One of the most rewarding parts of my 15 years teaching golfers is watching that moment when something clicks. A student walks up to the range with tension in their shoulders, a vague sense that something’s “off” with their swing. Then, after we isolate the right fundamental and they understand not just the what, but the why behind it, their entire posture changes. Their confidence returns.
This happens more often than you’d think, and it tells me something important: most golfers aren’t far from playing their best golf. You’re probably closer than you realize too.
The Power of Understanding Your Swing
Here’s what I’ve noticed after working with tour players and weekend warriors alike: improvement accelerates when you move beyond just mimicking a position. When you understand the principle behind a technique, everything else falls into place.
“The way you emphasize and prove things really helps for the concept to stick with the listener.”
This feedback captures something essential about how we learn golf. Your swing isn’t a series of disconnected positions—it’s a coherent chain of movements, each one supporting the next. When you understand why your setup matters to your downswing, why your weight shift influences your club path, why your tempo affects your tempo control, the whole picture becomes clearer.
And clearer understanding leads to faster improvement.
Finding Your Missing Piece
In my teaching experience, golfers often come to me saying “I feel like something’s missing” or “I know I can play better, but I can’t figure out what’s holding me back.” Sometimes it’s a swing mechanic. Sometimes it’s course management. Sometimes it’s the mental game—learning to trust your swing under pressure.
“You just gave me the missing piece to my golf swing.”
The good news? That missing piece is usually simpler than you think. It’s rarely a complete rebuild. It’s often one fundamental that, once corrected, changes everything downstream.
So how do you find your missing piece? Start by asking yourself these questions:
Are you consistent with your ball striking? If you hit the same club the same distance one day and 15 yards shorter the next, you likely have a timing or sequencing issue—something in your downswing isn’t flowing correctly.
Is your miss pattern predictable? If you know you tend to slice or hook, that tells you something specific about your club face at impact. That’s fixable.
Does your short game match your long game? Many golfers have solid full swings but struggle within 100 yards. That’s a completely different skill set that deserves focused practice.
The Rapid Improvement Principle
I want to address something you might be thinking: “Can I really improve that quickly?” The answer is yes, and here’s why. When you focus on one clear principle and practice it deliberately, your nervous system adapts faster than you’d expect.
“In one week of watching the videos in your system, my swing is better than ever!”
This isn’t magic. It’s neuromuscular learning. When you understand a principle, see it demonstrated, and then practice it with clear feedback, your body learns remarkably fast. I’ve seen golfers with single-digit handicaps improve their swing speed and consistency in weeks, not months.
Three Drills to Build Your Solid Foundation
The Setup Check Drill
Try this before every practice session: Address the ball with your eyes closed. Feel your feet, your stance width, your posture. Now open your eyes and check with a mirror or video. Do this five times. Your body learns what correct feels like through repetition and feedback. This takes five minutes but pays dividends because a poor setup ruins everything that follows.
The Tempo Match Drill
Here’s a drill I use with all my students: Hit 10 balls focusing only on matching your backswing tempo to your downswing tempo. Count “one” on the backswing, “two” on the downswing. This single focus eliminates rushing and creates consistent ball striking. You’ll be shocked how many of your bad shots disappear when tempo improves.
The Target Alignment Drill
Lay down an alignment stick along your toe line. Place another stick pointing at your actual target. Now hit 10 balls. Most golfers discover they’re aiming 5-10 degrees off. This misalignment compounds throughout your swing as your body compensates. Fix it, and everything clears up.
You’re Closer Than You Think
After teaching at every level, I’m convinced that anybody can improve with proper instruction and deliberate practice. You don’t need a complete overhaul. You need clarity about one thing, focused practice, and the understanding of why that thing matters.
That’s the foundation for real improvement—the kind that sticks with you.
