The 4-Corner Swing

Jim McLean’s discussion of the key positions, or “corners,” of the golf swing begins with the transition, where the backswing ends and the downswing begins. In this video, McLean explains what you need to know about loading up at the top and starting down. With the body, arms and club in good position here, you can make an athletic move down to the ball.

Once you’ve perfected the transition, the second corner of the swing—the delivery position—comes next. Here, Jim McLean breaks down the move into the ball, including the weight shift, how the arms drop from the top, and what the club should look like coming into impact. Groove the right positions here, and you’re all set for the strike.

Most golfers put too much focus on impact and, as a result, hit at the ball instead of swinging through it. In this video, McLean explains why a full extension through the ball is critical. He looks at how the body and arms stay connected and how to push off the ground to boost power. Work on achieving a good extension position, and your ball-striking will naturally improve.

If you’ve mastered the first three corners of the golf swing, you might feel like you’ve got it all figured out. But getting to a tall, balanced position as you approach the finish can prevent a lot of mistakes earlier in the swing. Here, McLean demonstrates how to extend your body and release your arms. Think of this position as a mirror image of the top of the backswing.