GOLFTEC In The News: Scottie Scheffler’s Swing Move for Elite Ball-Striking

Scottie Scheffler’s swing may not look like a textbook—but rest assured, it’s backed by rock-solid mechanics. Riding on the expertise of Hall-of-Fame instructor Randy Smith and driven by his intelligence at impact, Scheffler has claimed four majors in three years. It’s the kind of swing any golfer can learn from—even if they don’t copy it exactly.

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Why “keeping your head down” might be holding you back

You’ve probably heard “keep your head down” at the range. But watch tour pros: their eyes follow the ball as their head follows their body through impact. Why does this matter?

GOLFTEC’s SVP of Player Development and Top‑100 Teacher Nick Clearwater explains:

“One of the biggest key separators of skill between pros and amateurs is moving out of forward bend.”

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In Scheffler’s swing, hip hinge and spine angle shift dramatically—from about 25° forward bend at downswing to roughly 11° backward bend during follow-through—a total change of ~36° in a flash.

That dynamic shift:

• Shallows the angle of attack, promoting cleaner strikes.
  
• Straightens the swing path, enhancing accuracy.
• Unleashes clubhead speed, as the hands naturally “raise” through impact.
  
  

GOLFTEC’s role: OPTIMOTION + coach feedback = faster progress

At GOLFTEC, our OPTIMOTION system captures 4,000+ data points per swing—shoulder turn, hip sway, spine angle, and more—all in 3D, wirelessly, and in real time. In our bays, coaches like Nick Clearwater use this data to teach the forward-to-back hinge in slow motion, mid-speed, and full-speed swings.

Comparisons to pro swings (like Scheffler) are invaluable. They show precisely where your spine and hips should be at each phase—even during that crucial split-second around impact.

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How to train Scheffler’s forward-to-back hinge

1. Set up stabilized posture: Address with a slight hip hinge (~25°) and athletic knee bend.
   
   
2. Swing slow reps: Pause at impact position—feel the torso and hips hinge backward (~11°).
   
   
3. Heel‑down drill: Keep feet glued down while body straightens post-impact, letting the heel lift only where required to extend.
   
   
4. Eyes track the ball: Let your gaze and head naturally follow the ball—just like the pros.
   
   
5. Build speed gradually: Progress from slow reps to mid-paced, then full swings—holding posture until late helps ingrain the feel.
   

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Why it works—and how to get it

It’s not about mimicking Scheffler’s entire swing.

At GOLFTEC, we take this principle and make it work for you—using OPTIMOTION to diagnose, drill, and develop. Whether you’re just starting out or striving for a more consistent ball flight, this hinge is a foundational golf move.

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