Jimmy Demaret occupies a singular role in golf history-not just as a three‑time Masters champion, but as an early architect of techniques that closely resemble today’s evidence-based instruction. His ideas on swing mechanics, putting, and driving fused creativity with careful analysis, producing a motion that held up under pressure and a scoring mindset ideally suited to tournament golf. For modern players looking to eliminate swing faults, steady their putting, and gain both distance and control off the tee, Demaret’s philosophy remains a clear, structured template grounded in biomechanics and data-like thinking.This article explores the essential pillars of Demaret’s approach-his grip and setup concepts, the hallmark “Demaret Loop” in his swing, and his systematic way of handling putting and driving. By reformulating these ideas into practical,stepwise adjustments,it offers golfers concrete methods to identify and fix recurring technical problems. The objective is not to copy Demaret’s aesthetics,but to extract the underlying principles that help players of all standards develop greater repeatability,efficiency,and strategic discipline across every part of the game.
Biomechanical Foundations of the Jimmy Demaret Golf Swing for Consistent Ball Striking
At the heart of Demaret’s motion is a body-led, sequenced swing designed for reliable contact rather than last‑second hand manipulation. From a biomechanics standpoint, it starts at address: feet set roughly shoulder‑width apart, weight slightly favoring the balls of the feet with a modest lead‑side bias (around 55% lead / 45% trail for irons), and a neutral spine tilt in the region of 25-35° from vertical, depending on the club. Demaret preferred a loose, athletic posture that allowed unhindered rotation of shoulders, hips, and knees around a consistently maintained spine angle. Newer players should feel as though the chest is “covering” the ball without slumping the back; advanced golfers should focus on preserving that spine angle throughout the backswing and through impact to stabilize low point and strike. Use these swift checkpoints before each shot to reinforce this base:
- Grip pressure: Around 4-5 on a 10‑point scale, encouraging natural wrist hinge and predictable clubface behavior.
- Ball position: Slightly forward of center with mid‑irons, one ball back for wedges, and just inside the lead heel with the driver.
- Alignment: Feet, knees, hips, and shoulders generally parallel to the target line for a stock shot, shifting to slightly closed only when you intentionally want to draw the ball.
These address fundamentals form the steady platform Demaret relied on to deliver repeated center‑face strikes in varying conditions and under championship pressure.
Demaret’s swing timing showcases effective kinetic chain usage: power begins in the ground, moves through the legs and hips, and finally transfers to the hands and clubhead at impact. On the backswing, he created a full yet controlled shoulder turn of about 80-90° against a more restrained hip turn of roughly 35-45°, building elastic tension between upper and lower body while maintaining flex in the trail knee.His club tracked on a neutral plane, with the shaft near parallel to the target line at the top on standard full swings. To ingrain this dynamic but repeatable pattern, use these drills:
- Feet‑together drill: Hit half‑swings with your feet touching to enhance balance, centered rotation, and strike quality.Work toward 7 of 10 cleanly struck shots before widening the stance.
- Pause‑at‑the‑top drill: Make a full backswing, pause for one second, then swing through. This reinforces correct sequence-lower body starts the downswing, not the hands.
- Impact‑line drill: Place an alignment stick just outside the ball on the target line and focus on tracing the clubhead along the stick through impact. This helps counter early extension and over‑the‑top moves.
On the course, Demaret’s reliable sequencing let him lower ball flight into the wind or increase height for receptive greens simply by tweaking ball position and release tempo instead of swinging harder. Recreational golfers can mirror this by setting a measurable objective, such as finishing in the same balanced pose on at least 8 out of 10 swings, irrespective of club.
