Forward Press
A forward press is a small movement of the hands or right knee toward the target just before the takeaway. This means a trigger to start the swing in motion with consistent timing.
A forward press is a deliberate small movement of the hands toward the target (and the club shaft toward the target) made immediately before beginning the backswing. It creates a small amount of shaft lean at address, triggers the start of the swing, and establishes a flowing rhythm by giving the body a movement to react to rather than starting from a completely static position. The forward press has been used by golfers from Ben Hogan to Gary Player to current tour pro players, primarily as a trigger for smooth backswing initiation.
The forward press serves a practical function beyond rhythm. This means the slight forward movement causes the body to react with a corresponding backward movement. This means the backswing. Instead of requiring the golfer to initiate from zero. This action-reaction is similar to a pump-fake in basketball or a wind-up in pitching. It creates momentum that makes the first movement of the main action smoother and more natural. Golfers who struggle with takeaway tension or a "jerky" start to their swing often find that a forward press sharply smooths their rhythm and shot quality.
The size of the forward press varies by golfer and style. A subtle press may involve only a small movement of the right knee toward the target (for a right-hander). At the same time, the hands barely move. A more pronounced press involves a visible forward movement of the hands and shaft. The key is consistency. This means the press should be the same every time, built into the pre-shot routine. As a result, it becomes a reliable trigger rather than a variable element.
To add a forward press to your routine. This means after you complete your address setup, make a small deliberate movement of both hands toward the target (just an inch or two), and then let the backswing flow immediately from that forward position. This means the key is that the backswing starts right after the press without any pause.
Develop a trigger-specific routine. This means your forward press should be the last thing that happens before your swing starts. It should be the same movement every time. Practice your press in isolation. This means stand without a ball and just practice the press-to-backswing transition until it flows as one continuous movement, then integrate it into your full pre-shot routine.
Example
A player who holds static at address then makes an abrupt takeaway benefits from adding a gentle forward press to trigger a smoother first move.
How it shows up on video
From a face-on camera angle, the forward press is visible as a small but clear movement of the hands toward the target immediately before the backswing begins. This means the hands move forward. At the same time, the shaft angles slightly toward the target, then the backswing flows immediately from that pressed position. A strong forward press is clearly visible; a subtle one may only be apparent when the video is slowed down. From a down-the-line angle, the forward press shows as the shaft moving slightly forward (toward the camera from this angle) before flowing back into the backswing.
Common mistakes
- Making the forward press too large. This means a large forward press that by a lot moves the clubhead away from the ball requires a compensation at the start of the backswing to return to the correct path. It can also inadvertently trigger an early takeaway before the golfer is ready.
- Using the forward press as a separate, isolated movement instead of a flowing part of the swing. This means the press should flow seamlessly into the backswing without stopping. A golfer who presses, stops, and then starts the backswing has interrupted the rhythm benefit.
- Forgetting the forward press under pressure — routine elements that are practiced regularly but not deeply ingrained tend to disappear under competitive pressure. Building the forward press into every swing, even on the practice green with chips, makes it automatic.
- Pressing too aggressively (a "power press") — some golfers forward press so hard they lose their address spine angle or change their posture. The press should be subtle enough to be invisible to most observers who are not looking for it.
In SwingVantage Motion Lab
SwingVantage can observe the forward press from face-on video by looking for the small pre-backswing hand movement toward the target that precedes the backswing. The presence, size, and smoothness of the forward press can be noted in the system's address-to-takeaway analysis. This provides context for the quality and consistency of the swing initiation pattern.
Related terms
- Setup RoutineA setup routine is the repeatable order in which a golfer builds the address position. This means clubface first, then feet, posture and grip. This means. As a result, alignment and ball position are identical on every shot.
- WaggleA waggle is a small, rhythmic movement of the club head before the swing — back and through the hitting area a few times. It relieves tension, previews the takeaway, and sets the swing in motion.
- TempoTempo is the overall timing and rhythm of your swing — the ratio of how long the backswing takes versus the downswing. A smooth, repeatable tempo is what makes contact consistent.
Related guides & benchmarks
Put this into your swing
SwingVantage can spot this in your own swing — free to start.
See a sample Golf report first