Malaska Golf // The Most Important Swing Drill in Golf

A lot of people ask what's the most important thing to work on? What is the one drill they need to do?
Now, there are a lot of drills out there. The question is what fundamental skill do you need to master before you can really start looking at different drills to dial in the consistency and ball striking in your golf swing. Until you have really gotten a feel for how your arms and shoulders work together, there's nothing else I'd have you focus on to improve your swing.
I think this is where you have to begin.
Don't just play golf. Understand it.
Become a member at malaskagolf.com and follow The M-System to learn step by step with Mike. Develop the skills you need to become a complete player.

[@tigerlily-mc4yv]

Best instructor I’ve ever seen. Every time I watch Malaska videos i go play better. Amazing.

[@margiepargie1982]

Ohhh. I was doing opposite letting my hips take me through. No wonder I was hitting everything left. My left shoulder was opening up before hands could pull hips through. I tried this and I hit the best drive ever. 165 for me. Playing for two years. 59 years old. I am still learning everyday. Thanks Mike.

[@raymondnorris3879]

MIke, can you call my wife. You said I could practice this drill in the living room. Well, my wife is saying something totally different.......

[@thetrendbot]

It’s been two years . Do you have an awesome swing yet, or are you still married

[@spencertaylor6330]

John Jacobs said the golf swing was two turns and a swish in the middle. Mike obviously understands the golf swing inside out which is reassuring for his students. Many golfers want to spend time and money to be blinded with science though. Love his honesty and sense of humour.

[@frankeifler6208]

Best teacher I have seen.

[@MLA50]

I've seen PGA players do these drills and wondered why they do it! Now I know! Thank you Mike!

[@keno55]

Mike, I spent 5 years in engineering school because that is how my mind works. By far, your instruction, live or video, is the very best I’ve been exposed to. You speak a language that is very similar to my natural, internal language. Thank you.

[@irishchanter]

I just started doing this simple drill and discovered that I was not using any wrist movement which led to starting the downswing with, you guessed it, the shoulder turning to start the downswing. I had no idea I was doing it until my back started hurting. Thanks Mike, so simple.

[@kennethhope3013]

When I asked for swing advice from golfers that were very much better than me they always said that the arms started the swing, well from watching you I get a better idea on what's going in in the swing, thanks.

[@johnmcbeath1751]

I love it ! Been playing golf for 32 years and at last the light 💡 has gone on in my brain 🧠 After all those years this video actually tells me how to swing a golf club. Why couldn’t all those club professionals told me that over all those wasted years of trying to learn 😳

[@SL0409]

Because they want you to stay bad so you keep buying lessons. If everyone gets good at golf they wouldn't have a job

[@rlatimer1962]

Hi Mike, I'm so uncomfortable with my swing that I decided to start from scratch. I have started with this exercise and already noticed how much tension I was creating in my golf swing before. Thank you, Mike. Love the way you teach.

[@mikemccluey5448]

What I love about Mike’s teaching is that he keeps it simple, easy to understand and emphasizes the basics.

[@parkersmithphoto]

Mike is just solid gold. I spent almost 20 years trying to be "connected" and did nothing but slice the ball. Once I started with Mike's methods (also Toski/Flick, who are his two mentors) I learned to hit it solid and my consistency skyrocketed. Mike is the best in the business!

[@jayblint3046]

Parker, thank you for the kind words. You are helping our effort to assist the people who play this game and want to improve. From all of us at The Malaska Team thanks again and play well.

[@josch5736]

So simple, so brilliant, so true.

[@rw5400]

Absolutely brilliant, I kind of figured this out myself and it only took 20 years... But couldn‘t explain it as well as this.

[@dmack9884]

You took the words out of my mouth but it took me 35 years. im a little slow I guess

[@bizzthewizard886]

It looks so clear when you explain.....great things inside this video..

[@anhong271]

A master instructor! I appreciate so much, Mike!

[@bobadkins7377]

I know that this video has been out there for a bit, but I watched it yesterday evening and wow, this started making sense in a big way. I was at our range early this morning and tried out loosening my shoulders and letting my arms swing, letting the ball get in the way. I’m going to like this! Feels better than staying tense and tight thru the swing, seems to make it easier to release better too. Thanks!

[@VimMitt]

Best lesson i ever had to clarify. Thanks.

