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In continuing with this stack and tilt golf swing method, lets look at the second phase of the swing compared to a conventional golf swing.
In the picture below with Will MacKenzie and Tiger Woods, you’ll see some major differences in the top of the backswing position.
Notice how much shorter MacKenzie’s back swing is than Tigers. You can see how he is more centered than Tiger. Tiger is more loaded on his back (right) leg. Tiger has obviously “loaded” his golf swing into a powerful right leg position.
One thing I notice that seems a little iffy to me is his spine angle. Straight up and nearly leaning towards the target, whereas Tiger is leaning away from the target, more behind the ball. I think a lot of amateurs would reverse tilt and have a major swing flaw with this stack and tilt swing methods.
The debate will go on, but it’s interesting to break it down and compare these two very different golf swing methods.
I invite you to chime in and give me your thoughts and feedback on this swing technique. I will have a final, Part 3 coming up in the next couple of days, so stay tuned 
!
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What do you think? 38 Comments »
October 10th, 2007 at 7:57 am
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October 10th, 2007 at 11:49 am
Hi Mike,
Maybe it’s because I’m so used to seeing pictures / articles and am always trying to improve on my ‘conventional’ swing but the ’stack & tilt’ just doesn’t look right especially when you look at ball positioning and body position etc.
Having starting to get to grips with certain areas of the conventional swing I’ll think I’ll leave the ’stack & tilt’ alone for now! I guess that some of the pros may have more time to work on the changes than me!
Out of inteterest do you know if anyone has had any success on the Euro or US tours with ’stack & tilt’
If it becomes successful on the tours then maybe we will see a major shift in people using it and it might become the new ‘conventional’ swing in years to come.
All the best,
Mark.
October 10th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Aaron Baddeley is a Stack and Tilt Golf Swing proponent.
October 10th, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Hi Mike,
And a good player he is too so it’s certainly working for him.
Another thought on the ’stack & tilt’ – with a shorter backswing and the body not so much behind the ball I wonder if as much power is generated in the shot. I guess it is achieved but in a different way.
Definitely an interesting subject Mike!
Best wishes,
Mark.
October 10th, 2007 at 9:28 pm
Look at the short backswing of Zac Johnson and he kills the ball
!!
November 30th, 2009 at 7:10 pm
I have been playing golf for over 35 years and play to a 1 handicap. I obviously hit
the ball pretty well but have been intrigued by the stack & tilt swing. I think it would
work very well for the irons but not so well for woods and especially not for the driver!
There are many pros on the PGA tour using the stack & tilt with some success. Does
that mean it is the correct way to swing the golf club? I don’t know. Something I may
play around with for more consistent ball striking with the irons.
November 30th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Nothing ventured…nothing gained
There is no ONE WAY to swing a golf club. Just look at all the different swing on tour. I like it when a golfer gets around a course with an unorthodox swing and shoots under 80! Should be encouraging for all those golfers searching for the perfect golf swing
Cheers,
Mike
October 10th, 2007 at 5:48 pm
Yes, if not performed correctly the S&T would certainly result with many amateurs in a reverse tilt position. To prevent a reverse tilt, the golfer needs to really bear down on the front foot and leg, while maintaining balance in the downswing through the ball.
October 10th, 2007 at 9:29 pm
Good addtional tip Tony!
October 10th, 2007 at 5:59 pm
hey mike
this stack and tilt has a fair bit of success, With 3 or 4 different winners and aaron baddeley having won twice with this method. So its not to be laughed at, but for me its just not natural, If someone throws a football at you and you kick it back do you think about how much you have to turn your body or how you dip your left shoulder or the way you lift your arms in the air for balance and how far you pull you foot back so the ball gets back to them, NO you don,t your brain does all that on its own without any help from you this is the way your golf swing should be, but with the stack and tilt thats just not possible you have to do things yourself while your trying to swing
October 10th, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Man I hear ya Thomas! Paralysis by analysis
!
October 11th, 2007 at 5:58 am
well all i can say about u thinking to much about the stack and tilt every1 does with the conventional swing anyway so whats the difference , theres still people teaching the swing and earning good money for what is meant to be as natural as walking. Those pictures are rather poor anyway and don’t give much of an idea of the stack and tilt
October 11th, 2007 at 6:00 am
I can appreciate your comments, but the pictures are right from the article, so they are the best on the web. And I guess since all of this information is for FREE, FREE is a pretty good price for valuable information don’t you think?
