Should I swing or hit?
 

I am 57 years old, 5'8" tall, and tip the scales at 140 pounds. I am not strong. Unfortunately, I'm not flexible either. My original sports were baseball, and then tennis for 20 years. Would my physical non-attributes and background suggest that I try to become a hitter or a swinger? Or, would this be more a function of which motion I find more comfortable?
For those who might suggest that I learn both motions, I'm a
hacker. I'll be happy if I can learn *one* of the two swings!:)

Thank you in advance for your advice.

teach

Teach,
I tend to agree with my friend RWH based on your brief description. You may find that you have certain tendencies that will lead you into developing one over the other. For instance, I'm probably a natural hitter. I have those physical attributes that are beneficial to hitting and my motion is better tuned for hitting. But I learned golf using the swinging procedure and I'm much more comfortable swinging than hitting. Once Hitting becomes as natural as swinging, I don't think I will look back because for me, when I'm hitting well it is a far more controllable game than swinging. If swinging were in my genes, I would probably have a few strokes off my current handicap. But I'm not a natural swinger, even though you couldn't really tell by looking at my golf stroke.

So start with one, get comfortable with it and then try the other. Fundamentally, hitting requires more physical effort than swinging, so the stronger you are the better your potential hit. Hitting is a very simple motion.

Swinging requires very little physical effort but has a more complex overall motion and requires good timing of those motions. The vast majority of golfers are swingers.

Hope that helps. It is entirely up to you and of course, you can do both if you wish.

Bagger

How to decide
 

Homer said that you should Hit if you're strong or Swing if you're quick.

However, I think there's another very important determinant which is rarely mentioned: Hinging. Some players find it very easy to perform the Full Roll feel of Horizontal Hinging, while some players find the No Roll feel of Angled Hinging more comfortable. This has huge implications when choosing between Hitting and Swinging. Essentially, they have different Rhythm -- and that's one of the harder things to teach. If one student finds Full Roll easy to do then he/she probably is already Drag Loading and using Centrifugal Force. The 'Hinging Test' should always be performed when deciding.

Regarding comments that Swinging requires better timing, I disagree. Hitters need to apply their precious Right Arm Thrust at a very precise moment to overcome their inherent problems in Release Deceleration. For Swinging, CF takes care of the squaring of Clubface, CF ensures the Clubshaft stays On Plane, and CF allows the Clubhead to fly into its correct orbit. However, Swingers need to perform Startup and Release Swivels which may or may not need to be consiously learnt. The Start up Swivel should occur automatically if you're preparing to Drag Load. Points and counterpoints...

Your baseball and tennis experience guarantee that your hands/arms will move independently on the downswing - that will have to be trained OUT if you decide to Swing the club. But, your lack of flexibility does NOT rule out Swinging!

If you decide on Hitting, you will have problems generating adequate distance.

Teach,

I would learn swinging...based on your prior sports activites, especially baseball, my guess is your natural stroke components (motion) are swinging components...however, in the end, I would learn to do both...make swinging your primary stroke pattern...in time you will learn to use hitting when required(read Chapter 14 of the TGM).


DG

Good comments and good advise Tong. Some find hitting simpler and others find swinging easier. Even if you know how to properly execute both, there will always be a natural affinity for one over the other. That is the beauty of it.

I would say, do what comes natural. Either, or. Swing or Hit...it doesnt matter. But - mind the 3 Imperatives!

Flat Left Wrist
Clubhead Lag Pressure Point (in otherwards, feeling the clubhead)
Straight Planeline.

If you got that, you wont even care if your hitting/swinging. Do what you do now - and mind the three imperatives. Keep the club onplane!!!!

And...

While hitting may have release deceleration, it more then makes up for it by reducing impact deceleration, which is where it counts. :)