I don’t align too well with TGM since keeping the head still and going all mechanical in both explanation models and executions is very far from how I perform, perceive and teach the golf motion. MORAD is basically a developed, improved and expanded version of the geometrical world of TGM.

I’m completely aware that MORAD’s huge scientific project is a much bigger and more elaborate project than my 10 year development of the FMM Swing. I’m not putting myself in the same realm as Mr O’Grady. He was, is and will always be a much better, but even more importantly, different style of coach/mentor than I am. Furthermore, I only do this (have this website and offer my system) to give back to golf, to teach what I love and have studied for. The golfers that are into the FMM style of motion are likely different than MORAD students. Mr O’Grady strived for world teaching domination whilst I’m quite happy in my little old school core intentions corner. Please read this article about Mr O’Grady’s key historic events if you wish.

System Differences – MORAD’s Details vs FMM’s Narrowed Scope

It’s hard to respect the ambition of understanding the complete working of golf more than I do. But at the same time there lies a lot of value in narrowing the scope for the development. Not narrowing the scope creates too much of a rabbit hole that takes you away from performance golf (in my opinion) and leads you towards a range genius golf game. The golf game is so illusive, strange and interesting that thinking that it’s all about technique leads to diminished performance. I know that a mentally skilled golfer likely can make a completely seperation between technique and playing but personally they interact quite a bit.

An example: The shot grid of being able to perform nine shot shapes with each club is just unnecessary for playing effective golf. Sure, it’s really cool to be able to paint a canvas in the sky with different trajectories but how much is it going to help your golf game really?

Comparing Mr O’Grady’s shot cone vs 18 time major winner Jack Nicklaus: He basically played a high fade shot 90% of the time. If he had to hit into the wind then he took a longer club and played a looser shot. If he had to draw it he just shut the blade in setup. This would be practical execution simplicity at master level.

I really think his MORAD’s early work, and especially the 86 swing, was less inspired by the shot cone fixation.

Learning Differences – Swing Thoughts, Mapping & Mechanical Preference

I’m aware that Mr O’Grady wished the initial MORAD swing to be performed without any conscious thought (through a specific pre shot routine with the goal of distracting the mind = three waggles and feet shuffling during counting 1001, 1002 and 1003). Given that the protocol, especially later versions, is so complicated this type of behavior is needed. I have a completely different approach here. I WANT to perform my swing with a conscious feel but the feel has been polished through training and has basically ZERO mechanical background but a pure intentional driver focus. Over time, my system provides the ability to even play without feel but getting there means feel based golf swings.

I’m not fully aware of all his teaching tricks when it comes to mechanical learning but I do know that he used a brain mapping technique where you complete golf swing in a very long time (e.g. 1 minute). Since mr O’Grady’s system requires very specific mechanic actions with the body oriented this would be highly effective. My system doesn’t require very specific body positions, except setup, and makes the body much more reactive. Hence, I utilize the dynamic power in the golf club through different drills to focus you down to two main power components. These two components dictates your entire motion. In other words, I don’t need to map stuff out because it’s not complicated enough. Also the slow motion doesn’t allow the dynamics of the club’s inherent power to be felt properly (in my opinion).

A fun “fact” about his teaching is that (basically unconfirmed rumours) is that he forced students to lie in front of him so he could stripe one irons just above them to build trust. Another example of Mr O’Grady being a master of change and the dynamics of the brain’s availability is that he and Seve Ballesteros drove out into the desert to perform a funeral of old seve swing image. I guess I could say I’m a bit more laid back and keeping my demands to you having the proper training gear, roughly a month golf free course space and that you fully understand my knowledge material booklet.

As mentioned the early MORAD was supposed to be “easy on the brain” but in later protocols this ambition seems to have diminished. Kevin Ralbovsky describes on his excellent channel that Mr O’Grady needed many years to learn his later protocols with lefty golf. Full disclosure, from a personal MORAD journey experience I have a very hard time to perform his teaching without keeping a strong mechanical presence in my motion (here is an article about why I prefer abstract swing thoughts). Maybe that’s just my constitution not matching his teachings. Maybe not. More importantly, let’s look on technical reasons below.

