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Golf Swing and Swing Plane: Video Lessons

A simple, consistent swing is built step by step. Identify the part of your swing that needs work—from the setup to the finish—and then find the pro lesson that will help you correct it.

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7Free ProgramA Consistent Swing in 7 StepsThe Right Lessons, in the Right Order · Get Started →

The Swing in 30 Seconds

The swing consists of four beats: the'address, the ascent (backswing), the descent and the Finish. The swing plane describes the angle at which the club moves up and down: if it's too vertical or too flat, it throws off the clubface and the contact.

The downswing begins with the lower body—the hips, then the torso—before the arms follow. There’s no need to change everything: focusing on just one aspect at a time, practiced on the driving range, is often enough.

Which part of your swing should you work on? A 5-Question Assessment

Choose what suits you best.

1Are you just starting out, or do you want to brush up on the basics?The swing, Step by Step → 2Is your backswing too short, too long or off plane?The Takeaway and the Swing Plane → 3Do you start the downswing with your arms or your shoulders?Downswing and rotation → 4Lacking stability or balance during your swing?Footwork → 5Does your ball go one way and then the other?Consistent face and path →

Where should I start?

The complete swing to get started, then two lessons in French on intent and swing plane.

26 minThe Golf Swing, Step by Step: From the Grip to the FinishA comprehensive lesson for beginners, covering everything from the grip to a solid finish, with simple, step-by-step guidelines and a detailed breakdown of weight distribution from the address to the finish.Paige Spiranac · 211K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★23 minHitter vs. Thrower Swing: The Real DifferencesCompare the swing of someone who hits the ball with someone who throws it to the target: intent changes the setup, the move, the release and the finish; change the start and the end.Jérémy Goergen · 16K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★★9 minAlignment Rod and Swing Plane: The Complete ExerciseAn alignment rod extending from the club shaft, pointing toward a line of clubs on the ground at the halfway point of the backswing and downswing: a reference point for the plane, the path, and the wrists.Simon Camirand · 23K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★★★

The Basics of the Swing, Step by Step

From the grip to the finish, these lessons lay the groundwork for a simple swing, with step-by-step guidance and advice from Tiger Woods for amateur golfers.

14 minBryson DeChambeau's Swing: Grip, Triangle, RotationDeChambeau breaks down the basics of his swing (a comfortable grip, arms locked in a “triangle,” and chest rotation) and then demonstrates how to apply them to a beginner.Bryson DeChambeau · 3.3 million views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★★18 minTiger Woods Corrects Amateur Swings: His TipsTiger comments on a dozen swings by fans and points out a flaw and a simple cue for each one: left buttock back, left arm against a window…Tiger Woods · 2.7 million views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★★8 minShort Swings for Beginners: The Martin Hall MethodBefore the full swing, Martin Hall gets the small one right: from 7:30 to 4:30 on the clock, brushing the grass, the ball simply gets in the way.Martin Hall · 7K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★9 minWrist Hinge in Golf: Edouard Montaz's Two PendulumsTwo hinge points, the sternum and then the wrists: Edouard Montaz lets the club swing through inertia and gravity, with no control or effort.Edouard Montaz · 30K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★15 minA Smooth Golf Swing: 3 Mistakes, by Joël BernardA relaxed swing “as smooth as butter”: maintain your balance, adjust the tension in your grip, abs, and thighs, and find your own tempo.Joël Bernard · 32K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★

For more information: The grip · Address posture

The backswing and the swing plane

A backswing on the right plane sets up everything else: clubface looking at the ball in the takeaway, right arm not pinned to the body, and an alignment stick to check.

7 minRight Arm Too Tight During the Backswing: A Lesson from Min Woo LeeOn the course, Min Woo Lee corrects a YouTuber’s backswing: keep the right arm less tucked in, position the club in front of the body, and swing “straight down.”.Min Woo Lee · 230K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★3 minButch Harmon on Distance: A Low, Wide TakeawayThe distance killer is picking the club up too fast: Butch Harmon has players start low and wide, just as he worked on it with Tiger Woods.Butch Harmon · 8,000 views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★3 minSenior Golf Swing: Jim McLean's Keys to Turn FreelyFor seniors who swing at 70 or 80 mph, Jim McLean lets the head and upper body move during the backswing, then releases the club without holding it back.Jim McLean · 13K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★9 minClubface at the Start of the Backswing: Keep It Looking at the BallAt the start of the backswing, the clubface should still be looking at the ball when your hands pass your back thigh; otherwise the swing gets too flat.Simon Camirand · 24K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★★★2 minA Step-by-Step Breakdown of the Backswing: Raphaël Jacquelin's MethodTwo-step backswing—body first, then club: left shoulder behind the ball, right hand flat against the right thigh, club shaft pointing toward the ball at the halfway point.Raphaël Jacquelin · 23K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★★19 minPause at the Top of the Backswing: Matsuyama ExplainsMatsuyama explains his pause at the top of his swing (his left shoulder is too “tucked in” when imitating Tiger), his hands in front of his chest, and his swing mechanics with the irons.Hideki Matsuyama · 398K views · 🇯🇵 Summary★★★★★

For more information: Backswing

Downswing and Rotation

The downswing starts with the lower body. Rory McIlroy, Gary Player, and Sergio Garcia demonstrate how to rotate the hips and keep the hands in front.

