The Feet-Together Sway Drill
A sway occurs when the lower body moves too much laterally to the right and left, causing you to come out of your posture and lose stability.
Set the Foundation: Stand with your feet completely together so that your heels are touching.
Start with Half Swings: Focus on the center of your swing—your core and spine.
Rotate through the shot rather than sliding side-to-side.
Your hips should still move, but they should rotate (about 45 degrees back and forward) rather than “dancing” laterally.
Progress to 3/4 and Full Swings: Once comfortable, increase the swing length.
This setup quiets the lower body from the navel down, forcing the upper body to lead the rotation.
Notice how “slowing down” the swing and focusing on control often leads to better contact and more generated power.
Develop Muscle Memory: Hit 10 to 15 balls—or even an entire bucket—with your feet together to fully connect with the feeling of a stable core.
Gradual Widening: Slowly open your stance.
Remember that the wider your feet go, the more the lower body is activated.
If the sway returns, narrow your stance again to reset your quiet lower body.
Questions and Answers
Q: What does a “sway” actually look like in a golf swing? A: A sway is excessive lateral movement of the lower body where weight shifts too far right and then too far left, often causing the golfer to lose their posture and hit inconsistent shots.
Q: Why does putting my feet together help stop me from swaying? A: It physically restricts lateral movement. With a narrow base, if you try to sway, you will lose your balance, so it forces your body to rotate around your spine instead.
Q: Does slowing down my swing make me lose power? A: Not necessarily. Meredith Kirk notes that slowing down can actually generate more power because it improves the quality of your contact with the ball.
Q: How much should my hips move in this drill? A: They should still rotate roughly 45 degrees in the backswing and 45 degrees in the follow-through, but the movement should be a turn, not a side-to-side slide.