Technical Differences – Why not teaching MORAD

I don’t perform or teach MORAD due to what I feel is a disruption of natural flow. In one way MORAD movements are basically an explained version of the TGM hitting protocol. It’s reliant on a 45 degree angle lead hand and 22,5 degree trail hand grip angle. This would be a strong lead hand and a neutral trail hand (ish) in simple grip terms.

The hitting protocol is a trail side focused arm extension model where you use intentional lag building in the downswing (p4-p6) to create more stored centrifugal force and then go ahead and control your trail arm extension / push to happen after the hit. This is, in my opinion, a manipulation and creates the need for additional right side bend / secondary axis tilt (that you angle your spine from the hip) to accommodate the steepening elements of the strike. 

Coming from a background of back injuries this position (bent to the right) isn’t harmonizing very well with tight vertebrates.

Another technical concept that I don’t agree with is that you “shouldn’t lift your arms” in your backswing in MORAD protocols. Sure, I get Mr O’Grady came from a failed tutoring from Nicklaus swing and his protocol is basically the “opposite” in many ways and forms. If you don’t go the “create lag in the downswing” route but rather use the downswing for width and speed (I think this is where his own Nicklaus swing was wrongly taught) you are actually creating a bigger and smoother arc if you lift your arms (alongside more natural chest rotation in the backswing).

Inspirations from MORAD – Rehinge and Short Radius vs Old School Intentions

I do like to cherry pick where it makes sense and the way that MORAD describes the centripetal counterpart of the centrifugal force output is among the sharpest analysis in golf history. Mr O’Grady talks about a short through swing radius. He mentions the advantages of this as a protection against future injuries (since stretching the arms towards the target at high grip pressure is an injury inducer) and as an element to really make sure the centrifugal force is released properly whilst maintaining clubface control.

Always consider that the lag in the 86-swing was intense and that the future protocols were even more focused on lag. Hence, you need something to ensure the deliverance of centrifugal force from this very lagged position. The MORAD rehinge and short through swing radius is very similar to the old school sayings of  “hitting the wheat of the shaft” or “throwing a meatball into your own mouth”. Mike Austin, who delivered a steady output of over 320+ yards (with persimmon and balata balls) in a full year on tour, is the founder of the meatball concept. What I call the move (the 3/3 of my components) in my system is basically an explanation of Mr Austin’s concept but with complete focus on HOW to do it. I was definitely inspired by MORAD whilst understanding this.

Ultimately the golf swing can be described as the challenge between creating speed and closing down the clubface and both MORAD’s motion and old school motions (like the FMM) successfully complete this challenge.

Easy to Digest Differences – MORAD vs FMM

For starters. It’s two completely different approaches to the golf swing. MORAD is much more technical and the biggest journey in biomechanics, anatomy and geometrics in golf. The FMM Swing is my simplification of the swings of the old golden age with the pure goal of achievability, injury avoidance and natural power.

• MORAD is about a 100% approach with deep technical understanding of 10 positions in time and space. My feel is that the system is very rigid. FMM is much more of a “95% is good enough approach” with a total of three (!) components and a huge space for personal idiosyncrasies.
• MORAD is about utilizing a lag created, forced trail arm extension and rehinge power package. A TGM advanced hitting protocol if you will. The FMM is all about using the downswing arc for power creation (not with intentional lag creation) and the through swing for intentional acceleration intended way earlier than the MORAD rehinge.
• MORAD utilizes enforced secondary axis tilt to create neutral striking (due to the arm push) throughout mid downswing (p4-p6 ish) all the way to the follow through (p10). The FMM power motion provides enough shallowness to not need this enforced behavior.
• MORAD uses a TGM grip of strong lead and neutral trail hand. FMM uses a weaker lead hand grip due to not pushing the hands but keeping the dynamics tighter to the body.

I respect MORAD deeply but I aim for the simplest golf swing achievable with the core inner workings of the old greats. I sincerely believe that the underlying motivation for Mr O’Grady developing the motion in the early 80s was his failed Nicklaus swing. I actually teach an improved version of what he was wrongly taught. The MORAD project coming later was more of a complete scientific journey that has yielded some of the biggest influence in golf teaching history.

At the end of the day it’s all about individual preference.

Closely Related Articles

Golf Development Consulting

I offer some services for you that are into golf technique and want some assistance.

Some FMM Swing System Technique Posts (with Videos)

The FMM Swing