Stop At The Top — Golf Drill

The "stop-at-the-top" technique has revolutionized how golf instructors teach proper swing sequencing, and for good reason—it exposes the fundamental difference between power and speed in your golf swing. As Porzak Golf demonstrates, you can hit the ball just as far from a complete stop position at the top, proving that distance comes from proper sequencing rather than frantic swing speed. This counter-intuitive drill, famously practiced by Tiger Woods and highlighted by Meandmygolf, involves co

How to practise it

  1. Feel your ideal top position Take slow backswings to the top, focusing on keeping hands far from your head. Hold each position for 3 seconds to build awareness.
  2. Execute the complete stop Swing to the top and come to a full stop. Pause for 2 seconds, ensuring zero movement before starting down.
  3. Hit balls from the static position Following Meandmygolf's approach, swing to the top, stop completely, then hit the ball from that position. Focus on proper sequencing, not speed.
  4. Compare stop vs. continuous swings Alternate between stop-at-top swings and normal swings. Notice how distance remains similar when sequencing is correct.
  5. Integrate the sequence feel Make normal swings while maintaining the same sequencing pattern you learned from the static position.

What exactly is the 'stop-at-the-top' drill and how do I do it?

The stop-at-the-top drill involves pausing your swing completely at the top of your backswing before hitting through. As demonstrated in Tiger Woods' training with Butch Harmon, you swing to the top, hold that position briefly, then continue through to impact - proving you can hit just as far from a

Why does stopping at the top help fix my overswinging problem?

Overswinging makes it difficult to maintain proper connection and control in your swing. The stop-at-the-top drill forces you to find your optimal backswing length and helps prevent the common issues of laying the club down incorrectly and losing spine angle through impact.

I heard Tiger Woods didn't like this drill - should I still use it?

While Tiger may not have enjoyed the drill, it was highly effective for fixing his overswing issue when working with Butch Harmon. The drill works because it teaches proper connection and control, even if it doesn't feel natural at first.

How each of them teaches it

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

  1. Meandmygolf: Why overswinging leads to poor contact #golfswing #golftips (from 0:11). A drill where you pause completely at the peak of the backswing before initiating the downswing to gain control and shorten swing length.
  2. Paige Spiranac: STOP playing bad golf! ⛳ How to get out of a golf slump (from 9:24). The golfer pauses at the peak of the backswing to feel their position and ensure the transition to the downswing is synced with proper weight transfer.
  3. Warren Bennett Golf Academy: Do Not ’FALL IN LOVE’ with the Golf Ball (from 11:42). A practice technique where the golfer pauses at the top of the backswing to consciously prepare the 'shut and shift' sequence before executing the strike.
  4. Porzak Golf: This Backswing Move Fixes 90% of Golf Swings (from 5:48). Stop the swing completely at the top to feel maximum tension and connection, proving that power comes from rotation and torque rather than momentum.

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