Swing Sequence: Dustin Johnson

By Peter Morrice Photos by J.D. Cuban

January 04, 2011

POISED FOR POWER

Every guy out here can play. That's a lesson you learn all the time, especially if you lose your focus. Winning tournaments my first two seasons was a big deal, but I knew I couldn't get comfortable. My good weeks were too dependent on being "on" with my timing, and I wanted to be able to work the ball left to right more easily. With Butch Harmon's help, I'm making progress. You have to put yourself in position at majors and learn to handle the pressure, and that's what I'm going to continue to do.-- Dustin Johnson

AGE: 26 HEIGHT: 6-feet-4 | DRIVER: TaylorMade R9, 10.5 degrees | BALL: TaylorMade Penta TP | DRIVING DISTANCE (RANK): 308.5 yards (3rd) LONGEST DRIVE (RANK): 414 yards (4th)

THE SPECIMEN

Nearly lost in the choppy wake of Dustin Johnson's summer of major-championship discontent was a revelation on the 17th hole on Sunday at the BMW Championship--four days after these photos were taken. Smarting from the bunker ruling that dropped him out of the playoff for the PGA Championship and crispy from playing five tournaments in six weeks, Johnson nevertheless stood on the 17th tee tied for the lead with Paul Casey. He scorched a high fade on the 427-yard, dogleg-right par 4, leaving 94 yards to the flag. Then he nestled a 54-degree wedge two feet from the cup to set up the birdie that would ultimately win him the tournament.The trophy and check were nice, but it was the style of execution that moved Butch Harmon--Johnson's coach since last May--to call the freakishly talented South Carolinian one of the best players in the world. When Harmon entered the picture, Johnson tended to over-rotate his hips on the backswing and dive his right shoulder into the ball on the downswing. These flaws, when mixed with a bowed left wrist at the top and the resulting shut clubface, produced misses to the left and sketchy distance control on short irons.Cue the perfect fade off the tee and feathered wedge shot."My thought for him is to stay taller and extend down the target line," Harmon says. "I tell him to feel like an ostrich, with his neck stretched up at address. It's a great thought for the amateur player as well: Stay tall, and extend down the line."--Matthew Rudy*

Dustin stands tall, with a nice, athletic knee flex.

I like this start off the ball: The shaft is parallel to his toe line.

He already has a full wrist hinge, storing tons of power.

He bows his left wrist, but that's his way. We haven't touched it.

He's made a good weight shift, but I'd like to see him stay taller here.

To offset his bowed wrist, he's turning through fast.

Check out that full extension. His arms used to fold quicker.

Copy this: His right shoulder has turned through to face the target.

Dustin stands tall, with a nice, athletic knee flex.

Good flex in the knees. He's so wiry, if he straightens his right leg, he turns forever.

To offset his bowed wrist, he's turning through fast.

Check out that full extension. His arms used to fold quicker.

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Swing Sequence: Dustin Johnson

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POISED FOR POWER

THE SPECIMEN

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