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BackswingRange PracticeBody Rotation Irons Intermediate ⏱ 2 min 🇬🇧 Video in English, summarized

Justin Rose's ball drill: rotating without lifting

Justin Rose is often seen on the driving range with a ball and a cord around his neck. He explains what this accessory forces him to do: rotate his upper body all the way through instead of raising his arms, and keep his clubface stable.

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Justin Rose
Justin Rose · his YouTube channelFree lesson selected by Fred P.

To be continued

2 minSame problemScottie Scheffler's Backswing: The Pencil-in-the-Grip DrillScottie Scheffler · Intermediate16 minSame problemJon Rahm's Short Driver Backswing ExplainedJon Rahm · Intermediate / Expert2 minFrom the same proJustin Rose's Practice Swing: Feel vs. RealJustin Rose · Intermediate / Expert

What the lesson shows

Justin Rose is holding a ball between the forearms. If he simply raises his arms, his elbows spread apart and the ball falls. To keep it, he must maintain the same distance between his two elbows, which requires him to really turn your body all the way through the swing. This, he says, is the mistake he sees many amateurs making in Pro-Am: raising their arms instead of rotating.

Exercise also keeps the passive hands: The clubface doesn't rotate; the arms move through the ball, and the clubface remains stable. If the hands “flutter,” the ball pushes against the forearms. Another benefit: it maintains the club’s angle longer during the downswing. Many amateurs release the club too early in front of them, get stuck at impact, and slice the ball. With proper elbow position, you maintain that angle and can then turn your body fully through the ball. He starts with half-swings using a short iron.

The Exercise, Step by Step

  1. Hold a ball loosely between your forearms at address.
  2. Practice half-swings—from the middle of the backswing to the middle of the finish—with a short iron.
  3. Rotate your torso as you stand up, keeping your elbows close to your body.
  4. On the downswing, maintain the club angle and let your arms move with your body.
  5. Feel that the face isn't turning: the hands remain still.
  6. Move on to full swings while keeping the ball in place.

Key Takeaways

The balloon maintains the same distance between the elbows.
Raise your arms and spread your elbows: you need to turn your body.
Passive hands: The clubface does not rotate at impact.
The club angle is maintained longer during the downswing.
Once the angle is maintained, the body can rotate powerfully through the ball.
Start with a short iron and half-swings.

Mistakes to Avoid

  • Lift the club using only your arms: the ball falls.
  • Rotate your hands at impact: the ball brushes against your forearms.
  • Losing the angle too early and getting stuck at impact.
  • Start with the driver and full swings.

Driving Range Mode

Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.

  1. Half-swings with a short iron and the ball
  2. Full swings when the ball stays in place
  3. A few shots without a ball, while maintaining the same feel
  4. Then try it with the driver

Your Questions

Why does the balloon fall when you raise your arms?

Because the elbows splay out. Justin Rose uses this to maintain the same distance between his elbows, which forces his body to rotate as he takes the club back.

Which club should I start with?

He does this with the driver as well, but finds that the exercise works best when starting with a short iron, using half-swings, before moving on to full swings.

How does this exercise help with a slice?

It prevents you from releasing the club too early in front of you. By maintaining the angle longer, you’re no longer locked up at impact and can swing through the ball freely, with a stable clubface.

Learn More

All “Backswing” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Practice” videos →Find the lesson that's right for youAll “Body Rotation” videos →Find the lesson that's right for you Scottie Scheffler's Backswing: The Pencil-in-the-Grip DrillAn extension rod—or even just a pencil—placed at the end of the grip shows you at the top of the backswing whether the club is crossing the line and helps you maintain your stance. Complete the backswing: move your body out of the way of your armInstead of turning your shoulders away from a locked lower body, let your hips and chest free up your left arm to swing the club effortlessly. Matsuyama's one-handed drill: his key to the wedgeMatsuyama begins his practice sessions with one-handed approaches—first with his left hand, then with his right—to “guide” the ball onto the clubface and connect his short game with his long game. Justin RoseAll of his lessons

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

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