Lee Trevino's Swing: Clubface Control on the Range
On the driving range with Parker McLachlin, Lee Trevino boils the entire game down to one idea: you don’t have one clubface—you have three. He demonstrates how to keep them aligned, how the right hand controls spin, and why, in his view, the ball moves even though the swing remains the same.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Lee Trevino's first lesson: You have three clubfaces. The clubface, the back of the left hand, and the palm of the right hand must all remain aligned. If the hands move in all directions, the clubface will not stay square. He demonstrates that the back of the left hand remains square through impact, with the body serving as the driving force. His analogy: the body pulls the cart; if it slows down, the hands and the club will pull ahead of it. And the ball always tells you what you’ve done.
To curve the ball, Lee Trevino doesn't change his swing. The right hand and right forearm act as the steering wheel: With the right hand positioned higher on the grip, the forearm is angled to the left of the ball, and the clubface opens on its own. For a soft draw, he keeps his weakened right hand in place, moves the ball forward, and actively rotates: since the hand can only rotate a little, the draw remains controlled. For the fade, he positions the ball back toward his right foot and takes a normal swing. He also offers two pieces of equipment advice: a 5-wood with an 18° loft rather than a 3-wood, which is hard to get off the ground, and trying out clubs outdoors while watching the ball’s flight.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Place the club on the ground, then make sure the back of your left hand is facing the same direction as the clubface.
- Position your right hand so that its palm is also aligned with the face.
- For a soft draw, place your right hand slightly higher on the grip and move the ball forward in your stance.
- Swing by letting your body lead, and actively rotate your hands through the hitting zone.
- To hit a fade, keep the same grip and swing, but position the ball farther back toward your right foot.
- Watch the ball's flight: it tells you if a hand got the better of it.
- Make small adjustments, one thing at a time.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Allow your hands to drift away from the clubface during the swing.
- Slow down the body at impact: the hands and the club pass it by.
- Change your entire swing to make the ball curve.
- Tighten your right hand to create a draw: this can cause the clubface to rotate much too much.
- Judging a club based solely on a screen indoors, without seeing the ball in flight.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Verification at address: three aligned sides
- Series of soft draws: right hand on top, ball positioned forward
- A series of fades: same swing, ball toward the right foot
- After each shot, analyze the ball's flight before making a correction
Your Questions
What are Lee Trevino's three clubfaces?
The clubface, the back of the left hand, and the palm of the right hand. In his view, if both sides of the hands are pointing in all directions, the clubface cannot stay straight.
Why weaken your right hand to make a draw?
With the right hand on top, it can only turn a little bit. You can then rotate your hands freely without creating a hook: This is how Lee Trevino achieves a gentle draw, never excessive.
Where should you place the ball for a fade, according to Lee Trevino?
Move it back, near the right foot, using the same swing. He points out that this is the opposite of what is often recommended, which is to move the ball forward for a fade.
What equipment advice does he give?
He plays an 18° 5-wood because he can no longer get the ball off the ground with a 3-wood, and he recommends trying out your clubs outdoors, while watching the ball, rather than just in front of a radar machine indoors.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Lee Trevino). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.