If you’ve ever watched Tony Finau stand over a golf ball, you know the feeling. It’s that split second of confusion when he takes the club back. You expect a massive, John Daly-style arc from a guy who stands 6'4" and looks like he could dunk a bowling ball. Instead, he stops. His hands barely reach his shoulder. It looks like a punch shot—a "layup" with a driver.
Then the ball leaves the face at 190 mph.
Honestly, the Tony Finau golf swing is one of the most misunderstood moves in professional golf. People call it "truncated" or "abbreviated," as if he’s missing something. But in reality, Finau’s swing is a masterclass in biomechanical efficiency. He isn't sacrificing distance for control; he’s found a way to generate elite speed without the chaotic moving parts that plague the rest of us.
Let's look at why it works and why most amateurs are actually hurting their game by trying to swing "longer" than Tony.
The Myth of the "Short" Backswing
We’ve been told since we were kids that a long backswing equals more power. "Get the club parallel at the top!" your local pro might have shouted. But Tony Finau proves that length of arc is often just a distraction.
What most people miss is that while Tony’s arms stop early, his core rotation is massive. He gets a full 90-degree shoulder turn. Because his arms stay "pinned" to his chest, he stays perfectly connected. There’s no "slop" at the top. When your arms wander way past your shoulders, you have to spend the first half of your downswing just getting them back into position. Tony is already there.
✨ Don't miss: Duke Game Today Score: Why the Blue Devils Are the Most Dangerous Team in the ACC
In a practice session last year, Tony was seen opening up the throttle, reaching over 206 mph ball speed and carrying the ball 380 yards. He did this by lengthening his swing slightly, but he rarely does that in a tournament. Why? Because his "short" swing already averages over 300 yards. When you can hit it 310 in your sleep with a move that’s as repeatable as a chip shot, why would you ever change?
How He Generates That Speed
It’s all about the ground.
If you watch a 3D biomechanical breakdown—like those done by Sportsbox AI—you’ll see Tony’s "magic move." As soon as he starts back, he’s already loading into his trail side. But the real secret is the vertical force. Tony "squashes the bug" with his lead foot the moment he starts down. He’s essentially jumping off the ground at impact.
His height helps, sure. Long levers mean more tip speed at the end of the club. But it's the sequence that matters:
- A one-piece takeaway that keeps the club in front of his sternum.
- A massive chest turn while the arms stay quiet.
- A violent "bump" of the left hip to start the downswing.
- Total release through the ball with zero "steering."
Why You Should Probably Copy Him
Most amateurs suffer from "over-swinging." We think we need to reach for the sky to hit it far. What happens instead? The lead arm breaks down, the weight shifts onto the toes, and the club gets "stuck" behind the body.
The Tony Finau golf swing is the ultimate cure for the slice. By shortening the backswing, you've got fewer opportunities for the clubface to get out of position. You’re essentially trading a few yards of theoretical distance for a massive increase in "center-face" contact. And as any launch monitor will tell you, a centered strike with a 110 mph swing beats a toe-strike with a 120 mph swing every single time.
The "Sawed-Off" Iron Play
It’s not just the driver. Finau’s iron play has become legendary for its "stinger" quality. During the 2025 PGA Championship at Quail Hollow, he hit a 9-iron from the rough that covered 206 yards. Read that again. A 9-iron.
He does this by keeping the handle leaning forward at impact—way forward. This "de-lofts" the club, turning a 9-iron into the equivalent of a 7-iron in terms of launch angle, but with the control of a short club. He holds the finish low, almost like he’s playing in a 40-mph gale in Scotland. It’s incredibly stable.
🔗 Read more: Aaron Judge Signed Rookie Card: What Most People Get Wrong
Common Misconceptions About Finau’s Tech
One thing people get wrong is thinking Tony is "tight" or "stiff."
Actually, his grip pressure is surprisingly light. He’s mentioned in interviews that if you squeeze the club too hard, you can't release it. He lets the clubhead "whip" through the hitting zone. The "shortness" of the swing is a choice, not a physical limitation. He’s one of the most athletic guys on Tour; he could probably touch the back of his head with the clubhead if he wanted to. He just knows it’s a losing game.
The Actionable Takeaway for Your Next Round
If you want to find more fairways this weekend, try the "Finau Feel."
- The 3/4 Limit: On the range, try to make what feels like a half-swing. If you film it, you’ll likely see that your hands are actually at shoulder height—the "Finau Zone."
- Focus on the Core: Instead of lifting your arms, focus on turning your logo (on your shirt) away from the target. Let the arms just follow the chest.
- The Lead-Side Pump: As you transition, feel like you’re pushing your lead foot deep into the turf. That’s where the power lives.
- Hold the Finish: Notice how Tony stands tall and balanced. If you can’t hold your finish for three seconds, you swung too hard.
The reality is that Tony Finau has simplified a game that most people try to make way too complicated. He’s proven that you don't need a "perfect" looking, long-arc swing to be a world-class ball striker. You just need a repeatable one.
Next Steps for Your Game
📖 Related: Maradona La Mano de Dios: What Most People Get Wrong About That Goal
Go to the range and pull out your 7-iron. Try to hit it your normal distance with what feels like a waist-high backswing. You'll be shocked at how much cleaner the contact is when your arms aren't flying all over the place. Once you find that "connected" feeling, start applying it to your driver. You might lose 5 yards of "potential" distance, but you'll gain 30 yards of "real world" distance by actually hitting the fairway.