The central objective of the Rotary Swing is to establish a universally accepted set of fundamentals for the golf swing, just as we have in every other athletic discipline. The first step in that process is to understand what a fundamental actually means; from that foundation, we can systematically determine the true fundamentals of the golf swing.
Everything you have ever learned in life has been built upon a set of fundamentals agreed upon by the governing body or experts within that particular field.
When you learn to play tennis, there are universally accepted grips — fundamentals of how to hold the racquet. There are fundamentals governing how you serve, how you execute a forehand, a backhand, and every other stroke.
Golf, however, has somehow avoided establishing a universal set of swing fundamentals. That is remarkable when you think about it. How can we effectively help golfers improve and develop their game if the sport is not rooted in a common set of fundamentals that is agreed upon, that is logically sound, and that is based on anatomical absolutes?
That is exactly what we are here to address. The first thing we must do is define a clear, objective set of fundamentals.
What's a Fundamental and What's Not?
What are the fundamentals of the golf swing? During Rotary Swing clinics, we ask participants to share what they believe qualifies as a fundamental. Common suggestions include the golf grip ("You have to grip the golf club, so the grip must be a fundamental"), stance width, swing plane, balance, and weight distribution.
Let us examine some of those proposed fundamentals more closely. Consider the golf grip — there are multiple perfectly acceptable ways to grip the golf club, including interlock, overlap, ten-finger, and others. If more than one method is considered correct, then the golf grip itself cannot be classified as a fundamental.
What about stance width in golf? Many clinic participants consider stance width to be a fundamental, but when we ask them to specify the correct width, we receive five completely different answers.
To identify the true fundamentals, we need to return to the very beginning and analyze the golf swing from the ground up. But first, we must thoroughly understand the concept itself. We are going to start at the very beginning and examine the dictionary definition of the word fundamental.
Defining the Word
Let us see how Webster's Dictionary defines fundamental. According to Webster's, a fundamental is an original source. It is central. It is a basis determining a central structure or function. It is primary of, or relating to the foundation or base. It is serving as an essential component, a cardinal rule.
That definition can be somewhat abstract. If we examine the synonyms of fundamental, the concept becomes much clearer. Fundamental is synonymous with:
- Primary
- Origin
- Central
- Absolute
Before we revisit the grip, stance width, swing plane, balance, and the other commonly proposed fundamentals, let us also consider the antonyms. The antonyms, or opposites, of the word fundamental are:
- Secondary
- Consequential
- Peripheral
- Dependent
What Aspects of the Golf Swing Meet the Definition?
Now that we have established the precise definition and synonyms of fundamental, let us apply this framework to swing plane.
Golf swing plane is one of the most extensively discussed topics in the golf instruction world. Many golf instructors treat it as though it is the only variable that matters. Our critical question is: is swing plane, by definition, a fundamental of the golf swing?
By strict definition, we can rule out swing plane immediately because it is neither absolute nor primary. Referring back to the antonyms, swing plane is dependent. It is completely dependent on how you move your body.
If you swing your arms around your body and stand very upright, your swing plane will be very flat. If you swing your arms more vertically in front of your body, your swing plane will be more upright. If you rotate your forearms, that will also directly influence the swing plane.
By definition, swing plane is completely dependent. It is peripheral to what is happening within the body. The way the body moves dictates the swing plane, which means swing plane is definitively not a fundamental of the golf swing.
Now, that does not mean swing plane is unimportant. It is extremely important — but because it is a byproduct of the movements of muscles and bones throughout the body, by definition it cannot qualify as a fundamental. To see how your own swing plane and overall mechanics compare to an elite benchmark, try a free AI swing analysis.
What is Absolute in the Golf Swing?
If swing plane cannot be a fundamental because it is a byproduct of body movement, then what is absolute? What truly qualifies as a golf swing fundamental?
Let us examine rotation.
Rotation is something every golfer produces during the golf swing to some degree. However, rotation in the golf swing is itself a byproduct of muscular movement, so it is not rotation itself but rather the origin of the rotation that constitutes the true fundamental.
Where are you rotating from in the golf swing? How are you initiating that rotation? These are the essential questions for understanding how to construct a biomechanically sound golf swing and achieve a proper swing plane.
If you are rotating correctly from the right source — engaging the correct muscles based on anatomical fundamentals — then your swing plane will naturally fall into place. If you are not, your swing plane will inevitably be incorrect: too flat, too upright, or inconsistent.
What About the Grip?
As we discussed earlier, there are multiple widely accepted ways to grip the golf club. When comparing an interlock versus an overlap grip, one is not necessarily superior to the other based on current research. That understanding may evolve over time, but at present there is no anatomical fundamental that dictates you must grip the club one specific way.
What About Stance Width?
Stance width in golf is a topic that generates significant debate. We discuss stance width extensively within the Rotary Swing framework, and as we progress through the lesson series we will address it in comprehensive detail.
You see some golfers adopting a very wide stance while others prefer a notably narrow one. We will examine this topic closely in the setup articles, explaining the fundamentals of the golf setup and precisely why the Rotary Swing stance width is what it is. As always, our analysis will begin by returning to the definition of a fundamental. For a data-driven assessment of how your own setup and swing mechanics score, try a free AI golf lesson that evaluates your form in real time.
Think For Yourself
Whenever you encounter some aspect of the golf swing that an instructor or publication describes as a fundamental, you should question it critically. Ask yourself: "Is this a cardinal rule? Is it an original source? Is it the foundation of my golf swing?"
For example, the positions of the golf club are all peripheral elements. The club depends entirely on how the body moves, so club positions are not the place to search for fundamentals of the golf swing.
There are certainly principles that influence how the golf club moves and how it arrives at impact, but those principles are completely, unequivocally dependent on what your body does — on what your muscles do.
That is where you need to focus your search for the true fundamentals of the golf swing.
Watch part 2 now to see how you're moving your body in the opposite direction of the pros!
The fundamentals of the golf swing are based on anatomical absolutes
Is this stance too wide? Why, what fundamental of the golf swing would you base that on?
