The Stack and Tilt golf swing burst onto the scene in August of 2007 via Golf Digest.
It turned the golf teaching world on its head and caused many golf instructors to consider the traditional model that had been used for so many years. Unfortunately, for many amateur golfers, many of the traditionalists turned on the swing right away without really considering the potential positive aspect of the teaching.
My Experience: Is Stack and Tilt A Good Swing?
I hit my first Stack and Tilt golf shot that month and can still remember the ball flight, the feel and the overall result that I got.
It was a perfectly struck shot that had a tight draw with a 3 wood. The ball flight was penetrating and the overall swing felt easy and repeatable.
For the next decade I continued down the Stack and Tilt swing journey and played many rounds right around par or better with an average score in the mid to high 70s.
Stack and Tilt vs Traditional Golf Swing (What are the key differences?)
Is Stack and Tilt A Good Swing?
Yes, it teaches the golfer to control the low point in the swing (ball contact), creates a swing that produces enough power (distance), and helps the golfer understand the pattern in his or her golf shots (predictable curve).
The golf swing was engineered by Mike Bennet and Andy Plummer. After years of frustration and trying to chase the dream of playing professionally, they realized the teaching that they were following failed to produce any type of feedback or a system to adjust to certain ball flights.
So, they set out to create a system based on three fundamentals:
- The golfer must be able to control the low point of the swing to produce quality contact.
- The golfer must be able to have a predictable shot pattern, which is preferably a baby draw that starts right of the target and curves towards the target without over-curving.
- The golfer must produce enough distance to play the course.
Stack and Tilt golf swing for seniors (overview)
Low Point Control
The low point control in a golf swing is based on where the weight and the left shoulder are at impact. If the weight of the left shoulder is too far back the golfer is going to hit a fat shot or a thin shot if they make a manipulation to avoid the fat shot.
This is the first fundamental in the golf swing. The golfer must be able to control the low point. The best golfers can control the low point over 99% of the time. While the worst golfers might not control the low point even 50% of the time.
Shot Pattern
The Stack and Tilt teaches the golfer that the golf swing is circle motion. We want to hit the golf ball on the backside of the circle to help produce a swing path that will produce a draw spin on the ball. Of course, we now know that the ball will start in the direction of the club face at impact and curve away from the swing path. Ideally, the golfer will have a club face that is 1-2 degrees open with a swing path that is 3-4 degrees to the right.
The Stack and Tilt swing teaches the golfer the different variables that control the swing path and the shot pattern that is produced based on location of the weight and the angle of the clubface relative to the swing path.
Distance
The Stack and Tilt golf swing relies on angular power. Think of a soccer player or a football kicker kicking the ball. They approach the ball from the side and use angular momentum to produce power behind the shot. The Stack and Tilt teaches that the swing is a circular motion and uses the same science principles as someone kicking a ball.
There are also other power levers that the Stack and Tilt teaches the golfer to control to get quality distance. For example, the tilting motion in the swing helps produce speed and power.
Stack and Tilt Golf Swing – 10 Things to Consider!
My Thoughts: 15 Years Later
I first used the Stack and Tilt golf swing in August of 2007. It is now November 2022 at time of typing this. Here are the elements of the Stack and Tilt that can be found in my current swing:
- My head stays relatively still through the shot.
- The weight of my swing stays more forward without a major weight shift (I still swing the driver 108 miles per hour).
- I have a predictable draw shot pattern, which was developed through the understanding of the clubface and the different adjustments to control the swing path. (Weight forward, ball position, and importance of the left arm)
So while I don’t have the 100% picture perfect Stack and Tilt swing, there are many elements that helped me reach the scratch level.
Overall, my golf game changed with the stack and tilt from compressing the golf (quality contact) and consistency in my shot pattern (baby draw).
The question I receive the most has to deal with the Stack and Tilt and the driver.
Does Stack and Tilt work with the driver?
Yes, it certainly does. The golfer is encouraged to make two simple adjustments compared to an iron. The golfer will move the forward in the stance to help reduce the amount of the angle of attack and the golfer will add a bit more weight onto the front side to keep the swing path inside.
With the Stack and Tilt golf swing the golfer is able to produce quality club speed and a predictable golf pattern. The golf swing with the driver can be complicated becaus we are swinging a 46 inch golf club at over 100 miles per hour in many cases. Having a system to help produce the shot pattern you want is key to your overall success with the driver.
The driver is different from most golf as the golfer might actually hit the bal on the upswing. The average angle of attack on the PGA Tour with the driver is 1.3 degrees down, but many of the major publications have encouraged golfers to hit the driver at a 3-7 degree upward attack.
Final Thoughts: Is Stack and Tilt a good swing?
Yes, if you want to hit the ball more crisp with a predictable shot pattern, this golf swing is a great option for you.
Others that might appreciate the Stack and Tilt golf swing are the engineer minded golfer. The golfer that wants and desires a system that they can use to build a consistent golf swing. If you have ever questioned your swing and if you are getting better, the Stack and Tilt lays out a system that gives the golfer the solution and adjustment to every problem shot they might face in their golf journey.
My Secret To Golf Improvement
Let’s face it, in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently. About give years ago, I made the leap and invested in a golf simulator build for my garage. I went with a SkyTrak Launch Monitor and the TGC software and can now play over 100,000 courses including Augusta, Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black, Whistling Straits. St. Andrews and many other of the top 100 courses in the world.
This golf simulator setup, which is more affordable that you might imagine, has been a game changer. I can now play golf everyday of the year regardless of rain, snow, cold weather or time of day. I can practice or play rounds of golf. I can stand in the 11th fairway at Augusta and with the auto-rewind feature I am able to practice my approach shots from various differences.
It is worth checking out through Rain or Shine Golf as they offer some incredible packages along with financing offers that are difficult to beat.
Some direct links to Rain or Shine Golf for pricing and financing: