Golf Swing Follow-Through: Translation, Rotation, Extension
Do you lag behind when striking the ball, end up hitting fat shots, and let your arms take over? For Kevin Faivre, this is often a pelvic issue. He breaks down the weight transfer into three phases and suggests an exaggerated exercise to finally feel the weight shift onto your front leg.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
On the downswing, the pelvis performs three consecutive movements: a lateral displacement (translation, the famous transfer), then a rotation, then a extension upward. During the backswing, the hips have not yet rotated, and the arms come down into position. Next comes the rotation: at impact, the hips are open about 45° and the shoulders about 5°. Finally, the extension releases the power. Most amateurs rotate and rise directly: the body lags behind, the hands end up behind the right thigh—behind the ball—and have to catch up at impact. This results in thin shots and fat shots, as well as arms that dominate the swing.
To get a feel for the support, Kevin Faivre suggests a deliberately exaggerated exercise: club resting on his shoulders, with a stick planted in front of you to mark the column. Step up, lower yourself slightly, then shift your weight while turning: the weight shifts to the tip of the left foot. Then press the left heel To initiate the rotation, rise up. Repeat the motion more controlled while facing the wand, then with a club, then with balls at 50% speed, breaking the motion down step by step.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Hold a wand in front of you and rest a club on your shoulders.
- Go up, then lower yourself slightly at the start of the downswing.
- Shift your weight by turning—exaggeratedly—until you feel the weight on the ball of your left foot.
- Push off with your left heel to initiate the rotation, bringing your right knee toward your left knee, then rise up.
- Repeat the movement more slowly, keeping your face toward the baton and shifting only your hips.
- Walk through the club, holding the baton in front of you and then on your hips, pausing briefly after each step.
- Hit balls at 50% speed without worrying about contact or distance.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Turn and start the downswing immediately, without moving sideways.
- Hands reaching behind the right thigh, a little too late.
- Catch up with your hands and arms at impact.
- Push up too early and end up leaning backward.
- Wanting to work at full speed before you've mastered the movement.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Club on the shoulders, wand in front of you: an exaggerated version
- The same movement, but more controlled, facing the baton
- With a club, a marked stop after the move
- Shots at 50% speed, first in two stages, then in one go
Your Questions
How can I tell if I'm not transferring my weight properly?
The symptoms described by Kevin Faivre: you lag behind when striking the drum, you play fat shots or thin shots, and your arms take over. When playing with a drumstick, you can also see your hands coming from behind your right thigh.
Should you turn first or move out of the way first?
Shift your weight first. The lateral shift comes first, with the pelvis not yet rotated; the rotation begins only afterward, as you push off with your left heel.
Where should your weight be during the exercise?
During the stride, about 60 to 70 percent of your weight is on your left leg, on the ball of your foot. Pushing off with your left heel then initiates the rotation.
Why work at 50% speed?
Because the goal is first and foremost to feel and understand how the hips work. Speed comes later, through repetition: Kevin Faivre says it takes about 22,000 movements to master such a complex concept.
Learn More
Video posted on YouTube by its creator (Kevin Faivre). Best Golf Tips selects and summarizes the best free lessons, without hosting them.