TECHNIC · FOLLOW-THROUGH

Follow-through and balance – the mirror of mechanics.

The follow-through is the often-overlooked endpoint of the senior's swing—and at the same time, the most precise diagnostic indicator of swing mechanics. Three follow-through characteristics reveal everything about the preceding swing.

MA PGA pro filmed only my follow-through at age 64 -- and from that position was able to diagnose the problems throughout my entire swing. My weight was on my back foot, my body was tilting sideways, and my chest was facing too high. Four weeks of follow-through training later, my entire swing was more stable -- because the end picture provides instruction for the beginning.

The follow-through is not just the end of the swing—it is the most precise indicator of all the preceding swing phases. Whoever has a good follow-through has made a good swing. Three follow-through characteristics are non-negotiable: weight distribution, body axis, and club position.

Three non-negotiable follow-through characteristics

Feature 1 — Weight on front foot

✓ 90 % UP FRONT.

At the end of the follow-through, 90 % of your weight should be on your front foot (left foot for right-handers). If you leave your weight back, your swing is incomplete—a typical sign of loss of power in older players.

Feature 2 - Body Axis Vertical

NO SIDE TIPPING.

Spine stays vertical — no lateral tilting away from the target. Senior players with a „reverse pivot” (tilting away from the target) lose power and produce slice movements.

Feature 3 — Bat over the shoulder

✓ BEHIND THE HEAD.

The club swings completely through, all the way behind the head. Anyone who shortens the follow-through loses swing speed. Senior players with shoulder mobility limitations often compensate here—incorrectly.

90 %

The weight should be on the front foot during the complete follow-through

MyTPI Senior Swing Analysis 2024

It directly affects power generation and swing consistency—the simplest diagnostic indicator.

Three Tips for a Good Follow-Through

Tip 1 — Pose Drill

✓ HOLD FOR 5 SECONDS.

Hold for 5 seconds in the finish position after each swing. Check: Is your weight forward? Is your chest facing the target? Is the club behind your head? The "pose drill" trains the full swing—senior players often shorten it.

Tip 2 — Mirror Exercise at Home

✓ 5 MIN DAILY.

Daily 5-minute exercise in front of the mirror: practice only the finish position. Stance, weight distribution, chest alignment, club position. A consistent finish produces a consistent swing.

Tip 3 — Pre-Round Activation

✓ THREE TEST SWINGS.

Before each hole, perform three full practice swings, holding the finish position. Neuromuscular initiation of the swing for the first few holes.

If you can hold your finish position for five seconds, you had a good swing. If you can’t, fix the finish — and the swing fixes itself.

— Tom Wishon, custom club designer

Three Principles for Follow-Through Mastery.

Final image defines momentum

The follow-through dictates the entire swing in reverse. Whoever trains the finish position, trains the swing.

Pose Drill as a Discipline

Hold for 5 seconds after each swing. On the driving range, at the practice area, even out on the course. Consistency in the follow-through.

Mirror exercise at home

Daily 5-minute exercise. End position without a ball. Neuromuscular training — acts directly on the swing path.

On this page

ON THIS PAGE

01 Three Follow-Through Characteristics

02 Three Practical Tips

03 What Follow-Through does not replace

Mathias Struwe

PUBLISHER · HCP 31 · 68 YRS.

90 %

Front-biased weight distribution as standard.

REFERENCE

Lamontagne et al. (2021): Senior Golf Biomechanics. MyTPI (2020): The Golf Body. Rose, G. & Phillips, D. (2018): The Golf Body. Trackman Performance Database 2024. PGA Tour Stats 2014–2024.

What Follow-Through does not replace

Good follow-through reflects good swing mechanics—but it is no substitute for setup discipline or a foundation of mobility. If you perfect your follow-through but have setup errors, you’ll never achieve a good final position. Follow-through training is only effective when combined with the other pillars of the swing.

THREE FIRST STEPS

How to Optimize Follow-Through in 30 Days

Pose Drill as a Range Routine

Hold the finish for 5 seconds after every swing. Be consistent on the range. Apply it on the course. 30 days of discipline—visible results in your score.

Daily Mirror Exercise

5 minutes a day in front of the mirror: practice only the follow-through position. Stance, weight distribution, chest, club. Neuromuscular priming.

Pre-round probe swings

Before each round, take three practice swings, holding the finish position. This sharpens your neuromuscular memory for the first few holes.