What Is a Reverse Loop Golf Swing?

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.

What Exactly Is a Reverse Loop Golf Swing?

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.

Who Uses the Reverse Loop and Why? Power & Consistency Unlocked

This isn't some quirky, amateur swing thought. It's a bio-mechanically 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.

The Pros Who Perfected the Loop

You can see prominent examples all over the professional tours. The most obvious is Mathew 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 Benefits: More Than Just a Stylish Move

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.

• Effortless Clubhead Speed: The primary benefit is power generation. By dropping the club "into the slot" on a shallower plane, a golfer primes the body to rotate aggressively. This sequencing - where the lower body leads and the arms and club whip through - unlocks speed that you simply can't create with your arms alone.
• A Built-in Anti-Slice Mechanic: The "over-the-top" swing that causes a slice is a steep, outside-to-in path. The reverse loop is the polar opposite. It forces the club onto a shallower, inside-to-out path, which is the exact recipe for hitting a solid shot that starts straight or draws gently from right to left (for a right-handed golfer).
• Promotes Ideal Impact Dynamics: A shallow angle of attack allows you to hit the golf ball first and then the turf, creating that crisp, "compressed" feeling at impact that all golfers strive for. A steep swing often leads to chunked shots (hitting the ground first) or thinned shots (hitting only the top half of the ball).
• Better Body Rotation: When the club drops into position behind you, it gives your body the green light to turn hard through the ball. Players who are steep often stall their body rotation to try and save the shot with their hands, which robs them of power and consistency.

Is the Reverse Loop Right for You? (A Word of Caution)

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 Mathew 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:

• Struggle with a slice and an "over-the-top" swing path.
• Lack power and feel like they use too much arm and not enough body in their swing.
• Hit a lot of steep, chunky iron shots.
• Feel "stuck" at impact and have trouble rotating through the shot.

You should be cautious if you:

• Already hit a hook. A reverse loop can sometimes exaggerate an in-to-out path, potentially turning a draw into a hard hook.
• Already have a very flat, inside backswing. Trying to loop from an already flat position can get you terribly stuck behind your body.

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.

How to Practice the Reverse Loop Feel: A Step-by-Step Guide

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.

Step 1: The "Outside" Takeaway

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.

Step 2: The Magic "Drop" at the Top

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.

Step 3: Rotate, Rotate, Rotate

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.

A Great Drill to Feel the Loop

To really ingrain this sequence, try the "Pump Drill." It's a favorite of golf coaches for a reason.

1. Set up to the ball as normal.
2. Take the club to the top of your backswing. Hold it there.
3. Now, "pump" down by just dropping your hands and the club about a foot. Feel the club shallow behind you. Then, return to the top of your swing.
4. Pump down and back up one more time.
5. On the third imaginary "pump" motion down, go ahead and continue the swing, rotating hard through impact and hitting the ball.

This drill exaggerates the feeling so much that when you finally make a normal swing, a small, EFFICIENT drop will feel natural and athletic.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

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.

• Getting Too Steep: The idea of taking the club "outside" can cause some golfers to simply lift the club straight up with their arms. Remember, this is still a rotational swing. Your shoulders and torso should still turn, the club is just tracing a slightly more upright path while you do it.
• Getting "Stuck": Sometimes, players learn to drop the club but forget the second part: rotating the body. If you drop the club but your hips don't turn aggressively, the club can get trapped behind you, leading to blocks or hooks. The drop just sets the position, the turn delivers the speed.
• Timing Trouble: The reverse loop is a very dynamic motion. Your timing might feel off at first. The solution is simple: start with 50% speed swings. Don't even worry about hitting the ball far. Just focus on the slow, deliberate sequence of back, drop, and turn. Speed will come naturally once the pattern is established.

Final Thoughts

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 youat Caddie AI.