October 11th, 2007 at 8:39 am
hi leigh,
I guess you can’t see much of a difference in the above pictures, which is probably why you can’t see where i,m coming from, The stack and tilt golfer is clearly tilting towards the target with all his weight stacked on his left foot, while with the conventional swing your weight is on your back foot, which is why i say if you pick up a club don’t think and just swing everything that happens with the conventional swing is a natural process all the weight changes will just happen, this is not the case with the stack and tilt,
And as for the people teaching the swing and making money from it, You try asking one of them how simple the golf swing really is and you never get an honest answer,
In golf all you need is a good fitness program that covers both strength and stretching and get your starting points right
regards thomas
October 12th, 2007 at 11:42 pm
Hi Mike
but it needs the flexibility, strength and technique that you talk about. You certainly have to get back onto the left side when swinging through. Distance will be there as will accuracy as long as your fudamentals are corect.
Stack and Tilt is the way to go
Jeremy
September 28th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
You guys are clueless. Should understand that the fundamentals of the Sstackandtilt are based on maintaining the center of gravity throughout the swing which makes the arc bottom out more consistently. Moving off the alters the low point of the swing and requires more timing to produce compression of the ball. If you have excessive timing in your swing I want to play you everyday ..it is too much of a variable. The forward swing produces more power because of levers that are released as the club is swinging on a perfect circle.
Good luck if you are trying to move your weight back to the ball laterally, rotate, and strike the golf ball at 115 clubhead speed….
September 28th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Thanks for stopping by, but you need to calm down a bit
! These golfers are doing the best they can, and have more passion than most golfers that are hacking it up, and even taking lessons.
Cheers,
Mike
November 4th, 2007 at 11:54 am
November 24th, 2007 at 11:04 am
I’m 64 years young, 5′9″ tall with a medium build. My spine is not quite as bad as Forrest Gump’s was, but it has a bow to the left in the middle of my back which appears to be about 6″ long on the x-ray and I have a backward curvature of my neck. Not to mention that my right hip gives me fits. I’m right-handed. Using the S&T method: when I lean to the left placing weight on my left leg it’s like I’m straightening the crook in my back momentarily (feels good and hurts at the same time). After a round of golf I feel as though I’ve been beat up, no matter what kind of technique I use. But the pain is a small price to pay for the exhilaration I feel when the golf ball rockets off the club head after good contact. And… I do make better contact most of the time using S&T because the technique keeps me from lunging forward like a madman. 250 is good drive for me, but the other day I caught one perfect and it went 280 or better. Yes!!!!! Did I mention that I love golf?
November 4th, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Rob,
I think for a slider like you, this technique would be perfect
. Nothing ventured, nothing gained right?
Mike
February 23rd, 2008 at 10:33 am
the iron shots are so solid @ more consistant, im still working with the driver. im a six hdc . have been playing for fifty years, @ this is the first time for a major swing change. thank you. Frank Franze Winter Springs Fl. 32708
May 19th, 2008 at 9:30 pm
my common for who is in this new swing,you’ll get it fast if can star with your body movement,not copy the tour player’s picture to build your swing,the only way is learn your body first then the club movement.
June 28th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
Just tried the stack and tilt swing for the first time. I had been struggling with hitting the ball flush and could not get off the tee with the driver. It was amazing how easy it was with this swing. I was hitting my 5 iron 200 yards and flying my driver over 250 yards. Until today I have never hit my driver close to 250 yds. I can’t wait to get back and continue to practice this new swing.
July 24th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
If you think about it this swing is the most simple swing you can learn. First the “original swing” your taught to transfer weight to your back foot then bac kto the front foot all in a 2 1/2 second swing. This is everything at position. If your spine, torso and head are all over the ball all address and its where you really want to be at impact because thats where the bottom of your swing is. You will hit the ball much more solid and flush if you try this great swing. Its something you need to do if you want to be a great ball striker and solid player!! Now just line the putts up right and you might make some money!!!
August 1st, 2008 at 12:56 pm
I have just started messing with this swing method and I have been hitting massive pull hooks, especially with the driver. I think it is from turning the hips through without the slide forward. I will venture to the range and work on the slide some more this weekend. To me the swing does not feel all that odd, I have not made a major swing change in years.
August 5th, 2008 at 4:34 pm
I saw the stack and tilt on t.v. two nites ago. After looking it up on the internet ,I went out to the driving range and tried it. It works for me and my first round I hit seven of nine greens . Something I could never do before. My distance and accuracy has improved. Mark in N.D.
September 4th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Mike, you run a VERY RESPECTABLE website. All useful, meaningful insights.
