You’re standing on the tee, driver in hand, heart full of hope. You’ve had the swing thoughts. You’ve practiced the drills. But the result? A low screamer into the trees or a skyball that barely reaches the fairway.
Meanwhile, Joaquin Niemann – built like a tennis string and barely tipping the scale at 150 pounds – is outdriving the tour’s heavy hitters and splitting fairways like it’s his day job (because, well, it is).
So, how does he do it?
More importantly, how can you start striking it ball-first like Niemann — every single time?
Niemann’s Setup: Built for Precision, Not Just Power
Let’s start with the base: Niemann’s setup isn’t flashy, but it’s packed with intention. He rocks a strong left-hand grip (think firm, not forceful) and pairs it with a neutral right hand — a combo that keeps the clubface controlled without strangling the life out of it.
The ball? Way forward in the stance. Why? To match his favorite shot shape: a calm, collected “hold-off” fade. That means he’s not trying to smash it into orbit. He’s picturing a tight, controlled shot shape before he even starts his swing.
And speaking of picturing… here’s the thing. Before every shot, Niemann doesn’t think — he sees. “Before every shot, I picture the flight I want to see. This is not a time to think. It’s a time to see the shot and be athletic.” That’s not just Instagram quote fodder. It’s how he programs his body for ball-first contact.
Oh, and gear matters. Niemann swings a Ping G440 LST Driver with a Tour AD DI 6 X shaft — a setup built to lower spin and suit his natural swing DNA. Not flashy, just optimized.
What Happens in the Backswing… Doesn’t Stay There
You can’t flush a drive without building a strong engine — and Niemann’s backswing is all torque, no fluff.
Key checkpoints:
- Minimal forearm rotation during takeaway
- Club stays outside the hands (clean path, less room for error)
- Hips rotate on an angled plane
- Massive shoulder turn — with the left shoulder dropping below the right
- Left arm rides just above the shoulder plane
- Flat left wrist at the top
It’s like he’s winding a spring, but without the drama. No wasted motion. No over-rotation. Just a setup ready to snap back through the ball with authority.
Niemann’s “Gumby Move” Through Impact
This is where it gets wild — and wildly effective.
Instead of “jumping up” like a lot of pros do during their downswing, Niemann actually drops slightly. He starts with a small lateral bump toward the target and then rotates hard. We’re talking 49° of pelvic rotation and 38° chest turn at impact — numbers that’ll make a swing coach weep with joy.
But the secret sauce? Niemann’s insane right-side bend through impact. Like, almost cartoonish levels of side crunch. It’s not for show — it does two critical things:
- Helps him swing from the inside even with that much rotation
- Keeps the clubshaft nearly on its original plane all the way through
That’s how you hit it center-face, every time. That’s how you stay in the shot. And that’s how you walk off the tee like you meant to do it.
Control > Speed (Yes, Really)
You’d think a guy trying to keep up with the big hitters would just chase speed. And early in his career, Niemann did. But then he realized something every weekend golfer eventually learns: hitting it fast doesn’t matter if you hit it off the toe.
Now? He focuses on balance, consistency, and center-face contact. He’s in the “Tumbler” category of Tour players — guys who launch it high but with just the right amount of spin. He could go full throttle, but he chooses control. And that’s what keeps him in the fairway, round after round.
Steal His Drills (Without Breaking Your Back)
You may not have Niemann’s hip mobility or Gumby-like spine bend, but you can work on his habits. Here are three routines worth stealing:
The Swish Drill
Take a few practice swings and listen for the “swish” behind the ball. It helps your arms drop from the inside and syncs up your sequencing. Bonus: it’s a great warm-up drill to shake off the rust.
The Feet-Together Drill
This old-school gem forces balance. With your feet touching, you can’t sway or slide. If your finish feels like a wobbly yoga pose, you’ll know exactly where you need to tighten up.
The Finish Hold
Niemann always tries to “pose” his finish — and holds it for three seconds. Sounds simple, but try it. If you’re falling over or doing the flamingo leg wobble, your balance is off. And if your balance is off, so is your contact.
Niemann’s Secret Isn’t a Secret — It’s a System
It’s tempting to look at Niemann’s quirky move and think, “Yeah, but that’s not for me.” But here’s the thing — he didn’t just wake up swinging like that. He built a system. A setup that favors his body type. A swing path that matches his intent. And a mental process that clears the noise.
He’s not trying to be textbook. He’s trying to be consistent.
So next time you’re standing over your driver, don’t copy Niemann’s move frame-for-frame. But do take a page from his playbook:
- Set up with purpose
- Visualize the shot, not the mechanics
- Stay balanced from takeaway to finish
- Swing within yourself — and hit the middle
Ball-first contact isn’t magic. It’s just a little discipline, a few drills, and maybe — just maybe — some side bend you didn’t know you had.