A simple plastic clothes hanger might be one of the most effective golf training aids you can find, and it likely won't cost you a dime. This unassuming household item is a game-changer for golfers who struggle with a slice, a disconnected backswing, or inconsistent contact. This article will guide you through exactly how to use a hanger to build a more connected, powerful, and repeatable golf swing. We'll cover what it fixes, how to set it up, and specific drills to make the good feelings permanent.
Before grabbing a hanger from your closet, it’s helpful to understand what flaws it exposes and corrects. The beauty of this drill is in its immediate, unmistakable feedback. You don't need a high-speed camera to know if you're doing it right, the hanger will tell you instantly. It primarily addresses some of the most common swing faults that plague amateur golfers.
One of the most frequent issues is a “flying” right elbow (for right-handed players L-H players switch this around). This is when your right elbow lifts up and away from your torso during the backswing, looking a bit like a chicken wing. This disconnect creates a long, loopy swing that’s hard to control and often leads to the dreaded "over the top" move on the downswing. The hanger physically encourages your arms to stay connected to your body and work in sync with your turn, promoting a more compact and efficient backswing.
At the top of the backswing, the position of your lead wrist (the left wrist for right-handers) has a massive influence on the clubface. Many amateurs get a "cupped" wrist, where the back of the hand bends back towards the forearm. This single move opens the clubface wide open. From this position, it’s almost impossible to deliver a square clubface to the ball without some last-second manipulation. The hanger drill provides a powerful physical guide that helps you achieve a flat or even slightly bowed lead wrist - a position you see in almost every professional golfer. This a much stronger position that keeps the clubface square or slightly closed, setting you up to compress the ball instead of slicing it.
Casting, or throwing the club from the top, is a major power killer. It happens when the golfer's first move down is with the hands and arms, releasing the wrist angles too early. The hanger drill helps you feel what it’s like to maintain those angles, often called "lag," as you start the downswing with your body rotation. Trying to cast the club while using the hanger will immediately cause it to lose contact with your forearm, giving you that instant feedback that you’ve made the wrong move.
The setup is simple, but a few small details make all the difference. Get it right, and the feedback will be crystal clear. Here’s how to do it.
1. Position the Hanger: Place the club shaft under your left armpit so the grip is in front of you. Take the plastic hanger and place its flat side against the inside of your lead forearm (your left forearm for righties). The open, hook part of the hanger should point down, away from your arm.
2. Take Your Grip: With the hanger resting against your forearm, take your normal golf grip on the club, gripping over the top part of the hanger. The hanger should essentially be sandwiched between your grip and your left forearm.
3. Check the Alignment: When you set the club down into your address position, the flat part of the hanger should be sitting snugly against the inside of your forearm. The base of the hanger's hook will be resting gently near the inside of your wrist. It will feel odd, but it shouldn't be uncomfortable. You’ve now created a direct physical connection between your lead arm and the club.
With the hanger in place, it’s time to start retraining your muscle memory. The key here is to start slowly. We are not hitting full-speed shots. We are making deliberate rehearsals to feel the correct positions.
The first goal is to feel a proper backswing where the arms, wrists, and body work together.
This is where the hanger drill truly exposes sequencing issues and builds powerful habits. Again, start with slow, deliberate movements.
While the focus is on the backswing and downswing, understanding the release is also worthwhile.
Like any drill, there are a few common pitfalls. Here's what to watch for:
The hanger drill is powerful because it translates a complex swing thought into a simple feeling. By providing instant physical feedback, it helps you build the muscle memory for a more connected swing, a square clubface at impact, and a better swing path without you having to consciously think about ten different things.
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