If you spend any time on Instagram or TikTok, you’ve seen it. That smooth, rhythmic motion that looks almost too effortless to be powerful. People love to argue about it. They say it’s just for show, or they claim it wouldn't hold up in a "real" tournament. Honestly? They’re mostly wrong.
The Paige Spiranac golf swing is a masterclass in biomechanical efficiency, even if the internet is too busy arguing about her outfits to notice the physics. We’re talking about a woman who was a top-20 junior in the world and played Division I golf at both the University of Arizona and San Diego State. You don't get there with a "fake" swing.
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But why does it look so different from the jerky, high-effort hacks we see at the local muni every Sunday?
The Gymnastics Secret Behind the Speed
Before she ever picked up a 7-iron, Paige was a competitive gymnast. She actually spent time at the Karolyi Ranch, training for the Olympics until a knee injury sidelined her. That’s not just a fun piece of trivia. It’s the literal foundation of how she moves.
Gymnasts have a level of pelvic and thoracic dissociation that most golfers would kill for. When you watch her backswing, her upper body coils against a remarkably stable lower half. This creates massive potential energy.
Most amateurs try to create power with their arms. They "hit" at the ball. Paige doesn't do that. She uses the ground. If you watch her feet at impact, there’s a distinct "jump" or thrust. This is ground reaction force in its purest form. She’s pushing into the turf to snap the clubhead through the zone. It’s why she can carry a driver 245 to 250 yards despite a relatively slender frame.
A Technical Breakdown: It’s All in the Legs
Let’s get nerdy for a second. Most instructors, like those who have analyzed her on the Lion Golf Academy or through the Butch Harmon lens, point to one specific thing: her leg work.
- The Squat: During the transition from the top of the swing, Paige has a subtle "sit" into her lead side. This lowers her center of gravity and shallows out the club.
- The Straight Lead Leg: By the time she hits impact, that left leg (for a righty) is post-straight. It acts as a brake, forcing all that rotational energy into the clubhead.
- The Width: She keeps the clubhead incredibly far from her body during the takeaway. This wide arc means the club has more distance to travel—and more time to pick up speed—before it hits the ball.
It’s a very "modern" swing. It’s built on the same principles used by guys like Rory McIlroy or Scottie Scheffler, emphasizing rotation and ground force rather than the old-school "slide and flip" method.
Dealing With the "Steep" Problem
Even pros have bad habits. Paige has been open about her tendency to get a bit "steep" on the downswing. When you get steep, the club comes down too vertically. This leads to those nasty slices or "heavy" shots where you take a divot the size of a beaver.
In a session with Steve Dresser, she actually shared a tip for fixing this that anyone can use. She uses side-hill lies—specifically where the ball is above your feet—to force the swing to shallow out. If you're too steep on a lie like that, you’ll just slam the club into the dirt way before the ball. It’s a natural corrective measure.
The Mental Game and the "Internet Invitational"
Golf is 90% mental, right? Well, try playing it with millions of people waiting for you to fail. Recently, at the "Internet Invitational" in late 2025, Paige found herself at the center of a massive controversy. She was accused of "improving her lie" in the rough.
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The incident left her visibly shaken, and she’s talked about the "worst hate" she’s ever received following that event. It’s a reminder that while the Paige Spiranac golf swing is technically sound, the pressure of being the world's most visible golf influencer adds a layer of difficulty most of us will never understand.
She’s basically playing under a microscope. Every frame of her swing is dissected by "keyboard coaches" who couldn't break 90 if their lives depended on it. Yet, her stats from the Cactus Tour and her D1 days don't lie. She’s a legitimate stick.
Why You Should Copy Her Tempo (Not Her Distance)
If you're looking to improve your own game, don't try to hit it as far as she does. You probably can't. Instead, look at her tempo.
There’s a 3:1 ratio in professional swings—the backswing takes three times as long as the downswing. Paige nails this. Even when she’s trying to "bomb" it, she never looks rushed. She waits for the club to set at the top.
Most of us get to the top and immediately yank the handle. We’re in a hurry to get back to the ball. Paige lets the transition happen naturally. Her hips start moving toward the target while the club is still technically moving backward. That "lag" is where the magic happens.
Practical Steps to "Paige-ify" Your Swing
You don't need a professional coach to start moving more efficiently. Here is how you can actually use these insights:
- Work on the "Wide" Takeaway: Next time you’re at the range, feel like your hands are as far from your right ear as possible at the top. This creates the width necessary for speed.
- Focus on the Lead Hip: Instead of thinking about "hitting" the ball, think about "clearing" your left hip. Pull it back and away from the ball as you start your downswing.
- The Uphill Lie Drill: If you’re a "slicer" who comes over the top, find a slope where the ball is above your feet. Practice hitting half-shots from there. Your body will naturally learn to swing more around you rather than up and down.
- Use Your Legs: Stop swinging with just your shoulders. Feel like you’re jumping off the ground at the moment of impact.
The Paige Spiranac golf swing works because it relies on athletic fundamentals, not "hacks." Whether she’s shooting a tutorial or competing in a high-stakes creator match, the mechanics remain consistent. She’s proven that you can be a "content creator" and a "ball striker" at the same time, even if the traditionalists hate to admit it.