What Is an Upright Golf Swing?

An upright golf swing is one in which the club moves up and down on a steeper angle, much like a Ferris wheel, rather than swinging around the body like a merry-go-round. This powerful and direct motion can unlock significant distance and a higher ball flight, but it requires a specific technique to master. This guide will walk you through exactly what an upright swing is, its pros and cons, who it benefits most, and the step-by-step process for developing one in your own game.

What Does an Upright Golf Swing Actually Look Like?

Imagine your golf swing creating a large circle. The orientation of that circle is what we call your swing plane. A "flat" swing, think of major champion Matt Kuchar, has a more horizontal or tilted circular path, where the club goes around the body. An "upright" swing, like that of PGA Tour star Justin Thomas or the legendary Jack Nicklaus, traces a more vertical path where the club feels like it goes more up in front of the body on the way back and then comes down sharply toward the ball.

To put it simply:

• Flat Swing: Your hands and the club travel more behind you and around your torso during the backswing.
• Upright Swing: Your hands and club travel more upward and higher in the backswing, feeling more in front of your chest.

Neither swing plane is definitively "right" or "wrong" - they are simply different ways to get the club onto the ball. The key is understanding which style might suit your body type and tendencies, and then building a consistent, repeatable motion based on that plane.

The Difference Is in the Backswing

The "upright" characteristic is primarily defined during the backswing. At the top of an upright backswing, the hands are positioned much higher, often feeling like they are directly above your right shoulder (for a right-handed player). In a flatter swing, the hands would be lower and feel more behind the shoulder.

This higher hand position creates a steeper angle of attack into the ball. This means the clubhead is descending into impact on a sharper downward path, which has its own unique set of advantages and challenges.

The Pros and Cons of an Upright Swing

Like any technique in golf, the upright swing isn't a one-size-fits-all solution. It offers some fantastic benefits but also comes with potential downsides. Understanding both sides will help you decide if it's a good fit for you.

The Benefits (The Pros)

• Generates Effortless Power: With your hands higher at the top, you create a larger arc and have more room for the club to accelerate downward. Gravity becomes your friend. By simply letting the club "drop" from this high position at the start of the downswing, you can generate tremendous clubhead speed without feeling like you're muscling the shot.
• Promotes a Higher Ball Flight: The steeper angle of attack helps get the ball airborne quickly and with more spin. This is incredibly useful for hitting approach shots that stop fast on the green.
• Excellent from the Rough: When you're in thick grass, you need to hit down on the ball to make clean contact. The chopping motion of an upright swing is perfect for this, as it reduces the amount of grass that gets trapped between the clubface and the ball at impact.
• Naturally Fights a Hook: Many golfers who struggle with a severe hook (a shot that curves hard to the left for a righty) do so with a flat, "around" swing that gets stuck. An upright swing promotes a more "out-to-in" path if not timed properly, which often results in a slice or a fade. For a hooker, this can be the perfect antidote to straighten out their ball flight.

The Drawbacks (The Cons)

• Can Be Harder to Time: The upright swing is a beautiful sequence when it works, but it's less forgiving of poor timing. If you start your downswing with your upper body instead of letting the club drop, you'll produce a steep, "over-the-top" motion that leads to a nasty slice or a sharp pull.
• Difficult in High Winds: The higher ball flight, which is an asset in calm conditions, becomes a liability in the wind. Hitting low, penetrating shots can be more challenging with a naturally upright motion.
• Tough Under Pressure: Because timing is so important, players can sometimes struggle with an upright swing under pressure when their tempo breaks down. It's often easier to fall back on a flatter, more rotational swing in those moments.

Who Should Consider an Upright Swing?

