Full Definition
The clap drill involves gripping the club with hands separated 6-12 inches apart, palms facing each other. During the swing, the sound of the palms clapping at impact indicates proper face rotation and timing. Early clap (before impact) means releasing too early (casting). Late clap (after impact) means holding off the release. A crisp clap at the ball position indicates perfect timing. This drill is excellent for teaching the golf swing release to beginners without complex technical language about supination and pronation.
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GOATY tip: Use the clap drill for 5 minutes before any practice session to groove face rotation timing. The auditory and tactile feedback bypasses overthinking and goes directly to feel. Book a free live lesson to see your own clap drill data in real time during your practice session.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Clap Drill in golf?
A practice exercise where the hands are separated on the grip to develop feel for face rotation through impact.
Why does clap drill matter for scoring?
The clap drill involves gripping the club with hands separated 6-12 inches apart, palms facing each other. During the swing, the sound of the palms clapping at impact indicates proper face rotation and timing. Early clap (before impact) means releasing too early (casting). Late c...
How can I improve my clap drill?
GOATY tip: Use the clap drill for 5 minutes before any practice session to groove face rotation timing. The auditory and tactile feedback bypasses overthinking and goes directly to feel. GOATY AI measures your clap drill in real time during live practice sessions — giving you instant feedback without needing to film and review video after the fact.
What is a good clap drill for an amateur golfer?
The benchmark is the GOAT Model — elite swing mechanics scored at 97.3. GOATY AI shows you exactly how your clap drill compares to this elite standard and coaches you toward it session by session.