GOLF.AI • Nov 25, 2025

The Off-Season Swing Laboratory

For professional golfers, the off-season is the true laboratory. With no tournament pressure looming, it’s the crucial window for making tangible, sometimes drastic, changes to their game. This period goes far beyond the generic "off-season grind," offering a granular look at the technical, mental, and physical overhauls players undertake when the cameras are off.

A prime example is Graeme McDowell, who has been deconstructing his swing with technical precision. McDowell is working to "flatten out the pivot" and stay more "crunched over my right knee" in his backswing. This change is a direct counter to a tendency where his "left knee kick[s] underneath," causing him to stand up out of the shot—a fault known as early extension. It's a highly specific mechanical adjustment that fans rarely get to see in such detail.

On the mental and motivational side, Doug Ghim provides a compelling case study. Despite the disappointment of losing his PGA Tour card, Ghim finds encouragement in measurable progress. "I'm hitting it longer," he noted recently. "I think I hit an 8-iron into 15 today and that's something that I definitely couldn't do five, six years ago." This focus on tangible skill development is a powerful tool for players to maintain confidence even when tour results aren't validating their hard work.

Then there’s the physical component, embodied by Min Woo Lee's recent overhaul. Lee has intentionally "gained a lot of kilos" to get stronger, providing the physical foundation for a key swing change. His goal is to "stack over [his] left side through impact," a move common among elite ball-strikers that requires core and lower-body stability. Lee's transformation shows that rebuilding a swing often starts in the gym.

These glimpses into the off-season laboratory humanize the world's best players, revealing their vulnerabilities and their unwavering dedication to mastering their craft. It’s a testament to the athleticism and precision required to compete at the highest level.