THE PROPER GOLF SWING
By Glen Bowen [Copyright © 2026]
Coach Glen, Certified Professional Golf Coach, coachglen.com
INTRODUCTION
If you’ve ever wondered why some swings look so easy—and feel so impossible when you try them—it all comes down to sequence. A proper golf swing isn’t magic; it’s the result of putting your body through the right motions, in the right order. Get the biomechanics right, and you’ll unlock speed, accuracy, and consistency that make the game addictive. Get them wrong, and you’ll wrestle yourself into frustration, working harder for worse results. My goal is to show you, step by step, how to swing the club the way your body actually wants to—so you can focus less on “fixing” your swing and more on enjoying every shot.
ADDRESSING THE BALL
Before you even move the club, set yourself up for success. Stand tall, head high, and let your spine tilt gently from the hips. You want an athletic, relaxed posture—neither slouched nor stiff.
For irons, let your arms hang naturally from your shoulders, hands soft on the grip. The clubface should be aimed precisely at your target. Feet shoulder-width apart, knees flexed, weight balanced over the balls of your feet. The ball sits in the center of your stance for most irons. For drivers or teed shots, move the ball up toward your lead foot—roughly in line with your instep. This simple adjustment lets you sweep up on drives and compress the ball with irons, giving each shot its best chance.
THE TAKEAWAY AND TOP OF SWING
Start the swing with your shoulders, not your hands. Imagine your left shoulder turning under your chin, moving the club back in one connected piece. Keep your hands quiet—let your big muscles do the work. At the halfway point (the club parallel to the ground), the shaft should point down the target line. I call this double parallel for reference. The clubhead angle should match your spine angle.
Keep the club in front of your chest; don’t let it drift behind your body. Your lead arm stays straight, trailing arm bends, and your left shoulder keeps turning. Hips resist slightly, storing up power. Let your wrists hinge naturally, thumbs pointing up, lead wrist flat (not cupped).
At the top, you should feel loaded up—weight on your back side, back facing the target, chin over your lead shoulder. Lead arm straight, trailing elbow pointing down, wrists firm and straight. Your hips and shoulders are coiled, lead knee pointed in (not swaying out). Don’t overswing past parallel—the arms and body stay connected, ready to fire.
THE DOWNSWING AND IMPACT
Here’s where power is built and unleashed. Start the downswing from the ground up: shift your lead leg toward the target, begin rotating your hips, and let your upper body follow. Imagine unscrewing a jar with your feet. Your trailing shoulder drops, keeping you behind the ball. Feel your weight shift forward, but your hands and clubhead lag behind—this stores energy for a powerful release.
As you enter the impact zone [about 2 feet from ball] your hips clear, arms extend, wrists finally release, and the clubhead accelerates through the ball. With irons, strike down and compress the ball against the turf. With a driver, sweep up to launch it high. At impact, your hands are ahead of the ball, eyes steady, hips turning, and the clubface square. Trust your motion and let the clubhead fly.
FOLLOW-THROUGH AND FINISH
Don’t stop at the ball—let everything keep moving. Your eyes stay where the ball was, arms extend and rotate, hips keep turning through the shot. As you finish, let your arms swing high, body rising out of the shot. Your trail heel lifts, hips face the target, and the club finishes above your shoulders. Hold your finish—weight on your lead side, belt buckle to the target, hands up like you’ve just painted a perfect arc.
A FEW NOTES ON POWER
Distance comes from clubhead speed, but the real magic is in solid contact—your “smash factor.” When you hit the center of the face, you’ll feel and hear it: effortless power and that crisp, unmistakable sound. Ball speed should be about 1.35 to 1.5 times your swing speed. Don’t chase speed by swinging harder. Focus on rhythm, balance, and finding the center of the clubface—every time.
Stick with these fundamentals, practice with intent, and watch your game transform. Not only will you hit it farther, but you’ll also play with the kind of confidence that makes golf what it should be: fun.