You may recall me mentioning the X-Factor concept on occasion.
McLean first described it in 1992. Basically, the theory is that power is generated in the golf swing, not based on the amount of shoulder and hip turn, but by the difference between the two.
In the January 2008 issue of Golf Digest (p. 66-73), McLean updates the concept again, with more research resulting from analysis of 15,000 students from his golf schools as well as analysis of a number of Tour pro swings.
What he’s come up with is not a single X-Factor, but three of them. He now believes there are three critical down swing moves that are the secret to power in the golf swing.
Let’s take a look at the three X-factors.
The X-Factor Stretch
The original X-Factor was concerned with difference between hip and shoulder turn. The X-Factor Stretch is the idea that the ratio should actually increase as the down swing starts. This is because the down swing starts with the lower body, therefore increasing the amount of X angle.
That creates more lag on the down swing, translating into a lot of power.
McLean’s research has shown that the average X-Factor increase at transition for 150 amateurs (avg. handicap 17.2) was only 5.9 degrees, while a study of 75 Tour pros showed their average increase was 17.4 degrees. (p. 67).
Hip Rise
This concept was interesting to me because the pelvic thrust is a big component in the stack and tilt swing. I guess I sort of intuitively knew it was there in the traditional swing, but I never realized it was such a component in power.
McLean says that the idea that hips should turn level is a myth. He adds that the hips are level or the left hip maybe slightly higher at address, but that the right hip will rise slightly as you load onto the right side. Then, at transition, both hips lower in a “sit-down” move, followed by the left hip rising dramatically.
That difference in hip tilt between address and the point where the left hip has risen dramatically is the second X in the Triple-X equation.
His research shows that the 150 amateurs have about half an inch of hip rise, while the 75 Tour pros have over 4 1/2 inches of upward pelvic thrust at impact (p. 71).
Head Swivel
This was another part of the Triple-X formula that I found quite interesting. By McLean’s own admission, this is the most controversial part of the concept.
The idea is that our concept of “keeping the head down” through impact should be replaced with letting the head release toward the target sooner.
McLean points out that many great ball strikers employ this move. The one that entered my mind first (before getting to that point in the article) is Annika Sorenstam. Her head swivel at impact is a very distinct feature of her swing that has stood out to me for a while.
McLean says that we should try to turn the head with the core of the body as it rotates through impact. He believes this move improves weight transfer, upper body rotation, and also lessens the chance for injury by taking some stress off of the neck and back.
His research has shown that the group of amateur players have about 4.4 degrees of head swivel through impact, while the crop of 75 Tour pros have 19.4 degrees.
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I personally think McLean’s research is quite amazing. The fact that his new concept is backed by research is most compelling.
I think the next bit of research I’d like to see is how the amateur’s games change when they work on all three X-Factors. Right now, the research shows that Tour pros obviously have higher X-Factors in the three areas, but is the concept strictly a distance improver, is it a consistency thing, or both?
McLean has definitely established that the difference is there. Now he needs to find out what happens when the factors are specifically worked.
I’ll be keeping my eye on this one, and you might want to, as well.
I recommend picking up the issue. It has images demonstrating the concepts that I don’t have access to, or else I’d share them with you. When the article becomes available on the Golf Digest website, I’ll link to it here.
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David Duval was famous for his head swivel also, though not as noticeable as Annika’s, his head did swivel towards the target prior to impact.
Look at the difference from the 4th to 5th frame.
Wow, that’s an amazing amount of swivel!
I sort of remember that about his swing, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen him play.
It’s clearly there, though. I’m amazed not just at the amount he has as he gets close to impact (6th frame), but how much he’s already got when his left arm gets back parallel to the ground (5th frame).
That has to be 30 or 40 degrees by the time he gets to impact!
I wonder how much that contributed to Duval having back troubles?
I was thinking that same thing, especially since Annika Sorenstam had back problems early this year, as well.
In the article, McLean pointed to several players that use this move such as Jim Furyk, Joe Durant, Hal Sutton, Robert Allenby, and Carl Pettersson, aside from Sorenstam.
I don’t recall any serious back problems in those other players, so maybe it’s a coincidence.
There are a bunch of swing sequence videos available at Golf Digest. In a sampling of them, I can also find a little head swivel in Ernie Els (not much) and J.J. Henry.
It seems like the key is just letting the head release naturally with the rest of the upper body, which to me, seems more natural than keeping it in place as the rest of the body rotates under it. McLean did say the move is the most controversial, so maybe we’ll get to see some thoughts and reactions from other teachers.
Mike you know what gets me to the bone about this type of information and instruction? Do you honestly think the majority of amateur golfers have the necessary strength and flexibility to do what McLean’s talking about? No way! This is excactly why I do what I do (fitness for golfers). To educate golfers of the importance of golf-specific strength and flexibility to be able to do things like this x-factor.
I agree that golfers need to work on being a lot more flexible, Mike. Can’t blame McLean for putting the research out there. Golfers who are serious about their games need to educate themselves about ALL aspects of golf, including fitness/flexibility.
I agree with you Mike, but how about golf improvement that consistently covers ALL aspects? Mental, mechanics, physical, etc…
That’s something that a player needs to develop with his/her own pro or coach. A self motivated player that wants to learn the total game on his own has to understand that it will rarely come from one source. But working with a coach can help a player wade through all the details and truly learn it all. Coaches/pros should be aware of the importance of stuff like flexibility and guide students in that area.
But, we also know that most players aren’t going to do that. That’s why it’s so important for us to reiterate to players that there’s a lot more to golf than three X positions.
I have been trying to keep up with all of the different approaches that come out of the instructors but it seems they want us to be doing things that are physically not possible for me. Mike Pedersen raises a really good point about the physical part of golf so I wanted to share some information that will be discussed in a webinar. It’s good to see someone is at least trying to address this.
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Join us as we take a technical and scientific look at a recent Golf Digest article written by instructor Jim Mclean. In this article Jim describes the Triple-X Factor: a more dynamic explanation for the original X Factor. We will explore the concepts outlined by the article with a scientific and biomechanics microscope in an effort to more effectively educate the golf teaching/training/playing public.
Click here
Title: Exploring the Triple-X Factor
Date: Thursday, January 17, 2008
Time: 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM EST