Eric Cogorno is an American golf coach whose YouTube channel, Eric Cogorno Golf, is packed with clear, drill-based lessons. He’s particularly good on rotation and on the “feels” that help golfers change a habit.
His video “PERFECT Tempo And Rhythm | 8 Strategies”, published in April 2022, is a great one-stop guide to rushing. It runs to around 14 minutes and covers both technique and the mental side of tempo.
DE-SHANK isn’t affiliated with Eric Cogorno, and nothing here suggests he endorses our app.
The eight strategies, in brief
Here’s our summary of what Cogorno covers. For his full explanations, please watch the original.
- Be aware of the 3:1 ratio, but feel 1:1. Cogorno acknowledges that good swings measure at about three to one, backswing to downswing (a ratio popularised by John Novosel’s Tour Tempo). But he suggests you feel one to one: a continuous motion back and through, without consciously accelerating.
- Go from point A to point B. Rather than focusing on hitting at the ball, feel that you’re swinging from the top of the backswing straight to the finish, with nothing in between.
- Keep the same rhythm with every club. He notes the tendency to add speed with longer clubs, and suggests feeling the same tempo from wedge to driver.
- Grip pressure. He doesn’t believe in a perfect number, but suggests starting at about 5 out of 10 and, crucially, keeping it constant. He often sees it increase during the takeaway or the downswing.
- Breathing. In through the nose, out through the mouth, especially in your pre-shot routine.
- A relaxed jaw. He links tension in the jaw and face to tension in the swing.
- Continuous motion. His practice swings never stop: back, through, back, through.
- The leapfrog drill. His favourite. More on this below.
The leapfrog drill
Cogorno saves the best until last. With a 7- or 8-iron:
- Hit the first ball with a full but very slow swing, as short as you can.
- Hit each next ball about 20 yards past the previous one.
- Keep going until you reach a full-effort swing.
Somewhere along the way, he says, you’ll find a speed that feels smooth and repeatable, usually one level below your maximum. That’s your rhythm. He adds that it’s also an excellent distance-control game.
He also makes the point that some players have quick tempos and some slow, and both can work. What matters is keeping the rhythm consistent on both sides of the swing.
The ones we’d start with
All eight are useful, but if you’re short on time, we’d try these three first:
Constant grip pressure
It’s simple, it costs nothing, and as Cogorno says, it can feel very different if you’re used to squeezing the club.
Same rhythm, every club
Many club golfers have a good wedge tempo and a rushed driver tempo. Fixing that alone can transform your long game.
The leapfrog drill
It turns a vague idea, “find your rhythm”, into a clear, measurable exercise.
How to practise it
Here’s a 30-minute session based on the video:
- Continuous practice swings (2 minutes). Back and through without stopping.
- Grip pressure check (10 balls). Start at 5 out of 10 and keep it there.
- Leapfrog drill (10 to 15 balls). Work up from slowest to full speed.
- Club ladder (12 balls). Four balls each with a wedge, a 7-iron and a driver at the same rhythm.
Measure it
The club ladder is where DE-SHANK helps most. Record your swings with each club and compare your tempo scores. If your driver tempo drops compared with your wedge, you’ve found your project. You’ll also see head movement, hip sway and posture change scores. Read more about how it works.
DE-SHANK gives estimates from one camera view. It’s designed for practice feedback, to help you spot habits and track trends.
For more tempo drills, see our Coaching Tips section.
Why we like this video
It’s comprehensive without being complicated, and it recognises that tempo is as much about tension and breathing as it is about mechanics. Find more on the Eric Cogorno Golf channel.
Browse more profiles in our YouTube Coaches section.
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