Big Arc Swing Pattern: Nicklaus, Woods & Scheffler

There are certain golf swings that immediately stand out.

Jack Nicklaus.

Tiger Woods.

Scottie Scheffler.

Different eras. Different personalities. Yet they all share something remarkably similar.

A golf swing built around a big arc.

Not because they copied one another, but because they developed an athletic motion that allows the club to accelerate over a long, flowing journey.

That idea became the foundation of what I call the Big Arc Swing Pattern.

Looking Beyond Positions

For years I searched for the common denominators behind these players.

Not the positions.

Not the checkpoints.

The motion.

What creates that harmony?

Why does the swing look so fluid while producing tremendous speed?

The answer, in my experience, isn’t a collection of positions.

It’s a collection of intentions.

A Long Power Journey

One of the defining characteristics of the Big Arc Swing Pattern is that power is never treated as a single event.

It isn’t a violent hit at the golf ball.

It isn’t a whip.

Instead, the golfer creates a long, accelerating power journey.

The movement begins at the top of the backswing and continues all the way into the finish.

Impact simply happens along the way.

The longer the journey, the easier it becomes to produce effortless speed.

Connecting With the Club

Another important concept is learning to connect with the golf club itself.

Rather than dragging the club through the downswing, you begin sending energy into it.

The club starts working for you.

Its weight becomes something you feel.

Its momentum becomes something you trust.

This connection transforms the golf swing from a sequence of body movements into an athletic motion.

Training Motion Instead of Positions

This is also how I teach the pattern.

I don’t believe golfers perform their best by thinking about isolated body positions.

Instead, I focus on giving the brain movement tasks.

Simple intentions.

Athletic objectives.

The body is remarkably good at organising itself when the club has a meaningful task to perform.

Instead of chasing positions, you replace them with motion.

The Two Swooshes

One of the simplest ways to train the pattern is through what I call the two swooshes.

The first creates input speed.

It teaches the club to gather momentum.

The second directs where that momentum should travel.

For the stock shot, that journey continues above the lead shoulder, producing the large, flowing swing arc that gives the pattern its name.

Eventually, changing the second swoosh allows you to shape trajectories and shot patterns while keeping the same fundamental motion.

Replacing Swing Faults

One philosophy has shaped Forgotten Master Moves from the beginning:

Don’t fix swing faults. Replace them.

When golfers are given a better movement pattern, many common faults begin disappearing naturally.

Over-the-top swings often stem from unclear power intentions.

Steep downswings become shallower because the club is travelling on a different journey.

Early extension frequently disappears because the body no longer has to compensate.

Rather than fighting symptoms, you replace the movement that created them.

Why It Works for Every Handicap

The pattern offers different benefits depending on your level.

For higher handicaps, it creates clarity.

The golf swing begins making sense, and speed becomes easier to produce.

For mid-handicap golfers, it provides a simpler transition.

Instead of trying to manufacture difficult positions, the focus shifts toward creating better movement.

For lower handicaps, the value lies in understanding the system.

Shot shaping, trajectory control and performance become increasingly predictable because every variation grows from the same athletic foundation.

A Swing Built for the Long Term

Perhaps my favourite aspect of the Big Arc Swing Pattern is its longevity.

The motion encourages shallowness, freedom and mobility.

Instead of forcing the body into restrictive positions, it allows athletic movement to create the mechanics.

That not only improves performance but also creates a swing that can be repeated—and enjoyed—for years to come.

Final Thoughts

The Big Arc Swing Pattern isn’t an attempt to copy Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods or Scottie Scheffler.

It’s an attempt to understand the athletic principles their swings have in common.

Long acceleration.

Freedom.

Connection to the club.

Movement over positions.

That’s the philosophy behind Forgotten Master Moves.

Knowledge first. Simplicity second. Performance follows.

START THE JOURney – FIND YOUR OLD SChool PATTERN

Your inspirations and your subconscious view of the golf swing matter more than anything when it comes to making a lasting swing change. The goal is to find the pattern that fits you best. Take the quiz and check out the best choice for you below:

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