Learn how to do anything: How to Improve Golf Swing Tempo

In golf, tempo refers to the amount of time between the start of your takeaway and the end of your follow through. While it may seem inconsequential, proper tempo can improve your game tremendously and mark the difference between a duff and a hole-in-one.

EditSteps

EditGetting the Motions Down

Make each action deliberate to keep yourself relaxed. One of the most common causes of poor golf tempo is tension. If you’re nervous before hitting the ball, or if you don’t think you can make the shot, there’s a good chance your tempo will be thrown off. To counter your nerves, try to calm yourself down before addressing the ball. Make each action deliberate, and remind yourself that:^[1]
- You are a great golfer and are more than capable of hitting the ball.
- Nerves are the only thing standing between you and success, not talent.
Grip the club firmly, but keep your wrists loose. While getting ready to swing, keep a strong, firm grasp on your club. Doing so will give you the control and power necessary to hit the ball successfully. However, at the same time, keep your wrists loose, relaxed, and maneuverable. This will allow you to swing the club less like a stick and more like a whip, something that, once you get your tempo down, will lead to a speed increase.^[2]
Perform a slow takeaway. Start your takeaway by turning your non-dominant shoulder away from the ball. Do this as smoothly as you can, making sure each movement is deliberate. The speed of your takeaway will set the tempo for the entire swing, so take it slowly and, if the backswing doesn’t feel right, start over.^[3]
Pull your club as far back as possible. When performing your backswing, it’s important to pull your club as far away from the ball as possible, otherwise you may not gain the strength necessary to hit it properly. Additionally, an improper backswing will throw off your overall tempo, making it more difficult to connect with the ball.^[4]
- When done properly, your backswing should end with the club raised far above your head, held in place by barely-bent arms.
Start your downswing at the same pace as your backswing. After completing your backswing, you can either start your downswing immediately or pause for a moment to concentrate. However, once you’re ready to begin the downswing, start it at the same speed as your backswing. As you close in on the ball, let your pace accelerate naturally and keep the momentum going until you complete your follow through.^[5]

EditWorking on Your Swing

Aim for a downswing that is 3 times faster than your backswing. From Tiger Woods to Arnold Palmer, just about every golf master has a 3:1 swing tempo, meaning their backswing takes 3 times longer to complete than their downswing. While practicing, ask a friend to time both portions of your swing to see how you stack up.^[6]
- If your downswing is too fast, try slowing down your takeaway to change the pace of the shot.
- If your downswing is too slow, make sure your posture is correct and not causing unnecessary drag.
Practice your shots with an empty tee. When working on your tempo, practicing with real balls can quickly psyche you out, especially if they never go as far as you want. So you can focus exclusively on the speed of your swing, practice with nothing but an empty tee. With no ball to worry about, you can think more about how long a shot takes and whether or not it feels right.^[7]
Alter your swing speed in 25% increments. It can be difficult to change your current golf tempo, especially if you’re an experienced player with a lot of built in muscle memory. However, you don’t need to do it overnight. Instead, try to slow down or speed up your swing by about 25% at a time. Practice at your new pace until you get used to it, then change it by another 25%. Keep doing this until you reach the 3:1 swing ratio.^[8]
Keep your speed consistent between shots. In many cases, tempo problems stem from inconsistent swings, meaning the golfer changes their speed between holes, clubs, or even individual shots. Having a variable tempo means that the rhythm of each swing is random, making it difficult to control the power of your shots or predict what each swing will accomplish. Do your best to be consistent from 1 shot to the next, that way you can enjoy the benefits of proper golfing tempo.^[9]
- With the exception of the putter, you can use the same tempo for every type of club.
Count in your head to better time your swing. Until your tempo becomes second nature, keeping a mental timer can help you make your shots more consistent while ensuring they’re done at a proper speed. Though you can choose any pattern you want, the 1-2-3 count used for waltzing meshes well with golf tempo, the first 2 beats lining up with the backswing and the third beat lining up with the downswing. In addition, you can try and time out your swings using songs like:^[10]
- Edelweiss from Fiddler on the Roof, where the backswing lines up with “E-del” and the downswing lands on “weiss.”
- Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra, where the backswing lines up with “Fly me to” and the downswing lands on “the moon.”
- Fallin’ by Alicia Keys, where the backswing lines up with “I keep on” and the downswing lands on “fallin’.”