Psychology & Mental HealthRhythm and Tempo All clubs Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 9 min 🇫🇷 Video in French

Letting Go on the Golf Course: Renaud Poupard

Name: Letting Go on the Golf Course: Renaud Poupard
Uploaded: 2025-10-13T12:00:00+00:00
Duration: 9 min 27 s
Channel: Renaud Poupard
Description: You know you need to relax, but you just can’t seem to do it? Renaud Poupard, from coursdegolf.net, explains that a relaxed swing doesn’t depend on better technique—it’s a conscious choice. Using the “yogi” exercise and the image of a stringed drum, he demonstrates a swing on the driving range where you stop trying to control the clubface.

You know you need to relax, but you just can’t seem to do it? Renaud Poupard, from coursdegolf.net, explains that a relaxed swing doesn’t depend on better technique—it’s a conscious choice. Using the “yogi” exercise and the image of a stringed drum, he demonstrates a swing on the driving range where you stop trying to control the clubface.

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Renaud Poupard · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

4 minNext Level UpJustin Rose's Focus on PuttingJustin Rose · Intermediate / Expert 22 minNext Level UpCéline Boutier's Course Management, from Tee to GreenCéline Boutier · Intermediate / Expert 12 minFrom the same proComing Over the Top and Alignment: Fix the Root CauseRenaud Poupard · Intermediate

What the lesson shows

According to Renaud Poupard, many golfers believe they’ll be able to relax once their technique is perfected. He argues the opposite: Relaxation is a state we can choose. He proposes the’yogi's practice, as shared by a yoga teacher: look straight ahead, breathe out, and with each exhalation, imagine that your body is emptying like a water bottle—from your ears to your shoulders, arms, and wrists—carrying the tension away with it.

The upper body relaxes, but the lower body remains active: The hips rotate, and the arms—like the strings of a small drum—respond to the body’s center. Letting go is also a mental process: accepting that the ball will go somewhere. According to him, If the same relaxed motion is repeated, the ball goes to the same spot. To change direction, he doesn't alter his swing: he aligns his body and clubface at address, then repeats the same pendulum-like motion, which is initially driven by gravity.

The Exercise, Step by Step

Before typing, look straight ahead and breathe slowly—if possible, for a few minutes.
With each exhale, imagine the water flowing down from your ears toward your shoulders, arms, and wrists, washing away your tension.
Keep your lower body active: feel your hips rotate to the right and then to the left, with your hands following along without interfering.
Hold the club with very light hands and relaxed arms, as if they were strings.
Take a swing, accepting in advance that the ball will go wherever it wants.
Reproduce exactly the same feel on the next ball and see where it goes.
To adjust your swing path, align your body and clubface at address, then maintain the same relaxed swing.

Key Takeaways

Relaxation doesn't depend on technique—it's a choice.

Yogi exercise: With each exhalation, tension flows downward and leaves the body.

The upper body is relaxed, while the lower body moves dynamically, rotating the hips.

Arms and hands as light as the strings of a drum: they respond to the center of the body.

Repeating the same relaxed motion sends the ball to the same spot.

To change direction, adjust your stance at the address, not your swing.

Mistakes to Avoid

Wait until you have the right technique before allowing yourself to relax.
Gripping the club too tightly and trying to control the clubface at impact with your hands.
Deliberately position the club during the swing instead of letting it find its own position.
Correct your direction by changing your swing rather than your stance at the address.
Never be satisfied with a swing that actually works.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

Yoga exercises, breathing, and relaxation before the session
Empty swings, active hips, and relaxed arms
A series of balls that all feel the same, noting where they go
Changing the orientation of the body and face without altering the swing

Your Questions

Do you need good technique to be able to relax?

No, according to Renaud Poupard. Relaxation is a state you can choose right now; it is what then transforms your technique, not the other way around.

What does a yogi's practice involve?

Look straight ahead and breathe out. With each exhalation, imagine your body emptying like a water bottle, from your ears down to your wrists, carrying away any muscle tension. He recommends actually doing this for a few minutes.

Should the entire body be relaxed?

Especially the upper body: shoulders, arms, wrists, and hands. The lower body remains dynamic, with the hips rotating and leading the rest of the body.

If I let it go, won't the ball just go off in any direction?

She hits the ball somewhere. If you repeat the same relaxed motion, she’ll hit it to the same spot; to change her target, Renaud Poupard aligns his body and clubface at the address.

Learn More

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Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Renaud Poupard). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.