Should You Pause at the Top of the Swing? 

Thanks Steve. Lately, I'm trying to pause at the top, because otherwise I have a problem with rushing the transition, which messes up my sequencing. I hit the ball more solidly if if I adopt a pause at the top swing key.

Good video Steve. I tried a slight pause during my winter speed training and noticed a significant jump in swing speed with less effort. Not sure if it’s just better form or allowing my weight shift forward creating more lag. In any case I plan to keep working with it and trying it out on the course.

Another well done vid Steve. I practice the “pause” method. Others would/could argue that the “no pause” creates more “lag”. I think it’s an illusion. My jury is still out on that. It doesn’t really work FOR ME.

Another great video. I like you you explained this topic.

Interesting observations! Personally I'll intentionally try to pause during practice as I've heard Fred Couples does. It's just a way to make sure I'm starting the downswing with my lower body and not with the arms. When I play I focus on making sure my wrists are hinging but not a full pause. I find if I let the wrists hinge and can feel the weight of the club my shots are more consistent.

I have always heard that "separation", whereby you begin to transfer weight to the forward foot BEFORE you complete the backswing, creates more swing speed and therefore distance. So pausing does not maximize your potential. Nevertheless, I tend to pause a moment just because it helps me to stay on plane better, and therefore be more consistent. Also, I think you have to be more athletic/coordinated to create separation.

I’ve added a little faster off ball with a slow Down in transition I think it’s helping with my OTT swing🏌️‍♂️

I will try it out thanks Steve!

I also prefer to "pause". At my current state in my golf journey, if I don't pause I tend to cast and hit high spinny shots.

I'm a bogey golfer and my swing needs the pause feeling at the top.

Hideki Matsuyama big pause at the top

Cameron Young has the most pronounced pause on tour and one of longest hitters

Bob Murphy comes to mind. It seems like he stopped at the top of the swing.

If you want my opinion, the pause methode is more easily to execute for amateurs or bogey golfers. It is like skiing. As an amateur skier, I could drive down the famous Kitzbühel Downhill. It is not a big deal. But I could not do it in the style and the way the pros do it because I don´t have the skills, the flexibility and the power in the muscles. If I did it like the pros, I maybe would hurt or kill myself.

I think I should but probably don’t…

charles barkleys swing lol

No tour player ‘pauses’ at the top of the swing. The body is in constant motion throughout the swing. It’s very misleading to describe it this way.

Interesting observations! Personally I'll intentionally try to pause during practice as I've heard Fred Couples does. It's just a way to make sure I'm starting the downswing with my lower body and not with the arms. When I play I focus on making sure my wrists are hinging but not a full pause. I find if I let the wrists hinge and can feel the weight of the club my shots are more consistent.