Swing Study: Looking back at the compact and efficient swing of Gene Sarazen

Gene Sarazen dominated professional golf in the 1920s and 1930s. During those two decades, Sarazen won over 35 times on the PGA Tour, including seven major championships as he completed the career grand slam in the process.

Sarazen was small in stature (he stood at just 5’5”), but despite this physique he was able to get the most out of his swing with a compact and efficient sequence. To break down The Squire’s powerful move, we asked GOLF Teacher to Watch Rick Silva to join us. Watch the video above or read below for more.

As previously noted, Sarazen was dwarfed by many of his competitors, but he made up for this physical disadvantage with a long and wristy swing that was particularly advantageous in the era of hickory clubs.

Setup

With his low center of gravity, Sarazen used a wide stance in order to generate more power. This helped promote a stable and balanced swing.

Backswing

Sarazen had a compact backswing that was ahead of its time and was a result of his stature and stance.

Hands

Sarazen was extremely firm in his left hand which happened as a result of learning the game with hickory clubs.

Downswing

He did a great job of covering the ball with his torso as he made his move through the ball.

Follow Through

Once Sarazen made contact he whaled through the ball in an almost exaggerated motion. This helped him make sure he got through the ball and finished the swing.

To receive GOLF’s all-new newsletters, subscribe for free here.