Swing Fault Priority
Also known as: what to fix first
Swing fault priority means choosing which swing issue to fix first. Faults are often connected, so fixing the right one can resolve others automatically.
A single swing video often reveals several things that could be labeled as faults at once. Examples are an early extension, a slightly steep plane, and an open face at impact. A common mistake is trying to work on all of them at the same time. Swing fault priority is the discipline of identifying which single issue is most fundamental and most likely to be the actual root cause. It is also the issue most likely to unlock improvement in the other visible symptoms once addressed.
Priority is usually given to whichever fault sits earliest in the chain of causation and affects the widest range of shots. A sequencing issue in transition, for instance, often causes several downstream compensations at once. Fixing it can resolve multiple "faults" that were really just symptoms of the same root problem.
Without a clear priority, golfers commonly try to fix everything at once. They overload their attention with too many simultaneous swing thoughts. As a result, they make slower progress on any single issue. They would progress faster by picking one thing and sticking with it through several weeks of focused practice.
Example
A coach reviewing video that shows both early extension and an open clubface at impact chooses to work on the early extension first, since it is likely producing the face compensation as a side effect.
Why it matters
Trying to fix everything a swing video reveals at once usually means fixing nothing well. Prioritizing the most fundamental issue produces faster, more durable improvement.
In SwingVantage Motion Lab
Motion Lab ranks its body reads and makes the weakest one your One Fix, instead of giving every read equal weight. The report also offers a best guess at the root cause from the pattern of weak reads. Swing-plane notes from your clubhead marks sit beside the One Fix; they do not replace it. Work on that one fix, then retest before moving to the next.
Related terms
- Root Cause vs SymptomA root cause is the underlying issue that creates a swing fault. A symptom is the visible downstream result. Confusing them means practicing the wrong fix.
- Compensation PatternA compensation pattern is a move the body adds, usually unconsciously, to offset an earlier fault and still make contact. It often becomes a habit of its own.
- Swing ThoughtA swing thought is one simple cue a golfer holds in mind just before or during a swing. Most coaches agree one clear thought, or none, beats several at once.
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