Squat
Also known as: pressure drop, sit-down move
The squat is a slight downward drop of the body at the start of the downswing, where the golfer loads into the ground before exploding upward through impact.
Seen in virtually every powerful tour player, the squat is a brief downward move against the ground at transition — not a literal bend, but a momentary loading of both legs before the lead side straightens ("posts up") through impact. Force plate research shows this downward move precedes the vertical force spike that generates club speed. It is how "using the ground" is actually executed and is closely linked to correct kinematic sequencing.
Example — Force plate + 3D motion capture
A tour player's hips briefly drop a few inches at the start of the downswing before they push up and through the ball.
Related terms
- Ground ForceGround force in golf is the vertical and horizontal force a golfer pushes into the ground during the swing. More effective ground use translates directly into club speed and power.
- Kinematic SequenceThe kinematic sequence is the order in which body segments accelerate and decelerate during the downswing: pelvis → torso → lead arm → clubhead. Each segment slingshots the next for maximum speed.
- Pressure ShiftPressure shift is the movement of the center of pressure under the feet — measured by force plates — from trail to lead during the swing. Elite players shift pressure earlier and more decisively than amateurs.
Related guides & benchmarks
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