18 minSergio Garcia's Consistency with the Irons: The Decisive ZoneSquare setup, weight on the left side, height maintained, hands coming down before the shoulders: everything you need to control the two feet around the ball.Sergio Garcia · 68K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★2 minGolf Swing Sequence: The Pause-at-the-Top DrillAmateurs start the downswing with their shoulders. Chris Mayson reverses the order: the backswing starts with the club, the downswing starts from the ground, and a pause at the top proves it.Chris Mayson · 34K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★12 minEric Cogorno on Starting the Downswing: The Quadrant SystemTwo moves at the start of the downswing: the body moves toward quadrant one to control contact, while the arms stay inside to control the path.Eric Cogorno · 52K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★9 minStarting the Downswing with Eric CogornoEric Cogorno sets a goal for the finish, hips past the ball line and turned toward the target: the right downswing then starts on its own.Eric Cogorno · 43K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★3 minSean Foley's Weight Transfer: The Gary Player DrillThink about leaving your right side, not moving onto your left: the drill where you walk toward the target after impact, inspired by Gary Player.Sean Foley · 45,000 views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★16 min3 Downswing Exercises: Weight Transfer, Sequence, PlaneThree exercises without overcorrection: heel tap (recovering balance), two sticks (hip-to-torso sequence), left hand on right elbow (over the top).Gabriel Anglade · 32K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★★

For more information: Body Rotation · Finish

Footwork and Ground Contact

The feet and legs provide stability and a good portion of the speed. From Jack Nicklaus's ankles to Xander Schauffele's track and field drills.

3 minJustin Thomas's footwork: a “funky” swing he's proud ofThomas explains where his foot jump comes from (the speed of a junior who was too small), advises against copying it and shares his alignment and grip routine.Justin Thomas · 24K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★22 minXander Schauffele and His Father's Side-Step DrillTogether with his father, Stefan, Schauffele demonstrates the track-and-field drills that shaped his swing: side step, back foot, heel strike.Xander Schauffele · 435K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★

For more information: Stability and Balance · Speed, Power, and Distance

Face and Path: A Consistent Swing

A stable clubface and a consistent swing path result in shots that always fly to the same side. These lessons focus on consistency, from the driver to the irons.

9 minViktor Hovland's Driver Swing: A Stable ClubfaceHovland owes his consistency to a clubface that stays square, with his left wrist bent, and to a steep lateral tilt that raises his left shoulder.Viktor Hovland · 245K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★★13 minViktor Hovland's Ball Striking: Height and TriggerOn the driving range, Hovland explains how he gained speed, how he gets the ball higher or lower with his 7-iron, and what trigger sets off his swing.Viktor Hovland · 23K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★★2 minHank Haney's Loop Exercise to Correct a SliceThe slicer makes a counterclockwise loop; Haney has him repeat the reverse loop, then roll his hands to the 3 o'clock position.Hank Haney · 1.8 million views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★★10 minFade and Draw from Your Stance: Start from a Straight ShotStart from a completely neutral straight shot, then open your stance for a fade and close it for a draw, without changing your grip or ball position.Paige Spiranac · 340K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★★2 minHank Haney's Golf Swing Plane: Parallel to AddressAccording to Hank Haney, the stance determines the angle of the club shaft at address, and the swing must remain parallel to that angle, even with an unorthodox stance.Golf Digest · 48K views · 🇬🇧 Summary★★★17 min3 Drills for Better Driving: Push, Swing Plane and SliceThree driver drills: tap the bag with the tip to correct a push, use a stick on the ground for the takeaway, and pass the stick underneath to correct a slice.Gabriel Anglade · 92K views · 🇫🇷 In French★★★★

For more information: Draw or fade · Fix a Slice

More Lessons on the Swing

Your Questions About the Golf Swing

What is the swing plane?

This is the angle at which the club moves up and down around the body. A consistent plane helps the clubface return to square at impact; an alignment rod placed in line with the shaft allows you to check this.

Do you need a long backswing to hit the ball far?

No. A shorter but well-executed backswing, like Jon Rahm's, can be just as powerful and more consistent. The speed comes mainly from rotation and ground contact.

Where does the downswing start?

For most good players, the motion starts from the lower body: shifting weight to the front foot and rotating the hips, followed by the torso, arms, and club.

How can I figure out what's wrong with my swing?

Film yourself from the front and from the side, then watch where the ball goes. If the ball always goes to the same side, it indicates a problem with your stance or swing path—such as inconsistent contact, poor posture, or improper weight distribution.

How long does it take to change your swing?

It takes several weeks of slow practice to master a new change on the course. Work on one reference point at a time and stick to your usual swing during rounds.

Should you copy a pro's swing?

Don't copy them exactly: every pro has their own unique style, like Justin Thomas's footwork. Instead, focus on the common principles (posture, rotation, weight transfer) and adapt them to your own flexibility.

📖 Word of the Day: Golf Swing — the definition, before moving on to the videos.

Golf Swing and Swing Plane: Video Lessons

Which part of your swing should you work on? A 5-Question Assessment

Where should I start?

The Basics of the Swing, Step by Step

The backswing and the swing plane

Downswing and Rotation

Footwork and Ground Contact

Face and Path: A Consistent Swing

More Lessons on the Swing

Your Questions About the Golf Swing

What is the swing plane?

Do you need a long backswing to hit the ball far?

Where does the downswing start?

How can I figure out what's wrong with my swing?

How long does it take to change your swing?

Should you copy a pro's swing?

Other videos on “Swing and Swing Plane”

In summary: How to Improve Your Swing and Swing Plane

Don't force it; let the club do its thing (centrifugal force)

Stay balanced throughout the whole motion (no jerky moves)

Set up with good posture from the start to stay balanced throughout the swing

Maintain the ideal tension at the grip so you don't tense up the rest of your body

Start Playing Golf with Compact Swings (Beginners)

Be sure to position the club correctly for the swing plane