The 1960s were filled with some great players like Nicklaus, Player, Palmer and also Tony Lema. It was the era of the beginnings of the modern golf swing where the players used their body more than their arms and hands as they did in the past. Lema won the 1964 British Open only after he overcame his temper and anger issues. From what I have heard, Lema never wanted to be a millionaire, but he always wanted to live like one. He enjoyed a party and didn't need a coach,a physical therapist and a psychologist to follow him around as the modern player does.Below I have outlined some of the fundamentals of his swing that represented his care-free, fun-loving attitude.
Tony Lema was known for his great tempo and rhythm in his swing. Some said it looked like effortless power and not powerless effort. He had virtually no tension in his hands, arms and shoulders at address. His arms simply hung vertically downward from his address posture.He started his swing with a low, slow, one-piece and wide takeaway, like many players of that era. He started his swing by pushing his left arm back. Again, all players of this era felt like they pushed the club back with their left arm. He had a huge shoulder turn and tried to rotate his body around a very steady head. Like virtually all players of that era, his left heel was pulled off the ground at the top by his shoulder and hip turn. He had very high hands at the top of his swing as his right leg didn't move a bit on his backswing. He kept his weight on the inside of his right foot at the top of his swing.
Lema started his downswing by getting his left heel down quickly. This assured that he would start his downswing with his feet, knees and hips in that order. He felt like his downswing was a left-sided, pulling motion. He was known for his very "leggy" look. His forward-moving, sliding hips and knees caused a caddy-dip look with his head through impact.As a result of his leg motion, his club dropped down inside-out, and the ball flight was a little draw. Lema had very fast hip rotation through impact as he was known for his very aggressive leg drive. Because of his great lower body action, he was also known for how late his wrists uncocked on the downswing.This lag of the clubhead caused a very late hit and BIG drives.
Like all players of that era, his leg action caused a very high finish with his back well-arched in the classic reverse "C." Equipment was different then and most of the top players had to swing like Lema. In my opinion, his swing was great for him, and the only thing that really held him back was his temper and anger issues, which dissipated when he started winning.
Tony Lema's swing reminds us that we all have our own swing and we spend a lifetime trying to "own it."