1. Small muscle swings
2. Successful players teaching their own style of swing.
3. Big muscle swings.
Instructors sometimes classify themselves as either small or big muscle proponents. Players who never really focused on teaching generally don't teach to a clear theory, but just explain their own swing.
SMALL MUSCLE SWING
Ernest Jones
Swing based on the feel of a pendulum, with the role of the body being to react, rather than lead.
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Manuel de la Torre
Based on the ideas of Ernest Jones, with small changes. "I will swing the clubhead with my hands in the backswing so my club ends over my shoulder, and I will then swing the entire club with my arms in one uninterrupted motion in the direction of my target to the end of my swing, allowing my body to respond to the swing."
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Tommy Armour
Stand as still as possible, have your weight favouring one foot (usually your left, so not making any real weight shift) and hit with your hands.
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Bob Toski / Jim Flick / Davis Love Jnr
Toski, Flick and Love Jnr have all worked together and each teach their own methods inspired by Ernest Jones.
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SUCCESSFUL PLAYERS DESCRIBING THEIR OWN STYLE
Bobby Jones
"The more I play and study golf, the more firmly do I become convinced that the only possibility of a 'grooved' swing lies in the dominant use of the left arm and side. "
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Jack Nicklaus
Stand close to the ball and have an upright swing which thus follows the target line for as long as possible. Wide take back, power from legs, plan for an intentional fade.
note: other people list Jack Nicklaus in the 'small muscle' category.
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Tiger Woods
Modern, athletic, competitive. A pragmatic swing, taught in his book without ideology (and I like ideology: it's easier to swing following ideas than following action lists).
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Ben Hogan
The hands, arms and shoulders start the club back almost simultaneously.
Arms and club follow a swing plane which inclines upward from the ball through the shoulders.
The downswing is started by turning the hips back to the left.
Shoulders, arms and hands - in that order - join the downswing.
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BIG MUSCLE SWINGS
Percy Boomer
Active below the waist, passive above.
Swing based on pivoting without swaying.
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Jimmy Ballard
Inspired by the baseball swing. A 'connected' swing, meaning the arms and hands remain passive while power and control come from rotation of the torso. There is a significant weight shift, including moving the head, similar to a baseball hitter coiling back then releasing forward. The right side should be used as powerfully as possible.
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David Leadbetter
Both the direction and the speed of the clubhead are controlled by your torso. Your hands and arms remain passive. Inconsistent ball-striking or flight pattern are caused by relying on your hands to compensate for your body being out of position. "The gist of the athletic swing; correct linkage of the various components of the body with your hands, arms and club produces a dynamic motion." - The Golf Swing p.11
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OTHER METHODS OF TEACHING
Harvey Penick
Harvey Penick didn't really teach a 'method'. He was known, however for his Magic Move. Here I quote from his Little Red Book:
"You have heard it from me many times now, but I will say it again -
That's one move, not two." - Harvey Penick's Little Red Book, p.96.
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