Sequence Golf Tip

Power & Accuracy with Paul Casey and his coach, Peter Kostis…

Paul Casey is one of the best drivers of the golf ball in the game. His forearms (often compared to those of the cartoon character, Popeye) are huge, and enable him to propel the ball vast distances. “I think there is no question Paul is one of the best five drivers of the golf ball in the world,” says Peter Kostis, his coach. “In terms of length and control combined, he has as much as anybody else in the game. On the Sunday of last year’s Ryder Cup, everyone was going nuts over JB Holmes’ drive on the long par-4 17th hole at Valhalla. “Holmes gave it everything and stepped after it after he’d swung, and had 87 yards left to the flag. Paul had only 89 yards to the flag after his drive on the same hole, but he did it with a legitimately controlled golf swing. If you’re talking about quality of shot, I don’t know if there’s anybody out there who drives the ball as far with control as Paul.” Casey and Kostis do 90 per cent of their work together over the winter (November/December) in Arizona, where they both live, at Whisper Rock and Greyhawk Golf Courses. Then, once the season starts, it’s the time for scoring…

1. At address
My ball position is on the left heel. My spine is
tilted a little to the right and my weight is evenly balanced. A slight knee flex gives an athletic feel.

2 The takeaway
I’ve worked hard on making sure that all parts of my body start to move at the same time in the takeaway. Hands, arms, shoulders, and hips all start to move and turn simultaneously.

TIPS FROM KOSTIS
Paul hits full swings with both feet planted firmly on the ground. This forces him to release his hands and arms past his body and gets him centred – turning properly, rather than sliding.”

3 Top of the backs swing
See how I’ve retained the flex in my right knee and a release of my left knee has allowed the left thigh to move behind the ball. This is a classic power position. Jack Nicklaus used to move his left knee back even more than this. It helps me to get ready for the transition to the downswing.

4 The start of the downswing
Look how my left heel has been re-planted. My left leg is now in position to accept the swing coming forward. The belt buckle is still facing the golf ball, the hips are clearing, yet my shoulders are still well closed. Creating this separation between hips and shoulders allows me to retain a 90 angle between the club’s shaft and my arms.

5. Coming down
You can see here how I’m rotating my chest and shoulders, yet still almost retaining the 90 angle between the club’s shaft and my arms. This is where so much of the power comes from. I’ve driven up with my legs and the hips have turned driving the left shoulder up and back. The key is to feel like both body weight and club are moving through the hitting area together.

6 Just after impact
I can control the power because my right heel is not way up off the ground. I’ve generated as much power as I can, without getting my body out of position.

7 The finish
Here is a classic follow-through position. There is no reverse ‘C’ and I’m no longer lunging forward with my upper body. I’ve swung on to my left side but not past it.

TIPS FROM KOSTIS
“I get Paul to pick up his left leg on his transfer his weight properly and slows down the transition from the top.”

‘THE KEY IS TO FEEL LIKE BOTH MY BODY THROUGH THE HITTING AREA AT THE SAME TIME’

Paul Casey swing squence…