One of the most effective tools for building a connected, powerful golf swing isn’t a high-tech launch monitor or a weighted training aid - it’s a simple golf towel. The towel drill is a classic for a reason: it targets the root cause of many common swing flaws by teaching your arms and body to work together as a synchronized unit. This article will show you exactly what the towel drill does, break down the core benefits, and provide a step-by-step guide to get you started on the path to a more consistent swing.
At its core, the golf towel drill is about creating connection. In golf, "connection" refers to the relationship between your arms and your torso during the swing. Amateurs often swing with their arms acting independently from their body's rotation. This independence creates a host of problems, from slices to weak contact. The towel drill remedies this byphysically connecting your arms to your body.
To do the drill, you simply fold a standard golf towel and tuck it under both of your armpits, holding it snugly against your ribcage. The goal is to make a swing without dropping the towel. This simple act forces your arms to stay "connected" to your chest as you rotate back and through, compelling your body - your hips and shoulders - to become the primary engine of the swing.
Just because it looks simple doesn't mean its impact is small. This drill is a game-changer because it directly addresses several major swing faults that plague the average golfer.
One of the most common faults among amateur golfers is the "flying elbow," where the trail elbow (the right elbow for a right-handed player) separates from the body and points away from you at the top of the backswing. When this happens, the club is B to be thrown "over the top" on the downswing. This out-to-in swing path is the number one cause of the slice and results in a steep, powerless strike on the ball.
The towel drill makes this move virtually impossible. To keep the towel in place under your trail arm, your elbow must stay closer to your side and point more towards the ground at the top. This simple physical constraint trains you to keep your arm structure intact, encouraging the club to drop into the correct "slot" on the downswing for a more powerful, in-to-out path.
Many golfers mistakenly believe power comes from swinging their arms as fast as they can. In reality, real and repeatable power comes from the ground up: by rotating your body. When you try to swing just with your arms, you lose out on the massive power-generating potential of your hips and torso. It leads to an inconsistent, poorly sequenced swing.
With the towel tucked under your arms, you can't initiate the swing by yanking the club back with your hands. Instead, you're forced to begin the takeaway by turning your chest, shoulders, and hips. This ingrains the feeling of a "one-piece takeaway," where the club, arms, and torso move away from the ball together. This feeling of unified movement is the foundation of a properly sequenced and powerful golf swing.
A jerky, quick swing is often the result of the small muscles in the hands and arms trying to do all the work. A swing powered by the large muscles of the body (the core and legs) is inherently smoother and more rhythmic. The towel drill reinforces this smoother tempo.
Think about it: if you try to make a fast, snatchy move, the towel will immediately fall out. The drill forces you to slow down and feel the rotation of your body. It helps you find a tempo where your turn back and your turn through flow together seamlessly, eliminating the rushed feeling that leads to so many mishits.
Ready to give it a try? Follow these steps to get the most out of the drill and start building a better swing today.
You don't need a special towel - a standard tri-fold golf towel works perfectly. Fold it a a couple of times so it's a manageable size. Then, take your normal setup address. Once you're comfortable, tuck the towel high up under both armpits, pinning it between the inside of your upper arms and your chest. The pressure should be firm enough to hold the towel secure, but not so tight that you introduce tension into your shoulders and arms. Remaining relaxed is fundamental.
Don't immediately try to hit a ball. Start with a short iron, like a 9-iron or wedge, and make slow, deliberate half-swings (from waist-high to waist-high). The primary goal here is to feel the correct movement. Notice how your chest has to rotate to move the club, and how your arms are simply "going along for the ride." Focus on maintaining that light but constant pressure under both armpits. Make 10-15 of these slow rehearsal swings.
Once you are comfortable with the half-swing feeling, you can gradually increase the length of your swing. Try making some three-quarter backswings. For many golfers, this is where the trail-arm towel is most likely to drop. This is your feedback! If it falls, it means your elbow is starting to "fly." Reset and focus on keeping that trail arm structure more compact as your torso rotates.
A key point: On a full follow-through, especially with longer irons, it’s natural for the towel under your lead arm to drop after impact. This is totally fine and expected! As your arms release and extend towards the target, that connection will be broken. The primary purpose of the drill is to maintain connection during the backswing and into the start of the downswing.
Now it's time to put it to the test. Tee up a ball (using a teed ball makes it easier to focus on the swing motion itself initially). Start with those same slow, three-quarter swings with a wedge or 9-iron. Don't worry about distance. Your only thought should be to rotate your body and strike the ball while keeping the towels in place until impact. You might be surprised at how crisp the contact feels, even with a reduced-speed swing. As you get the hang of it, you can increase your speed gradually and move on to longer clubs.
To ensure you're getting the right feedback, watch out for these common errors:
The beauty of the towel drill lies in its simplicity. It provides immediate, physical feedback that teaches you the invaluable feeling of a connected, body-driven swing. By eliminating the flying elbow and promoting a smoother tempo, you're building the foundation for better ball-striking, more power, and consistency you can rely on shot after shot.
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