An upright swing can be a game-changer for the right type of player. You might find it to be a more natural motion if:

• You are a taller golfer. Taller players naturally have a more upright posture and don't need to bend over as much. Their long arms can easily create a vertical swing arc without much effort.
• You struggle with a hook. If you can’t stop hitting that low, screaming hook, adopting a more upright swing could be the change you need to neutralize your swing path and start hitting draws or even power fades.
• You want more height and stopping power. If your iron shots come in too low and run through the green, the extra height from an upright swing will help you attack pins with confidence.
• You hit a lot of shots "fat" or "thin." An upright swing with a steep attack angle can help ensure you're making ball-first contact, leading to a much crisper strike and a clean divot after the ball.

How to Build a More Upright Golf Swing: A Step-by-Step Guide

If you fit the profile and are excited about the benefits, you can start incorporating the upright motion into your swing. It’s all about a few adjustments in the setup and a new feeling in the backswing and transition.

Step 1: Adjust Your Setup

The foundation of a good golf swing starts at address. To promote a more upright path, stand a little closer to the golf ball than you normally would. This minor adjustment naturally forces your arms to hang more vertically and encourages them to swing upward rather than wrapping them around your body.

Maintain a tall, athletic posture. Feel like your chest is up and your shoulders are back. Hunching over will only encourage a flatter swing.

Step 2: The Vertical Takeaway

The first few feet of the backswing set the tone. Instead of thinking about pulling the club around your body, feel like your shoulders and arms are lifting the club up in front of you. A great thought is to feel the clubhead staying outside your hands as it moves away from the ball. This prevents the club from being pulled too far to the inside too early, which is the classic start to a flat swing.

Step 3: A High Position at the Top

As you continue to the top of the swing, let your hands reach for the sky. Your goal is to feel your hands get as high as comfortably possible. For a right-handed player, they should feel like they are directly above your right shoulder, or even slightly in front of it. Look in a mirror - if your hands are behind your shoulder, you’ve slipped into a flatter plane.

Step 4: The Game-Changing Transition Move

Here’s the move that makes an upright swing work. An upright Bbackswing needs a shallow downswing to be effective. Otherwise, you’ll just chop straight down on the ball. From the top, your very first move should be to let your arms and the club simply drop straight down. It feels passive. As your arms are dropping, your hips begin to unwind toward the target. This "drop and turn" sequence perfectly slots the club into a powerful hitting position, coming from the inside despite the upright backswing.

Drills to Groove Your Upright Swing

New feels need repetition. Use these drills to make the upright motion second nature.

1. The Headcover Drill

Place an empty headcover (or a rolled-up towel) about a foot outside and a foot behind your golf ball. If your backswing is too flat, you'll immediately hit the headcover as you pull the club inside. The goal is to lift the club up on a more vertical plane, easily clearing the obstacle on your way to the top.

2. Back-to-the-Wall Drill

Stand without a club, your backside about a foot away from a wall. Get into your golf posture and make a backswing practice motion. If your swing is too flat, your hands or the imaginary club will hit the wall behind you. Practice rotating your shoulders and lifting your arms so they stay in front of you and away from the wall.

3. The Pump Drill

This is the best drill for mastering the transition. Take your normal swing to the top. From there, initiate the downswing by dropping your arms and shallowing the club to about waist-high, then return to the top. Do this "pump" two times. On the third one, swing through to a full finish. This drill ingrains the feeling of dropping the club into the slot before turning through impact.

Final Thoughts

An upright golf swing is a powerful alternative built on a vertical backswing motion and a properly sequenced downswing. It's an excellent choice for golfers looking to add height and power, especially taller players or those battling a hook, but it demands commitment to the "drop and turn" transition.

Figuring out if a major swing change is right for you, or getting instant guidance on specific situations where a certain swing style excels - like hitting out of deep rough, where an upright swing helps - can be tricky. With our app, Caddie AI, you can get 24/7 coaching in your pocket. You can ask what drills are best for your flaws, analyze a tricky lie on the course by taking a photo, or get a simple strategy for any hole. We remove the guesswork so you can focus on making confident swings and playing better golf.