[@roninbhaal2039]

I used to have a swing like this and almost got my handicap to single figures with no lessons. Only problem I occasionally had was a pulled hook which cost me a two shot penalty every time I did it. Went on you tube, got lessons and started trying to do a rotational swing. Now I can hardly hit the ball straight. Going back to this after 4 years of suffering on the coarse. I also now have lower back pain and very tight shoulder and neck muscles from trying to connect my upper arms to torso. Thanks Mike.

[@josephshuster4904]

Thanks Mike,,,,the change made my swing feel great,,,

[@patmott2323]

So glad I found your videos can't wait for good weather here in upstate NY to start putting this info into practice.

[@duanecoshatt9207]

Right on the money with this simple move. The arms are accelerating into full extension which activates The left hip as it adds speed to the motion.

[@courtneyroy270]

Thanks Mike, love your show man, I had given up on golf but I can hit some nice shots, still a long way to go, but sure it will be worth it. Regards Courtney 🇬🇧

[@leslieduke4435]

Wow I've never heard a teaching pro articulate this feel that I play with. I also tried body first, no go. Mike is teaching a simpler way to be a good ball striker, especially for people that played a lot of baseball.

[@georgesealy4706]

The funny thing is that I started doing the drill with the left arm and I got really good at it. I got so good with it that I started chipping balls around the green that way. Yes, I now chip with my left arm only. It just seems so easy to do it that way. Just about every time the ball ends up near the hole and I can chip the ball off the tightest of lies. The ball also has a lot of spin too, much more than when I used two hands. I use my 50, 56, and 60 degree wedges depending on the situation such as how much air time, distance, and roll I want. It also helps for really short chip shots too, because I can throttle back the energy easier. I know it's weird, but what I can say? I am better one-handed than I am two-handed. So that is what I do.

[@ksmithreps1]

Mike, this drill relates to something you mentioned in another video and its something that has transformed my entire iron game. That something is the "right arm only" pitching exercise. After taking your advice, I've since learned that if you can't pitch the ball with the "trail arm only", then you'll probably never experience true iron contact. Golf is a funny game...for 40 years I thought of only my "lead arm" as I moved through the ball...I think you've converted me. Again, your tip transformed my chipping/pitching game, along with my entire iron game. (I was very struck by how it changed my long iron game...my 5 iron now feels more like my 8 iron) Thanks for all of your efforts Mike, you are one of the best! (ks 4hdcp)

[@NonnyStrikes]

After watching your videos, I've realized to let go. I started practicing with just the club and feeling the weight in all aspects. I'm playing some really nice golf. Love the "holding drink" while hitting to the shag bag. So good. Thanks a ton friend.

[@1billiedale]

That drill is so natural. No unnatural artificial or contrived movements to get to the bottom of your swing. I am a senior citizen but I grew up on a golf course and I can relate to shagging golf balls for the pro. It was great life for a kid.

[@aaaman7]

This is gold. I am a new in golf and always wonder how can you hit it naturally. Mike sums it up really well here.

[@chelseaant1]

Thanks for your knowledge 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@jeanleong4211]

Brilliant.. thanks Mr Malaska!

[@SebastianWegert]

As always a very good video from Mike! Keep it up ! Sebastian from Munich 😉

[@dancorun6650]

Thanks, Mike. My back feels a lot better this year since watching your videos and I'm hitting the ball better.

[@evansine4458]

Thanks mike great drill. Have enjoyed the site except my questions never get answered. I understand you get a ton of questions and you are a busy dude .That is ok because I figure it out by hitting balls and just feeling the swing. But is there another way to get a question to your besides info @ malaska etc. Thanks for your time. E

[@cgrierwv75]

Mike, this video speaks to me… I need to get back to basics. My question is, what starts the swing? Do you have a video on this? Obviously in these drills the arm swing first but how about when we put a full swing together? To me it feels natural to Turn and then swing the arms back… the. Turn then swing arms back down and through.

[@hughreilly2023]

Great drill Mike!

[@MrBalataboy]

GREAT drill! One handed drill (right or left) shows IMMEDIATELY whether or not you're in sync with the body, in sequence, have good posture and balance, and a good ball position. A friend of mine was going through the chipping yips. I told him to swing the club with his right hand/arm only, and gave him no other info than to just react to the swinging club until it felt balanced and comfortable. The improvement after 2 rounds of golf was simply amazing. I'll have to disagree with Mike a bit, because I happen to think this is, hands down, the best drill EVER!

