Bernhard Langer - How can one critique one of the most lasting swings
of the past several decades?
Easily. By understanding that the correct way to analyze a golf swing is based on what is ideal from the perspective of 'first principles'. Working from 'first principles' means not assessing a golf swing by comparing it to that of the most elite golfers swings, but based on where the body should be positioned at impact to give the club the desired path, angle of approach and maximum speed. This requires a simple understanding of anatomy (contact me for a two-hour educational session on 'anatomy of the golf swing'), because regardless of whether a person is male or female, young or old, big or small, we all have the same joints which can only move in certain fixed directions (planes of motion). So, the fewer the joins moved during the backswing, and in the fewest possible directions (planes of motions) the simpler, more reliable, and less prone to injury a golf swing becomes.
AND on the subject of Bernhard Langer, do get into his top-of-backswing position (or that of most other top golfers) - see picture above - to realize the main body-movement is a lateral flexion (dropping down) of the left knee, hip and shoulder, with an extension of the right hip and knee (as if he is squatting on the right hip), and some retraction (moving back) of right shoulder blade. How can golfers expect to rotate forward when they side-bend during the backswing? [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tZ2Bme0YdyA[/embed]