Backswing & TakeawayBeginnerFixes: Swaying

Lead Hand Anchor Drill (Fastest Sway Fix)

Curated PGA Drill by Mark Crossfield

Focus Area

Backswing

Rep Guidance

3 sets of 10 slow rehearsal reps

Equipment

Golf club, alignment stick (optional)

Skill Level

Beginner

Video walkthrough by Mark CrossfieldWatch on YouTube ↗

Why This Drill Works (Kinetic Mechanics)

Anchoring the lead side forces the body to coil (rotate) around a steady axis. You cannot sway laterally without physically moving the anchor club, providing instant feedback.

How to Perform the Drill

Follow these step-by-step instructions. Rehearse slowly to build proper motor patterns before adding full swing speed.

  1. 1

    Step 1

    Place a club vertically outside your lead foot (left foot for righties).

  2. 2

    Step 2

    Hold the top of this club with your lead hand to anchor it.

  3. 3

    Step 3

    Make one-handed backswings with your trail arm.

  4. 4

    Step 4

    Focus on keeping the vertical club steady or pushing it slightly down/in towards the ball.

  5. 5

    Step 5

    If you sway, you will push the vertical club out towards the target (hitting the back of it).

What Good Feels Like

Focus on smooth tempo and maintaining body connection through impact. Your body and club should move as a single synchronized unit.

Common Mistake to Avoid

Rushing transition before completing backswing or lunging upper body forward towards ball at impact. Keep movement controlled.

Swing Faults & Ball Flights Addressed

SwayingReverse PivotPoor RotationSliding

Comprehensive Guides Featuring This Drill

How to Stop Swaying in the Golf Swing

Swaying happens when your hips slide laterally in the backswing instead of rotating, moving your swing center off the ball and dragging the low point with it. Fix it by keeping pressure on the inside of your trail foot and turning your trail hip back and around: coil around a stable axis instead of drifting off it.

Not sure this is your real fault?

Upload one swing video and our AI will identify whether swaying is actually what's costing you strokes, using physics-backed metrics and a practice plan matched to what it finds. Your first analysis is free.

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