[@miguellemme6483]

Oro puro!!! Thanks Mike

[@markking3779]

Enjoyed that vid 👍

[@bradleytefft7747]

Malaska Golf has helped me immensely in my golf game. I have been watching for two years now and when I started I was scoring in the high 90's for a round. I now regularly score mid to high 70's consistently and will get lower. Thanks Mike for all your videos.

[@gregglister8074]

Great insight in this. Thanks Mike.

[@marcynicholas5988]

Mike, I love how you deconstruct the typical language that has been used to teach the swing. That is so important.

[@theansangong2659]

You are the best of the best!

[@jameylewis4331]

I've never seen this taught before but it makes perfect sense. Working the range as a kid, I would do the same thing around the edges of the driving range cleaning up the perimeter, knocking balls back onto the range one-handed. At the time, I never knew how important this skill was. You are absolutely spot on with this motion and it's great to see someone address it. Well done.

[@golferiam6533]

Based on what I saw you do and heard what you said, the "motor" of the swing is the arms. There are leg movements that are explained elsewhere (I would like to see them incorporated with this segment) that provide a loading and a braking factor. But, I see your body as being very reactive to the arm motion and in no way adding to the speed or direction. Am I right about that?

[@andrewc1280]

I turned 60 last Feb., and have struggled for 40 years trying to figure out how to apply my athletic abilities to the golf swing. Even after lessons with 3 different pro instructors over the years, I still was shooting in the mid 90's on average. They just couldn't seem to break my bad habits and muscle memory. I found Mike on the internet in the spring, started studying all his videos, and really started to apply his simple principles, trying to leverage the momentum of the club, etc. Well, after many range balls, and trying to apply it on the course.... I've started to shoot under forty for nine holes, and recently posted a 77 for 18. Never broke 80 before. My GHIN was around a 17. I'm kind of dumbfounded. And those were far from perfect rounds... but even many of my 'misses', or thin shots are often getting to the green or very close, sometimes near the pin. Don't know what to say, other than thank you Mike, for sharing your insights and experience. I'm excited to see where this goes, and can't wait til next season league play.

[@MrOldrock1]

Let the arms pull the shoulders. What a great swing thought.

[@hakanpalmgren5113]

Great tip as always, Mike!

[@NonnyStrikes]

2 years later here I am commenting. This is the true testament to simplicity. People tend to ignore the basics of how the club was engineered. I ask this question every time I golf with randoms pretty much. "What kind of engineering concepts were put into making the golf club work so easily?" Ninety percent of them don't have an answer. When it's the only answer you need.

[@archietravers5697]

Brilliant tip Mike. I paid good money for a pro to tell me to turn the right shoulder and hands together to face the target. I was spinning like a top! This feels like a swing again.

[@roeydaz]

Great lesson and drill! Stiffness in any part of the body during the swing is a total killer. These little drills teach you to free up. Thank you Mike.

[@stormrider3424]

This is perhaps the drill the confuses me the most. To me, looking at your forearms, they are fully rotating. But I remember back to some of your other videos that you basically say don't rotate your forearms, but allow the right wrist to full release forward, in the same motion as throwing a ball. Are those two concepts not opposed?

[@WilliamWilsonEgoliGolf]

A beauty of a drill..!

[@chillyerbeans3756]

Being a left hand dominant golfer who plays right handed, I find I can do a one arm swing much better with my left hand, when I practice the one arm right hand swing I’m not very good but it really helps my full swing, the better I get with the right. More practice!! thanks Mike

[@MacNmey]

I'm a lefty too, who plays golf right handed. I bat right handed too, even though I throw with my left hand. Not sure if this helps or hurts with golf.

[@chillyerbeans3756]

@@MacNmey Just reassure yourself with the knowledge that Phil Mickelson and Jordan Spieth are both ‘backhanders’ like us, although they both tend to be a bit wayward🧐 both have got magic short games tho👍

[@yanksrule311]

Mike, you’re a great teacher..so much so I subscribed to your website. However, that is terribly slow and bogs down frequently. I find golf frustrating enough and don’t need the frustration of inferior technology adding to the situation. I want to become LESS frustrated by golf. I heard you mention a website 2.0 in another video. I assume improved and hope soon, otherwise I’ll have to unsubscribe.

