The Inside Out Golf Swing

We often hear on the course or the range that our swing should be "inside out". The concept doesn't necessarily refer to the swing as a whole, but rather to the swing path the club face takes just before and slightly after impact. In this article, we cover the basics of the inside out golf swing path and a few pointers on how to achieve it.

Let's start by imagining a swing that is "on plane". During address, imagine a straight line running through the ball in line with the target (our "target line") and stretching to infinity in both directions. Next, imagine a straight line extending to infinity from both the bottom and top of the club shaft (think of a laser pointer attached to each end of the club shaft).

Throughout the swing, the imaginary lines from the top and bottom of the club shaft should follow along the imaginary target line running in front and back of the ball--except, of course, when the club shaft is parallel to the ground. For example, at the start of the back swing, the imaginary line extending from the bottom of the club shaft follows along the target line running behind the ball.  Ensuring these imaginary lines always intersect provides for a swing that is "on plane".

Back to the "inside out swing path". As the club face approaches the ball (the bottom of the shaft still pointing to the imaginary target line behind the ball) the hands (should) have dropped closer to the body, keeping the arms connected. When this happens, the club face will be square with the target line at impact yet be traveling on a slightly inside out path (with respect to the target line) just before and after impact. This path provides two advantages:

It requires that the hands have remained low--which means that the arms are more "connected" to the body. Having the arms "connected" allows for a greater transfer of power from the legs and hips to the club head.
As the club face makes impact, the inside out path puts a slight draw on the ball that translates into further distance. The further distance comes from the fact that a draw produces less backspin, a lower trajectory, and occurs when the club face is closed--a point when the club head is at its maximum velocity.

Let's look at a few tips to help develop an inside out golf swing path:

Keep the swing on plane - This is often easier said than done, but, per above, imagining a laser extending from both ends of the club path that consistently follows the target line running through the ball works wonders.

Practice with a small back swing - Use a small back swing (less than two feet) to practice keeping the hands low just before impact. Remember to keep the hands forward of the club head and the imaginary line extending from the bottom of the shaft pointed to the target line at all times. Doing several repetitions of this drill at the beginning of practice on the range will help develop the proper coordination and muscle memory.

Observe the divot (for irons) - After every iron shot, observe the divot. The divot should show a slight inside out path.