Let’s get one thing out of the way: Alex Noren’s pre-shot routine looks… odd. Like he’s gearing up to chop wood with his iron instead of hitting a golf ball.
But here’s the twist — the actual swing he takes looks nothing like the dramatic rehearsal that precedes it. So what’s going on? And more importantly, should you be trying it?
It’s tempting to mimic what the pros do, especially when it seems to be working for them. But as with most things in golf, it’s a bit more complicated than that.
Why Noren Swings Like That (But Not Really)
Watch Alex Noren rehearse a shot and you’ll see him perform an exaggerated move where his torso and hands stay aggressively ahead of the clubhead through impact. It looks stiff, almost wrong — until you realize it’s entirely intentional.
Noren developed this move during college to help shift from his natural push-draw to a more controlled fade. The feel? Keep everything turning, keep those hands quiet, and eliminate the dreaded hand flip that shuts the face down.
It’s not about replicating the exact movement in the real swing — it’s about creating a feel. A reminder. A swing thought that activates the right sequence of moves without overthinking.
And honestly? That alone is a useful lesson.
Could This Actually Help Your Game?
Maybe. But only if you’re fighting the same demons.
If your typical miss is a hook or a push, and your hands get flippy through impact, then yeah — rehearsing a move that quiets your hands might help. It’s similar to drills that emphasize low point control and proper sequencing.
More broadly though, Noren’s discipline in having a consistent pre-shot routine might be the real takeaway.
A solid routine can:
- Calm your nerves
- Speed up your pace
- Help you commit to each shot
- Build confidence when you’re on the verge of losing it
- And — perhaps most importantly — make you feel like you have a plan, even when you don’t
Karl Morris, one of golf’s top mental coaches, talks a lot about this. He argues that mental rehearsal activates the same brain circuits as physical practice. So even if you’re not physically copying Noren’s swing, mimicking his mental preparation could be a win.
But Let’s Pump the Brakes for a Second
Here’s the reality check.
Alex Noren is a world-class athlete who hits hundreds of balls a day. You — I’m guessing — are not. That’s not a dig. It’s just that most amateurs:
- Don’t have the same flexibility
- Don’t move like pros
- Don’t practice enough to ingrain dramatic moves
- Have entirely different swing patterns to begin with
In fact, blindly copying what you see on Tour can make things worse. You don’t know what issue the pro is trying to fix. You don’t know what other elements are in play. You’re just seeing the outside layer of a much deeper swing evolution.
As instructor Adam Young puts it: copying a pro’s unique trait, without understanding the why, is a recipe for disaster.
What the Coaches Actually Recommend
Instead of asking “Should I copy Noren?” the better question is:
“What’s one thing from this routine that might help my swing?”
Most instructors agree:
- Prioritize the basics (grip, stance, alignment)
- Know your limitations (don’t force moves your body can’t make)
- Take inspiration — not exact movements — from the pros
- And if you’re going to try something new, simplify it
Golf Smart Academy says it best: real swing change isn’t about one magical move. It’s about combining multiple elements into a repeatable feel — a unifying cue you can trust when pressure kicks in.
So… Should You Try It?
Sure. Try the idea behind it.
Try rehearsing a motion that exaggerates the feel you’re chasing. If you’re flipping at the ball, try feeling a turn with the hands passive. Not to look like Noren, but to feel what you want your body to do.
More importantly, steal his mental routine:
- Visualize your shot
- Rehearse your motion with intent
- Step in and trust it
That’s a routine worth stealing. It won’t make you Alex Noren, but it might make you a bit more consistent.
And that’s the game, isn’t it?