The Best Free Golf Video Lessons565 Free Golf Lessons from the Best ProsOver 120,000,000 views
565 lessons from professionals, selected and summarizedOver 120,000,000 views across all videos
BackswingSwing and Swing Plane All clubs Beginner / Intermediate ⏱ 2 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Collin Morikawa: The "Glove Under the Arm" Drill

When his hands stray too far from his body, Collin Morikawa turns to a very simple drill: a glove tucked under his left armpit. He uses it on the driving range and even before tournaments to keep his arms and body in sync.

▶
Collin Morikawa
Collin Morikawa · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

9 minSame problemAlignment Rod and Swing Plane: The Complete ExerciseSimon Camirand · Beginner / Intermediate9 minSame problemComplete the backswing: move your body out of the way of your armEdouard Montaz · Beginner / Intermediate9 minFrom the same proCollin Morikawa's Wedges: Spin and a Flat DescentCollin Morikawa · Intermediate

What the lesson shows

Collin Morikawa's flaw: instead of rotating his entire body, his hands move outward during the backswing. The distance between his hands and his body increases, and that creates problems. He sees this in many golfers: they extend their arms instead of staying connected. His tool: a glove attached to a neck strap, but a simple glove or a towel will do.

He tucked under the left armpit. During the backswing, it must stay in place: if the arm moves outward, the glove drops, which is a sign that Hands aren't kept at a safe distance. His visualization: his hands resting on an imaginary board in front of him. After a bad day, he sometimes returns to the driving range after his round to do this exercise; he says it helps him hit the ball straighter and make better contact.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Tuck a glove or a small towel under your left armpit.
  2. Enter your usual address.
  3. Do slow backswings by rotating your body, without letting your arms move.
  4. Make sure the glove stays in place at the top of the swing.
  5. Hit a few balls with the glove, without trying to hit them hard.
  6. Take it off and still feel connected.

Key Takeaways

Issue: Hands moving away from the body during the backswing.
The body turns, but the arms stay connected.
A glove or a towel under your left armpit is enough.
If the glove falls off, the connection is lost.
Image: hands resting on a board in front of you.
A back-to-basics drill after a bad day.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Extend your arms outward at the start of the swing.
  • Let your hands move away from your body during the backswing.
  • Raise the club using your arms instead of rotating your body.
  • Tighten your arm so much that your swing becomes stiff.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. A few backswings with the glove under my left armpit
  2. A series of shots without knocking it down
  3. After a bad game: a few minutes of this exercise

Your Questions

Do you need any special accessories?

No. Collin Morikawa uses a glove attached to a neck strap, but he points out that a simple glove or towel will do just fine.

Under which armpit should the glove be placed?

Under the left armpit, for a right-hander. It must remain in place during the backswing.

What does the image on the board mean?

He imagines a board in front of him on which his hands rest. That's his way of keeping his hands at a safe distance from his body.

When should you do this exercise?

At the driving range, before a tournament, or after a round where he hit the ball poorly. He says he hits straighter and makes better contact with the ball then.

Learn More

All “Backswing” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Swing and Swing Plane” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Collin MorikawaAll of his lessons

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

* Amateur competitions with guidance from the pros