Charlotte speaks to Kiran Kanwar about her pioneering, female-friendly approach to coaching and pioneering Minimalist Golf Swing system.

Kiran Kanwar is not your typical golf instructor. An LPGA Master Professional with a Ph.D. in Kinesiology and a career spanning over 35 years, she has pioneered the Minimalist Golf Swing (MGS) system.

In this interview, Kiran shares her insights on how golf instruction should evolve to better suit the female body and help women excel in the sport.

How has your background in kinesiology shaped your approach to golf instruction?

My education in kinesiology was initially focused just on the biomechanics of the golf swing. However, I quickly realised that traditional biomechanics is just the tip of the iceberg.

Other movement sciences like anatomy – specifically the capabilities of the joints ­– and motor control – how the brain governs movement ­– are far more critical. Combining all of that gave me the knowledge to create a more body-friendly, science-based teaching system.

Can you explain the role biomechanics plays in improving a golfer’s performance?

A comprehensive knowledge of how the body is able to move, combined with the brain's role in motor control, is crucial for teaching an effective golf swing.

Traditional coaching approaches rely heavily on motion capture and force plates to analyse movement, but these provide only partial insights. Without a full understanding of the way our bodies work or how the brain controls movement, coaches are forced to “fill-in-the-blanks” to provide a hodgepodge of information to the golfer. 

What are the most common physical challenges or inefficiencies you see in female golfers, and how can they address them?

For any golfer of any skill level, the downswing happens very quickly – within one third of a second or less. Women tend to have a wider, slower-moving lower-body and less muscle strength, which makes it difficult for them to undo the excessive torso movements typical of a traditional golf swing. The key is to simplify the swing to fit their bodies’ capabilities.

Your “Minimalist Golf Swing” is well-known for its simplicity. What inspired you to develop this system, and how has it benefited players?

The Minimalist Golf Swing was born out of necessity. One day, I had a student, Mrs. Patel, who couldn’t connect with the ball off the tee, even though she only had an arms-only half back swing and half a follow through. I realised her arms were too close to her body, and that led me to understand how critical width and length in the backswing are.

Over time, I found that keeping the trail shoulder lower at the top of the backswing, as it is at both address and impact, helps avoid unnecessary torso rotation. Now I have my students use the arms to move the body as required.

Backed by research, the MGS has benefited players of all skill levels by providing more distance, better consistency, and fewer injuries.

What do you think is the most important skill for a golf coach to have when working with female players?

Coaches need to teach a well-researched, female-body-friendly golf swing. Trying to teach the same traditional golf swing to everyone doesn’t work, and it leads to poor results, frustration, and ultimately a lack of motivation to continue playing golf. A swing tailored to women’s unique physical characteristics can make a world of difference.

What innovations in biomechanics or sports science are you most excited about that could revolutionise golf instruction?

I’m excited about the new technology available, but I’d love to see it applied in different ways. Right now, it’s often used without a full understanding of how it can best benefit players, especially women.

What unique challenges do you think women face in golf, both as players and instructors?

Women players who start young can become phenomenal athletes. However, those who struggle with early success in ball-striking tend to give up.

As instructors, I feel that women tend to be behind their male counterparts, and they often aren’t recognised in the same way as male coaches. A lot of women coaches are content teaching juniors or other women, and only a few tour-level golfers are coached by women.

How do you see the role of women evolving in professional golf instruction, and what steps can be taken to encourage more women to pursue this field?

I think women are naturally meticulous, diligent, and nurturing – qualities that make for great coaches. Armed with a greater knowledge of movement sciences ­– biomechanics, anatomy, motor control – I believe female coaches can hold their own in the world of golf instruction. But we need more incentives. There often isn’t much money in it, so I worry women don’t see it as a viable career.

What do you hope to see in the future of women’s golf, both in terms of participation and representation at the highest levels?

I want to see more grassroots programmes where the best instructors teach young girls how to swing in a way that fits their bodies. It’s crucial for women to experience success at the highest levels to know that they can succeed despite any odds. I also think people should stop assuming that women need merely a nurturing environment at clubs or a few more facilities to feel welcomed. We’re women of the 21st century ­– strong enough to handle challenges and pursue what we love!

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