Tempo Is a Skill, Not a Feel: How to Train It
Most golfers chase speed or positions. They work on getting the club “on plane,” hitting certain checkpoints, or swinging harder for more distance. What they often miss is the glue that holds everything together:
Tempo.
Tempo isn’t something you magically “feel” on a good day.
It’s a skill - and like any skill in golf, it can be trained.
When tempo improves, many swing flaws begin to quiet down on their own. Contact gets cleaner. Balance improves. The swing becomes repeatable under pressure.
Let’s reframe tempo the right way - and show you how to train it.
Why Temp Matters More Than Speed
Good tempo allows the body and club to stay synced. Poor tempo forces compensations.
When tempo is off, golfers often:
Rush the transition from backswing to downswing
Swing too hard from the top
Lose balance and low-point control
Hit inconsistent shots with the same club
Elite players don’t swing harder - they swing in rhythm.
Tempo helps:
Sequence the swing naturally
Maintain balance and posture
Improve face control and strike
Reduce tension in the hands and arms
The best part? You don’t need a launch monitor or complicated mechanics to train it.
Tempo Is a Skill You Can Train
Think of tempo like putting distance control or chipping touch.
You don’t guess - you practice with structure.
Below are two simple proven drills you can use on the range, at home, or even without a ball.
Drill 1: The Count-Based Swing
This drill builds a consistent backswing-to-downswing ratio.
How to Do It
Start with a short iron
As the club moves back, count “one…two”
Start the downswing on “three”
Finish the swing smoothly.
Key Idea
The backswing takes slightly longer than the downswing.
A common rhythm:
2 counts back
1 count down
Coaching Notes
Don’t rush the transition
Let the downswing start naturally - no hit impulse
Say the count out loud at first
This drill is excellent for golfers who:
Snatch the club from the top
Swing harder under pressure
Struggle with consistent contact
Drill 2: Walking-Pace Swings
This drill removes tension and retrains sequencing.
How to Do It
Take a 7-iron or wedge
Swing at the pace you’d use for a casual walk
Focus on smooth motion, not distance
Let the club swing - not force it
Hit balls no more than 50-70 yards.
What You’ll Notice
Better balance
Centered contact
A quieter upper body
More awareness of the clubhead
Once rhythm improves, gradually build speed without losing tempo.
How to Take Tempo to the Course
Tempo is easiest to keep when pressure is highest - if you’ve trained it properly.
Before each shot:
Take one smooth rehearsal swing at your practice tempo
Match that tempo when you step in
Trust the rhythm, not the result
If you feel rushed on the course, slow your routine - not your swing.
Final Thought
Tempo isn’t luck.
It isn’t a feeling you hope shows up.
It’s a skill you can practice - every day.
When golfers stop chasing speed and start training rhythm, their swing often improve faster than they expect.
Smooth doesn’t mean slow
It means repeatable.