What insights from OptiMotion can teach you about 2 of the all time greats
Two of the most dominant players in golf history shared a hearty handshake Sunday, just off the 18th green at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, Ohio, after the finish of the Memorial Tournament.
The moment 18-time major winner Jack Nicklaus extended his hand to tournament winner Scottie Scheffler tied together more than 65 years of golf history and connected the generational talents forever.
But the evolution of golf, the golf swing, and how we evaluate both has changed the way we look at the game since Nicklaus’ heyday, and those differences were highlighted during the CBS broadcast of the Memorial, the tournament hosted by Nicklaus, using GOLFTEC’s state-of-the-art OptiMotion technology. The accompanying breakdown provided by CBS commentator Trevor Immelman also provided insights any golfer can use.
The analysis of Scheffler, who finished the Memorial at 8-under to edge Collin Morikawa by a stroke, focused on the World No. 1’s standout iron play, from setup to the top of his swing to his trademarked “Scheffler Shuffle” at contact. At the top of his takeaway, Scheffler’s 1.1-degree sternum shift toward the target and 0.7-degree hip shift toward the target both exceed the PGA Tour average.
Scottie is an absolute flusher of the golf ball.@TrevorImmelman analyzes the World No. 1’s swing using optimotion technology. pic.twitter.com/exK9ptWDpZ
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) June 9, 2024
“Fantastic setup. He’s so disciplined about working on his fundamentals – so comfortable and neutral,” Immelman said during the telecast. “Then, as he takes it to the top, he actually moves his sternum and hips toward the target. … And then, from here, the ‘Scheffler Shuffle’ — just look how far he moves forward [and] shifts from that address position. … [But] don’t let that fool you. You see how he’s kept his head nice and stable and behind the ball? This guy is an absolute flusher.”
Although CBS looked at Nicklaus’ 1978 swing with a driver, the difference in swings is stark, most notably at the top of his takeaway, which featured a 108-degree closed shoulder turn and 56-degree hip turn. Immelman also noted Nicklaus’ bent lead knee at takeaway and how the Golden Bear aggressively planted it as part of his power generation.
“One of the greatest drivers of the ball in the history of the game.”@TrevorImmelman analyzes Jack Nicklaus’ swing using optimotion technology. pic.twitter.com/tb8l80Py2d
— Golf on CBS ⛳ (@GolfonCBS) June 8, 2024
“Look at the massive hip and shoulder turn,” Immelman emphasized with clear amazement in his voice. “More than 100 degrees of shoulder turn, and check that lead knee — how far behind the ball it is. This is the power move, right there. He aggressively plants that lead foot back into the ground, and then pushes up, sending all that energy down and into the club head. One of the greatest drivers of the ball in the history of the game.”
Anyone can see the uniqueness of two of the most iconic swings in golf history, but the value of that visual, for pros and amateurs alike, is only truly unlocked with the technology of OptiMotion.