The Mike Austin Swing, has been practiced and taught by numerous golf professionals. It is based on the principle of "supple quickness", whereby speed is generated through relaxation of all active muscles. Austin demonstrated the power of the swing by securing the world long drive title with a 515-yard shot, using a steel-shafted persimmon wood driver, a balata-covered ball and had a 27-mph tail wind, while playing in the U.S. National Seniors Open in 1974. He was 64 years old at the time. The Austin swing breaks from standard Professional Golf Association teaching in a number of ways: The hips slide laterally rather than turning. The clubhead is thrown from the top of the swing, not released at the last moment. The golfer bends forward from the hips rather than bending with the knees. Austin designed his golf swing to use the joints of the body in the way they designed. He claimed that his swing did not cause back injuries which are so common among professional golfers. Late in his career, Austin changed his hand motion to a counter-rotation of the forearms that keeps the club facing the target throughout the swing. Students of Austin include World Long Drive Champion Mike Dunaway and Jaacob Bowden. Speaking about Austin, Dunaway said "He is the dean of all golf instruction from the beginning of time, as far as I'm concerned." Instructors Golf instructors who have taught Austin's swing include: Mike Dunaway Walter "Smiley" Jones Dan Shauger Jaacob Bowden, winner of the 2003 Pinnacle Distance Challenge with a televised 381-yard drive and multiple winner of qualifiers for the RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship, including one that set a grid record of 421 yards. Betsy Cullen, former LPGA Tour winner Heiko Falke, Mike Austin teacher since 2005, brand owner in Germany John Marshall, 2005–06 ALDA Super Senior National Long Driving Champion and a five-time RE/MAX World Long Drive Championship finalist. Steve Pratt Deb Vangellow Instructional and related materials Austin talked about setting the world record and revealed his secrets for hitting it long and straight in his video Golf is Mental Imagery and Austinology. His last instructional DVD was with Mike Dunaway, Mike Austin: Secrets of the Game's Longest Hitter, and was produced by Peace River Golf. Also featured in the video are Dan Shauger, Smiley Jones, Philip Reed, and Jaacob Bowden. References American male golfers Golfers from California 1910 births 2005 deaths