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This is a hugely interesting swing to say the least. Reed is playing some awesome golf and has proclaimed himself a “top 5 player” in the world. I would suggest that he wait until he is actually ranked in the top 5, but you can’t fault him for a lack of confidence. He is certainly not intimidated by any circumstance, at least so far (will be fun to watch him in the majors), which was evidenced when he wore black and red on Sunday and warmed up right beside Tiger.
Reed’s action is anything but classic with his feet moving all over the place on his harder swings and his release action entirely counter to the modern notion of “quiet hands, body release”. It is fascinating to watch his right wrist and forearm bend outward to the extreme as he turns the clubface over after impact, but it is apparent that through the impact area the face is stable and that the closing of the face is timed almost perfectly. Of course, if it weren’t we wouldn’t be analyzing his swing. Reed’s set up and backswing are entirely conventional, and you couldn’t go wrong using either as a model. His hands work more downward in transition than out as his right arm stays a bit back and doesn’t noticeably drive in front of him, but he is saved from getting his arm stuck behind him by the extreme depth of his hips, which is accentuated through impact when he completely removes his left foot from its original position and allows it to wheel around to the left to facilitate the clearing he needs. I compare this footwork with Johnny Miller, and could just as easily put Bubba Watson up there as well. Just goes to show you what kinds of things are allowable when the talent level is high.
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