PGA Tour Praises Kim Si-woo's Powerful Driver Swing

Kim Si-woo, competing on the PGA Tour, has been delivering strong performances since the start of the season. Following a tied 11th place finish at the Sony Open, tied 6th at the American Express, he recorded a tied 2nd place at the Farmers Insurance Open. The PGA Tour noted, "Few players have shown this level of consistency and intensity without a recent win."

Though Kim turns 31 this year, he is a veteran with over a decade of experience on the PGA Tour. He became the youngest player to pass the PGA Qualifying School at age 17 in 2012, claimed his first victory at the 2016 Wyndham Championship, and won the Players Championship—often called "the fifth major"—in 2017. Despite rumors of a potential move to LIV Golf ahead of this season, the four-time PGA Tour winner chose to stay, and is now firmly establishing his presence.

Coach Kim Hyung-min, a former KPGA Tour player who currently coaches notable long hitters including Kim Bong-seop, analyzed Kim Si-woo's driver shot technique. Kim Si-woo is renowned for his excellent driver control from the fairway.

Address: Kim appears to have added some weight since his marriage, which seems to have improved his stability. His setup exudes the confidence of a multiple PGA Tour winner. His grip shows both hands firmly connected, with the right index finger lightly resting on the shaft—indicating a finger-dominant grip designed for generating strong power.

Backswing: From start to finish, the triangle formed by both arms is well maintained. He minimizes wrist movement, lifting the club through shoulder and torso rotation. At the top, the shaft goes slightly past parallel to the ground, demonstrating his exceptional flexibility and relaxed body tension. His right foot remains firmly planted.

Downswing and Impact: His lagging motion is excellent, maintaining the wrist hinge angle as long as possible on the way down. His right elbow stays close to his body without extending until it reaches his right thigh, compressing power until release at impact. Rather than using ground reaction force through his knees, he strikes the ball with rapid hip rotation.

Follow-through and Finish: From just before impact through the follow-through, his right heel height remains unchanged, allowing him to whip the club powerfully while keeping his lower body stable. This motion is commonly seen among draw-shot players. Transitioning to the finish, his left toe lifts as his weight smoothly shifts to his left heel.