Jon Rahm's Short Driver Backswing Explained
Jon Rahm has built his drive around two key elements: a short backswing and a flexed left wrist at the top. In *Me and My Golf*, he explains why this allows him to swing hard without worrying about hooking the ball, and then demonstrates how he hits a low ball and a high draw.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Jon Rahm starts with his swing: a short backswing and a bent left wrist (“bowed”) at the top, like Dustin Johnson. This relatively closed clubface allows him to rotate his body as fast as he wants without fear of the ball veering left. The short swing, on the other hand, is hard to throw off: there’s less risk of straying from the swing plane or losing your balance. He says that on the national team, they tried to make him keep the club parallel at the top, but he didn’t not back flexibility to do it comfortably. He’s kept his swing short: in his mind, it’s a full swing, and if he’s hitting the ball that far, there’s no need to take it any higher. Coaches emphasize the contrast with the amateur, who often takes a long backswing with an open clubface.
His basic move is a fade: He lines up facing the target, takes a small step to the left, and knows that the ball will go to the left and come back. His only thought during the swing is to Load the right side During the backswing, instead of lifting the club and then rotating his body as quickly as possible, he strikes the ball on the downswing (with an attack angle of about +1 to +3°) for a high launch and low spin. For a low ball “that stays in the plane,” he tees the ball lower, sticks to his pre-shot routine, may position the ball slightly back, and still aims to strike the ball on the upswing: he simply releases the club a little less. For a high draw, he tightens his grip slightly (which he describes as a weak grip), tees the ball very high, aims slightly to the right, and lets the grip do the work. He notes that he doesn’t recommend this shot for everyone.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Find your comfortable range of motion: stop your backswing at the point where you maintain your balance and keep your back relaxed.
- Align yourself with the target, then take a small step to the left to hit a fade.
- During the backswing, remember to load your right side instead of lifting the club.
- Rotate your body as quickly as possible while going downhill, and let the ball go to the left and then come back.
- For a low shot: tee the ball lower, keep the same pre-shot routine, position the ball a little further back, and release the club a little less.
- For a high draw (a more challenging shot): grip the club a little tighter, tee the ball very high, aim slightly to the right, and keep the same swing.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Copying another player's long backswing when your body isn't built for it.
- Extend your swing with a bent left wrist and an open clubface.
- Lift the club during the backswing instead of loading the right side.
- Hit down on the ball to play it low: Jon Rahm explains that this adds spin and causes the ball to curve off to the side.
- Pushing the pace: He says he maximizes his distance by maintaining a consistent pace, rather than going all out.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- A few drives at 80% with a deliberately short backswing
- A series of fades: aligned with the target, one step to the left, a single thought on the right side
- Low ball: lower tee, same pre-shot routine, less relaxation
- Just one or two high draws, a slightly tighter grip, and a high tee
Your Questions
Why doesn't Jon Rahm hold the club horizontally?
He explains that his back isn't flexible enough to do it comfortably. They tried to make him do it on the national team, but his movements became awkward. In his mind, his short swing is a full swing.
What is the purpose of bending the left wrist at the top of the swing?
He keeps his face fairly closed, which allows him to rotate his body as much as he wants without worrying that the ball will go left. He then aims to the left and lets the ball fade.
How does he hit a low shot with his driver?
He tees off lower, sticks to his pre-shot routine and his aim, may position the ball a little further back, and still tries to swing up through the ball. He simply doesn't release the club as much because he doesn't have enough time with a low tee.
How does he hit a high draw when he's playing a fade?
He tightens his grip slightly, tees the ball very high, aims a little to the right of the target, and maintains the same swing as he strikes the ball on the upswing. He points out that he doesn't recommend this shot to many players.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Jon Rahm). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons without hosting them.