Paul Wilson has been teaching his body friendly golf swing since 1991 and was one of the first YouTube golf coaches to appeal to senior golfers, who comprise most of his current in-person and online coaching.
He is the originator of The Body Swing, which he describes as a powerful, effortless, pain-free golf swing. Many YouTube comments support this claim, like this one who said “At age 90, I was just about ready to retire my clubs. I was out on our nine-hole course and found myself on the par 5 seventh wondering which one of my 10,000 tips I should try next when I remembered [watching] your video. . . With my driver swinging at 60% [I] hit one down the middle 198 yards, about 25 yards longer than my usual good drive. I couldn’t believe it. Repeat performance with a five wood and a sand wedge into the green.”
His swing isn’t just for seniors; it works for anyone for whom the traditional PGA doctrine (emulating pro golfers) hasn’t produced the results you seek. Its’ simplicity is also well-suited for beginner golfers.
Starting the Golf Backswing
Too many golfers will use their arms in trying to hit the ball far. They try to put muscle into the swing or try to swing as fast as they can. Paul’s idea is to let the body control the swing. At setup, have your arms be totally relaxed. Don’t try to start out the swing with any strength or pressure in your arms. You should be hitting the ball with your legs and hips.
The Wilson body swing starts with the hands brushing back, then the shoulders coiling. The coiled shoulders bring the hips and knees around. Ideally in the backswing your shoulders turn 90 degrees, the hips are pulled around 45 degrees, and the knees 25 degrees. That coil is where the power comes from.
Paul comments that a senior golfer or anyone who experiences “tightness” in trying to turn the shoulders back 90 degrees will benefit from allowing their forward heel to lift off the ground. Replanting that heel that has raised starts the forward swing and the weight shifting to the forward leg. (See pix below).
Starting the Golf Downswing
If you are flexible enough so that you don’t need to lift your heel, then you need another trigger to start the downswing. It’s vitally important that the trigger be at your waist or below to avoid activating your arms to start the downswing. Some use their belt buckle, beginning the turn and downswing by thinking/feeling the belt buckle turning. Others will think turn your back pocket around or press on the inside of your trail foot.
Paul Wilson Slow Motion Swing Video
Things to note in watching the video:
- As Paul’s hands move the club away from the ball his body is still. His shoulders begin to turn when the club lifts up, but below the waist everything remains quiet. When his shoulders have turned about 45 degrees, his forward knees bend slightly, and his hips start to turn. At the top of his backswing, his shoulders are turned 90 degrees and hips about 45 degrees.
- Also note at the top of his backswing, both arms are bent, and his right (trail) arm is very close to his body. Keeping his arms loose and able to bend allows a longer backswing.
- His weight shifts slightly to the forward leg to begin the downswing. Halfway through the downswing his hips have turned slightly past the ball. His hips continue to turn, followed by the shoulders as he swings through the ball.
Paul Wilson’s Body Golf Swing in Slow Motion
Senior Golfers. Is the Wilson Body Swing for you?
You can see more Wilson Body Swing Golf Videos in Paul’s Channel. If you are a senior golfer, you might want to look at his senior golf swing playlist.
One important key to success with this swing is the ability to relax, take all the tension out of your arms. Tension is a swing killer with the Body Swing. Paul emphasizes the importance of swinging easy, swinging the club at 60-80%. Another element is wrist flexibility. If you lock up your wrists, the timing will be off when the club strikes the ball.
- See another review of the Paul Wilson Golf Swing techniques by Tony Brooks – Tony reviews if your body type is one that can use Paul’s methods?
> See More Body Friendly Golf Swings and Golf Swing Videos
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