x
Skip to main content
Golf Logo
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
Follow these 6 steps to add some serious power like Sungjae Im
SHARE
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
Golf Logo
  • News
    • Latest
      • News
      • Features
      • Shows
      • PGA Tour Schedule
    • Series
      • Tour Confidential
      • Monday Finish
      • Hot Mic
      • Rogers Report
    • Shows
      • The Scoop
      • Subpar
      • Seen & Heard
  • Instruction
    • Game Improvement
      • Driving
      • Approach Shots
      • Bunker Shots
      • Short Game
      • Putting
      • Rules
      • Fitness
    • Series
      • Top 100 Teachers
      • Rules Guy
      • The Etiquetteist
    • Shows
      • Warming Up
      • Play Smart
      • Short Game Chef
      • Pros Teaching Joes
  • Gear
    • Clubs
      • Drivers
      • Irons
      • Hybrids
      • Fairway Woods
      • Wedges
      • Putters
    • Other Gear
      • Balls
      • Shoes
      • Apparel
      • Golf Accessories
    • Series
      • ClubTest
      • Winner’s Bag
    • Shows
      • Fully Equipped
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Travel
      • Course Finder
      • Courses
      • Resorts
    • Lifestyle
      • Accessories
      • Celebrities
      • Food
      • Style
      • Betting Advice
    • Shows
      • Super Secrets
      • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Shop
      • Clubs
      • Shafts
      • Training Aids
      • Balls
      • Bags
      • Technology
      • Apparel
      • Accessories
      • Our Picks
      • Shop All
    • Collections
      • The GOLF Collection
      • The Birdie Juice Collection
      • The Fully Equipped Collection
      • Shop All
  • Newsletters
    • Sign Up for GOLF’s Newsletters
      • Hot Mic
      • Monday Finish
      • Play Smart
      • Our Picks
      • Top Stories
      • Sign Up for All
  • News
    • Latest News
    • Features
    • Shows
    • PGA Tour Schedule
  • Instruction
    • All Instruction
    • Driving
    • Approach Shots
    • Bunker Shots
    • Short Game
    • Putting
    • Rules
    • Fitness
  • Gear
    • All Gear
    • Drivers
    • Irons
    • Hybrids
    • Fairway Woods
    • Wedges
    • Putters
    • Balls
    • Shoes
    • Apparel
    • Golf Accessories
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • All Travel
    • All Lifestyle
    • Course Finder
    • Courses
    • Resorts
    • Accessories
    • Celebrities
    • Food
    • Style
    • Betting Advice
  • Series
    • Tour Confidential
    • Monday Finish
    • Hot Mic
    • Rogers Report
    • Rules Guy
    • The Etiquetteist
    • ClubTest
    • Winner’s Bag
  • Shows
    • The Scoop
    • Subpar
    • Seen & Heard
    • Warming Up
    • Play Smart
    • Short Game Chef
    • Pros Teaching Joes
    • Fully Equipped
    • Super Secrets
    • Destination Golf
  • Shop
    • Clubs
    • Shafts
    • Training Aids
    • Balls
    • Bags
    • Technology
    • Apparel
    • Accessories
    • The GOLF Collection
    • The Birdie Juice Collection
    • The Fully Equipped Collection
  • Newsletters
    • Hot Mic
    • Monday Finish
    • Play Smart
    • Top Stories
    • Our Picks
    • Sign Up for All
InsideGolf Join Now  / Log In
InsideGolf

Over $140 of value - Just $39.99

InsideGOLF
Instruction

Follow these 6 steps to add some serious power like Sungjae Im

By: Jonathan Yarwood, Top 100 Teacher
August 16, 2020
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share by Email
sungjae im swings

Sungjae Im has quickly become one of the most promising players in the game.

Getty Images

Just 22, Sungjae Im qualifies as the best young player fans know the least about. His victory at the Honda Classic before the suspension of play is a testament to his natural ability and rock-solid training at the Korean National Sports Academy outside the capital city of Seoul. As you can imagine, Sungjae’s swing has in part been molded by data: force plate mats, thousands of balls, Trackman numbers and science. It’s not the prettiest motion, but it’s highly functional. My bet is that Sungjae is more interested in creating those magic numbers on Trackman than attaining the artistry and beauty of, say, Adam Scott. Can’t blame him: At the conclusion of the Charles Schwab Challenge in the PGA Tour’s first event back from the Covid-19 break, Sungjae sat second on the money list with $4.04 million.

