Getting Mo Norman Back Into My Head

My first tee shot sliced into the woods. Second shot was a low pitch-out that was so poorly hit it bounced off a tree backwards further into the woods and into a stream.

A quadruple bogey 9 is not good for someone trying to maintain a single digit handicap.

It only got worse. Slices turned into hooks along with bladed iron shots or hairpiece like divots.

Once over the score shock, I began to concentrate on “what the heck was I doing.”

My set-up felt awkward. The ball placement in my stance seemed in the wrong place. At address, I sensed a slice or a hook coming — not a well-struck straight shot.

And then I began to realize, my body was either tired or it had forgotten Golf.

Simplify The Swing!

Granted, I am in my 60s and — I think — dementia free. I play two or three times a week on some hot days while producing lots of videos and blogs like this about local golf courses and events. So, driving range practice sessions don’t always happen.

Then, my inner golf voice lifted its way through all the failed golf tricks littering my golf mind.

“Go see Moe.”

Head slap moment.

“Of course. Now I get it… Again and again.”

My inner golf voice was referring to Moe Norman who I go back to again and again as a Golf swing refresher.

First, let me explain who Moe Norman is, this somewhat behind the scenes golf legend who died in 2004.

Moe “Greatest Ball Striker Ever”

Sam Snead called him the greatest ball-striker ever, and Tiger Woods said only Moe and Ben Hogan had truly “owned” their swings.

His professional golf résumé is impressive.

Canadian Amateur Champion in 1955 and 1956, which earned him invitations to the Masters.
Turned professional in 1957, and in that year alone, he entered 21 tournaments and won — wait for it — 17 of them.
Accumulated 55 professional wins, mostly in Canada, including two Canadian PGA Championships (1966, 1974) and eight Canadian PGA Seniors’ Championships.
Set 33 course records and recorded 17 holes-in-one.
Shot multiple rounds under 60, including three 59s.

Despite his talent, Moe struggled on the PGA Tour. His shyness, unorthodox behavior, and social awkwardness—possibly linked to being on the autism spectrum—didn’t lend itself to US golf crowds. So, he returned to Canada, where he was more accepted and revered.

Watch Moe’s video lesson from YouTube on The Single Plane Swing — that is posted here for you.

You can sense Moe’s slightly unorthodox personality that is riveting — and helpful — allowing him to show you the consistency of his golf swing again and again.

If you need to watch immediately, go ahead and click on it and watch.

Free Up Your Swing

I truly believe this old video with millions of views will add or keep more golfers interested and excited about the game.

Moe’s swing simplicity can help many golfers — young and old — find a consistent yet uncomplicated golf swing that won’t drain your time.

Once you embrace it, it will only require you to look at the ball and let it fly.

For me, after watching that video again, my next round was relaxing yet focused, recording a 38 on a par-36 for 9 holes.

That’s only after 15 minutes of video watching — and little warm-up.

Moe doesn’t complicate things. His swing is direct, repeatable, and refreshingly mechanical without ever losing feel.

How It Worked For Me

Here’s what you will take away from Mo’s lesson:

Set up to match your impact: Align your arms and shaft on a single plane.
Pre-set your tilt: Get into your impact spine angle at address.
Think “strike,” not “swing”: Focus on hitting through the ball, not manipulating it.
Use your torso, not your hands: Mo’s takeaway was chest-driven and beautifully connected.
Keep it simple: The magic was in repetition, not reinvention.

What really worked for me was to emphasize fully extending my arms with no conscious wrist action during the swing.

I also emphasize extended, straight, not bent, legs that gives me a consistent eye level which translates into – – just watch the ball and think of nothing else.

The extended legs also force my chest to initiate the back swing, not my arms, so I get a fuller turn with my lead shoulder easily getting underneath my chin — which happens without me thinking about it.

Moe’s swing stripped away the doubts I had gradually accumulated, so I am just delivering the club face back to the ball, like hammer meeting nail.

Now, I don’t claim to have “found it.” But thanks to Moe, I know what it feels like to play free from overthinking. Just me, my clubs, and a beat I can trust.

It’s not flashy—but then again, neither was Moe.

I’d rather have someone more impressed looking at my scorecard rather than my swing.

Let me know your thoughts about that YouTube video from Moe.

And let me know if you have other videos that help golfers.