Why does Matthew Wolff buckle his knees before he swings?
PGA Tour

Why does Matthew Wolff buckle his knees before he swings?

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Matthew Wolff is in position to win his first PGA Tour title in only his third professional start, sharing the 54-hole lead at TPC Twin Cities heading into the final round of the inaugural 3M Open in Minnesota.

This won't be the first time fans get to see the powerful Oklahoma State product crush the golf ball and rocket into contention. Wolff is one of the most highly anticipated new pros in a crop filled with them -- including OK State teammate Viktor Hovland and fellow Sunday final grouper Collin Morikawa -- and for good reason. Wolff dominated in college, setting the all-time scoring record for an NCAA player.

While Wolff has massive power and an athletic swing that would make any Tour pro envious, Wolff has a unique move in his swing that draws a lot of attention. When Matthew Wolff prepares to swing the golf club, he buckles his knees ever so slightly before he takes back the club.

So, why does Matthew Wolff buckle his knees and shift forward just before swinging?

Wolff moves his knee as a trigger for his golf swing. He uses it as a mental footnote of when he's ready to swing the club. As Golf Channel reported in a 2018 profile of the rising star, Wolff began buckling his knee as a swing trigger after he broke his collarbone in 2015. He picked up the move as a reminder to open his hips and shoulders before impact.

Once Wolff pulls the trigger, so to speak, he then takes back the golf club vertically, makes his turn and brings the club back down into the slot, in perfect position at impact to smash the ball miles and miles.

While Wolff has an unconventional-looking swing, his teacher George Gankas believes in Wolff and his move because of the consistent results it delivers in tournament play. A reliable move like Wolff's, including the knee trigger, is a must for any professional or competitive golfer. Wolff has it, and it gives him a ton of confidence.

About the author

Ryan Ballengee

Ryan Ballengee is the founder, owner and operator of Golf News Net.

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