The golf swing works on a path or a plane. An inside out golf swing is one that moves in a circular like motion with the circle moving from in to out or if you think of a clock, with the golfer facing 3:00, the swing path would move from 8:00 more towards 1:00 or 2:00. The golfer strikes the ball on the backside of the circle producing a repeatable golf swing that has plenty of power.
Tired of hitting that same old weak slice that leaves you 20-30 yards behind your playing partners?
Do you dream about hitting the baby draw stock shot on command when you need it most?
Do you get frustrated with your ball contact?
If you said yes to any of the three questions above, I can help you start playing better golf today by helping you build an inside out golf swing!
Stop struggling with your ball contact and use our 5 tips below to help you start to play better today!
Golf can be an amazing game, but it can also be highly frustrating if what we are trying to do with our golf swings is not working out!
Too many golfers get stuck with the wrong approach to the game and end up frustrated and way too many golfers quit and leave the game before they had a legit chance to truly learn the game of golf and the intricacies of the golf swing!
Here at golfjourney365, we love the game of golf. I believe that golf, like life, should be embraced and enjoyed as frequently as often. It is a great time to spend outdoors with friends or family and enjoy the challenge that golf presents.
However, it doesn’t have to be frustrating.
One of the keys to any quality golf swing is that there is an element of an inside out path to the game.
Let’s get started and jump right into this topic and help you start playing better golf today!
What is an inside out golf swing?
Below, I will help you understand the following:
- Why use an inside out golf swing
- Understanding the ball flight laws
- How to build an inside out golf swing (5 Tips)
- How to measure your golf swing!
Why use an inside out golf swing?
The inside out golf swing produces the most power and consistency. You don’t find many successful golfers on the professional tours that cut across the ball or play a pull shot frequently.
The inside to out golf swing can produce a push draw or even a push fade, which is what Jack Ncklaus and Lee Trevino played for the majority of their careers.
Overall, the inside out golf swing is one that keeps the club face stable, controls the start line and ultimately controls the curve of the ball. In any golf swing there are three fundamentals that are needed to be successful.
These include:
- Fundamental #1: The golfer’s ability to control the bottom of the golf swing. The best golfers will hit the ground in the intended spot, close to 100% of the time.
- Fundamental #2: The golfer’s ability to control the curve of the golf ball. The best golfers are able to start the ball to the right or left of the target line and have the ball curve towards the target without the ball over curving past the target.
- Fundamental #3: The golfer’s ability to have enough power to play the golf course. This means they are able to hit the ball far enough to play the course in regulation.
Regardless of your grip, stance or alignment we want to control the bottom point of the swing, the start line of the ball and the curve of the ball. While having enough power and distance to play the course.
Understanding the ball flight laws
Why? If you understand the ball flight laws you can start to become your own swing instructor and make corrections on the range or the course by reading the flight of your golf ball.
It is also an immediate feedback tool that tells you where your club face was aimed and the direction of your swing path.
Too often golfers turn to the video of their swing when everything you need to know can be read off of your ball flight. Did you know that your ball flight can tell you the following:
- Where your club face was at impact.
- If your swing path was left or right of the club face.
Once you know these two items you can make the corrections by checking out our 2nd Tip on understanding what swing thoughts can help you get the proper matchups.
So let’s dive into the ball flight laws:
- Generally speaking, the golf ball will start where the club face is aiming.
- The golf ball will then curve away from the swing path.
There are two different lines that we must understand. The target line and the start line. The best golfers start the ball left or right of the target line and then curve the ball back towards the target.
Let’s go over some examples to help you better understand the ball flight laws.
Example A: Let’s say that the club face is 3 degrees right of the target line and the swing path is 5 degrees right of the target line. What will the ball do?
Answer: The ball will start right of the target line and draw back towards the target. This is known as a push draw.
Example B: Let’s say the club face is 3 degrees right of the target line, same as in example A, but the swing path is only 1 degree right of the target line. What will the ball do?
Answer: The ball will start to the right of the target line and will fade to the right. Keep in mind that the ball will curve away from the swing path. In this example, both the club face and the swing path are to the right and the ball will curve away from the path.
Example C: Let’s say the club face is 3 degrees to the left of the target line and the swing path is 5 degrees left of the target line. What will the ball do?
Answer: The ball will start to the left and curve to the right. This would be a pull fade or pull slice. Keep in mind that even though the face is closed to the target line, it is open to the swing path and the ball will curve away from the swing path.
Example D: Let’s say the club face is 3 degrees to the left and the swing path is only 1 degree to the left. What will the ball do?
Answer: The ball will start left and curve left. This shot would look like a pull draw.
Hopefully, these examples help you understand the club face and swing path correlation and how they match up. Once you understand these ball flight laws, it will help you read your own shots and possibly make in round adjustments.
How to build an inside out golf swing?
Now that you understand why and the importance of the bal flight laws let’s jump into 5 tips to help you build an inside out golf swing so you can hit solid shots, that start online and curve the direction you want! Isn’t that the ultimate in golf?
I know my true game improvement took place once I could control the start line and it began with having club face control and a consistent swing path!
Tip #1: Visualize a Clock
Go ahead and visualize a clock. You start standing in the middle of the clock facing the 3 with your target at the 12. The goal is to get to the top of the backswing and then have a feel that your swing is working from 8:00 to 2:00.
This might be a bit of an exaggerated feel, but this is fine to get the overall proper direction of your swing path.
