The Pause drill puts a tiny red light at the top of the backswing. No momentum. No blur. No sneaking into the downswing before the body is ready. From the pause, the lower body gets to begin, the upper body has to wait its turn, and the swing gets a chance to unfold in order instead of stampeding toward impact.

Start with your wedges and work all the way to your driver.

Steps—

1. Set up to the ball

2. Make your backswing and pause at the top.

3. From a paused position, swing through finish to a balanced finish.

Fat or thin shots? Try Nip or Thump Drill
Toe or heel? Nail Drill

Otherwise, use the 3-Pause Progression.

• Pause at the top for a count of 3. Then swing.

• Pause at the top for a count of 2. Then swing.

• Pause at the top for a count of 1. Then swing.

Move on to your next club.

Coach Note—

• The pause takes away momentum and gives the lead foot a chance to start the swing from the ground up. Contact gets better and speed feels less forced. Best of all, you don’t need to think about starting your downswing with your lead foot. It’ll happen naturally.

• Do this long enough to feel the motion. Then move on the Variability and, ultimately, Competition Practice.

Caution—

Do not turn the pause into a statue contest. Stay athletic at the top. Quiet is good. Frozen is not.