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Matt Kuchar --- What a Swing! Related Links What Vitamins and Minerals Help with Golf Rory Dominates 2012 BMW-Tiger Finshes 4th Tiger Roars Back at the 2012 Memorial Preview of the 2012 US Open Bubba Watson Wins the 2012 Masters Tiger Woods Workout Top 10 Exercises to Improve Your Golf Swing Foods That Strengthen Erectile Performance Should I Exercise Before or After Eating Normal Waist Size Yoga Workout At Your Desk to Release Tension Blood Pressure-What It Means Foods That Reduce Blood Pressure Low Folate Harms Sperm Penis Shaving Bumps-Home Remedies Normal Penis Size Penis Hygiene Snoring Linked to Stroke "My Husband Snored Himself to Death" Good Night's Sleep Helps You Lose Weight May 16, 2012 By Michael Williams, Contributing Columnist While golf is a precise, technical sport that tests every flaw in a player’s game, sometimes controversial changes can bring about amazing results. While those adjustments can lead to the problems experienced by Tiger Woods, Matt Kuchar is an example of the success that can occur when a swing matches the abilities the golfer. Rise and Fall A two-time All-American golfer from Georgia Tech, Kuchar added his name to a prestigious list by winning the 1997 US Amateur championship. He joined the Professional Golf Association tour in 2000. He recorded his first tour win two years later, picking up the title at the 2002 Honda Classic. In spite of his early success, Kuchar would begin to struggle with his game. He bottomed out in 2005, earning only $403,000, dropping to 159th on the money list and losing his tour card. Kuchar’s decline continued in 2006, when he failed to regain his tour card at qualifying school, forcing him to spend the season on the Nationwide Tour. Changing the Downswing That year also brought about the change that would transform his fortunes, as he began working with swing coach, Chris O’Connell. The two men found an instant chemistry, as O’Connell stated, “We hit it off straightaway because I was the first to tell him I loved his backswing and our focus would be on the downswing.” While Kuchar had a reputation for possessing one of the more non- traditional swings on the tour, O’Connell was not buying it. He said of Kuchar, “I think he is no where near the flattest swing in professional golf,” pointing to the golfer’s hip thrust and long arms as reasons why this is not true. Keeping the Good Parts Focusing on Kuchar’s large, 6’4” frame and his excellent body movements, O’Connell chose to rely on adjusting his swing more than its plane. The coach stated that they focused nearly 80% of their work on his downswing, with 5% on backswing and “the other 15% dealing with how the body movement works.” The key to their efforts has been utilizing Kuchar’s balance and his length to get more power into his swing, while at the same time maintaining the deadly accuracy of his short game. Much of O’Connell’s early work involved getting more power from Kuchar’s hips, keeping his weight balanced on his trailing leg. This allowed Matt to put his right buttock “through the wall,” or rotate his hips so that he could break through the rear vertical plane. This kept Kuchar’s back foot firmly planted, and gave him the ability to generate more power in a balanced swing, and eliminating his tendency hook his shots to the left. Because of its smooth, natural movements, O’Connell was able to use Kuchar’s flat swing to his advantage. By allowing him to drop his head and rotate his hips, this swing addressed the ball at a higher angle, avoiding the common problem of hooking while adding power to his game. Seeing Results The first year, their work equated to an increase of 8 yards per drive, pushing his average to 277 yards and 188th place on the tour. In 2012, Kuchar is averaging nearly 285 yards, making him one of the top 70 drivers in the game. What is more important, Kuchar has managed to maintain is outstanding short game and putting, allowing him to secure a spot as one of the best golfers in the game. As instructor Wayne Defrancesco says, “Watching Matt Kuchar swing should be enough evidence for anyone paying attention to prove that just about any combination of backswing arm, hand and wrist positions can be utilized to play great golf.” This statement is a testament to the work that Kuchar and O’Connell have invested in the golfer’s swing and the dividends it has paid. Putting His Money Where His Swing Is The best dividends for Kuchar, however, have come on the money list. After spending 2006 on the Nationwide Tour, the golfer regained his PGA card and never looked back. Armed with his new swing, Kuchar would climb to 115th in 2007 and 70th in 2008. The next year, he would find his way back to championship form, winning the 2009 Fall Classic on the way to an impressive $2.5 million haul for the year. Kuchar’s comeback would reach critical mass in 2010. The golfer would claim the title at The Barclays. That championship, along with top-10 finishes at the US Open and the PGA Championship, would propel Kuchar to the claim the Vardon Trophy, the Byron Nelson Award and a spot on the United States’ Ryder Cup team. Since then, he has continued to excel, winning more than $7 million in the past two years and holding a leading spot in the PGA rankings for nearly a year. A Real Success Story Utilizing the flat stroke that so many pros avoid, this exciting golfer and his brilliant coach have created the perfect approach. The new swing allowed Kuchar to play to his strengths, writing a success story along the way. The biggest pay-off came this week, when Kuchar won the 2012 TPC at Sawgrass. The history of Matt Kuchar’s pro golf career could be made into a Hollywood movie, as he rose, fell, and then soared to great heights. More importantly, the work that he and coach Chris O’Connell did to rebuild a championship swing stands in stark contrast to the struggles of Tiger Woods since he changed his form. It has been a great swing of fortune for Kuchar, and an impressive run against the best golfers in the world. Related: Tiger Woods Workout How Bubba Watson Lost All That Weight Muscle Spasms-Causes and Top 10 Natural Remedies Muscles Need Sleep How Bubba Watson Lost All That Weight How Many Push-ups Can an Average Man Do? How Many Pull-ups Can an Average Man Do? How Extreme Exercise Hurts Your Heart How to Bulk Up Your Back Shoulder Training -Top 10 Tips Build up Your Arms -Ideal Rotation Routine Ideal Weight for Men How to Gain Lean Muscle Mass-What to Eat and What Not to Eat Should You Exercise Before or After Eating? Most Viewed: Foods That Strengthen Erectile Performance 10 Superfoods for Men's Health Top 10 Tips for Prostate Health How Many Pull-ups Can an Average Man Do? |
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| Kuchar cpatured the 2012 TPC at Sawgrass. Does he have the best swing in golf? |
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