He’s Baaaaaaaaaaack.

Like him, love him, hate him— Tiger Woods is the meter and golf is definitively better when he’s healthy. Let’s break down his new swing video that almost broke the golf internet last weekend.

Tiger Woods Debuts New Swing, Cleared for Full Golf Activity with No Restrictions

Look, I get it, we’ve seen this before and I shouldn’t get my hopes up just to have my heart ripped out by another back surgery or torn ligament— but something about Tiger makes hope spring eternal and I can’t help it. Tiger’s been slowly releasing updates on his latest surgery rehab and possible return to professional golf, but none greater than this new one.

For the first time we aren’t ogling over chip shots or salivating about a smooth iron strike, but rather watching a full driver swing. This means a lot. More torque on that knee and back, more speed coming through the turn, and most importantly, more things to go wrong. While we know Tiger would never in a million years show us a poorly struck shot, we can still break down the ins-and-outs of this new swing to make a judgement call or two. Additionally, this will give those of you struggling with knee and back issues a gateway to emulate quite possibly the greatest athlete to ever play our game. Let’s get to it.

Making Progress pic.twitter.com/I3MZhJ74kI

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) October 15, 2017

What’s painfully obvious is that the days of violent, bone-crushing swing speeds are in the past. Tiger’s swing looks a little stiffer than we’re used to, but that’s a given considering the multitude of surgeries on his lower back and legs. He keeps his hands in line, clears his hips well, and doesn’t seem to be favoring his back in any alarming way.

In the latest video, we see Tiger divert the torque and power away from his spine, where in years past his spine angle was a little more tilted away from his target line at address to create that prodigious coil we’re used to seeing. This new swing forces Tiger to focus on a narrower base, while keeping his arms extended as much as possible, and to gain his torque from rotating more so with his hips than his back. Notice where Tiger’s belt buckle is at the top of the swing— pointed away from his target line. This allows for more power from the top of the swing through impact, while keeping wear-and-tear down on that beleaguered back.

Through impact, we see Tiger’s feet stay connected to the ground far more than we’re used to in years past. This technique can be used by golfers of all skillsets to maintain power when their backs can’t take the torsion like in years past. Here’s a great drill from our friends at GOLFTEC on this topic.

Tiger’s legendary ball striking hasn’t gone by the wayside (remember these wear patterns from 2005?), but where we see a massive difference is at the top of the swing and in the follow through. Most players on TOUR, especially younger players, will load up their spines to take the majority of the force created by huge shoulder turn— evidenced in the curvature of the spine seen in this Jason Day/Rory McIlroy comparison. Tiger’s moving away from turning his shoulders to create power and instead relying on his hips to turn and create torque. This results in a “stiffer” looking follow through where his spine is more vertical than in years past. Power is sacrificed, but wear and tear is conserved.

Smooth iron shots pic.twitter.com/v9XLROZnfW

— Tiger Woods (@TigerWoods) October 7, 2017

My verdict? This is good news. Tiger’s taking more time off than ever before and is recognizing his physical limitations. We’re seeing a legitimate move away from his old swing toward something more manageable and comfortable. As recent as the President’s Cup we’ve heard the best in the world rave about his mental game, so if he can find a swing that compliments his body’s ability, why can’t he win? I’ll follow with blind faith all the way until that Sunday Red finds it’s way into a garage sale in Jupiter.

Just like every athlete, Tiger has to evolve and change with his own body— and regardless of your opinion of him, all golfers can learn from this short glimpse into his future. If you’re suffering from loss of distance from back issues or surgeries, try utilizing your hips more to create torque, keep your feet connected to the ground more than you’re used to, and fire your hips through impact. Click the links in-copy to see more tips!

Colorado AvidGolfer is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it, publishing eight issues annually and proudly delivering daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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