Golf Tips: Trevino's Swing Secret

Many of us remember Lee Trevino as a flamboyant, fun-loving personality, but he was also among the greatest players ever. Jack Nicklaus called Trevino the greatest ballstriker of his time, who consistently called on his signature low, controlled fade to hit fairways and greens with regularity. Trevino was one of the few golfers who could successfully go head-to-head with Nicklaus on the golf course.

Before the two faced off in the final round of the 1971 US Open, Trevino pulled a plastic snake from his golf bag and threw it toward Nicklaus as a practical joke to break the tension of the moment. Trevino said at the time, “I need all the help I can get!” Then, Trevino beat Nicklaus by three strokes to capture the first of his six major championship victories.

According to Trevino, who once described pressure as “playing for five bucks when you only have two in your pocket”, there’s a distinct method to his consistent ballstriking. He sets up open, then swings his hands and arms down the target line, rather than following the line of his stance. “My secret is the back of my left hand. The back of the left hand mirrors the face of the club. So I just follow the ball down the line with my left hand to keep the ball on line.”

If you want better ballstriking and directional control, try extending your arms and the club down the line longer the way Lee Trevino does. It may help you become more consistent and more accurate.