Golf Swing and the X Factor

X Factor can be viewed 4 ways

Golf swing and the X Factor is a term used to describe the difference in turn angle between the shoulders (upper body) and the hips (pelvis), in the backswing. Added to this is the X Factor Stretch which is an increase in the X Factor at the beginning of the downswing produced by the hips starting down before the shoulders. This new revved up version, referred to as downswing loading, intensifies the coil created in the backswing. OK everything here is completely correct and horrible wrong at the same time.

From this definition it is saying that good golf is directly proportional to how much differential one can achieve between the upper and lower body. And also from this, every golfer is obligated to start the downswing from the hips, that you as a golfer must actively be involved in doing this or one will suffer the consequence of shorter drives.

Coil is a result of having the shoulders turned against the resistance of the lower body through arm swing. If one starts the swing with arm swing the shoulders will be pulled and everything will arrive at the top at the same time. But if one turns the shoulders in the backswing, in an effort to achieve a greater X Factor, all the coil is introduced at the start and out of necessity will have to release so as to be able to finish the swing. Plus by starting with shoulder turn one has abandoned arm swing which means that the arms and legs will not be able to coordinate like they do when you run or walk or play any other sport.

Coil is having the upper body turned against the resistance of the lower body but the anchor point needed for this resistance can be different depending on flexibility, core strength and power source.  If the resistance is from the hips than on fits into the terms just described. Here the golfer has an upper body coil. If the flexibility is less, than the anchor point is more the left knee and ones X Factor changes to a mid body coil. Now there is less X Factor but one can still hit the ball just as far.  And again, if the flexibility is less than the previous, the anchor point is the left foot which becomes a total body coil. And then finally the positional advantage player like Bubba Watson has no anchor point. Instead of creating force from a coil he is creating clubhead speed from width of arc and height. That is why he lifts the forward foot in the backswing. One could say he has a 0 point X Factor. This gives us 4 different X Factors. All work.

This view allows everybody to play their best golf derived from their own range of motion, flexibility and power source. Otherwise, are we not, we once again, imposing obligations and requirements on to the swing and individual.

The only obligation one has as a golfer is to release the club. By releasing one automatically achieves ground reaction forces. The word “reaction” means that you don’t do it. This also means that one never need try to start the downswing by turning the hips. Rotation is a direct result of these forces and is only possible by releasing the club. Just as when throwing a ball, the body turns through as the left side accepts the weight all without one thinking about it or trying to make it happen. Some golfers possessing slower hips will acquire rotation from vertical ground forces where faster hip players will achieve verticals from rotational forces. Then some, with fast hips, like Rory Mcilory, layer vertical forces on top of their rotational forces so as to achieve incredibly long drives. that is why they dip at the start of their downswing. All have verticals and rotational elements in their downswing. Non are trying to make it happen.

By understanding how the body works and recognizing that the requirements are different for each golfer the game can remain easy, consistent and free of obligations and requirements.