Driving · Drill
Pause at the Top and Turn Through
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Many golfers start the downswing by yanking the handle down. Your body then has to stall to keep you balanced. Try this instead. Swing to the top and pause for a moment. Don't pull with your arms. Just turn your body toward the target. Let the club fall into place on its own. Start with slow swings just above the ground. A towel or something light on the end of the club can help you feel the club lag behind your turn.
The drill
- Swing to the top and stop briefly.
- Resist pulling the handle down.
- Start down by turning your body.
- Let the club drop on its own.
- Make slow swings, then hit balls.
Why it works
When your arms pull the handle down first, the club moves ahead of your body and your chest has nothing left to turn into. Starting the downswing with a body turn keeps the club behind you, so it drops into the hitting path on its own. The pause removes the rush from the transition, so you can feel which part of you moves first.
Common mistakes
- You pause, then yank the handle down with your hands and arms.Keep your grip pressure light and start by turning your belt buckle toward the target.
- You rush the pause so it becomes a jerk instead of a stop.Hold the top position for a full second, then start down at the same slow pace you used going back.
- You slide your hips toward the target and stop turning.Keep turning your chest and hips left of the target, for a right-hander, so the club has room to swing through.
How you'll know it's working
- The club feels like it trails behind your turn, and the towel or light weight lags before it catches up.
- You strike the ball solidly in the center of the face, with the divot or low point just ahead of the ball on slow irons-style swings.
- The ball starts on or near your target line without a big pull or push.
Make it easier or harder
Easier: Make slow swings just above the ground with no ball, and keep the pause at the top as long as you need to feel the turn start.
Harder: Shorten the pause to a brief beat and then hit full-speed drives off a tee while keeping the same body-first start.
Common questions
Why does pulling the handle down cause bad shots?
It sends the club ahead of your body too early, which usually leads to a steep path, weak contact or a pull. Your body then has to slow down to stay balanced.
Should I pause at the top in my normal swing?
No, the pause is a practice tool to teach the order of movement. On the course you want the same feel of turning first, but without stopping.
