Are you a dragger or a thrower? Weekend golfers tend to fall into one of two major swing-type categories. They’re either draggers or throwers. Throwers “throw” the clubface at the ball through the impact. They often hit super high shots and have a lot of carry to their shots. Think Greg Norman. Draggers “drag” the clubface through the impact zone. They hit lower shots than throwers and have better distance control. Think Hunter Mahan.
Both swing types work. In fact, you can find great golfers in both camps. Throwers include Ben Hogan and Annika Sorenstam. Draggers include Lee Trevino. While students in our golf instruction sessions have characteristics of both swing types, one swing type usually predominates. So if both work well, why determine which type you are? Because knowing which type you are can help you master the basics of your type, which will help you reduce your golf handicap.
Below we highlight each swing key characteristics and provide some golf tips on mastering each type.
Draggers
Draggers have more of a rotary way of swinging than throwers. That’s because they drag the clubface through impact by turning their bodies. Picture a hockey player shooting a puck. Draggers have somewhat steep swing planes and tend to create large divots. Since they’re more accurate than throwers, they tend to hit more fairways than throwers. Draggers play better in the wind or on firm fairways because their shots start low and stay low.
Draggers have a narrower takeaway with less extension than throwers. They also have minimal lateral movement and they keep their heads still throughout the swing. Draggers set their wrists early in the swing and keep them that way as long as possible. They also keep their weight centered over the ball. When they release the club at impact, they do it in tandem with a full body release. Their finishes look crisp and abbreviated, almost posed.
Throwers
The throwing method goes back a long way—almost to the inception of the game itself. But it is a far cry from the old Scottish idea of turning in a barrel. The throwing feeling is the result of an early uncocking of the wrists on the downswing. In addition to hitting moon shots off the tee, throwers tend to be long hitters. They create shallow divots or no divots at all. Throwers are better on courses where you need to hit long shots with a lot of carry.
Extension on the takeaway and minimal wrist cock is the key to this swing method. Another key is a slight lateral slide away from the target on the backswing—a great power move often taught in golf lessons. Throwers move their heads behind the ball and shift their weight to the right, creating a powerful, fully loaded position behind the ball. A significant sliding of the knees and hips forward usually accompanies the early uncocking of the wrists. Throwers release the club fully and roll their forearms over.
Determining Your Swing Method
To determine which swing method works best for you, go to a range and hit 10 balls using the throwing method and 10 balls using the dragging method. Whichever way feels most comfortable—and results in longer straighter shots—is the best method for you. Once you’ve determined your swing method, look for golf tips that can help you master it and then work on them. Mastering the right swing method will help boosts your game to a whole new level and lower your golf handicap.