Understanding Trail Side vs Lead Side Golf Patterns

Explore the key differences between trail side and lead side golf swing patterns and how they affect your game.

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Introduction to Golf Swing Patterns

Understanding the differences between trail side and lead side golf swing patterns is crucial for any golfer looking to enhance their game. These two distinct approaches to swinging can significantly affect your power, accuracy, and overall performance. In this article, we will break down the characteristics of each pattern, using examples from the legendary Ben Hogan and long drive champion Kyle Berkshire to illustrate the differences.

What is a Trail Side Pattern?

A trail side pattern is characterized by a few key elements:

Stronger Grip: Players typically have a stronger grip, which influences the way they coil around their trail leg.
Trail Hand Dominance: The trail hand plays a more dominant role in the swing.
Shorter, Compact Swing: This pattern often results in a shorter, more compact swing.
Pivotal Movement: The pivot occurs more on the trail leg, similar to a high-leverage motion in baseball.

Additionally, trail side players tend to hit off the back foot, using their body as a lever to generate power. This is a crucial aspect of their swing dynamics.

What is a Lead Side Pattern?

In contrast, a lead side pattern features:

Weaker Grip: Players generally have a weaker grip, which affects their ability to generate power.
Lead Hand Dominance: The lead hand is more dominant in this swing style.
Lateral Shift: There is a significant lateral shift toward the lead side during the downswing.
Centered Head Movement: The head tends to remain more centered or even moves slightly forward during the swing.

In a lead side pattern, players are likely to pivot on their lead hip, which can sometimes lead to less power compared to the trail side approach.

Comparing Ben Hogan and Kyle Berkshire

To understand these concepts better, let’s examine the swings of Ben Hogan and Kyle Berkshire. Hogan, known for his classic swing, exemplifies the lead side pattern:

His grip is weak, with the right hand pointing towards his left ear.
As he swings down, his head remains centered, allowing for a strong pivot off the lead hip.

On the other hand, Kyle Berkshire represents the trail side pattern:

His grip is very strong, with his right hand angled towards his right shoulder.
During his downswing, Kyle makes a significant lateral move but maintains the position of his head, allowing for an explosive release of power.

Key Differences in Downswing Dynamics

The primary distinction between the two patterns becomes evident during the downswing:

In Hogan's case, as he transitions to the downswing, he stays centered and pivots around his lead hip, which aids in pulling through the shot.
Conversely, Kyle's head moves back dynamically, utilizing the weight of his head to create leverage and power, effectively snapping his hands forward.

This head movement is crucial for generating speed and power in the trail side pattern, while Hogan's centered approach emphasizes control and accuracy.

Finding Your Pattern

If you're struggling with your swing, understanding whether you naturally align with a trail side or lead side pattern is essential. Many golfers find themselves in a

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