pathpal Golf Drill Vault

Vertical push and speed drill

Q: What is the vertical push in the golf swing?

The vertical push is the feeling of pressing into the ground with the lead side and then “posting up” through the lead leg as you move through impact. Done well, it helps the lead hip move back and away, creates room for the arms and club, and allows the golfer to use the ground for speed instead of relying only on the hands and arms. Titleist/TPI describes this as shifting pressure into the lead leg while the lead-side glute moves back as the golfer drives off the ground.

Q: How does straightening the lead leg help create more power?

Straightening the lead leg can help convert pressure into rotation and speed. In simple terms, the lead leg acts like a braking and pushing post: as the golfer pushes into the ground, the hips can clear, the body can rotate more efficiently, and energy can transfer up through the body into the club. Research on skilled golfers notes that the downswing is initiated from the ground up, with energy transferred through the kinetic chain to the clubhead.

Q: How does the PathPal Vertical Push Drill work?

The drill uses one alignment stick set in the PathPal at about a 30-degree angle just outside the golfer’s lead leg. For a right-handed golfer, that means outside the left leg; for a left-handed golfer, outside the right leg. The goal is to make slow swings without letting the lead knee collapse inward into the stick. Instead, the golfer feels the lead leg straighten, the lead hip move back and away, and the body push vertically through impact.

Q: Can this drill help reduce early extension?

Yes. Early extension happens when the pelvis moves toward the ball too soon, which can crowd the arms and force compensations through impact. The PathPal Vertical Push Drill helps by giving the lead knee and hip a clear external reference: avoid the stick, keep the lead side from collapsing inward, and push the lead hip back and away. That movement pattern supports better posture, more space through impact, and a more efficient lower-body action.

Q: Will this drill increase clubhead speed?

It can help golfers learn a movement pattern associated with better speed production, especially if they currently lose power by collapsing the lead knee, sliding, or early extending. Ground-pressure systems track vertical ground reaction force, which is essentially how and when a golfer pushes into the ground; strong, well-timed vertical force is associated with clubhead speed, timing, and balance. The key is timing: the goal is not to jump up early, but to push through the lead side while keeping space and rotating through impact.

Straighten Your Lead Leg for Power

Sticks 1 Config Together Focus Full Swing

Drill Objective

This drill utilizes a single alignment stick placed at a 30-degree angle in the pathpal just outside the lead leg. The goal is to prevent the lead knee from collapsing inward towards the rod during the downswing and impact. Instead, the focus is on straightening the lead leg to create a powerful vertical push, moving the left hip back and away, which in turn helps reduce early extension and increase club head speed. Practice swings are recommended to ingrain the feel of pushing off the ground and away from the rod.

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Practice Plan

Set it up. Run the drill. Know what to feel.

Use the steps below to build the same station every time, then make focused reps with clear feedback.

Set Up

Place the pathpal on the ground just outside your lead leg (left leg for right-handed golfers, right leg for left-handed golfers)
Angle the pathpal at approximately 30 degrees relative to your lead leg. The top of the stick should point slightly away from you
Take your normal golf address position, ensuring the Path Pal is positioned correctly and doesn't interfere with your backswing

Run The Drill

Make several slow practice swings, focusing on the feeling of your lead leg straightening as you come through impact.
Concentrate on pushing your left hip back and away from the target.
Crucially, ensure your lead knee does not collapse into or touch the pathpal. The goal is to stay away from the rod.
Once you're comfortable with the feel from the practice swings, set up to hit a golf ball.
As you swing through impact, maintain the focus on straightening your lead leg and pushing your left hip back and away.
Actively avoid letting your lead knee move into or touch the pathpal.
Notice the sensation of vertical push and how it contributes to your swing.

Proof From Practice

What golfers are saying

Real feedback from golfers and coaches using this drill in practice.

"Countless how many applications you can use for it"

"Million different ways to use this to help your golf game. I'm really enjoying using it with my students and I hope you grab one and use it as well."

"[the pathpal has] really improved my teaching and it's really helped my students a lot"

Drill FAQ

Questions About This Drill

Get clear answers on setup, swing feel, common mistakes, and how to get the most out of this pathpal drill.

PowerWhat is the vertical push in the golf swing?

SpeedHow does straightening the lead leg help create more power?

SetupHow does the PathPal Vertical Push Drill work?

PostureCan this drill help reduce early extension?

DistanceWill this drill increase clubhead speed?

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Prefer to read it? Full Video TranscriptOpen the transcript to review the complete drill walkthrough in text form.

Hi everyone! I’m Cody Carter, Head of Player Development at Druid Hills Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia. I use pathpal with my players to help them develop better "feel" and find the positions necessary for a more powerful golf shot.

The Vertical Push Drill

Many golfers struggle with low shots because they aren't effectively pushing off the ground. Instead, they get onto their lead side with a "soft" lead leg through impact, which kills their power and speed. This station is designed to fix that.

The Setup:

Set your pathpal to a 30-degree angle.
Position the station just outside your lead leg.

The Goal:
As you come down into impact, your goal is to let that lead leg straighten. This movement helps push the left hip back and away, which achieves two things:

Fixes Early Extension: Keeps your posture maintained through the ball.
Creates Vertical Push: Generates more leverage from the ground, leading to increased clubhead speed.

Practice Tip:
Take a few slow practice swings first. You want to avoid the lead knee collapsing into the alignment rod. Focus on staying away from the rod as you rotate through the shot to maximize your speed.

Transcript lightly edited for clarity.

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Vertical push and speed drill

Drill Objective