Spoiler: You don’t need a coach, a new body, or a $600 driver.
It’s a classic case of golf envy. You see Collin Morikawa on TV dropping iron shots next to the pin like it’s a casual Tuesday, and you wonder—how the hell does he do that? Then you remember you’ve got a full-time job, a semi-reliable 7-iron, and a swing tempo that varies more than your putting stroke.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to swing like Morikawa to learn from him. In fact, some of the biggest reasons behind his accuracy are surprisingly doable for everyday golfers. No swing surgery required.
Let’s break it down.
The Power of Personal Tempo
“I don’t need to start swinging like someone else,” Morikawa said. “If I can stick to my tempo, I’ll start hitting it better.”
Let’s pause on that. Morikawa’s not out there trying to match Rory’s speed or DJ’s swagger. His swing starts slower than most pros, and that’s on purpose. It gives him rhythm, balance, and—yep—accuracy under pressure.
If your swing tempo changes based on mood, wind, or what snack cart just drove by, this is your sign to slow things down. Literally. Start your swing slower, and let your body settle into a rhythm. One that you can repeat. One that doesn’t break down when there’s a group waiting behind you.
Morikawa’s Pre-Shot Secret (You Can Steal It)
Before he swings, Morikawa does this subtle move—he rotates his hips slightly open and leans into his lead leg. It’s like a mini rehearsal of the impact position.
This tiny ritual helps program his body for where it needs to be in the actual swing. And honestly? It’s genius. It’s muscle memory training in real time.
You can do the same. No coach required. Just take a second before you hit to gently rotate your hips open and “feel” your impact shape. It’s simple, it’s fast, and it works.
The Takeaway That Sets Everything Up
Morikawa’s takeaway is slow, controlled, and intentionally boring. And that’s exactly why it works.
Golfers love to overcomplicate the start of the swing—lifting the club too quickly, snatching it inside, getting “handsy.” Morikawa avoids all of that by rotating to the top instead of lifting. That sets up a better path and reduces the nonsense compensations later.
Try this: next range session, go 50% speed on your takeaway and focus on turning your body—not yanking the club with your hands. It might feel weird at first. Stick with it.
How a Glove Under the Armpit Fixes Your Swing
Morikawa uses a simple drill with a glove tucked under his lead arm. Why? To keep his arms and body connected.
If your arms tend to “fly away” mid-backswing or your hands go rogue, this drill is your antidote. Just stuff a towel or glove under your lead armpit and take slow swings. If the item drops out, you’re out of sync.
It’s not sexy. It’s not complicated. But it trains your swing to move as one unit—which is exactly what you want if you’re chasing consistency.
His Practice Is Weird… In a Good Way
Morikawa doesn’t just stand there bashing 7-irons to a yardage. He plays imaginary holes on the range. Hits low punches. Tries off-speed swings. Practices like he plays.
This style of “scramble practice” builds what his coach calls face awareness. It also makes you more adaptable to real-world shots, like that uneven lie you’ll 100% find next Saturday.
So next time you’re at the range, skip the bucket of perfect swings. Play a few holes in your head. Hit a draw, then a fade. Pretend you’re 130 yards out with a tree in the way. Make it weird. Make it real.
Balance Isn’t Just for Instagram
Morikawa finishes every swing in balance. It’s one of his biggest checkpoints. If he can’t hold his finish, something went wrong earlier.
He also focuses on staying “level” through the swing—meaning no wild tilts or sway. Just a centered, controlled motion.
To check yourself: Can you hold your finish for three seconds without falling over? If not, your swing might be more chaotic than you realize.
It’s Not About the Gear (Mostly)
Yes, Morikawa uses a fitted driver with subtle heel weighting—but his accuracy comes more from setup and ball position than fancy tech.
The lesson here? Don’t blame your clubs until you’ve nailed your basics. Your alignment, posture, and setup can change your shot shape faster than adjustable weights ever will.
Drills That Don’t Suck
Morikawa’s got a few go-to drills that you can steal today:
- Feet-together swings – Improve rotation and balance.
- Punch shots with firm legs – Develop better contact.
- Uneven lies on purpose – Practice weird shots to be ready for the real thing.
You don’t need a tour-level range or a swing monitor. You just need reps that actually mean something.
Bottom line: You’re not Collin Morikawa. But that doesn’t mean you can’t be a more accurate version of you.
Start with one tweak—your tempo, your pre-shot rehearsal, or your connection drill. Build from there. Golf isn’t about being perfect. It’s about getting just a little more consistent every time you tee it up.