Golf Swing Analysis: Invisible Forces
How Lateral Force, Torque, and Vertical Force Shape an Elite Golf Swing
ATX Golf Performance — Austin, Texas
Golf looks simple from the outside: swing the club, hit the ball.
But inside every powerful, repeatable swing is a world of invisible forces—pressures, rotations, and ground reactions you can’t see with the naked eye.
Elite golfers use the ground better than anyone else. They generate force in three dimensions—lateral, rotational (torque), and vertical—and sequence those forces at precisely the right time. When these forces fire in balance, you get effortless speed, crisp ball-striking, and the feeling that the swing is doing the work for you.
Today we’re putting the spotlight on the most misunderstood of the three: lateral force.
What Is Lateral Force?
Lateral force is the side-to-side pressure shift your body applies into the ground during the swing. Think of it as the force that drives you from trail side to lead side.
It happens early.
It happens fast.
And it sets the stage for nearly everything else.
When elite players load into their trail leg in the backswing, they create a small amount of lateral pressure to the trail side. Then, before the club even finishes the backswing, they push laterally toward the lead side to initiate the downswing. This early shift organizes the kinematic sequence—lower body first, then torso, then arms, then club.
Without a well-timed lateral move, the rest of the swing becomes a compensation act.
How Lateral Force Drives Torque (Rotational Force)
Torque is the twisting force created when your lead foot and trail foot push in opposite directions. It’s what helps you “turn the corner” and rotate through the ball without spinning out.
Here’s the connection:
1. Lateral force starts the chain
The shift to the lead side moves your center of pressure toward your lead foot. As this happens, the pressure difference between the feet creates an opportunity to push in opposite rotational directions.
2. Torque peaks after the lateral shift
On a Smart2Move or Swing Catalyst force-plate graph, elite players typically show:
Early lateral peak (P4–P5 area)
Mid-downseing torque peak (P5–P6)
Late vertical peak (P6–P7)
If lateral force is late or weak, torque has nothing to build from.
If lateral force is early and strong, torque can fire naturally.
3. Good lateral movement prevents “stalling”
Most amateurs fail to generate torque because they never fully shift to the lead side. Instead, they spin on their back foot or “hang back,” which kills rotation and forces the arms to take over.
A clean lateral bump allows the pelvis to open, the torso to unwind, and the club to shallow.
How Lateral Force Sets Up Vertical Force
Vertical force is the upward push into the ground that helps create clubhead speed through extension and posting up the lead leg.
Important:
You cannot use vertical force properly unless you’re already on your lead side.
Here’s the sequence in elite players:
1. Lateral → 2. Rotational Torque → 3. Vertical
The lead side shift (lateral) creates the platform to:
apply rotational force (torque),
stabilize the lead leg,
and finally “push off” the ground vertically for speed.
If you try to jump or extend without being on your lead side, you lose stability and early-extend or stand up.
A common mistake
Amateurs try to “jump” too early.
Pros shift laterally before they push vertically.
This is why an elite swing looks powerful yet stable—they’re pushing up only after they’ve shifted over.
What Elite Lateral Force Patterns Look Like
Force-plate data from tour players consistently show the same pattern:
Load trail side (backswing)
Subtle shift to the trail foot
~60–70% pressure depending on style
Early, fast shift to lead side (transition)
Pressure moves to 70–80% on lead foot by P5
This happens before the club starts down significantly
Stabilize + rotate (mid-downswing)
Torque rises as the pelvis opens
Lead foot begins resisting rotational force
Post up + push vertically (late downswing)
Vertical force peaks near P6–P7
Clubhead speed accelerates through impact
Trail foot often goes into plantar flexion or even lifts
If you watch Rory, Scottie, Nelly Korda, Rahm, Morikawa—this pattern is identical even though their swings look different.
Why Most Amateurs Struggle With Lateral Force
Here are the common breakdowns:
1. Not shifting early enough
Late lateral shift → late torque → no vertical force → arms take over.
2. Sliding instead of shifting
If your hips drift too far target-side, you lose the ability to rotate.
3. Hanging back
Fear of shifting leads players to stay on the trail side too long.
This causes fat shots, thin shots, and loss of speed.
4. Mis-timing the sequence
Even if the player moves correctly, doing it at the wrong time changes everything.
Simple Drills to Train Proper Lateral Force
1. The “Step Into It” Drill
Start with feet together → step toward target as you start the downswing.
Trains: early pressure shift + dynamic movement.
2. Lead-Side Wall Bump
Stand with your lead hip an inch from a wall.
In transition, bump the hip into the wall—but do not slide along it.
Trains: shift without over-sliding.
3. Trail-Foot Pullback
Set your trail foot slightly behind and pulled back.
Forces you to pressure lead side earlier and easier.
Trains: sequence + early shift.
4. Vertical Force Timing Drill
After shifting, feel yourself “posting up” on the lead side.
Push vertically only once you feel stable.
Trains: sequence of lateral → torque → vertical.
The Invisible Forces Are the Secret to Effortless Power
At ATX Golf Performance, we measure these forces with advanced 3D and force-plate technology so you can see what your body is actually doing. When players learn to control the invisible forces—especially lateral pressure—they unlock:
✔ cleaner contact
✔ more speed with less effort
✔ consistent ball flight
✔ better rotation
✔ less back pain and fewer compensations
✔ a swing that holds up under pressure
Most golfers don’t need more “swing thoughts.”
They need better force patterns.
Lateral force is where that journey begins.
Ready to Find Your Invisible Forces?
Book a Swing Analysis Session at ATX Golf Performance.
We’ll measure:
Lateral force
Torque
Vertical force
Center of pressure trace
Kinematic sequence
3D body motion
And show you the exact changes that will transform your swing.