Jon Rahm doesn’t make a “full turn.” He doesn’t even try to.
And yet, he’s consistently among the longest hitters on the PGA Tour.
So… what gives?
It turns out the key to Rahm’s power isn’t some flashy swing move or secret training program. It’s something far more relatable — he had to build his swing around a physical limitation most coaches would consider a serious obstacle.
Let’s break it down. Not just because it’s fascinating, but because there’s a lot you can steal from it for your own game (even if you’ve got two perfectly good ankles).
Born to Adapt: Rahm’s Unique Physical Blueprint
Most golfers try to copy what the pros do.
Rahm didn’t have that luxury.
He was born with a club foot. As an infant, doctors had to break multiple bones in his right ankle — a procedure that left him with limited mobility and a leg that’s 1.5 cm shorter than the other. So that textbook full hip turn and long shoulder coil? Not happening.
“I didn’t take a full swing because my right ankle doesn’t have the mobility or stability to take it,” Rahm once explained. “So I learned at a very young age that I’m going to be more efficient at creating power and be consistent from a short swing.”
Instead of forcing something that wasn’t possible, he embraced it. And that made all the difference.
Less Turn, More Torque: How Rahm Generates Power
TPI data shows Rahm only turns his hips about 30° on the backswing — well below the PGA Tour average of 45°. His shoulder turn doesn’t even hit 90°, which is rare for a guy standing 6’2″. But it works.
Why?
Because he uses what he does have ridiculously well. His coach, Dave Phillips, put it simply: “He’s not the most flexible guy in the world. But he uses what he has very well.”
That’s the first takeaway right there — you don’t need textbook flexibility or range of motion to create a powerful swing. You need to work with your body, not against it.
Built Like a Tank (With a Wrist Flick)
Now, let’s not ignore the obvious. Rahm is strong. Really strong. One commentator put it bluntly: “Built like a brick shithouse.”
That strength helps, sure — but it’s not everything.
His real secret weapon? His wrists.
Golf coach Greg Smith says Rahm’s “rapid wrist flexion & unhinging” is what stores and releases all that energy. His wrist position — particularly his “weak” left-hand grip and internal lead arm rotation — isn’t what most instructors teach. But it lets him deliver the clubface square and fast, right at impact.
Think of it like snapping a towel. The backswing’s short, but the release is fast and timed to perfection.
The Real Power Move Happens After the Backswing
Here’s where things get spicy.
Most of us think power comes from a massive coil on the way back. For Rahm, the power surge comes through the ball.
He rotates aggressively into impact — with 42° of pelvic turn and 36° of chest rotation through the strike zone. That’s a ton of torque created in a short window. But it’s enough to launch the ball downrange like a rocket.
Better yet, he does all this while maintaining posture. His spine angle stays consistent, his left shoulder stays low, and his head barely moves. It’s an incredibly “connected” move — everything rotates together.
Footwork You Can Actually Copy
Rahm’s not just spinning through the ball. He’s using the ground properly, too.
Before he even starts the swing, he gives his lead foot a little tap. That tap isn’t for style — it primes his body to shift weight correctly.
He loads into his trail side early, then shifts forcefully back onto his lead foot during the downswing. That weight transfer gives him leverage, balance, and even more speed.
You don’t need Rahm’s build to try this. You just need to practice using the ground more intentionally. Start with the lead foot tap drill — no ball needed — and work on shifting your weight smoothly from trail to lead side as you swing.
The Half Swing That Hits Like a Full One
One of Rahm’s childhood drills (on narrow, tree-lined Spanish courses) was all about power from a half backswing.
The idea?
Take the club back halfway and try to hit the ball as hard as you can — without losing balance or control.
It forced him to stop relying on arms and start using rotation, timing, and ground force. Most amateurs could benefit from the same. Try it on the range: shorten your swing, focus on lower body rotation, and swing through the ball like you mean it.
You’ll be surprised how far it goes — and how centered you stay.
Embrace What You’ve Got
Rahm’s swing works because it’s his.
He didn’t try to force the swing everyone else had. He built one around his own strengths — and his limitations. That mindset might be the most powerful takeaway of all.
Peter Cowen’s coaching philosophy says it best: “Don’t try to ‘swing.’ There are movement ideals, but each swing should be representative of the person holding the golf club.”
It’s tempting to chase a textbook swing or mimic the prettiest move you saw on YouTube. But if your body can’t get there comfortably, you’re just adding frustration to frustration.
Instead, do what Rahm did:
Start where you are, use what you have, and find ways to move efficiently, consistently, and with purpose.
You’ll hit it farther. You’ll hit it better. And you won’t throw out your back doing it.