At the risk of being rude, Sungjae’s body isn’t exactly what you’d expect from a modern Tour player. It’s based on a notion that in order for Asians to compete with Westerners, who are often bigger, they have to bulk up. Indeed, I teach a Korean junior who just shot 13-under and won a junior event by 11 shots, but is continually encouraged by her parents to add weight. It’s like what Bryson DeChambeau has glommed onto: Force equals mass times acceleration. My feeling is that there’s a tipping point. Sungjae’s far from it. He’s a perfectly fine athlete and can hit it a country mile. Check the above to see how you can add some Im power to your game.

1. Address

Sungjae’s posture contains the usual suspects of forward bend and a decent grip. However, his weight is a bit over his toes and his spine is slightly in S-posture. I’d hazard a guess that this is his natural spine shape, which contributes to this look — not ideal, but workable.

2. Start

The club remains outside his hands and not rolled to the inside — a common weekend player mistake. His lead arm is under-rotated, as if he’s double-jointed. Nice, gentle hip bump and turn.

3. Windup

Sungjae’s hands swing over his trail shoulder. Copy this! Notice how his back foot is really pushing into the ground — I’m sure he lights up a lot of pressure plates. Better yet, check his expression — looks like he really wants to smash it.

4. Transition

The next three frames are less than .25 of a second, meaning they’re athletic, dynamic and reactionary to some extent. His pressure and mass have shifted to his front foot with his body starting to rotate open and go into that all-important side bend.

5. Impact

He’s really holding up the shaft here, and has redirected the club somewhat. The raise is likely a byproduct of working extensively with launch monitors. The move gives him the numbers he craves.

6. Finish

A high finish after that club redirect you saw in frame 5. He’s nicely balanced with his weight and pressure on his front foot and in balance. Overall, it’s a modern, Trackman-based swing that, obviously, really works.

Latest In Instruction

10 hours ago

Fascinating video shows why speed is so important for making putts

12 hours ago

This genius use of stroke-and-distance rule has been viewed 2.4 million times

14 hours ago

The putting trick pros swear by to read grain on Bermuda greens

1 day ago

Why proper ball position is so important in the golf swing

Golf.com Photographer

Related Articles

Rules
golfer hits ball from bunker and then places ball on the green

This genius use of stroke-and-distance rule has been viewed 2.4 million times

By: Zephyr Melton
Putting
The putting trick pros swear by for reading grain on bermuda greens

The putting trick pros swear by to read grain on Bermuda greens

By: Maddi MacClurg
Instruction
driver teed up with golf ball on tee

Why proper ball position is so important in the golf swing

By: Zephyr Melton
Instruction
3 must-have shots you need this season

3 must-have shots to master this season

By: Maddi MacClurg
Instruction
debbie doniger shows zephyr melton how to grip the golf club

How should you grip the golf club? This test can tell you

By: Zephyr Melton
Driving
gary woodland swings driver

Hit your longest drives ever with these tips from a major champion

By: Zephyr Melton
Instruction
rory mcilroy stares into the distance during the 2025 masters tournament

5 tips for managing your nerves under pressure on the golf course

By: Zephyr Melton
Driving
Develop your fairway finder drive with this easy range drill

Develop your fairway-finder drive with this easy range drill

By: Maddi MacClurg
Instruction
Land in a divot? These three setup keys will help you catch it clean

Land in a divot? These 3 keys will help you catch it clean

By: Maddi MacClurg
Sign up for GOLF's Newsletters
Get the latest news, the hottest instruction tips, new product releases, golf media insider reports and more delivered directly to your inbox. Choose your favorites now.
Sign Up
Categories
  • News
  • Instruction
  • Gear
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
Services
  • Masthead
  • GOLF Media Kit
  • GOLF Magazine Customer Service
  • TERMS OF SERVICE
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Opt-out of Ads/Sharing
  • Your Privacy Choices
Social
  • facebook
  • x
  • instagram
  • youtube
Membership
InsideGOLF Logo
More than $140 Value for JUST $39.99

INCLUDES 12 SRIXON Z-STAR XV GOLF BALLS, 1 YR OF GOLF MAGAZINE, $20 FAIRWAY JOCKEY CREDIT - AND MUCH MORE!

LEARN MORE

© 2025 EB Golf Media LLC. An 8AM Golf Affiliated Brand. All Rights Reserved. All of our market picks are independently selected and curated by the editorial team. If you buy a linked product, GOLF.COM may earn a fee. Pricing may vary.

Go to mobile version