What 3D Data Reveals About Elite Short Games

The kinematic sequence that helps a golfer generate speed with a full swing can look very different on a 10-yard chip. Understanding that difference can help coaches recognize key elements of elite chipping technique.

In the video above, Dr. Greg Rose compares the full swing and finesse wedge shot of one of the best players in the world. The most revealing difference is the relationship between the torso and lead arm. During the chip, their rotational speeds closely match throughout the downswing.

To understand why that matters, it helps to start with the full swing. We introduce the kinematic sequence graph in our Level 1 course. It shows the rotational speeds of different segments and the order in which they reach peak speed. In the familiar power or full swing sequence, rotational speed peaks first in the pelvis, then the torso, then the lead arm, and finally the club. Each successive segment reaches a higher peak speed.

That progression is useful when the shot calls for substantial clubhead speed. On a short chip, the player needs enough speed to carry the ball a specific distance, with predictable contact. We should expect the movement strategy to reflect those demands.

In the finesse sequence Greg shows here, the torso rotates faster than the pelvis, but the lead arm does not show the same increase in speed relative to the torso that we see in the full swing. Instead, the torso and lead arm accelerate and decelerate together (the club still moves faster).

This is what makes the graph useful. The player does not have a separate acceleration of the lead arm relative to the torso, instead keeping the two closely coordinated. Greg describes the arms and trunk as moving almost as one unit. The body continues to rotate, and the club can still release.

The distinction is especially helpful when discussing technique. Greg points to the familiar towel-under-the-arms drill as one way players explore this relationship. The purpose is to help coordinate the arms with the turning body while allowing the club to release.

For coaches, the sequence provides something specific to evaluate beyond how a chip looks. It can help identify whether the lead arm is adding speed independently of the torso or staying coordinated with it. That information becomes especially useful when diagnosing potential inconsistencies in short-game performance.

As Greg emphasizes, there is more than one effective way to chip. The value of 3D is that it makes a subtle relationship visible. An elite player may never think about matching arm speed to torso speed, but measuring that relationship gives a coach a clearer explanation of what the player is doing and a more specific starting point for instruction.

If you're a golfer interested in a physical assessment, you can connect with a TPI Certified expert via our Find an Expert page.