Found it when trying to look up info on the history and esp the success of the stack and tilt proponents. Do they have published, scientific research to back their claims, which they term ‘researched’? How do they get their initial stable of good pros, who can then continue to validate their method?
I teach a method which is diametrically opposite of theirs, bottom line to create a shallow angle of approach and thus increase impact margin of error – how can an average Joe return to the ball from such a steep angle as S & T appears to advocate, time after time?
Incidentally, my method IS backed by over 15 years of scientific research, some published and some soon to be published, and in recent years in collaboration with a biomechanics professor from a leading St Louis Univ.
If you’ve the time, please look at details on my website and comment.
October 9th, 2008 at 10:04 am
I have been using the “Stack & Tilt” swing now for 3 weeks and the results have been quite good…excellent for the irons, just missing with the driver. It is a great technique for the high and medium handicapper to quickly improve their ball striking ability , as well as learning how to control the shape shape of their shot (draws and fades). It’s surpisingly easy to learn and doesn’t feel unnatural in movement.
The focus of this swing is to “hit the ground in the same spot consistently” (in front of the ball), time after time, after time. This provides a consistent “ball first strike” giving greater height and distance to each stroke without the need to “kill it”.
The swing is a simple “one plane” swing that uses the torso to harness the power (not that different from a conventional swing) with effectively little arm movement (not that different from a conventional swing) rotating around a fixed pivoting point (not that different from a conventional swing) with a follow through that finishes with you standing upright and facing the target (not that different from a conventional swing).
The biggest challenge I see with it is that the golfer trying it will have to try to unlearn all the “bad habits” that have been preventing them from using the conventional swing effectively to begin with. I know because I’ve been there and done that (got the video, the t-shirt, the bumper sticker, etc.). The results are well worth the effort.
For those of you who say that it requires a great deal of fitness and flexibility…sure if you want to hit it as far as the pros. I am 6 ft. 240 lbs with a gut, and about as far from flexible as a post is from a rubber band, and my 9 iron has gone from a max of 100 yds to an amazing 150 yds. I makes me want to lose the extra 40 lbs and the gut, just to see how much more I can improve. I’ve gone from beaking 100 to the low 80’s. If I could put I’d be dangerous!
All I can say is try it, you’ll like it!
October 15th, 2008 at 6:39 pm
Goodness boys…the fact that stack and tilt works, which it obviously does from sea to shining sea and regardless of the level of player—and pieces of it for more and more playes all the time-should be answer enough to ALL the questions. I believe there might be an axe to grind in some of the initial comments-or perhaps someone trying to “cut” either these stacker or discredit the teachers? They are good for golf and “they” know golf. These stackers and their teachers, everyone says, work twice as hard as everyone and anyone and they are “serious” and arent prima donnas. So, what is do any of “us” have to say, as though we know it all/anything?
I am a professional level golfer and yes, a female. I do parts of the stack and tilt. Might take on other parts when my game goes North!I am thankful as the parts I use -have helped me.. Strange isnt it, not everyone likes chocolate ice cream either and so we have different flavors! But you know, I dont hear the makers of one brand be so bold and critical of the other-nor even in basketball nor baseball nor even the golf “players” for that matter. Perhaps that is what a professional really is? Golf is a game to many and we need every alternative-obviously by the “attention” to the “new comers”. But also look at the differences in CLUBs, balls, even golf t’s! If we golfers live long enough we end up trying some of them all! vanilla-chocolate,strawberry!!! I vote, here is to the new generation of teachers-and alternative, finally.
October 15th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
Goodness boys…the fact that stack and tilt works, which it obviously does from sea to shining sea and regardless of the level of player—and pieces of it for more and more players all the time-should be answer enough to ALL the questions. I believe there might be an axe to grind in some of the initial comments-or perhaps someone trying to “cut” either these stacker or discredit the teachers? They are good for golf and “they” know golf. These stackers and their teachers, everyone says, work twice as hard as everyone and anyone and they are “serious” and arent prima donnas. So, what do any of “us” have to say, as though we know it all/anything?
I am a professional level golfer and yes, a female. I do parts of the stack and tilt. Might take on other parts when my game goes North!I am thankful as the parts I use -have helped me.. Strange isnt it, not everyone likes chocolate ice cream either and so we have different flavors! But you know, I dont hear the makers of one brand be so bold and critical of the other-nor even in basketball nor baseball nor even the golf “players” for that matter. Perhaps that is what a professional really is? Golf is a game to many and we need every alternative-obviously by the “attention” to the “new comers”. But also look at the differences in CLUBs, balls, even golf t’s! If we golfers live long enough we end up trying some of them all! vanilla-chocolate,strawberry!!! I vote, here is to the new generation of teachers-and alternative, finally.
