"Head-Against-the-Wall" Golf Drill: Rotation and Downswing
Instead of telling your body to move, show it how: that’s the principle of Charles Marchildon, a Canadian professional. His tool is a simple cue: the head lightly brushing against a wall. From there, he works on rotation, extending the left arm, engaging the right muscles, and moving down the inside.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
In a golf stance, his head brushes against the wall. This reference point makes it possible to work on a full rotation of the shoulders without moving the head. Add to this the extension of the left arm: with the thumb extended as if it were a club, rotate, lift, and stretch—repeat. To strengthen the muscles used in the swing (abdominals, obliques, and back muscles), Charles Marchildon then uses a ball or a weighted stick weighing about 5 pounds, still with his head against the wall.
The same reference point is used to correct a swing over, from the outside in. Hold a ball between your forearms: as you lower it, the ball should point toward the wall or target; it’s not your shoulders and arms that should move toward the wall. The same principle applies with a club held in front of you, parallel to the floor: you teach your body to shift your weight and rotate your hips, with your right elbow and shoulder lowering without straightening the angle at your wrists. Final variation: Place a chair against your buttocks, which should remain in contact with the chair as you lower yourself, rather than rising toward the ball. Stop immediately if you feel any pain.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Assume your golf stance, with your head just grazing the wall.
- Turn your shoulders as far as possible without letting your head leave the wall.
- Hold out your left thumb as if it were a club and repeat: twist, lift, stretch.
- Repeat the same movement using a ball or a weighted stick to strengthen your core.
- Hold a ball between your forearms: move up and then down, aiming the ball at the wall or target.
- Repeat the downswing with the club held in front of you, parallel to the ground: shift your weight, rotate your hips, lower your right elbow, and keep your wrists firm.
- Place a chair against your buttocks and keep it in contact as you lower yourself.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Let your head move away from the wall during the rotation.
- Turn without keeping your left arm extended.
- Push your shoulders and arms toward the wall at the start of the downswing: that's the over-the-top swing.
- Straightening the wrists too early while going downhill.
- Let your pelvis rise toward the ball and lift your buttocks off the chair.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Shoulder Rotation, Head Against the Wall
- Left-arm extension with the thumb extended
- Ball between the forearms: move toward the wall, not the shoulder
- Sit back in the chair during the descent; stop if you feel pain
Your Questions
What is the purpose of the wall in this exercise?
It serves as a reference point. When your head brushes against it, you can immediately tell if it’s moving as your shoulders rotate and then as you lower yourself.
How does the wall help correct an over-the-top swing?
With a ball between your forearms or a club held in front of you, the downswing should direct the object toward the wall or the target. If your shoulder and arms move toward the wall, that’s the over-the-top swing.
Do you need any special equipment?
No. A wall is basically all you need. Charles Marchildon adds a ball or a weighted stick weighing about 5 pounds for strength training, a soccer ball, and a chair for different types of descent exercises.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Charles Marchildon). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.