The Golf Swing Follow Through – Secrets To Success

A common misconception of the golf swing follow through is that it doesn’t really have an impact on the quality of a golfer’s swing or shots. After all, the ball has already been hit so what benefit could the golf swing follow through possible have?

Quite simply, a proper golf swing finish is the end result of a proper golf swing. The golfer’s swing momentum and swing plane largely produce the follow-through without much effort on the golfer’s part.

In other words, you don’t have to put much effort into the proper follow through – if your golf swing fundamentals are correct, your swing finish will take care of itself.

If you struggle with your golf swing finish, stop thinking so much about the follow through and start analyzing your swing. There’s likely something not quite right that is preventing you from completing a nice swing finish.

Here are some common swing issues that prevent a proper golf swing follow through:

Lack of Balance

When you don’t have firm footing throughout your swing it’s terribly difficult to complete a proper follow through. As you come through the ball, your weight will shift quickly to your left side (if you’re a right handed golfer).

When you don’t maintain your balance during your swing, there’s no way you’ll maintain your balance during the golf swing follow through. The powerful momentum created by the swing will force you to stumble.

If you find yourself falling forwards or backwards during your follow through, try the following:

Slow down your swing. Too often balance issues are caused by quick, jerky swings. Focus on your swing tempo to see if this helps with your balance.
Feel your weight in your feet. As you address the ball, you should feel your weight in the balls of your feet. If you feel your weight in your heels, try bending your legs and leaning forward a bit.
Swaying. Throughout the swing, your head should stay over the ball. If you find your head swaying backwards during your backswing, this will change your axis point. As your axis changes, your balance will be thrown off. Practice keeping your head over the ball through the swing – you should notice your balance improving.

Loss of Momentum / Weight Shift

Another common issue that prevents a proper golf swing follow through is the loss of momentum at the moment of impact. What this means is your swing actually starts to slow down even before you hit the ball.

Without proper momentum in your swing, your body will have a hard time completing the necessary weight shift after you hit the ball. In a proper golf swing follow through, about 90% of the golfer’s weight should be on the left foot (if the golfer is right handed).

If you find that you’re flat footed after you hit the ball, try this simple drill.

On the practice range, take out a long iron or wood that you can hit fairly easily. To help you focus on momentum and weight shift rather than hitting the ball, use a tee.

The goal of this exercise will be to take two steps forward, toward the target, immediately after hitting the ball. Until you are able to take these follow through steps, you still don’t have the proper momentum or weight shift.

Hit the ball. Take two steps forward. Repeat.

Hit the ball. Take two steps forward.

Master this little exercise and you’ll have a much easier time maintaining momentum and completing a proper weight shift through your swing.

Moving Forward At Impact

One final culprit that prevents a proper golf swing finish is when you head moves forward or looks up at the moment of impact. To finish your swing properly, the head must stay over the ball, even after the ball has been hit.

When the head stays back, the body is able to freely turn around the spine; thus completing a great golf swing follow through. But when the head shifts forward, so does the spine. When the angle and position of the spine changes at impact, the body is forced to adjust throughout the swing finish.

This split second adjustment will force the golfer to lose balance; thus preventing a proper golf swing follow through.

The best way to cure this issue is to simply practice staying behind the ball after you hit it. Keep your head down throughout the entire swing – force yourself to “see” the divot or tee after the ball leaves on its merry journey.

You’ll know when you’re keeping your head in the right position when you can feel your right shoulder (if you’re right handed) press against your chin during the follow through. You shouldn’t consciously lift your head during the golf swing follow through – your shoulder will do this for you.

Once you’re able to keep your head stationary after you hit the ball, you’ll find that your body can much more easily complete a nice, powerful swing finish.

If you practice these drills and still struggle with your golf swing follow through, take a lesson from your local golf pro. There may be a few minor issues with the key swing fundamentals that are preventing you from completing a picture-perfect swing.

Learn more about your golf swing like these golf swing follow through tips here.