Dustin Johnson Swing Trigger Drill: Find a Smooth Start

by | Indoor Golf Drills, Long Game Drills

App golfer practising a small hands-forward swing trigger beside an illustrated portrait of Dustin Johnson.

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DRILL OVERVIEW

Dustin Johnson Swing Trigger Drill: Find a Smooth Start

Your drill at a glance

Long gameDrill category
Smoother swing startBenefit
15 minutesPractice time
2 / 10Difficulty
Any golf clubEquipment

This drill is from the Golf Practice Made Fun App.

Step 1. Watch the swing trigger

Watch how the demonstration uses a small movement towards the target to begin a flowing backswing. Notice the rhythm of the movement rather than trying to make a large shift.

Watch the demonstration on YouTube.

Step 2. Try the three trigger options

Dustin Johnson Swing Trigger Drill
The demonstration uses a held object to explore the rhythm of moving towards the target before moving back.

First, try the movement with empty hands: make a small movement towards the target, then flow back into a short turning rehearsal. You can explore the feeling without copying the weight of the object shown.

Now take your club and try each option below at an easy pace. Keep your feet planted and the movement small enough to stay balanced.

TriggerHow to try it
Hands forwardMove the hands a little towards the target, then flow straight into the backswing. Keep the grip relaxed.
Pressure towards the targetFeel a small increase in pressure under the lead foot, then begin the backswing. Avoid a large sideways lunge.
A final lookTake one last look at the target, return your eyes to the ball position, then start. A look is a routine cue; it does not automatically shift your weight.

Try a few rehearsals of each, then choose one. Combining several movements is optional; a single clear cue may be easier to repeat.

Keep the trigger small

What to watch forWhat to try
A long pause after the cueLet the small trigger lead straight into the backswing at a comfortable pace.
A large sway or pressReduce the movement until you can keep your balance and normal setup.
Too many thoughtsChoose one trigger for the next set of repetitions.

For another way to explore movement and rhythm, try the Xander Schauffele Step Drill.

Step 3. Complete your round

Branded stick figure in a blue polo and golf shoes beside eighteen ticked practice boxes. One repetition. One tick.

Complete 18 repetitions using your chosen trigger. One repetition is your normal setup, the small trigger, a smooth rehearsal swing and a reset. These are 18 drill repetitions, not 18 holes on a golf course.

Use the same cue throughout. Take a short break after six and twelve repetitions. If you are comfortable with the rehearsal, you can use an easy shot in place of a rehearsal where you have a suitable practice area.

If you’re using the Golf Practice Made Fun App, tick one box in your Practice Round after each completed repetition.

Add one short note naming the trigger you chose and whether it helped you start smoothly. Your task is 18 repetitions completed.

RoundWhat to do
First nineComplete nine setups, small triggers, smooth rehearsal swings and resets with the chosen trigger. Rest after six.
Second nineComplete nine more with the same trigger. Keep the planned rest after twelve overall.
RecordRecord repetitions completed out of 18 and one note about chosen trigger and smooth start.

George’s Conclusion

George, scratch golfer and mad inventor of the Golf Practice Made Fun App, holding a phone at the range.

A useful trigger is small, comfortable and easy to repeat. Choose one cue, give it 18 repetitions and notice how it affects your rhythm. Keep the movement gentle instead of trying to copy a professional’s entire swing.

Pair this with the Adam Scott Takeaway Drill to explore the next part of the movement.

MAKE THE NEXT BUCKET COUNT

Pick a card. Practise with purpose.

Explore the Golf Practice Made Fun App: Putting, Chipping, Bunker, Wedge play, Long game, Golf fitness and Mind game.
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