Go ahead and hit some half shots with the feeling that you are pushing the path out to the right. Remember, the ball flight laws the importance of getting that path to the right of the face if you want to be able to hit that stock draw shot that many golfers dream about.
Excellent Drill:
Tip #2: Visualize a Baseball Field
If you are standing at home plate in the batter’s box, 2nd base is your target. YOu will want to feel that you are trying to hit a ball over the 2nd baseman’s head or out towards right center.
This can be a scary feeling because it will feel like you are going to slice it foul ball into the first base dugout, but we have to build confidence in swinging in this direction.
At first, do not worry about where the ball goes, simply try to get the feel for the swing to work out to the right!
Tip #3: Weight Forward
Our goal is to build an inside out golf swing. One way to accomplish this is to put 60% to 70% of the weight on your front foot, even if just for the drill. You will find that many golfers, in their attempt to shift their weight, end up pulling across the ball with their shoulders and the arms follow, causing a nasty pull shot or slice.
Instead, place the weight on the front side, visualize the clock or baseball field and hit the ball out to the right!
Tip #4: Keep your shoulders back
Jack Nickalus often talked about letting his arms out race his upper body in the golf swing. Try hitting shots with the feel of keeping your back to the garget once you reach the top of your backswing. This helps the club path stay inside to out and to hit a draw shot.
Tip #5: Be Patient
Be patient in your downswing and let the arms work. Did you know that you don’t have the move your body at high speeds to produce enough power? In fact, a high percentage of the speed is created in your hands and arms. So once you get to the top of the backswing, be patient and allow the club to work!
BONUS: Alternative Swing Method: Jim Venetos
I have studied many swings, but there is no better swing to help you develop an inside out swing path than Jim Venetos. His approach is quite simple:
- Setup with 70% of your weight on your front leg.
- Close your front shoulder significantly.
- Airm your club face at your target.
- Go ahead and keep your body still as your swing.
What will happen you ask? You will for sure have an inside to out swing path as long as you stay still. You see your shoulders have to stay back and allow your club to swing inside to out. Once your shoulders start to open up you are left with a swing path that starts to move more towards the left.
How to measure your golf swing?
I would recommend the following next steps for you in your journey of golf.
- Go ahead and complete the assessment on the three fundamentals listed above.
- Explore and experiment with an inside out golf swing
- Stick with your adjustments for at least 2-4 weeks and monitor your progress with the assessment and make sure you check your ball flight numbers.
- Measure your ball flight numbers on a launch monitor. It helps if you have before and after data on clubhead speed, ball speed, launch angle, spin axis, etc.
I would recommend one of the three launch monitors listed below:
I personally used the SkyTrak Launch Monitor and am able to use it in my golf simulator setup in my garage and take to the driving range or course.
The real time data on ball speed, spin rates and spin axis gives me the feedback I know to test out different clubs and setups on my drivers or what clubs I am hitting the best.
The affordability of these products is rather impressive and if you are serious about improving your game, you have to check these out!
BONUS DRILL: Increase your swing speed through overspeed training
- Check out SuperSpeed Overspeed Training Protocols
- Train every other day for 10-15 minutes.
- See a 4-6% increase in swing speed as early as the first training protocol.
The number one thing that has helped me gain significant distance is the SuperSpeed Training System. This overspeed based system where you train every other day for about 10-15 minutes with different swing sticks can help you increase your swing speed by 5-8% which can be 20-30 yards. Who wouldn’t want an extra 20-30 yards. Plus it helps improve your mechanics.
SuperSpeed Golf – Use Discount Code Golfjourney365 for some savings!
The analytics are pretty clear on the importance of speed in the game of golf. Would you rather hit your approach shot from 130 yards of 160 yards? The answer is pretty simple! We know that over the course of time, we will hit shots from 130 yards much closer than from 160 yards, whether we are an average amateur golfer, a scratch golfer, or a PGA Tour member!
The key is having shorter approach shots, so we can hit the ball closer to the hole and then make more putts! Speed is king in the game of golf! Make sure you check out SuperSpeed Golf!
My Secret To Golf Improvement
Let’s face it, in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently. About three years ago, I made the leap and invested in a golf simulator build for my garage.
I went with a SkyTrak Launch Monitor and the TGC software and can now play over 100,000 courses including Augusta, Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black, Whistling Straits. St. Andrews and many other of the top 100 courses in the world.
This golf simulator setup, which is more affordable that you might imagine, has been a game changer. I can now play golf everyday of the year regardless of rain, snow, cold weather or time of day. I can practice or play rounds of golf. I can stand in the 11th fairway at Augusta and with the auto-rewind feature I am able to practice my approach shots from various differences.
It is worth checking out through Rain or Shine Golf as they offer some incredible packages along with financing offers that are difficult to beat.
Some direct links to Rain or Shine Golf for pricing and financing:
Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better
What does this mean for you? I believe in the following recipe to get better:
1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor. Here are some options:
Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:
2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed. Here are some options:
Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:
3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier. Here is a series on breaking through:
We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.
4 – Practice Frequently
Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system? It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:
- Is a Golf Simulator Worth It?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator?
- What is the Best Golf Simulator?
- Golf Simulator Accessories?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for under $7000
- Top 11 Reasons to Buy a SkyTrak
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for Under $1000
- Why Build A Golf Simulator?
- What Space is Needed?
- Can A Golf Simulator Improve My Game?
- How Much Does A Golf Simulator Cost?
- Don’t Forget to Check out our 15 best golf swings of all time.