I like to explain golf swing mechanics using a simple analogy inspired by one of my coaching influences, the legendary Craig Shankland. About 30 years ago, when I was a young instructor, I attended a teaching seminar taught by Craig, and he explained a concept that still sticks with me to this day.
Craig, who worked with the legendary Moe Norman, liked to explain the wrist and body conditions using the terms “nun” and “sum” as you would see on a Chinese food menu.
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“Nun” is the basic motion of the swing, driven by your large muscles. This is the foundational movement of the golf swing, with minimal wrist involvement. It’s a simple body-driven action that gets the ball moving without unnecessary complexity. It’s the basic starting point that helps build clean contact and sets the stage for everything that follows.
“Sum” is the hinging of the wrists, which adds a bit of leverage to the swing. Think of this as your secret power source, which gives your swing a bit of “oomph.”
Now that we have the two terms defined, we can mix and blend them together for a variety of shots.
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For the simplest shots — like a bump-and-run — you should think “nun, nun, nun,” for the backswing, downswing and follow-through. From there, we move to “sum, nun, nun,” which I think of as the first course. This is where we begin to add something.
The “sum” introduces a subtle wrist set, adding a bit of leverage while maintaining structure in the arms. Then we return to the familiar “nun, nun” feel in the downswing and follow-through. This progression allows you to build power and consistency without overcomplicating the motion.
Finally, there’s “nun, sum, nun.” This variation flips the sequence: you start and finish with minimal wrist and arm action, but introduce the “sum” — aka the wrist hinge — in the downswing. In my experience, this is a bit of a hidden gem. It can help create effortless speed, improve compression and produce that “through impact” feel that so many players are searching for.
What I’ve always appreciated about this way of thinking — with all credit to Craig — is how memorable it is. These simple phrases stick, and more importantly, they translate into feels that players can actually use on the course.
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The bigger idea here is that a great golf swing isn’t about reinventing the wheel. It’s about building things in the right sequence. Start simple, layer in complexity gradually and then learn to access that more advanced movement when you’re ready.
We’re all the sum of our experiences — and sometimes, a little “nun” is exactly what you need to play better golf.
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