Split Hand — Golf Drill

The split-hand drill represents one of golf's most powerful yet underutilized training methods, offering golfers at every level a direct path to understanding the fundamental forces that create effortless power and consistency. As Jimmy Ballard Golf 2.0 explains, this technique allows you to physically feel the correct forces in your swing—your left arm working on inner centripetal force while your right arm channels the outer centrifugal force. When combined with Ashley Knoll Golf's approach to

How to practise it

  1. Set up with hands separated on grip Place left hand in normal position, right hand 4-6 inches down the shaft. Take your normal address position.
  2. Make slow swings feeling left arm pull inward Focus on the left arm creating centripetal force, pulling toward your body. Right arm should feel like it's being pulled along.
  3. Feel right arm extend outward through impact As you swing through, sense the right arm creating centrifugal force, extending away from your body while left arm guides.
  4. Return hands to normal grip Place both hands together and recreate the same force sensations you just practiced. The feeling should remain identical.
  5. Hit balls with integrated force feel Strike balls focusing on the left arm's inward pull and right arm's outward extension working together.

What exactly is the split-hand drill and how do I do it?

The split-hand drill involves gripping the club with your hands separated rather than together, which helps you feel the proper forces and plane in your golf swing. According to Jimmy Ballard, this drill gives you the total feeling of what you want to do in a golf swing and fills the plane correctly

How can I create more flow and freedom in my golf swing?

Ashley Knoll recommends using a simple 6-minute flow routine broken into three 2-minute segments specifically designed to help golfers find freedom and flow in their swing. This systematic approach helps remove tension and creates a more natural, effortless swing motion.

Will the split-hand drill help me hit all my clubs better?

Yes, because as Danny Maude explains, the golf swing is fundamentally an arc that works around your body for every club. The split-hand drill helps you feel this proper arc motion, which translates to more consistent ball striking with every club in your bag.

How each of them teaches it

Coaches who demonstrate the split hand drill, each linked at the second they start.

  1. Ashley Knoll Golf: The 10-Second Genius Drill Fixes Your Ball Striking Instantly (from 0:51). A drill using hands split 4 to 5 inches apart on the grip to pump the club back and feel how trail wrist hinge naturally creates lag angles.
  2. Ashley Knoll Golf: A Simple 6-Minute Routine to Find Effortless Flow in Your Golf Swing (from 3:30). A drill used by Rory McIlroy to teach proper hinge, unhinge, and delivery position by separating the hands on the grip.
  3. Golf with Coach Carolin: 3 Golf Drills That Will Make You a Scratch Golfer (from 1:05). Place your lead hand normally and trail hand further down on the shaft to feel the trail side of your body rotate down and through impact without flipping.
  4. Jimmy Ballard Golf 2.0: Jimmy Ballard Explains the Split Hand Drill (from 0:11). A drill where the hands are separated on the grip to help the golfer feel the distinct roles of the left and right arms and the centrifugal force of the swing.
  5. Danny Maude: Use This Incredible Drill To Hit Every Club Longer (from 6:54). Separating the hands on the grip to feel the trail arm fold up and fire straight down in front of the trail leg for better compression.
  6. Mark Crossfield: CHICKEN WING GOLF SWING FIX (from 8:18). Grip the club with lead hand at the top and trail hand split lower on the shaft to feel proper forearm crossover and lead elbow folding.
  7. Mark Crossfield: Stop Slicing Today STUCK IN THE OFFICE (from 9:35). Split your hands apart on the club grip and feel the trail hand pulling the club back in line with the lead arm to feel proper swing path forces.

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