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Pete Cowen signature Stick Drill: Connect Arms and Body
Your drill at a glance
Explore more ways to practise in the Golf Practice Made Fun App.
Give your arms and body one movement to rehearse together. The Pete Cowen Chinese Fighting Stick Drill uses a long pole to make the movement easier to see and feel.
Start with your setup, practise loading the backswing, then work down and in front.
Watch the Drill.
Use a lightweight exercise pole or broom handle longer than a golf club. Allow clearance around both ends and above you. Make slow, controlled rehearsals without hitting a ball. The instructions describe a right-handed golfer; reverse the sides if you play left-handed.
Step 1. Set Up
| Action | What to do |
|---|---|
| Find your posture | Hinge from your hips and soften your knees. |
| Hold the middle | Let your arms hang below your shoulders. Space your hands apart as shown, with your left hand over the pole and your right hand underneath. |
| Check the space | Keep both ends clear of your body and nearby objects. |
Step 2. Load the Backswing
| Action | What to do |
|---|---|
| Start the movement | Let the left arm work down as the right elbow folds. |
| Turn with it | Allow your body to match the arm movement. |
| Pause comfortably | Turn into the loaded backswing shown, keeping your hands separated along the pole. Stay within a comfortable range. |
Step 3. Work Down and In Front
| Action | What to do |
|---|---|
| Work down | Lower the left arm from the backswing. |
| Bring the right arm in front | Let the right arm work out in front as your body turns through. Keep your hands apart and rehearse the position shown. |
| Reset and repeat | Return under control. Count one backswing, return and reset as one rehearsal. |
Your 18-Rehearsal Challenge.
Our practice format: complete two sets of nine rehearsals, with a short rest between sets. Keep the pace comfortable enough to notice the movement. You do not need to make a bigger or faster swing to earn a point.
| Score | When to award it |
|---|---|
| 1 point | You complete the backswing, return and reset under control, with your arms and body moving together. |
| 0 points | You rush, lose control of the pole or skip the reset. |
Record one total out of 18. After the first set, choose one cue to carry into the second set. Compare the two sets for consistency rather than speed.
George’s Practice Tip.
Use the first nine rehearsals to settle into a repeatable routine. Then choose one cue — “arms and body together” — for the second nine. If you lose the feeling, stop, check your hand positions and begin the next attempt slowly. Write down the cue that helped so your next session has a clear starting point.
For a separate body-motion rehearsal, try the Pete Cowen Spiral Staircase Drill. You can also explore hand pressure with the Towel-Wringing Drill, or practise a release task with the Tennis Ball Drill.
