Most golfers get stuck between the backswing and downswing. They complete the backswing, pause, then try to start the club down with their arms and shoulders. The result is often a loss of sequence, reduced speed, and inconsistent contact.
After teaching more than 100,000 lessons, Top 50 instructor Don Peterson developed a simple solution drawn from baseball: the Pickle Drill.
In baseball, a “pickle” (or rundown) forces a runner to start and stop rapidly while changing directions. That same athletic feeling of planting, bracing, and reversing direction creates the sequential, ground-up motion great golf swings require.
Why the Transition Matters
The change of direction is where power and timing are either created or destroyed. When the lower body leads, the club can lag and then release with centrifugal force. When the upper body leads, the sequence collapses.
Peterson’s insight is that the start of the downswing should feel almost like running into a wall with the trail leg, bracing, and immediately pushing the other way.
How to Perform the Pickle Drill
- Set up in a balanced athletic posture — weight distributed evenly, not perched on the balls of the feet.
- Simulate the backswing weight shift — Feel momentum moving into the trail leg (right leg for a right-handed golfer). The head stays relatively stable; the pressure builds on the inside of the trail foot and into the trail hip and knee.
- Plant and brace — Sense the trail leg becoming a solid post, similar to putting weight on a bat standing upright so it can support load.
- Change direction explosively — Immediately push off the trail side and transfer toward the lead side while rotating. Finish tall and balanced.
- Add the club gradually — Once the lower-body sequence feels natural, introduce a short swing or full swing while preserving the same ground-up transition.
The key sensation is “rock and fire” — a rhythmic loading and unloading that starts from the ground rather than the arms.
What Happens When You Get It Right
- The hips begin the downswing while the club is still going back or just changing direction.
- The head stabilizes naturally because the body is rotating around a braced lower body instead of sliding or spinning out of control.
- Sequence improves, creating more lag and a more efficient release.
- Many golfers report better rhythm and the feeling that the club is being “thrown” by the body rather than manipulated by the hands.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Trying to keep the head perfectly still by freezing the entire body.
- Shifting weight purely laterally without the brace and change-of-direction feeling.
- Starting the downswing with the arms or shoulders before the lower body has planted and reversed.
How This Fits the Miyagi For Golf Method
The Pickle Drill is part of a larger philosophy: train the athletic movement first, often without a club or ball, then layer in the golf-specific elements. Peterson’s system uses simple, relatable drills (many drawn from baseball, basketball, and everyday movement) so students build correct sequence before they ever worry about hitting a ball perfectly.
This approach reduces the negative feedback loop that occurs when golfers practice flawed motions on the range for years.
Practice Suggestions
- Perform the drill slowly without a club for 1–2 minutes to groove the feeling.
- Progress to half-swings with a mid-iron, focusing only on the transition.
- Film yourself from face-on to check that the lower body is leading the change of direction.
- Combine it with other Miyagi For Golf sequence drills for full integration.
Watch the original teaching:
The Pickle Drill – Swing Factory Golf Training (YouTube)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pickle Drill in golf?
A weight-transfer and change-of-direction drill inspired by a baseball rundown that teaches golfers to start the downswing from the ground up.
Who developed the Pickle Drill?
PGA Top 50 instructor Don Peterson as part of the Miyagi For Golf system.
Does the Pickle Drill help with power?
Yes. Better sequence and ground force typically increase clubhead speed and improve consistency.
Ready to Train the Full System?
Want the complete sequence system with progressive drills and training tools delivered to your home? Explore the full Miyagi For Golf online course or book in-person instruction in the Atlanta area.