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A Lesson from The Legendary Arnold Palmer: Swing Your Swing

By Brendon Elliott, PGA
Published on

Arnold Palmer during the 59th Senior PGA Championship held at the PGA National Golf Club in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. April 16-19, 1998. (Photograph by The PGA of America)

Whether it be Tony Finau at the Northern Trust, Anna Nordqvist at the AIG Women's Open or Rob Pampling at the Champions Tour Boeing Classic, we see a uniqueness to many of the modern winners week in and week out on the major professional tours. Not long ago, there was a quest for that ever-elusive, perfect swing.
Today much like was the case in golf’s Golden Era in the ’50s and ’60s, golf swings show a great deal of uniqueness and imagination. 
What many of today’s best players know and master is the ability to stay true to their own swing. They also know how to score and put the ball in the hole in the fewest strokes possible. 
Arnold Palmers Famous Quote
While there are certain technical aspects that are in every great player’s swing, such as the ability to control the face at impact, and do so consistently, not even that is something that is cookie cutter. 
Some players come over and across the line with a slightly open face to their target line, hitting a cut…others come more from the inside and swing out with a slightly closed clubface and hit a draw. The idea is to groove your swing to the point that it’s repeatable. The great Arnold Palmer famously summed up the idea of embracing your own uniqueness…
"Swing your swing. Not some idea of a swing. Not a swing you saw on TV. Not that swing you wish you had. No, swing your swing. Capable of greatness. Prized only by you. Perfect in its imperfection. Swing your swing. I know, I did."
What’s Most Important 
What is most important for players to understand, from a technical standpoint, is to know the basic fundamentals; What the ball flight laws are and truly have an understanding of the cause and effect between how a club is swung and how the ball reacts based on that swing. This applies to all facets of the game too. From full swing to short game and putting.
We are all different…different body types, heights, weights, strengths, weaknesses and perhaps even an injury or disability we have to work with. I saw a news report just the other day on social media where a gentleman that had no arms and legs taught himself not only how to play the game, but mastered it enough to make a hole in one!
Beyond the mechanics of the game, learning how to play, and more importantly, score, is what’s equally as important. Get the ball in the hole in as few strokes as possible…no matter what. As I’ve pointed out in previous articles, and what I joke with my students about all the time, is the fact that there are no pictures on a scorecard. 
Nobody, besides those who see it, would ever know that you skulled your 9 iron on the par 3 third, to make that hole in one…they would only know you made an ace! And you know what? Do you really even care if the ball only got 2 feet off the ground for your first hole-in-one? 
Learn all you can about the mechanics and technical aspects of the game. Learn how to score. And as Mr. Palmer said, “Swing Your Swing, not some idea of a Swing.”
Brendon R. Elliott, PGA

Sorrento, FL

Brendon Elliott

Remote Golf Coach, Founder & Golf Writer

Brendon Elliott, PGA, helps competitive teenage golfers improve through BE A GOLFER remote coaching, self-guided programs and digital practice tools. Shop self-guided digital resources: https://be-a-golfer-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all **PRIVATE REMOTE COACHING** $400/month with a three-month minimum, $1,000/quarter or $4,000/year. Includes two live coaching hours each month, CoachNow communication and unlimited swing-video analysis, individual practice plans, SwingU performance tracking, selective SportsBox AI analysis, tournament preparation and review, and priority support. Apply and receive acceptance before paying. Parent or guardian involvement is required for minors. Apply for coaching: https://beagolfer.golf/apply-for-coaching **TWO DISTINCT 12-WEEK PROGRAMS** 12-Week Coached Remote Development Cycle — $1,500 one-time. Six scheduled live sessions, a private CoachNow space, weekly priorities and progress reviews. Application and acceptance required. 12-Week Self-Guided Development Plan — $1,500 one-time with 12-week access. Independent development with limited coach involvement; no scheduled live sessions or unlimited personal feedback. No application required. Explore both programs: https://beagolfer.golf/remote-coaching **DIGITAL PRACTICE TOOLS** Start at your own pace with instant-download practice plans, journals and tournament resources. The $59 Competitive Golfer's Practice Blueprint is a paid 21-day digital toolkit, separate from the free introductory practice guide. The $149 Competitive Golfer Bundle + Video Review includes one recorded review; ongoing coaching is purchased separately. Shop digital programs: https://be-a-golfer-shop.fourthwall.com/collections/all **IN-PERSON COACHING — WAITLIST ONLY** All in-person coaching is offered in packages: $600/month, $1,500/quarter or $5,000/year. Includes one private coaching hour each week in Longwood, with location and schedule confirmed by Brendon, plus remote support. Joining the waitlist does not guarantee acceptance or a start date. Join the waitlist: https://beagolfer.golf/waiting-list **EXPERIENCE, WRITING AND BUSINESS** Brendon brings more than 30 years in golf, more than 25 PGA Section and Chapter honors, and the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award. His career includes coaching, club leadership, college golf education and mentoring. He founded Little Linksters in 2008 and led it for more than 16 years before selling the academy in late 2024 and launching BE A GOLFER. He is Senior Golf Writer for Athlon Sports, with work also appearing in PGA.com, GolfWRX, PGA Magazine and MyGolfSpy. Through One More Roll Golf Media, he provides editorial content, feature writing, consulting and golf industry media services. BE A GOLFER: https://beagolfer.golf/home Athlon Sports writing: https://athlonsports.com/author/brendon-elliott One More Roll Golf Media: https://onemorerollgolf.com/ More about Brendon: https://brendonelliott.com/