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Tyler Duncan's TPI Assessment: Addressing Spine Angle and Spin Loft to Improve Wedge Performance
Our assessment with 2019 RSM Classic champion, Tyler Duncan, featured one of the most common Body-Swing Connections we see in golf.
Tyler came in with his trainer, Mike Chistman of Fit Garage Indianapolis, and his coach, Andrew Johnson. After taking Tyler through our physical screen, we noticed he had difficulty rotating in the backswing due to limited hip and thoracic spine mobility (identified through our Lower Quarter Rotation and Seated Trunk Rotation tests). In order to get the club to the top, Tyler compensates by leaning his spine towards the target, a swing characteristic we call Reverse Spine Angle.
Instead of turning, he tilts. As Greg says in the video, it's like a "fake turn."
Not only can Reverse Spine Angle create excessive stress on the lower back, it was causing attack angle and spin loft issues.
Tyler complained of difficulty controlling spin with his wedges. There are only two things that create spin: clubhead speed and spin loft. Spin loft is a product of dynamic loft and attack angle. Here's a quick explainer video from our online Golf Level 2 course:
Since Tyler was tilting his spine towards the target, his angle of attack was more negative, creating excessive spin loft.
Towards the end of the video, you'll see Greg trying to teach him to rotate into his backswing. The movement pattern felt unnatural to Tyler, in part, because of physical restrictions in his thoracic spine.
As Greg said, he made a mistake that rookie coaches commonly do. He was asking a player to do something he could not physically do.
As with every assessment at TPI, Tyler's Body-Swing Connection told a story. The movement patterns in his swing were developed around his physical limitations. Without performing a ten minute movement screen to better understand his movement capabilities, we'd have no idea if our recommendations would complement what he could physically do.
Assess, don't guess.
If you are a coach, fitness or medical professional interested in learning more about how to help golfers determine if their body is affecting their swing, check out our newly updated Level 1 online course.
View TPI Level 1 Online Course
If you're a golfer interested in a physical assessment, you can connect with a TPI Certified expert via our Find an Expert page.