[@ebitalian02767]

I still revisit this drill when I feel my shoulders getting over-active. Between you and Shawn Clement golf really can be a lot easier than 98% of instructors try and make it. Thank you MM

[@charlesbennett6773]

Thanks Mike. This drill will help. I have the exact flaws you described.

[@seanlo222]

Exactly what my coach is telling me.

[@HectorGonzalez-dj8be]

Great drill. I am teaching this to my son but I would have loved to see a down the line shot. Does the clubhead ever get behind your right hand? My son has a tendency of pulling the club to far behind him.

[@wallstreetoneil]

Many times at the range I've helped people & show them that they should be able to hit balls with just their right hand. It's amazing at how awful they are at initially doing it and that it clearly exposes how they have no idea how to control the club's movement with what is their 'good' hand; but quickly, they learn how their right forearm has to control their right wrist - and it improves their hitting almost immediately - nevermind that it improves their chipping 1000%. This is the most important drill I've ever seen be immediately helpful.

[@tmacphd7871]

When I decided to learn golf, I visited the local driving range at an executive course in Studio City California. Down at the very end of the driving range was a guy hitting balls with just his left hand. The next time I saw him, he was hitting with just his right hand. Repeatedly doing exactly what you're describing. After a while, I no longer saw him at the range and when I asked my instructor what happened to him he replied, "He just qualified for the tour through Q school." For months all I ever saw him do was exactly what you've demonstrated in this lesson!!!

[@adame8893]

Weddington! Who was the player?

[@mplunky1]

Mike this is a superb lesson.You often say you stand the club up in the downswing. Is it the shoulder plane into impact that keeps the downswing plane on the same path in the swing?. MarkPlunkett (Australia)

[@kentbarrett4829]

I struggling with one arm shots off the turf only hit two out of ten well I might try start with a tee. When do we release the club ?

[@soccerlove_dad]

Thanks Mike. I've been watching this video for a few weeks now and its decoding my swing. My arms are independent!! Thanks. The game is so much more fun.

[@gtflyer]

Guess what I'll be doing at the range tomorrow..;)

[@leonardrhode7016]

Also as a right handed golfer my left hand is more dominant but I am doing this drill using both.But when I swing my feel is more in my left hand,arm and shoulder. So simple and works.Thanks Mike

[@corbinchristensen1555]

This literally just fixed so much trash in my swing in like an hour and a half just swinging without hitting anything. Figuring out how to take the club away and the rhythm to return it properly. Shortened up my back swing a bunch in my normal swing and I think I'm gonna start striking it well again for the first time in a few months. Thanks a bunch@

[@papashuk26]

I too was convinced by a golf coach to wind up and uncurl 3 years ago and my game went flat and inconsistent. I fought this year to get back to a more natural swing and this drill fits perfect with where I want to go. Just found your channel and like your style- thanks!

[@mrjlewis640]

Mike thanks so much for your information it really clear in a lot of things bro I have questions about...I’m going to take a private lesson from you if ever I get the chance since were both in Arizona

[@mattsalisbury8755]

You are the best golf instructor on KZbin. So clear, concise and simple. Brilliant Mike, thank you from the UK 🇬🇧

[@ianblackman1953]

I wish I had known and understood the wisdom of these words 30 years ago. For all you young golfers, understand and commit to this. You will hit the ball more consistently and powerfully and effortlessly. You’re the guru Mike.

[@stanleylin3440]

Thanks Mike, so love your concept about swing and tempo! Looking forward to seeing more drill and something about mental.😃

[@fullsquare6398]

After this drill, What feel should we have for a full swing on shoulders, or shoulder blades in the back? Thanks

[@wpk286]

Thanks, Mike. I've "re-discovered" your videos and just finished Episode 1 and am anxious to re-visit my long-term issues with my grip with the hope of regaining some lost distance and consistency in my sunset years. I'll be watching the entire M series ASAP. Thanks again.

[@davem6593]

Your drill hitting balls while stepping backwards is one of the most original and eye opening drills ever. Shows how the hips should move perfectly. Thanks.

[@terrellbrown2702]

Mike, Excellent lesson. Simple, effective, coherent. Well done!

[@johnsigler1059]

Thanks Mike was about ready to throw in the towel just tried most things but the chair drill worked for me.

[@Robin-Cj]

It feels like i am missing something heter, when you do this drill it looks like THE clubface is rotating a lot OPEN and then CLOSED, this i din't get because it works against your teachings, could you please explain?

