Baseball Golf Swing: Fix and 5 Step Drill Technique!

Baseball and golf are two of the most popular sports in the United States for both playing and watching. But what’s the deal with the approach to swinging a club and bat, respectively?

Well, as you might be aware, there are many similarities (and a few differences) between a baseball and a golf swing, but knowing how to execute one will almost certainly help you master the other.

With this in mind, we tell you everything we know about what people often refer to as the ‘baseball golf swing’ and provide you with some tips on transitioning from the baseball field to the golf course.

What Exactly is the Baseball Golf Swing?

The term ‘baseball golf swing’ is not actually a type of swing. When people talk of a baseball golf swing, they often mean that a player is looking to transition their baseball swing into a golf swing (or vice versa).

After all, if you approach a golf ball and execute a baseball swing without making any adjustments, you will hit an air shot.

But as we introduce throughout, there are many similarities between a baseball and golf swing, and you can undoubtedly use one to improve the other.

Can a Baseball Swing Work in Golf?

Although slight adjustments are required, you will find that a baseball swing can easily be translated into a successful golf swing. This is because the motion is similar, and the mechanics behind the swing are typically almost the same.

What’s more, both swings necessitate arm rotation through impact and finish with a full extension of both arms following the ball strike.

Players of both sports also emphasize the importance of the follow-through, and it certainly doesn’t pay to leave yourself short on the downswing!

If you’re happy to hire a coach to help you with some slight adjustments, you will find that your baseball swing provides the perfect foundation for golf and will undoubtedly help you with your ball striking.

Baseball Swing vs. Golf Swing: What’s the Difference?

As mentioned, a baseball and golf swing aren’t too far apart in terms of motion and execution, but there are some important distinctions that you need to consider. Perhaps the most obvious difference is that a baseball is moving when you’re setting up for your swing while a golf ball is stationary.

This means that a baseball swing needs to be more parallel to the ground to address and strike the ball in the correct position.

A golf swing, on the other hand, is more diagonal and on a tilted plane towards the ground.

You will also notice the different positions of each of the balls as you execute your swing.

A baseball is pitched a few feet off the floor for you to strike through, while a golf ball sits on the ground and needs to be lifted.

Fundamentally, this impacts the position of your club or bat, as lining up for a golf shot with your club in the air will almost certainly result in an air shot!

Is a Baseball Swing Bad for Golf?

Knowing how to execute an effective baseball swing can actually help you form a decent golf swing. So, if you’re a baseball player who has never picked up a golf club, you will find that transitioning into the sport is a lot easier than you might think.

As we’ve introduced, the reason for this is because there are so many similarities between the two swings, and perfecting one can undoubtedly help you with the other.

Players who enjoy both sports find that baseball really helps with hand-eye coordination and improves ball striking as a result.

Of course, you will have to tinker with your baseball swing if you want to transform it into a successful golf swing, but the fundamentals will undoubtedly help you and are likely to contribute to your overall game.

How to Fix a Baseball Swing in Golf?

Although most people will see their golf game benefit as a result, (including golfers whose aim is to break 100 on the golf course) of their ability to swing a baseball bat, not everyone will see it as an asset.

In some instances, players can try to hit the golf ball too hard, as a baseball swing tends to be performed at a much faster pace.

Equally, it can just take time to adapt to the new ball-striking position, as the point of impact between the two sports is different.

Here are some ways that you can fix a baseball swing if it’s affecting your golf game:

Consult a Pro

Golf pros and coaches work with players of all abilities to perfect their swings.

You will find that teaming up with a coach will help you make the transition from baseball to golf swing much more quickly and will help you eradicate any bad habits that you bring from one sport to the other.

Practice Often

To become proficient at any sport, you need to practice often and consistently.

When your coach has identified some areas that you need to work on to improve your baseball-style swing, it’s important that you get out on the range as often as you can to make the changes.

Perform a Drill

There are numerous drills you can perform out on the range to help you see the similarities (and differences) between a baseball and golf swing.

Ultimately, this will help you see where you need to make tweaks to your swing and which aspects you can use to your advantage. We introduce one such drill below.

Baseball Swing Golf Drill Technique to Try in 5 Steps

Given the similarities between a baseball and a golf swing, you can undoubtedly use one to help the other. For instance, working on your trajectory out on the course can help you ‘get in the slot’ and execute fuller, more complete golf swings.

Here is a simple baseball swing golf drill that you can try to improve your connection with the golf ball:

1. Start by making some swings where you take your driver over your right shoulder and swing level with the ground.
2. When you drop your club down to waist height, your forearm and the club should be in a matching position, square to the ground. This ensures you create sufficient lag on the downswing.
3. Next, execute a straight-line release, which sees you follow through on your downswing as you would when you’re making contact with a baseball.
4. The final step is to come back around, so the golf club finishes high behind your left shoulder, and you’re finishing on the front foot.
5. You should do between 20-30 reps, stopping at the necessary checkpoints each time.

This baseball golf drill will help you execute your drives off the tee and can easily be replicated when you change the plane of your shots.

While the drill is done in mid-air parallel to the ground, the same checkpoints apply when you’re driving through the golf ball.

Watch this YouTube video of the baseball golf swing drill:

How Do You Turn a Baseball Swing into a Golf Swing?

Turning a baseball swing into a proficient golf swing is not difficult. One of the most important things is to switch your focus from hitting a moving ball to a stationary ball, which can take some time to adjust.

Here are some general tips to help you change from baseball to golf:

Focus on where you want the ball to go

as opposed to merely hitting the ball itself. In golf, picturing the trajectory of your shot is a crucial part of the visualization process, so don’t forget to analyze your line and consider the ball flight before executing your swing.

Head position is key

In baseball, you’re looking towards the pitcher and standing square to the ball. In golf, you need to keep your head down and over the ball. Raising your head too quickly will cause you to shank or mishit the golf ball, so focus on keeping your head in the correct position.

Don’t try and rip the paint off the golf ball!

One of the things that so many golf coaches impress on their students is that slow and steady wins the race.

While PGA pros have an incredible swing speed, you don’t need to replicate Tiger Woods as you’re lining up your first drive.

Keep things steady until you master your motion and follow-through, and look to increase speed from then on.

These tips should help you adjust your baseball swing and have some success out on the golf course.

But as is the case with all beginner golfers, we would recommend hiring a coach to help you make some amendments to your swing and spend some time on YouTube familiarising yourself with some helpful drills that you can practice in your own time.

Try Out the Baseball Swing in Golf: Reduce Hooks or Slices!

As we’ve explored, there are more similarities than differences between a baseball and a golf swing.

If you’re looking to get into golf and have a grounding in baseball, you should have absolutely no issue with making the necessary adjustments.

If you’re struggling to amend your baseball swing and seem to slice or hook the ball erratically, it’s a good idea to hire a golf coach, as they will help you identify the changes that you need to make and ensure you can enjoy playing both sports simultaneously.