Demaret’s biomechanics naturally carried into his short game and course management,where fine body control translated directly into scoring. Around the greens he liked a shallow, torso-driven chipping motion: minimal wrist hinge, a modest lead‑side weight bias (60-70%), and a narrow stance that placed the sternum slightly ahead of the ball. This encourages ball‑first contact and predictable rollout. For a standard chip‑and‑run, lean the shaft 5-10° toward the target, choose a lower‑lofted club such as an 8‑ or 9‑iron, and use a putting‑style motion powered by shoulders and chest. Strategically, Demaret favored the simplest mechanical solution: in doubt, pick the shot that stays on the ground longer and spends less time in the air, especially in wind or under pressure. To embed this thinking, practice with the following drills:
- One‑club ladder drill: Using a single wedge, land shots on targets at 5, 10, and 15 yards while keeping tempo constant and adjusting only swing length. Record how many out of 10 finish within a club‑length of each target.
- Lie‑based decision drill: From fairway, light rough, and tight lies, alternate between a lofted pitch and a lower chip. Track up‑and‑down percentage to understand when each option best suits your game.
- Mental routine: Before each scoring shot, commit to one focused cue, such as “rotate through, quiet hands”, echoing Demaret’s smooth, unhurried style under pressure.
when these biomechanical keys are linked with smart club selection, awareness of wind, firmness of greens, and pin locations, golfers at every level can turn Demaret‑inspired technique into lower scores and more dependable ball striking from tee to green.
evidence Based Adjustments to Fix Common swing Faults in the Demaret Method
Within a Demaret-style framework,the first targeted adjustment addresses the clubface‑to‑path relationship,a dominant cause of hooks and slices. Modern tools-high‑speed video or launch monitors-let players see whether curvature comes mainly from face angle or path issues (for example, face angle within ±2° of target and path within ±3°). Demaret’s emphasis on a relaxed,athletic address can be updated by recommending a neutral grip,with the lead hand showing 2-3 knuckles and the trail‑hand “V” aiming between chin and trail shoulder,limiting needless face rotation. To correct an out‑to‑in slice pattern, adopt a slightly closed stance (lead foot pulled back 2-4 cm) while keeping the shoulders square, then rehearse a shallower downswing by keeping the trail elbow closer to the ribcage through impact. To reduce a hook,narrow the stance by 2-3 cm,soften the grip to a slightly weaker position (1-2 visible knuckles),and promote a more body‑driven release,with chest and belt buckle finishing fully facing the target. Demaret’s preference for rythm over brute force matches well with a 3:1 backswing‑to‑downswing tempo drill: use a metronome or counting (“one‑two‑hit”) while striking half‑speed shots and evaluating ball flight after each adjustment.
Another widespread fault-fat and thin contact tied to poor low‑point control-can be improved by blending Demaret’s smooth weight‑shift concepts with current ground‑force insights. The aim is to position the low point of the swing arc just 3-5 cm ahead of the ball with irons. From a stable setup (55-60% of weight on the lead side,ball slightly forward of center with a 7‑iron),the player should feel pressure move into the trail heel at the top and back into the lead forefoot at impact. To make this objective, lay an alignment stick or small towel 5-7 cm behind the ball: clean contact happens when the club hits the ball without touching the object. Demaret’s preference for soft arms works well with a modest forward shaft lean (hands 2-4 cm ahead of the ball at address for irons) to promote a descending blow. These level‑specific drills can help:
- Beginner: Make waist‑high swings brushing the turf, ensuring the divot consistently starts in front of a line marked on the ground.
- Intermediate: Hit sets of 10 balls to a 100‑yard target focusing only on low‑point location, logging fat, thin, and solid shots to track betterment.
- Low handicap: Use a launch monitor to hold attack angle around −4° to −6° with mid‑irons and refine divot direction to match your intended start line.
By rehearsing these corrections on wet turf, tight lies, and into or downwind approaches, golfers learn to adjust ball position and shaft lean while preserving the same low‑point goal.
