Transition & DownswingIntermediateFixes: Poor tempo

Try Our 1-2-3 Tempo Drill for Better Long Irons

Curated PGA Drill by Kevin Haime

Focus Area

Transition

Rep Guidance

3 sets of 10 slow rehearsal reps

Equipment

Golf club, alignment stick (optional)

Skill Level

Intermediate

Video walkthrough by Kevin HaimeWatch on YouTube ↗

Why This Drill Works (Kinetic Mechanics)

Establishes the 3:1 tempo ratio found in almost all professional golfers.

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

    Make continuous swings back and forth.

  2. 2

    Step 2

    Count '1' (Takeaway), '2' (Transition), '3' (Impact).

  3. 3

    Step 3

    Focus on the ratio: The backswing should take 3x longer than the downswing (3:1 ratio).

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

SequencingTransition SpeedRushing

Comprehensive Guides Featuring This Drill

How to Improve Your Golf Swing Tempo

Slow the backswing down so your body turn, not your hands, starts the club moving, then let the lower body initiate the downswing before your arms react. Most tempo problems are really rushing problems: the transition fires too fast. Train a 3:1 backswing-to-downswing ratio with counting or metronome drills until it's automatic.

Not sure this is your real fault?

Upload one swing video and our AI will identify whether poor tempo 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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