Step — Golf Drill

Mastering the step drill can revolutionize your weight transfer and transform your ball striking from inconsistent to powerful and precise. Performance Golf's step technique—starting with feet together, then taking a small step right during the backswing to properly load your weight before stepping forward through impact—addresses one of golf's most fundamental yet overlooked elements. Whether you're a weekend warrior struggling with consistency or a seasoned player seeking more distance, proper

How to practise it

  1. Start with your feet together Set up with your feet together, or with your lead foot close to your trail foot.
  2. Step toward the target as the backswing finishes Swing the club back and, as it nears the top, step your lead foot toward the target. Coaches here time it anywhere from the middle of the backswing to the start of the transition.
  3. Let the step start the downswing Swing down from the planted lead foot, so the lower body leads and your weight moves to the lead side.

What's the most important step in the downswing sequence to generate power?

According to Kerrod Gray, the key is avoiding the trap of forcing speed with just your arms and hands. The proper downswing sequence involves clearing your hips first, as Giles Gill explains, rather than throwing everything at the ball with your upper body, which leads to cupped wrists at impact.

How do I fix my first step when I'm slicing the driver?

The Art of Simple Golf emphasizes that the first step is working on your release - stop holding onto the club too tightly. This allows for a more natural release through impact, which is essential for eliminating that slice that 'really, really sucks' when it matters on the course.

What's the right step-by-step approach for developing proper rhythm in my swing?

Padraig Harrington explains that rhythm starts with having a 'barely imperceptible pause' at the top of your swing. It's not about freezing or stopping completely, but rather getting to the top and having a moment where you're relaxed before turning on the power - this prevents snatching or rushing

How each of them teaches it

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

  1. Giles Gill Golf: The Correct Downswing Sequence to Strike Your Irons Pure Every Time! (from 5:40). Start with lead foot near trail foot, step onto the lead foot before completing the backswing, and swing through to establish proper lateral transition and patience.
  2. Matt Baker Golf | Malaska Certified Coach: How Long Should Your Backswing Be? Fix Your Overswing With This Simple Drill (from 5:01). Start with your feet close together, bring the club back, and step your lead foot forward toward the target as the club finishes its backswing to naturally create stretch and ideal swing length.
  3. The Juju Swing™️: 2 Drills At Once - The Juju Swing #golf #thejujuswing #golfswing. A dynamic step movement drill integrated into the backswing to maintain rhythm and flow.
  4. Matt Baker Golf | Malaska Certified Coach: Why Most Golfers Overswing (Start the Transition Sooner) (from 5:00). Start with your lead foot close to your trail foot, then step forward onto your lead side as the club reaches the backswing to force an early lower-body transition.
  5. The Art of Simple Golf: Every Bad Golfer Thinks This Works (from 1:20). Step back from your address position and step into the lead foot during the takeaway to initiate the lower body shift and automate proper sequencing.
  6. Athletic Motion Golf: Why Strong Golfers Hit It SHORTER Than Older Players! (from 0:16). A dynamic drill where you start with feet together and step in the direction of the swing to sequence the weight shift.
  7. Performance Golf: The Difference Between Good and Great Ball Striking #golf #technique. Taking a small step to the trail side during the takeaway to ensure weight shifts properly and the upper body stays centered over the trail leg.
  8. Performance Golf: Super Bowl Champ asked me to Fix his Golf Swing | Fixin's (from 10:12). Step the trail foot to the right while taking the club back to ensure weight shifts behind the ball rather than leaning forward.
  9. Padraig Harrington: Get More Speed | Part 1 | Padraig Harrington (from 4:42). Stepping back with the trail foot and then forward with the lead foot to time ground forces and sequence the downswing.
  10. GRF Golf: You Probably Have This Bad Swing Habit (from 5:28). Moving the trail foot to center and replanting it to initiate momentum and sequence the body before the arms move.
  11. GRF Golf: You’re One Move Away From a Perfect Downswing (from 2:33). Starting with feet together, take a step with the lead leg toward the target during the backswing to time the pressure shift and downswing transition.
  12. Get Good At Golf!: Ridiculously EASY Iron Tip to Hit YOUR Irons 20+ YARDS Longer! (from 3:22). Start with feet together and use small steps to the left and right to perfectly position the ball just ahead of center.
  13. Michael Kanev Golf: Master the Perfect Strike in 7 Days With These Pro Tips #ConsistentStriking #FootballSkills (from 0:21). A drill where the golfer starts with feet together and steps toward the target during the transition to ensure proper weight transfer and hip rotation.
  14. ChrisRyanGolf: This Simple Move Stops You Rushing the Downswing (from 1:56). Starting with feet together, you step to the trail side to initiate the backswing and then step to the lead side before the backswing finishes to create a body-led sequence.
  15. GRF Golf: Use Your Legs… Instant Power + Sequence (from 0:21). Start with feet together, take a step to the left while 'dropping' and stretching a resistance band to find the most effective loading position.
  16. GRF Golf: Stop Swinging Over the Top (Use your pivot) (from 5:16). A dynamic drill using a trail-leg step to shift pressure to the lead side and trigger the proper downswing sequence.
  17. Kerrod Gray Golf: This Downswing Sequence Drill Makes You SERIOUSLY Good! (from 5:05). A simplified one-step drill where the golfer brings the lead foot to the trail foot and steps forward during the backswing to improve weight shift and sequencing.
  18. The Art of Simple Golf: The "Effortless" Driver Move For Seniors (Stop Slicing Today) (from 5:53). Starting with feet together and stepping into the backswing and downswing to harness natural momentum and ground force.
  19. ChrisRyanGolf: Inconsistent Strike? I Bet You’ve Never Considered This (from 3:40). Step toward the target during the transition to learn how the body 'breaks' or slows down to transfer energy to the arms.
  20. GRF Golf: The One Magic Move Pros All Have (from 6:08). A dynamic stepping drill that integrates the shift, drop, and rotation into the rhythm of the golf swing.

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