Demaret’s strategic insight is even more valuable when applying evidence‑based short‑game and course‑management adjustments to fix recurring scoring leaks. For golfers who frequently leave chip shots too long or short, the fix begins with standardizing carry distance using a compact, repeatable motion. With a sand or gap wedge and Demaret’s preferred soft‑hands style, set the handle slightly ahead of the ball, keep 60-70% of the weight on the lead side, and use a “clock system” in which chest‑high backswings produce consistent carries (such as, 10:30 swing length = 20-25 yards; 9:00 = 10-15 yards). On the practice green, create landing zones with tees at 5‑yard intervals and calibrate each wedge, recording distances to build a personalized matrix. To correct poor tactical choices-such as firing at tucked flags from thick rough-apply Demaret’s conservative‑aggressive rule: pick the highest‑percentage target based on lie quality, wind, and hazards, often aiming at the wide part of the green, then relying on a precise pitch or lag putt. Helpful routines include:
- Pre‑shot checklist: evaluate lie (good/average/poor), wind direction, carry vs. roll, and safest miss side.
- Equipment choice: Choose more loft and a softer ball for high, quick‑stopping shots, or less loft and running chips when greens are firm and fast.
- mental focus: Stick to a single swing thought (e.g., “smooth tempo” or “clip the grass”) to avoid overload.
By blending Demaret’s emphasis on rhythm and visualization with modern data-shot dispersion, strokes‑gained, and proximity metrics-golfers can transform technical improvements into measurable scoring gains, shown by fewer penalties, more greens in regulation, and better up‑and‑down rates.
Precision Putting Mechanics Inspired by Jimmy Demaret for Improved Distance and Direction Control
Building on Jimmy Demaret’s touch on the greens, precise putting starts with a disciplined address promoting both distance control and start‑line accuracy. Demaret adopted a comfortable but structurally sound posture: feet about shoulder‑width apart, weight 55-60% on the lead foot for stability, and eyes directly over or slightly inside the target line. To verify this, drop a ball from the bridge of your nose; if it lands on or just inside the ball, your eye line is reasonable. The putter should be set with 1-2 degrees of forward shaft lean, hands fractionally ahead of the ball to encourage a crisp, slightly descending strike. grip pressure-central to Demaret’s fluid tempo-should feel light, roughly a self‑rated “3 out of 10“, so the putter can swing like a pendulum. To ingrain this base, use a mirror or smartphone and confirm:
- Feet, knees, hips, and shoulders parallel to your chosen start line
- Ball just forward of center for a gentle upward strike at impact
- Putter sole flat to the ground to prevent heel or toe from digging and twisting the face
Consistently rehearsing these checkpoints gives golfers-from novices to scratch players-a dependable structure for managing the putter face and roll.
Demaret’s stroke was a compact, shoulder‑driven action that minimized hand interference for better directional control. Visualize the stroke as a gentle arc: the putter travels slightly inside the line on the backstroke, returns to square at impact, and continues on a mirrored arc after contact, powered chiefly by a rocking of the shoulders. To avoid “flippy” wrists, feel the triangle formed by shoulders, arms, and hands remain intact throughout. A useful drill is to put a yardstick or straight alignment rod on the green and roll putts along it, watching whether the ball stays on the rod for the first 30-60 cm; that indicates a stable face and path. For distance control, Demaret‑style practice stresses consistent tempo: backswing and through‑swing should match in rhythm, with stroke length-not hit speed-governing distance. Train this by setting a metronome to about 70-80 beats per minute and timing your stroke-back on one beat, through on the next.
- If putts finish short, lengthen the stroke while keeping tempo steady.
- If they roll too far, keep the same length but lighten grip pressure and be sure shoulders-not hands-supply the motion.
- On fast or downhill putts, feel the putter simply “fall” through impact rather than being actively hit.
This structured approach improves both pace and line, cutting down on three‑putts and lowering average scores.
