Swing Study: Luke Clanton by Jake Thurm

In this Swing Study, Jake Thurm breaks down the powerful and efficient driver swing of Luke Clanton, a rising talent who recently secured his PGA Tour card and made headlines with strong performances at both the Waste Management and PGA National.

Setup Fundamentals
Luke Clanton’s stance is textbook for elite drivers: the insides of his feet are slightly wider than shoulder-width, and his ball position is forward, near the lead shoulder. He carries a subtle side tilt away from the target, which is typical in top-level driver setups, while maintaining a level pelvis. Contrary to some coaching philosophies that promote a pronounced hip bump at address, Thurm emphasizes that only a few degrees of away tilt are commonly observed in 3D motion data.

Pressure and Motion Patterns
Although the video doesn’t include force plate data, Thurm discusses how Ground Pressure Sensors would reveal significant lateral pressure shifts despite Clanton appearing relatively “centered” on video. He explains that elite swings often begin with a subtle push into the lead foot, which shifts pressure into the trail foot even before the club visibly moves. This initiates the chain of motion crucial for balance and speed.

Backswing Characteristics
Luke Clanton’s head and hips stay centered relative to his starting position, with his head rotating slightly rather than shifting laterally. His high hands at the top create a wide arc, a common trait among great drivers of the ball. Thurm notes that Clanton doesn’t rely on large shifts of mass; instead, his rotation around a stable axis helps generate power without excess lateral movement.

Downswing Dynamics
As Clanton transitions into the downswing, his center of pressure moves quickly into the lead side. According to Thurm, this early pressure transfer is a hallmark of top-tier players, especially those who minimize excessive motion toward the target. Clanton uses his lead leg to “brake” his lateral momentum, pushing up from the ground to rotate powerfully through the ball. His left pocket and leg rotate behind him, creating torque and speed without sliding forward.

Impact and Release
By the time Clanton reaches impact, his body has opened up, his lead foot is peeling slightly off the ground, and his center of pressure is momentarily back on the trail side—a key mechanism for releasing the club with speed. This move, which Thurm describes as “running backwards through impact,” allows for explosive energy transfer while staying centered and balanced.

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