It's not how, it's how many. I think alot of teachers focus on how to teach a Hogan-like pretty swing. Look at all of the swings that have won on the PGA TOUR and CHAMPIONS TOUR! Several come to mind! As far as cringing, Rick Do you think you have better action than Kenny Perry or Jim Furyk? :)

I view Kenny Perry, and Jim Furyk's (as well as John Daly's) swings as being very timing dependent. When they are able to time their movements well they play well, but over long periods of time I don't see them being as repeatable and consistent as the more fundimentally sound swings (like Hogan, Sneed, Jones, and Els) that fit better with physic and biomechanic principles.

I also believe that Perry and Furyk's (again Daly's also) have weaknesses where there are shots that they have extreme difficulty, or are unable, to execute. With their swings they may have problems hitting particular shot patterns (high shots, low shots, draws, fades, hooks, slices), and they may have inability to control spin. (For example with Perry's steep stabing swing I think it would be difficult for him to reduce spin if necessary).

Like one of those talking heads you mentioned above said on the Golf Channel recently Perry's game only appears at certain tournaments in certain areas of the country, and by Perry's own admission his game doesn't fit in at the US Open (hence he didn't even try to qualify to play in it). I will agree with you that some of the Golf Channel people are clueless (like the ones who foolishly say Woods will win a Major weeks before the major even occurs).

Perry and Furyk's wins combined total 23, and that is far less then the players I noted above.

Perry: 10 PGA Tour wins

Furyk: 13 PGA Tour wins

Hogan:
64 PGA Tour wins

Sneed:
82 PGA Tour wins (165 professional wins)

Jones:
7 Majors (and 6 Amateur titles)

Els:
16 PGA Tour wins (59 professional wins)

The point I'm trying to make is that swings like those of Hogan, Sneed, Jones, and Els are more likely to be more consistant over the long time spans, and reguardless of the type and location of the golf course.

It's absolutely how many, but time and time again golfers with better technique play better. And if Perry were to make an over the top move that's almost certain with golfers who come across the line, he would be hacking them up in twilight leagues. So yeah, Perry is a great player, but he's an extreme exception to the rule. And in my mind his crazy swing is the reason why he's never won a major and Tiger continues to win majors left and right. Come times in pressure, Tiger's swing is much more likely to hold up than Perry (and Perry has folded in major championships before).

Perry gets in great position at the halfway down point (and thus great position at impact). But the overwhelming majority of golfers who try to emulate his swing would never be able to hit the ball worth a lick. On the flip side, if you have somebody trying to emulate the things that say Fred Couples or Adam Scott do in the golf swing, they are just more likely to hit the ball well. Can't blame teachers for trying that.



RICH

Both are ugly,but they are consistent.That is what matters.