[@booberry6715]

Mike is literally telling us to shut up and wax on, wax off. X'D EDIT: After some thought, I wanted to add that one of the best rounds I had last year was one where the first tee was badly backed up and I killed like 15 minutes just doing this very thing in the rough next to the tee. I hit my irons better that day than maybe ever, even par 35.

[@mikeclaytor1739]

Hey Mike ,any drill with my driver too increase clubhead speed ? My 3 wood goes 235 ,but my driver doesn't go 220 or so .what gives??

[@itsantbrown]

I've noticed I do so much better when I have a free-flowing swing. Mostly swing with my arms, but managing the weight of the club with the body to swing in each direction.

[@philipwong4377]

How do you connect this move to throwing at the ball like one of the other videos you have?

[@TroyStevens430]

Same one-handed principle is great for learning to strike the putter properly.

[@mikemoodie]

This is the last thing Fred Couples does before he heads for the first tee. Little right hand chips.

[@Handletaken4]

Every time I swing like you I hit it into the lake when I’m trying to lay up.

[@inuvik491]

Thanks Mike , after struggling for some time changed my grip to align with my natural hand position and moved the grip more into the fingers. Then tried swinging nice and easy and stopped trying to muscle it through with my body leading the arms. What an incredible difference, within 5 or 6 easy swings was matching my best ever muscled shots, nice and easy free speed. Kind regards David. Uk

[@kennyzhou6615]

awesome advise and I will spend my time in my backyard to work on this during the winter session.

[@zaharogolfer]

Mike, It is truly amazing once a person can get the sequence of the swing correct, how effortless the swing will develop. The phrase of the "arms pulling the shoulder" I need to engrain in my head, sequence, and swing. Thanks

[@migbgold3191]

When my game gets off, I’m convinced it’s because I’m thinking way too much about torso and big body part movements; when I get back to grooving a good tempo and improving strikes, I’m much more hands/arms oriented. This is a great video reminder for me

[@harryel-kara7712]

Similar to Harvey Penick drill with the grass cutter.

[@winzaw6902]

What about the saying, 'From the ground up'?

[@carlosjuarez9527]

This is it!!! As Mike says.... " Golf is played with the hands!!!". Listen to Mike and Paddy's Golf Tips and you are good to GO!!!!

[@jonathanlambert7004]

One of the first thing my expensive coach drummed into me on my first lesson was "imagine your arms are the wheels on a car and your body is the steering wheel. Your body controls the arms" He had doing drills with that swing thought. Now this video seems to say the opposite. Which one is right

[@ashleysquires489]

Hi love your videos firstly now when starting out in golf like myself is changing my grip a good thing straight away as I do hit the ball pretty well with my grip it’s interlock grip but I have a straight right thumb on the shaft and keep being told to change or I will never be any good DO YOU AGREE AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR GREAT VISEOS.

[@semperfi5857]

@ 4:45 I too, feel as if my left shoulder is under my left shoulder!

[@dennisoneil8672]

Milo talks about the boat towing the skier. This would seem opposite of this drill

[@wasatchgolfacademy1046]

Yes it is and for good reason!

[@dennisobrycki4029]

We all know about the negative affects of tension on forearms, wrists, etc. Tension in shoulders is often overlooked. I believe these drills confirm that shoulders need to be relaxed. Thanks Mike

[@slilikakis1]

Spot on Mike! In the 2nd part of the drill, does the shoulder extend as a result of the momentum and we should let it happen naturally; or it that something we need to actively and conscious work on?

[@edwinchan6521]

The momentum should pull you through naturally so it won't be a conscious turn but it will be consciously letting your body follow through, good luck bro! Hope it works for you!

[@slilikakis1]

Thanks buddy!

[@muffle2877]

Great video, it helped me sooooo much. I was confused for months if I should countinuously rotate my shoulders or just let my arms pull them cuz I always thought tigers swing just lookks like his arms pulling everything after his hips started the shoulders... THANKS A LOT, you're the BEST teacher on youtube for sure :D

[@TwoBucksShy]

great lesson and great message Mike

[@golfeducationencounters-go8394]

This is gold Mike - do this and it will also help hold the lag, get right hand Infront of body, improve shallowing, and best helps perfect the Malaska move (shallow to out at P6 - in to club head out) this will also strengthen whole swing when you can get same speed with one hand as with 2 even getting 70% speed with one hand as with two. Great drill doing it works!