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Five Lessons You Can Learn From Ernie Els' Swing

By Brendon Elliott, PGA
Published on

One name that's firmly in contention at the 2024 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship is the legendary Ernie Els.
Rightly named the 'Big Easy' due to his buttery swing, Els has left an indelible mark on the golf world throughout his Hall of Fame career. His journey is a testament to his skill and dedication, with an impressive record of 75 worldwide professional wins and four major championships.
Els' golf swing is a fascinating study, unique in its smoothness and grace. It has captivated players and fans alike, offering a wealth of lessons for aspiring golfers. Here's what we can learn:
Tempo
Ernie's golf swing is a testament to the power of rhythm and grace over brute force. It's a valuable lesson for golfers, showing that by prioritizing fluidity and tempo, they can gain better control and consistency in their game.
Attention to set up fundamentals
Additionally, Els' swing demonstrates the importance of a balanced and stable setup. His posture and alignment are consistently solid, providing a strong foundation for his swing. This underscores the significance of proper setup and alignment in executing a successful shot. By emulating Els' attention to these fundamental aspects, golfers can enhance their own performance on the course.
The importance of "staying relaxed"
Els' golf swing exemplifies the value of a relaxed and tension-free approach. His smooth and unhurried swing is a testament to the benefits of staying loose and free of unnecessary tension. This serves as a reminder to golfers to avoid gripping the club too tightly or introducing unnecessary tension into their swing. By maintaining a relaxed and fluid motion, golfers can achieve greater consistency and rhythm in their swings.
A wide swing arc
Ernie's swing also includes a wide and consistent arc, which is important to his easy tempo and distance. His swing features a full and unrestricted motion, maximizing the potential for clubhead speed and distance. By maintaining a wide arc throughout the swing, Els generates significant power and achieves a fluid, connected motion. Golfers can benefit from this lesson by concentrating on developing a wide and consistent swing arc, ultimately leading to improved ball striking and distance.
Proper swing sequencing on the downswing, to the finish
Another notable aspect of Ernie Els' golf swing is his exceptional timing and release. He has a remarkable ability to synchronize his upper and lower body movements, resulting in a seamless transfer of energy through impact. This synchronization allows him to generate significant power without sacrificing accuracy. Golfers can learn from this by focusing on the coordination of their body movements and the timing of their release, ultimately leading to more powerful and controlled shots.
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/

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