At just 27 years old, Collin Morikawa has already established himself as one of the best players on the PGA Tour, with six professional wins under his belt, including two major championships. His impressive iron play and accuracy off the tee have set him apart from his peers, consistently ranking among the top in Strokes Gained Tee-to-Green statistics. Despite his relatively small stature at five-nine and 160 pounds, Morikawa has proven that he can hit the ball long when necessary, making him a formidable contender on any course.
Morikawa’s unique grip, with a combination of choked down, turned left, and angled to the shaft, sets him apart at address, allowing his hands to sit low with more knee flex compared to other players. His takeaway is characterized by an angle created between his hands and the shaft, resulting in a clubhead movement that may differ from conventional swings. The left wrist bow at the top of his swing is a key component of Morikawa’s technique, necessary for those with a weak grip like his to position the clubface correctly. Furthermore, adding shaft twist on the downswing and retaining club lag with rapid lower body rotation contribute to Morikawa’s powerful and consistent ball striking.
One of the secrets to Morikawa’s success lies in his right-side bend at impact, evidenced by the difference in angles between his belt and the logo on his shirt on his upper back. This allows him to drive the shaft through impact with confidence, producing a powerful strike without fear of the ball veering left. Additionally, Morikawa’s release and follow-through closely mirror his impact position, with a continued emphasis on opening and driving his hips to flatten the clubhead arc for maximum power. These key elements of Morikawa’s swing can serve as a blueprint for recreational golfers looking to improve their game.
In recent times, Morikawa has sought the expertise of GOLF Top 100 Teacher Mark Blackburn to refine his swing and optimize his ball flight, based on his natural left-to-right pattern. Partnered with his longtime coach Rick Sessinghaus, a Ph.D. in applied sports psychology, Morikawa’s team is dedicated to continuous improvement and refinement of his game. With back-to-back top 10 finishes at Augusta National and multiple top 5 finishes in national championships, Morikawa’s trajectory in professional golf appears promising, with many more accomplishments likely on the horizon.
For budding golfers seeking to emulate Morikawa’s success, focusing on key elements such as grip, takeaway, top of the swing, downswing, impact, and release can lead to improvements in ball striking and overall performance. By studying and implementing the sequence of movements in Morikawa’s swing, recreational golfers can work towards achieving greater accuracy, power, and consistency on the course. With dedication to practice and a willingness to adapt and refine their techniques, golfers of all skill levels can strive towards reaching their full potential, much like Collin Morikawa has done in his young career.