October 17th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
Tried it. Like it. Ball goes 10 yards farther easily. Comes off face hot consistently. Will continue to paractice this method. So far it works best for my irons, driver needs work. still swinging driver the conventional way.
November 27th, 2008 at 3:52 am
I had lost the real desire to play golf after playing for so many years (45 and started when I was 11) and then on a trip to France (summer 2007) I bought the Golf World edition where S&T started its public life. I had seen Baddley playing and was very impressed but was not sure what was different – very brisk, very flat, very crisp hitting (even via the TV one had this impression). That was all nearly 16 months ago and now I am re-invigorated as it all makes such good sense.
For me, my previous golf had always been hampered by the inability to get on top of the ball at impact consistently. The S&T method solved this for me immediately and I just love the sound of the ball being compressed and the ball zipping away. I have my handicap going the right way again (6.1), going back to blade clubs (Ping S57s) and best of all enjoying the sound of the ball off the club. I even managed to win the Seniors Club Championship this year which was my first competition win for more than 10 years. I have read how some people find the S&T to be a short term solution but as I said 16 mths have passed and I know I am past any short-term improvement.
I purchased the DVD’s recently from the US – I am in the UK, and they are quite clever in that you have the basics in one DVD but there is more detail if you want the information.
As you would know the most talked about concept is the weight and remaining centred but I loved the other analysis about the different swings out there ( fast/slow, different grips, tall/short players, upright/flat swing paths, stances etc) but it all comes down to striking the ground in the same place and what is the best way to make that happen.
For me the S&T makes that happen so much better and I thank my lucky stars that I found this technique and how it has really saved my game. Now if I can get my chipping being a little more consistent then maybe a few more strokes off that handicap.
For information I have found no issues using the technique with my driving, drastically improved my strategic play when I hit 3 wood or utility, irons and pitching.
December 19th, 2008 at 4:56 am
I think the Stack & Tilt method is a poor method, because it promotes reverse weight shifting, which promotes pulls. I also think that McKenzie is not really S&T-ing. Look at this video, to see real S&T-ing: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEO49TtLG8k&eurl=&feature=player_embedded .
Further, your blue lines are incorrect. They should both be exactly between the feet, and then you will see that there is not much difference between Woods and McKenzie. Lastly, I cannot tell from you photo whether McKenzie always makes such short backswings.
All in all, a pretty poor blog.
December 19th, 2008 at 5:22 am
I can appreciate your “opinion”, but this blog is in NO WAY linked to the Stack and Tilt golf swing. i wrote this post as an observation to the very popular and much publicized technique mentioned above…and that’s it!
Thanks for visiting
April 13th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Hi Mike: I am 60 years old, + 1 handicap. Have a flat swing, and had all thru my life as a golfer a real problem transfering my weight consistently to the front foot on the down swing. A few years ago I discovered that if I kept my weight on my front foot all through the swing, I would hit the ball very crispy, consistently and longer. I was scared to deth for a long time because that, as you know, feels a lot like the dreded reverse pivot and was afraid it quit working any day. So far it has not quit working, maybe because it is not quite a reverse pivot, the weight just never leaves the front foot and of course it is where it has to be at impact in every swing I take, simply because it never moved. My method bares a resemblance to your Stack and Tilt in the stationary weight on my left foot and flat plane. So It is a blessing for me to find out all those technical reasons that validate my formula, and I will not feel afraid anymore.
As you know, there is an infinite number of ways to hit the ball well, some easier than others. The main thing is that your “Stack and Tilt” characteristics suits my type of swing very well.
Thank!!! Viviano.
April 19th, 2009 at 12:33 pm
This technique has been around for quite some time, but I don’t see more
than a few PGA players using it. If it was universally supeiror, they ALL would be
stacking and tiliting these days. That’s the strongest evidence around as to its value, or lack thereof.
August 30th, 2009 at 7:32 am
Just read up on the Stack and Tilt golf swing and can’t wait to try it. In practice swings (using S & T) I made a consistent divot in front of the ball. One problem I have with the conventional swing is shifting my weight too much to the right, especially if my back swing is a bit fast, making getting back to the ball consistently difficult (rarely with a divot forward of the ball). I’ll follow up once I get further along with the S & T method. Thanks!
December 22nd, 2009 at 3:34 pm
Hi all,
Great article Mike. I just wanted to share another great article that I have been following about this swing and one of the best S&T trainers has some interesting points on there. Check it out.
http://thesandtrap.com/forum/showthread.php?t=30537