The Three-Lens Diagnostic Model

High-level coaching looks at the swing through three lenses at the same time. The most common coaching mistake is fixing a fault in isolation (e.g. strengthening a grip) — because technical elements only make sense in context. The same triangle applies everywhere, including the short game.

Lens	The Question	Why It Matters
Biomechanics	What is the body doing?	Sequencing, force generation, center of mass, stability, deceleration — and whether the motion is sustainable, efficient, and safe
Ball Flight	What is the ball actually doing?	Start direction, curve, height, strike quality. The ball never lies — it tells you whether the system is working
Player Intent	What does the player want?	Desired shot shape, competitive context, comfort, long-term goals. A "correct" change that fights intent rarely sticks

Priority order

1. Watch the ball
2. Understand the biomechanics
3. Clarify the player's intent
4. Adjust technique to support all three

Never the other way around — skipping the order leads to over-coaching, conflicting feels, and lost confidence.

There are no hard rules — only matchups

There is no single correct grip, stance, or swing shape. What matters is impact: club path, face relative to path, strike location, and angle of attack. Match those and the ball behaves predictably regardless of how the swing looks. Coach the system, not the symptom.