DeChambeau on a higher (swing) plane
IF LACKING in knowledge of advanced biomechanics, a degree in physics might help when chatting with American amateur Bryson DeChambeau, who believes his successful use of a single-length set of clubs might ultimately change the way players approach the game.
The 22-year-old casually drops complex equations into the usual golf jargon when discussing his swing, a finely calculated invention inspired by “The Golfing Machine”, the Homer Kelley manual, which is heavy on science in decoding one of the game’s most elusive and confounding skills.
Years of slavish experimentation has produced a bag of identical length clubs with large grips that allow him to produce a consistent plane on his swing, whether driving off the tee or hitting off a fairway.
Heathen to traditionalists, the approach drew scepticism from instructors and colleagues. That was until the Southern Methodist University senior won the US Amateur title in August. That followed his NCAA Championship in June, making him the fifth player to win both the US amateur titles in the same year.
Arnold Palmer once remarked that golf was “deceptively simple and endlessly complicated”. Physics major DeChambeau describes his approach as simply “fun”.
He and his long-time instructor, Mike Schy, started working on it when DeChambeau was 15.“We looked through the book (The Golfing Machine) and worked out what would work where,” he said at the Huntingdale Club yesterday, where he is competing in the Australian Masters.
“It was complete experimentation. We finally figured out what worked well for me, and luckily enough there was a special component called the zero shifting motion, where I was able to swing on the same plane. We built the swing around that and built the clubs around that. It’s taken until now, I guess you could say. You’re still trying to improve every day. It’s kind of a fun thing, which I hope can help the game of golf. In regards to the swing, it’s very personal, but the single-length set could be applicable to many people. I think it could change how starters, beginners, play the game.”
Apart from same-length clubs, DeChambeau is also fastidious about the balls he uses, rolling them in a salt solution to check on their centre of gravity.“The heavy side will go to the bottom if it’s off ... I do it with every ball,” he said.
DeChambeau was grouped with Australia’s Adam Scott in his opening round and the former world No 1 had no hesitation branding the Californian a potential “superstar” of the future.
DeChambeau wants to be a professional after playing next year’s US Masters. He said he was enjoying his “internship” as an amateur. He was level with tournament favourite Scott on a twounder total of 211 after three rounds at Huntingdale, five strokes behind the leader, Matthew Millar, a local journeyman.