Brian Sparks, a pioneer in Body Friendly Golf Swings
(This is an updated article I originally wrote in SuperiorTrails Golfing)
While Brian Sparks passed away two years ago but his Positive Impact Golf methods and YouTube channel are being continued by his brother Phil and golf coach Sean Herron. The YouTube site has been rebranded as Easiest Swing and contains a number of insightful and useful tips.
I’ve bought and read through twice Brian Sparks’ book “Positive Impact Golf” as part of my quest to improve my golf game. One reason I was attracted to his methods was his emphasis on a body-friendly swing. As I mentioned in my review article of Positive Impact Golf – here, the book contains some valuable ideas yet is light on “how to” details that I need to properly implement them.
I watched a bunch of YouTube videos of Brain’s swing in an attempt to suss out solutions to problems I’ve had reliably implementing his method. To enable attention to details that can be missed in a normal video presentation, I’ve created the following slow-motion style video of Brian’s swing from setup to finish. Here’s a few things to watch for in this video:
- Subtle weight shift as swing begins
- More erect than normal posture
- Right elbow throughout swing
- Bend in left arm in backswing
- Movement of left foot in backswing
- Eyes and head in downswing through finish
- Position of golf shaft at top of backswing & at finish
Slow Motion Video – Brian Sparks Golf Swing
If you have Trouble Seeing the Video, refresh the page.
Or Click on the Watch on YouTube button in the picture
Non-traditional Golf Swing
This photo illustrates one notable difference in Brian’s Swing. He taught a very relaxed, tension-free golf swing. He allowed his arms to fold, and the club follow a natural path, over his shoulder. The right elbow never strays too far from his body and is immediately engaged in the downswing.
Note Brian’s hands and elbow position in the above photo, and compare them to what you see in the following photos of Steve Stricker and Fred Couples.
Trying the Easy Swing Golf Swing
If you watch some of the full-motion videos of Brian’s swing (see them in the Easiest Swing YouTube channel), you’ll doubt that the ball will carry any distance with such a relaxed swing. In the downswing, Brian’s club head speed is generated through the rotation of his body in the downswing as the club is whipped around. The key is that space of time just-before through just-after the ball is struck. That is when his club head generates maximum speed.
Founding Principles of the Sparks Easiest Swing in Golf
- Turning
- Weight Shift
- Rhythm
- Balance
- Coordination
- Suppleness
In my efforts to adopt these methods, I’ve found having quiet arms is essential. If you get caught thinking about swinging your arms (fast, quickly) or trying to put effort into hitting the ball, tension will increase and throw off the natural movement of the club towards the ball.
The methods preached by Brian in “Positive Impact Golf” are ones I find quite persuasive. Unfortunately, I’ve had great difficulty overcoming my desire to “muscle” my golf shots. I’ve been able to apply some of his ideas but not the whole enchilada.
Sadly, Brian passed away two years ago but his teachings have been picked up by his brother Phil and Sean Herron. The YouTube site has been rebranded as Easiest Swing and contains a number of insightful and useful tips.
Other Body-Friendly Golf Swing Videos & Reviews:
Have you tried the Sparks or EasySwing Golf Swing? What do you think of his ideas? Leave your comments below.
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