Every golfer hits a wall at some point. You’ve got the clubs, you’ve put in the hours, and your short game is solid—but something still isn’t clicking. The culprit? It might be your swing. But how do you really know if your swing is holding you back?

The answer lies in comparison—not to your weekend golf buddies, but to the pros.

Why Compare Your Swing to the Pros?

Professional golfers are models of efficiency, power, and consistency. While everyone’s swing has personal nuances, there are key biomechanical principles that nearly all elite players follow. Studying their swings gives you a framework to evaluate your own—highlighting what’s working and what needs work.

1. Record Your Swing (From Multiple Angles)

Before you can compare, you need clear footage of your swing. Use your smartphone or a tripod-mounted camera to record from:

• Down-the-line (behind you, facing the target)
• Face-on (perpendicular to your chest)
• From the ground up (to evaluate posture and weight shift)

Slow-motion capture is especially helpful for analysing each phase of the swing.

2. Break It Down: Key Comparison Points

Here’s what to look for when comparing your swing to a pro’s:

Setup & Posture

• Are your spine angle and shoulder alignment similar?
• Is your grip neutral or too strong/weak?
• Do your knees, hips, and feet align properly?

Takeaway

• Do your hands, arms, and club move in sync?
• Is the clubface square halfway back?

Top of Backswing

• Check shoulder rotation (ideally 90° or more).
• Are your wrists hinged correctly?
• Does your lead arm stay relatively straight?

Transition & Downswing

• Watch for sequencing—hips should fire before shoulders.
• Is your weight shifting smoothly to the lead side?
• Are you creating lag with your wrists?

Impact

• Is the clubface square at contact?
• Is your lead wrist flat and firm?
• Are your hips open while your chest remains slightly closed?

Follow Through

• Is your body balanced?
• Are your shoulders fully rotated?
• Do you finish high and relaxed?

3. Use Swing Comparison Tools

Modern technology makes this easier than ever. Apps like SWING SLAPP, V1 Golf, Coach’s Eye, and Swing Catalyst allow side-by-side comparisons, drawing tools, and motion tracking. You can upload videos of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, or Nelly Korda and directly compare them to your swing.

4. Don’t Just Copy—Understand

It’s tempting to mimic every detail of a pro’s swing, but remember: their body mechanics, flexibility, and years of training are different from yours. Instead, focus on underlying fundamentals—timing, balance, and swing plane—and adapt them to your physical strengths.

5. Work With a Coach (Craig Hanson & Dr. Robert J. Neal)

Self-analysis is valuable, but even experienced players struggle to identify subtle flaws. A certified swing coach can use your comparison data to create a tailored improvement plan and help you avoid common pitfalls, like overcompensation or chasing perfection.

Conclusion: Your Swing is Your Foundation

Your golf swing is the engine of your game. If it’s not efficient, it’s likely holding you back. By studying how the pros do it—and using today’s tech tools to analyze your own—you can make smarter improvements that actually translate to lower scores.
Remember: The goal isn’t to swing like a pro—it’s to swing like your best self. But understanding what the pros do right is the best place to start.