Driving · Drill
Pause, Drop Your Arms, Then Turn
Part of our driving programs for hook, push or pull, not enough distance. Build a program with it
Do your arms get stuck behind you on the way down? This pause drill helps. Get to the top and stop there for about a second. Then let your arms fall. Your trail arm straightens a bit as it drops. Hold your back turned away from the target a beat longer. Then turn through. At impact, your hands should sit opposite your sternum, like they did at address. Start with short, slow shots. It takes time to feel right.
The drill
- Reach the top and pause one count.
- Let your arms drop while your back stays turned.
- Feel your trail arm lengthen.
- Turn through with hands opposite your sternum.
- Hit short, easy shots first.
Why it works
When your arms stay behind your body on the way down, the club gets trapped and your hands flip it shut to catch up, which sends the ball left. Pausing at the top lets your arms drop first while your chest is still turned back. Then your body turns through and the arms are in front of you at impact, with the hands near the middle of your chest as they were at address. That lets the face stay square to the path without a flip.
Common mistakes
- You rush the pause and start the downswing with your shoulders.Count one full second at the top and let your arms start down before your chest moves.
- You let your chest turn toward the target during the drop.Keep your back facing away from the target for a beat while your arms fall, then turn.
- You swing hard before the move feels natural.Use short, slow shots until the order of arms, then turn, feels repeatable.
How you'll know it's working
- Your hands sit opposite your sternum at impact, not trailing behind your body.
- Your shots start on or near the target line and stop curving left.
- You feel your trail arm lengthen as it drops, and contact is solid and centered.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Hit half-length shots off a tee with a long pause, and make slow practice swings first with no ball.
Harder: Shorten the pause to a half count and build up to full swings with a driver while keeping the same order of arms, then turn.
Common questions
Why do I hook the ball when my arms get stuck behind me?
Your hands run out of room and flip the clubface closed to catch up with your body. The face then points left of the path at impact.
How long should I pause at the top of the backswing?
About one second is enough for this drill. It is a practice tool, so you can shorten the pause as the sequence becomes natural.
