What Is Swaying In The Putting Stroke?
Swaying happens when your body moves sideways during the stroke.
Swaying shifts your body off center and makes it hard to control the face and speed. A steady, quiet body helps you roll the ball on line every time.
“A putting stroke naturally follows a mini-arc around the body… heads too far to the side mess up your putting arc.” (source)
How Does It Affect Your Putts?
- Poor Contact
Swaying moves your body and makes center contact inconsistent. This affects your start line and roll. - Off-Line Starts
Swaying shifts your stroke path. The putter moves inside or outside the target line, and the ball starts left or right. - Distance Control
Swaying breaks your rhythm. When the putter doesn’t move with a consistent pace, speed becomes harder to control. - Unsteady Roll
Sway changes shaft lean, creating too much or too little loft. This makes the roll inconsistent.
What Causes Swaying In Putting?
- Unstable Lower-Body
Weak legs and hips make your base unstable. A weak base can cause your body to sway. - Weak Core Strength
A weak core can’t keep the torso stable while the shoulders move, so the upper body may drift. - Narrow Stance
A narrow stance reduces balance and can create sway in the putting stroke. - Uneven Weight Distribution
More weight on one foot forces the body to sway in that direction during the stroke. - Incorrect Ball Position
A ball too far forward or back makes the body reach. This carries into the stroke and creates sway.
What Other Faults Does Swaying Cause?
- Wrist Flexion
Sway can cause your wrists to flex because your hands try to save the strike as your body moves. - Inside or Outside Stroke Path
Sway can shift your stroke path in either direction as your chest and arms move off-center. - Head Movement Through the Stroke
Sway can cause your head to move because your whole upper body drifts.
Putting Cues & Feels
- Feel your weight stay centered under your chest.
- Feel your lower body stay quiet from start to finish.
- Keep your eyes fixed on the ball.
- Keep your grip soft so tension doesn’t pull your body.
- Picture your body as a stable base with only your shoulders moving.
Putting Adaptations
- Widen your stance slightly to improve balance
- Stand a little taller to reduce hip sway.
- Set up with the ball closer to your body so you don’t reach for it.
FAQs About Swaying in Putting Stroke
How do I check if I’m swaying during my putting stroke?
The GolfWiz AI app can instantly detect if you’re swaying. The app highlights 50+ swing and stroke errors and shows you the exact drills to fix them. Start for FREE now.
What part of my body should move when putting?
Only your shoulders and arms should move. Your lower body and chest should stay quiet.
Why do golfers sway while putting?
Most sway comes from poor balance, posture or excess tension in the hands.
Can sway hurt my speed control?
Yes. It breaks your tempo and changes the length of your stroke. This makes speed control difficult.
Should my body stay still during the stroke?
Yes. A steady body creates better face control, contact and roll.
Other Names
- Body Drift
- Side Sway
- Upper Body Sway
- Moving Off the Ball
Final Thoughts
Swaying in the putting stroke is a common cause of missed putts. It shifts your path, changes your strike and hurts speed control.
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