There’s something quietly satisfying about watching Joaquin Niemann swing a golf club. No theatrics. No violence. Just tempo. Smooth, synced-up motion that looks like it could repeat itself all day long — because it can. And that’s the whole point.
In a game where we’re constantly being told to swing faster, hit it longer, and chase that ever-elusive clubhead speed, Niemann is out here doing something different.
He’s swinging fast — but he’s not swinging hard.
Let’s talk about why that’s working so well, and how you might want to start copying it.
Why Niemann’s Tempo Feels So Different (and So Repeatable)
Joaquin Niemann’s swing doesn’t look like a modern power move — until the ball takes off. That’s when you realize just how much controlled speed he’s generating with what looks like a casual move. The key? Tempo. But not just any tempo.
It’s slower than most, but never lazy. There’s a rhythm to it. It’s deliberate. Balanced. Predictable in the best way.
As one analysis puts it, Niemann’s swing has “a very steady tempo” that “stays very balanced,” and is “a little bit slower…than most golf swings” — and that’s exactly why it works.
For everyday players? That’s music to our tempo-troubled ears. Instead of rushing transitions or trying to rip it from the top, Niemann shows us what happens when your swing flows, not fights.
The “Wait-All-Day” Move You Didn’t Know You Needed
Ever feel like your downswing gets away from you before your brain can even catch up? Niemann doesn’t have that problem. One reason his swing looks so smooth is because he’s mastered what coaches call the “wait-all-day” sensation.
That doesn’t mean slow motion. It means resisting the urge to yank the club from the top.
Instead, Niemann’s club seems to gather energy as it moves — gradually accelerating through impact instead of trying to max out at the start. There’s no panic. No quick-trigger transition. Just trust.
You know that rushed, jerky move most amateurs make when we’re trying to hit a par-5 in two? Niemann’s doing the opposite — and still sending it miles.
The Takeaway That Sets Up Everything
Niemann’s calm takeaway isn’t just pretty — it’s functional.
One of the most interesting details? He uses “very little, if not zero forearm rotation” on the way back. That might sound like a minor tweak, but it changes everything.
Less forearm rotation keeps the clubface square longer, limits unnecessary wrist action, and builds a more stable, repeatable start. It also helps set the shaft on a steeper path — which sounds scary until you see how much leverage it gives him later.
As PGA coach Jack Backhouse puts it, Niemann “keeps the club nicely outside the hands…a great base to build a good backswing from.”
And here’s the kicker: his arms don’t fly off on their own adventure. They stay connected to his chest — tight, controlled, and moving as a unit with his torso. If you’re a fan of smooth transitions and synced-up power, this is the model.
The Downswing That Pulls — Not Pushes
This is where Niemann really separates himself from weekend warriors. Most amateurs? We start the downswing by throwing our hands at the ball. Niemann starts by shifting into his front foot and rotating his hips — but not just rotating for the sake of it.
His hips stay deep. Behind his heels. Creating space. From there, the body turns, and the arms just follow. Like an engine pulling a trailer, not the other way around.
And instead of lunging his upper body forward, Niemann’s head actually drops down during the downswing — a move dubbed “catching the elevator.” It looks strange at first, but it’s biomechanically brilliant.
This vertical drop helps him stay centered, engage the trail side of his body, and keep his arms from outracing the motion. It’s an elite-level move with a funny name — but it works.
The Coach Behind the Motion
You don’t swing like this without serious guidance. Enter Eduardo Miquel.
He’s been with Niemann since the beginning and remains a massive influence. Beyond the technical swing work, Miquel also shaped Niemann’s mindset. “He’s taught me to care about me, what I do, and to trust it,” Niemann said.
When pressure hits on a Sunday, Niemann leans into what he knows: “I try to forget that I’m at the tournament, pretend I’m at the range, and hit it with a normal swing.”
That line alone says everything you need to know about how Niemann handles nerves — and why his tempo holds up under the gun.
Want to Copy Niemann’s Swing Feel? Start Here
While there’s no exact blueprint for copying his swing, there are a few key drills and thoughts you can try:
- Limit early forearm rotation. Take it back with quiet hands and a connected body.
- Work on a consistent hip turn. Don’t just sway — rotate.
- Check your alignment at the top. Are your knees, hips, and shoulders working together?
- Try the “Elephant’s Trunk” drill. It’s a smooth, pendulum-like backswing drill that encourages rhythm and flow.
- Practice the “wait-all-day” tempo. It’s not about swinging slowly. It’s about not rushing.
You’re not going to move exactly like Niemann — and that’s fine. But if you can capture even a piece of that synced-up feel and smoother transition? You’ll see the difference in your ball-striking, your tempo, and your ability to repeat it.
And let’s be real — isn’t that what we’re all chasing anyway?