Ever watched a slow-motion replay of a tour pro and noticed their club seems to trace a different path on the way down than it did on the way up? That signature move, often seen in the game’s biggest power hitters, is likely a reverse loop. This article will break down exactly what a reverse loop golf swing is, why it can be an incredible source of power and consistency, and how you can start to feel its benefits in your own game without needing a complete overhaul.
To understand the reverse loop, it helps to first picture what many people consider a "textbook" swing. For decades, the ideal was often taught as a swing where the club travels down on the exact same "plane" or path that it traveled on in the backswing. Imagine a single slanted hula hoop around you, the goal was to keep the club on that hoop throughout the swing.
The reverse loop challenges that idea. In a reverse loop swing, the club is taken back on a path that is slightly more upright or "outside" the ball-target line. Then, during the transition from backswing to downswing, the club is dropped or "looped" onto a shallower, more "inside" path. Instead of one perfect circle, it’s more of an oval or loop slanted away from you, the club travels up on one track and comes down on another.
This is the opposite of the most common amateur flaw. A huge percentage of golfers do a "standard loop": they take the club back too far inside (flat), and then, to create power, they throw the club "over the top" from an outside, steep position on the downswing. This steep, outside-to-in path is a primary cause of the dreaded slice. The reverse loop is a powerful antidote to this very problem because it actively trains the feeling of shallowing the club and swinging from the inside.
This isn't some quirky, amateur swing thought. It's a biomechanically sound move used by some of the best players in the world to generate what often looks like an effortless combination of power and accuracy.
You can see prominent examples all over the professional tours. The most obvious is Matthew Wolff, whose very pronounced loop looks like a figure eight laid on its side. But more subtle, and perhaps more imitable, versions can be seen in the swings of Rory McIlroy and Viktor Hovland. Rory creates a powerful squat-and-drop motion in his transition that shallows out the club beautifully, allowing him to rotate with incredible speed. In fact, many great ball strikers - from Ben Hogan to Sergio Garcia - have had some element of this "loop" in their swing, even if their motion isn't as exaggerated.
The reverse loop isn’t just for looks, it produces tangible results that club golfers can absolutely benefit from. It's a dynamic move that can solve several common swing issues at once.
Hearing about all these benefits might make you want to head to the range and start looping like a tour pro, but it's important to know who this move is best for. You don't need to try and mimic Matthew Wolff's swing exactly. The goal is to incorporate the principles of the loop to improve your own swing.
This move is highly recommended for golfers who:
You should be cautious if you:
Think of it less as a total swing change and more as an exaggerating drill. The goal is to ingrain the feeling of shallowing the club so that your downswing path is better than your current one.
Ready to try it? The key is to start slow and focus on the feeling of the sequence. This isn't about being perfect, it's about re-training your instincts.
A good starting point for feeling the loop is to adjust your takeaway. On the first two feet of your backswing, feel like the clubhead stays "outside" your hands. A great visual is to think of the clubhead pointing at the ball-target line, or just slightly outside of it, when the shaft is parallel to the ground. This prevents you from immediately pulling the club too far inside and gets it on a slightly more upright path, setting the stage for the drop.
This is the heart of the move. As you complete your backswing, the first move down should not be an aggressive pull with the hands or uncoiling of the shoulders. Instead, the feeling should be a moment of patience - a slight, almost-passive "dropping" of the hands and club. It feels like the club is falling a few inches down and slightly behind you. This small move is what shallows the club shaft and drops it "into the slot," the perfect position from which to attack the ball.
Once you feel that drop, the hard part is over. From here, your only thought should be to rotate your body through the shot. Your hips should unwind, your chest should rotate to face the target, and your arms will simply deliver the club into the back of the ball. Trust that by simply turning your body, the club, which is now on a great inside path, will find the ball. This is where you unleash that stored power.
To really ingrain this sequence, try the "Pump Drill." It's a favorite of golf coaches for a reason.
This drill exaggerates the feeling so much that when you finally make a normal swing, a small, efficient drop will feel natural and athletic.
As you experiment with this new feel, a couple of common issues might pop up. Being aware of them can help you stay on track.
The reverse loop golf swing may sound complex, but at its core, it’s a simple and powerful sequence for shallowing the club and promoting a better swing path. By focusing on a slightly more upright takeaway, feeling the club “drop” on a shallower plane in transition, and then rotating through impact, you can fix an over-the-top move and unlock a more consistent, powerful golf swing.
Filming your swing is a great way to see if you're correctly shallowing the club, but understanding what you see is the real next step. To get immediate, clear feedback on your motion, you can analyze your shots in our app. By uploading a video of your swing, we can instantly trace your swing path and tell if you're hitting the key positions needed for a successful reverse loop. It's like having a coach's eye in your pocket, taking the guesswork out of practice so you can be confident you're working on the right feel. Check out all the ways we can help you at Caddie AI.
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