A Look Into the Poll Question: Mike Bennett and Andy Plummer

Name: Mike Bennett and Andy Plummer
Location: West Linn, Oregon & Orlando, FL
Famous Students: Aaron Baddeley, Mike Weir
Notable Works: Stack & Tilt Golf Swing DVD
Notable Credentials: Inventors of the Stack & Tilt Swing method
Web site: http://www.plummerbennettgolf.net/
Training Aids: Medicus Golf Club endorsers

Mike Bennett and Andy Plummer are both former mini-tour players trained in 'The Golfing Machine' and in the M.O.R.A.D. swing method. Eventually they took that knowledge and created a golf swing that contradicts the classical style of golf swing.

The classical style of golf swing calls for some sort of shift to the right leg and at least having 50% of the weight on the right side and then shifting the weight back to the left heel at impact. The Stack & Tilt method has the golfer keep the majority of the weight on the left leg throughout the entire swing (yes, I know there's more to it than that, but I'm trying to simplify it). This also creates a bit of a 'Reverse C' look of a finish and was generally eschewed by big name instructors.

According to Bennett and Plummer, years of hard work and research went into inventing the S&T method and later on they tried it with Tour pro Tom Scherrer, who grew up in central NY with Bennett. But there are many who believe that they 'stole' the method from Mac O'Grady and it's a swing method O'Grady employs for a low trajectory wedge shot.

I've never been a big fan of the method for various reasons. I'm not as critical and short sighted as some of the big name pros were in the Golf Digest article a couple of years ago. But, I believe that it's very difficult for high handicappers to learn and there's just a *better* way to accomplish what the S&T method tries to accomplish.

The biggest thing the S&T tries to accomplish is to get the weight on the left foot at impact instead of the golfer 'hanging back' and having to flip through. It's mainly a method for the advanced golfer trying to eliminate the hook. It's also a method meant more for accuracy than distance.

However, it works and I also believe it will NOT hurt the golfer's spine in the long run. It's wildly popular with amateurs and will probably continue to be for at least the next five years. Here's a video of inventor Mike Bennett's golf swing.




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