Go From Amateur to Pro Ball Striking in 5 Minutes

Are your iron shots lacking power, accuracy, or consistency? You might be falling into one of the most common — and misunderstood — positions in the golf swing: what some coaches refer to as the “window of death.” In this post, we’ll break down what this means, why it’s hurting your game, and what you can do to fix it. Let’s dive in.

The Trouble with the “Window of Death”

Some players find themselves in a position during the downswing where the club shaft is level with the ground, and their trail elbow has drifted behind their body, with visible space between the arm and torso. This "window" creates a major issue — from this spot, there’s simply not enough room for the club to shallow and return to the ball properly.

As a result, players must manipulate the club with their hands and arms late in the swing, which can lead to weak contact, slices, or even chunks. Worse, many golfers don’t even know they’re doing it — or why it matters.

Why This Position Happens — And Why It’s So Common

You might be wondering, “How did I end up here in the first place?”

Great question. This flawed position can stem from several causes:

Mechanical compensations – Players with an open clubface often instinctively try to “save” the shot by pulling the trail arm behind, in hopes of squaring the face later.

Physical limitations – A lack of external rotation or mobility in the shoulders can contribute.

Conceptual misunderstandings – This might be the biggest culprit. Many golfers believe they need to “scoop” or help lift the ball into the air. But the club is designed to do that — with a 7-iron, even delofting the club still launches the ball high enough.

The truth? Trying to lift the ball often leads to players hanging back, stalling their rotation, and flipping their wrists. Instead, elite players strike the ball with a downward motion, allowing the club to do its job.

Developing the Right Feel: Throw vs. Pull

To generate clubhead speed effectively, you need more than just a fast throw. You need a strong pull before the throw — like cracking a whip. The harder the initial pull, the faster the tip (the clubhead) moves.

This is where most recreational golfers fall short. They often grip the club loosely, rely too much on hand action, and don’t generate enough early tension or sequence.

Drills to Eliminate the “Window of Death”

1. The Split-Hand Throw Drill

Setup:

Take an alignment stick or a golf club and flip it upside down. Use a split-hand grip — one hand high, one hand low.

Execution:

Swing the stick down to shaft-parallel in the downswing and abruptly stop the motion, focusing on pulling your hands downward quickly. You should hear a loud whoosh from the alignment stick.

Why it works:

This drill builds awareness of your hands’ position relative to your body. When done right, your hands will be lower and closer to your midline — just like great ball strikers.

2. The Dot Test with Video

Setup:

Grab your phone and a glove.

Execution:

Place a small dot on your glove hand and record your swing. Pause the video when the club shaft is parallel to the ground in the downswing.

What to look for:

If the glove logo is behind your back leg, you’re likely in the “window of death.” You want to see that dot move inside and down — in front of your back leg and below your belt line.

Bonus Tip:

Try combining this with the split-hand drill. You’ll start to feel how your arms and the club should unload underneath your body rather than behind it.

Conclusion: Close the Window, Unlock Your Swing

The next time you film your swing, don’t just look at your takeaway or finish — check that crucial downswing checkpoint. Avoiding the “window of death” is one of the most important improvements you can make, and it starts by changing how you think about impact.

Trust the loft. Strike down. Use your body. With a few simple drills and the right concept, you can finally take your ball striking to the next level.