Harris English Swing Analysis: Great Model for Taller, Stronger Players

After 3 poor years making less than a million dollars, English has righted the ship and has been playing great golf for the last 2, culminating in his win in Hawaii in a playoff over Joaquin Niemann.  In this video I start by noting some major differences in his driver setup from 2014 to now, looking taller with his hands higher and his weight (pressure) more toward the balls of his feet, changes that I recently suggested to Brad Faxon.  English has always looked ultra -smooth swinging the club, but it does appear that he has slowed his backswing even a bit more and looks totally relaxed and under control.  One of the main reasons I like his swing as a model for big players (he is 6’ 4” and 190 lbs.) is the compact nature of his backswing, never really approaching parallel with even the driver, yet producing 175 mph ball speed, plenty enough if you are hitting the fairways at the same time.  Contrary to trends toward bowing the left wrist at the top, English is another example of the wrist maintaining the extension (cup) it has at address all the way to the top and into the start of the transition.  I have come to believe that once a player has achieved a certain amount of success with a certain left wrist position at the top it should be left alone, as trying to change it can cause serious issues with the hand release into impact.