How to Finish Your Golf Swing Like a Pro

July 2, 2025 Charles C. Elliott

If you dream of playing golf like a pro, then learning how to finish your golf swing like a pro is absolutely essential. A lot of golfers are fixated on the beginning of their swing; however, how you finish your swing can often indicate how good your shot was. In fact, a good finish is a sure sign your swing is balanced and powerful.

What We Cover In this Post

Why the Finish Position Matters

But before we get into the nuts and bolts, let’s talk about why the finish of your golf swing matters:

It indicates that your swing was in rhythm.
It helps you keep your balance and prevents injuries.
It’s a sign that you’re controlling the ball and swinging with power.
It also brings style and confidence to your play.

Looking the part is not just about superficial appearance, it’s about the right torque and holding of many points during your swing.

Step by Step: How to Finish Your Golf Swing Like a Pro

Stay Even-Keeled Throughout

Balance is everything. Your weight should shift from the back foot to the front foot when you swing your club. At the end of the swing, keep most of your weight on your front leg (left leg, right-handed golfers). You should be strong — not leaning or falling over.

Tip: Picture yourself at the end of a swing, hanging in midair and holding that position for 3 seconds without tipping over. You’ve got the balance, then, you’re good.

Point the Chest Towards the Target

In the follow-through, your chest must complete a rotation to face the direction the ball is supposed to go. This helps ensure that you have rotated your body enough during your swing.

Pro tip: If your chest is still pointing to the side after your swing, you didn’t rotate far enough. Attempt to complete the move with your belly button and chest facing the flag or target.

Lift Your Back Foot Naturally

In a good finish, your back foot (right foot for righties) lifts up onto its toes. The ball of your foot is the only part in contact with the floor. If your heel is down, you have not turned or shifted your weight all the way in the new direction.

Tip: Don’t force the lift. I earned that match because of how I hit; let it happen naturally as you are turning through the ball.

Long Club and Behind Your Head

You almost never see the club up behind them or pointing behind them. Because they finished the swing and didn’t stop short.

Tip: Try to complete a full circle with your arms and club, finishing behind your head or upper back.

Stay Relaxed

But while a pro’s swing may appear powerful, it is also relaxed and fluid. You should not experience shoulder, arm, or hand stiffness or tightness. Tension can sabotage your rhythm and leave you off balance.

Tip: Practice in front of a mirror. If your finish looks Homeric and you’re not wrenching your arm out of its socket, you’re doing fine.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some of the things that are missing from your swing that is preventing you from playing like a professional:

Stopping the swing Too soon: Complete the swing (don’t just hit the ball and stop).
Failing to find balance: If you can’t stay balanced, don’t swing that hard.
Body not turned enough: Shift your whole body, not just your arms.
Finishing Pinning the finish: Allow the body to work down the ball until it is in the finishing position.

Drills to work on your finish

Practice these simple drills to clean up your golf swing finish:

Freeze Drill: After each swing, freeze in your finish for 3 seconds. Lean back and look for your balance and the position of your body.
Mirror Drilling: Drill in front of a mirror to ensure your form is correct.
Slow-motion swings: Take a full swing in slow motion, and feel every part of the motion.

These drills will work on training your muscles and your mind to finish like a pro every time.

How you finish your golf swing like a pro isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about playing better golf. Good finish — Indicates you had good balance, completed your rotation, and timed things just right. Whether you’re a novice or a near-scratch golfer, adding a strong finish can help you take your game to the next level.