6 Proven Golf Swing Sequence Drills to Help You Get it Right
Getting to the top of the golf swing and having the club in the right spot is important.
However, sometimes players feel stuck when they get there. Instead of knowing what to do next, there’s some indecision.
If that’s how you feel, then a golf swing sequence drill could be exactly what your game needs.
We’ve put together some drills focused on the downswing. If you struggle to get your downswing started the way it should, these drills should help.
Contents
The Key to a Better Swing Sequence Starts with Your Wrists!
Your wrists help control the timing and transition in your swing. Click here for the best wrist mechanics drills and improve your sequence from backswing to impact.
6 Golf Swing Sequence Drills That Actually Work
Motorcycle Drill (Clubface Control & Wrist Flexion)
The Motorcycle Drill helps you learn to move your lead wrist from an extended or cupped position toward a bowed or flexed position through impact.
The Motorcycle Drill focuses on wrist action in the transition from backswing to downswing.
If you need to square or even slightly close the clubface during impact, this drill will help.
- Video Timestamp: 0:20-2:30
To make things easier, the Motorcycle Drill is built into the HackMotion app, so you can practice it in real time and measure your progress.
Motorcycle Drill – Master Wrist Flexion in the Downswing
Focus on continuously adding flexion until the club reaches parallel, then smoothly complete your swing.
Motorcycle Drill – Step by Step
- Take a Normal Grip: At address, be aware that most players have a small amount of extension in the lead wrist.
- Swing to the Top: Make a backswing and pause at the top position briefly.
- Motorcycle Twist: As you begin the downswing, imagine rolling your lead wrist downward like “turning off” a motorcycle throttle. This feeling adds flexion (bow) in the lead wrist and helps close the face.
- Check with HackMotion: Use HackMotion to see in real time if you’re reducing extension and adding the right amount of flexion.
- Monitor Ball Flight: If the ball hooks too much, you might be adding too much flexion. If it still leaks right (slice), increase the “motorcycle” feel slightly.
HackMotion Casting Drill
Casting is a move in which you lose lag, push your lower body towards the ball and even try to scoop at the last second.
The casting motion ends up costing you distance and accuracy and the key to fixing it is to maintain your wrist angles longer on the downswing.
The HackMotion Casting Drill is also built into the HackMotion app to make it easier to measure your wrist action in real time and make sure you are keeping your wrist angles as you move towards the ball.
Fix Your Casting with HackMotion
Train to fix casting by generating power with your core and lower body.
HackMotion Casting Drill – Step by Step
- Slow-Motion Rehearsal: Swing to the top at normal speed. Then, slowly initiate the downswing by shifting weight onto the lead foot and rotating your hips—no pulling down with the arms.
- Maintain Wrist Angles: Track your trail wrist extension (bend) with HackMotion. Keep the trail wrist bent back instead of letting it straighten prematurely.
- Relax the Arms: Let the arms fall naturally behind the body, encouraging the club to shallow. Avoid actively “throwing” the club.
- Build Up Speed: Once you’re comfortable with slow-motion reps, gradually increase swing speed while maintaining the wrist angles you’ve established.
Alignment Stick Extension Drill (Body Rotation in Downswing)
The alignment stick extension drill makes the club longer so you can feel and even visualize different motions in the swing.
With the alignment stick alongside your club you will feel if you flip your wrist before impact.
- Video Timestamp: 6:00-8:14
Alignment Stick Extension Drill – Step by Step
- Attach an Alignment Stick: Slide the stick along the backside of your club’s grip so it sticks out a foot or more.
- Set Up with a Slight Shaft Lean: At address, angle the stick just off your lead hip.
- Half Swings to Start: Make a small backswing and focus on turning your body and hands together through impact, keeping the stick from hitting your lead side.
- Check for Body Stall: If the stick whacks your hip, you’re stalling your turn and flipping the wrists. Practice turning the hips and torso through the ball.
- Gradually Increase Swing Length: Once you can keep the stick off your hip at half-swing, move to three-quarter and eventually full swings. You’ll learn how the downswing needs to keep the body and arms working together and not let the arms take over.
Arm Connection (Smart Ball) Drill
The Arm Connection Drill works on ensuring that the body and arms work together in the golf swing.
One of the easiest ways to ensure your downswing sequence is correct is to synchronize the arms and body and prevent things like the chicken wing or the hips spinning out.
- Video Timestamp: 8:15-11:39
Arm Connection (Smart Ball) Drill – Step by Step
- Secure a Ball Between Forearms: Use a small inflatable ball (like a Smart Ball) or any training aid held between your forearms as you take your setup.
- Half Swings First: Start with easy half swings, feeling the arms and torso rotating together. Avoid letting the ball drop.
- Gradually Increase Swing Length: Work from short wedges to mid-irons, maintaining pressure on the ball to keep your arms connected as you turn through.
- Check Wrist Angles: If your shots start curving too much or going offline, pair this drill with HackMotion data to confirm your wrist positions are correct.
- Full Swings: Once comfortable, proceed to full swings with the ball in place, focusing on a smooth, connected downswing.
Tiger’s “Pause at the Top” Downswing Drill
Another classic golf swing sequence drill is to add a quick pause at the top of the backswing.
If you pause or at least feel like you pause for just a second it can stop you from rushing through to the golf ball.
The drill encourages your arms to fall back in front of the chest before they rotate too fast through impact.
- Video Timestamp: 1:00-3:00
Tiger’s “Pause at the Top” Downswing Drill – Step by Step
- Take a Normal Backswing: Swing to the top as usual, but stop for a brief moment—count “one-Mississippi” to feel the pause.
- Slight Lower-Body Shift: Begin the downswing by shifting a bit of pressure onto your lead foot. Keep your back turned to the target just a split-second longer.
- Arms Fall in Front: Let your arms drop naturally to “reconnect” in front of your torso. Avoid spinning your shoulders open too soon.
- Rotate Through: Once the arms have dropped, rotate fully through the ball, maintaining balance.
- Slowly Increase Speed: Start with half or three-quarter swings, gradually working toward full speed as you groove the sequence.
Back-to-the-Target Drill
The Back to the Target Drill is great if your tendency is to spin your chest and shoulders open too early in the downswing.
If you can hold your back to the target just a fraction longer you’ll get your arms to drop in front of the torso and let your lower body rotate for more power.
Not only is sequencing improved with this drill but also your impact position and your weight shift should improve.
- Video Timestamp: 1:30-3:00
Back-to-the-Target Drill – Step by Step
- Complete Your Backswing: Swing to the top as normal. Feel fully loaded over the trail leg without rushing.
- Hold the Upper Body: Briefly “pause” with your back still facing the target. Avoid immediately pulling your chest open.
- Initiate with Hips and Arms: Begin the downswing by firing the lower body (hips) along with your arms and hands. Your chest remains slightly closed to the target just a split second longer.
- Allow Natural Rotation: As the arms swing down, the chest will naturally start to rotate through without “spinning out.” The key is not to force it open too soon.
- Feel the Club Shallow: Notice how this slight delay encourages a shallower plane and a better “in-to-out” delivery. If the body spins too fast, the club tends to move over the top.
Final Thoughts
Once you have the sequence down and you get your body and arms working together and moving at the right time, make sure your wrist action is correct.
Wear your HackMotion to ensure your clubface is square as you approach the impact position. The built-in Casting and Motorcycle Drills can also help with your downswing sequencing.
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