On the course, applying these mechanics in Demaret’s spirit means merging green reading, surface conditions, and mental routine to control distance and direction. Before each putt, follow a consistent routine: read from behind the ball, then from behind the hole, observing overall slope, grain direction, and speed. Demaret treated putting as “shot‑shaping on the ground,” picturing the entire roll and selecting an exact entry point on the cup (as an example, “inside left edge at 4 o’clock” on a right‑to‑left breaker). Structure practice with measurable games:
- Lag Circle Drill: Place tees in a 90 cm ring around the hole. Putts from 9-12 m earn a point whenever the ball stops inside the circle, regardless of makes. Target 70%+ inside the circle.
- Gate and Spot Drill: Set two tees slightly wider than the putter head, 30 cm in front of the ball, to form a gate; mark a spot 5-10 cm ahead of the ball and focus on rolling the ball over it through the gate to sharpen start‑line control.
- Pressure Ladder: Arrange balls at 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 m. Hole one putt from each distance in succession; a miss sends you back to the start. This builds confidence on scoring‑range putts.
In wind or on grainy Bermuda, firm up the stroke slightly and aim for the back third of the hole to offset late break and wobble. Maintaining Demaret’s calm, confident demeanor-treating each putt as a familiar process-ties together sound mechanics, smart green reading, and mental resilience, which in turn reduces putts per round and overall handicap.
Driving Optimization Using Demaret Style Setup Alignment and Clubface Management
Adapting Jimmy Demaret’s classic teaching to the modern driver, a powerful yet predictable tee shot starts with aligned setup, posture, and ball position working in harmony. Demaret frequently enough used a slightly open upper‑body alignment,making it easier to “see” the target line,while keeping feet and hips only marginally open or square to reduce blocks and hooks. As a standard, position the ball off the lead heel, with the lead shoulder 5-10 degrees higher than the trail shoulder to create a mild spine tilt away from the target, promoting an upward angle of attack. Stance width should be shoulder‑width or a touch wider, with about 55% of the weight on the trail side at address, encouraging a full coil without unnecessary sway. Check alignment and setup on the range with intermediate targets and alignment sticks, then carry that same routine to the course. Systematically verify: clubface aim relative to a line on the mat, foot and hip alignment via alignment rods, and ball position by marking the inside edge of the lead heel.This process gives beginners a clear structural template and offers low‑handicap golfers a reliable reference for fine tuning.
Demaret’s focus on clubface management with the driver revolves around how grip, wrist conditions, and face angle interact through the swing. At address, most players should set the driver’s leading edge square to the target line, with more advanced golfers occasionally using a 1-2° closed face in strong winds or when neutralizing a fade. A neutral to slightly strong grip with the lead hand showing 2-3 knuckles helps avoid an open face at impact, while the trail hand sits more ”under” the grip to promote a guided release instead of a flip. on the takeaway, Demaret-style instruction calls for a “one‑piece” move, where club, arms, and chest move together and the clubhead stays just outside the hands until the shaft is parallel to the ground-keeping the face in a square‑to‑arc orientation instead of rolling excessively open. During the downswing, emphasize a flat or slightly bowed lead wrist into and through impact, stabilizing the face and preventing rapid closure. Practice this with:
- Gate drill: Place two tees slightly wider than the driver head 15-20 cm in front of the ball. Hit drives without touching the tees to reinforce centered strike and a clubhead traveling square through impact.
- impact hold drill: Hit half‑speed drives, pausing right after impact to check for a flat lead wrist, balanced finish, and face aligned down the target line.
- Grip‑pressure drill: Hit 10-15 drives with light grip pressure (around 4 out of 10) to reduce tension and improve the club’s ability to return consistently to square.
These drills deepen understanding of how grip and wrist action influence ball flight while improving technical execution.
Turning Demaret‑style fundamentals into an effective on‑course driving strategy means adjusting to hole shape, wind, and mental stress without complicating the routine. Before every tee shot, pick a precise target (such as the right edge of a fairway bunker) and then select the stance and face orientation to produce your ideal shot-slightly open stance with square face for a controlled fade, or a squarer stance with a marginally closed face and stronger grip for a gentle draw. In crosswinds, plan to start the ball 5-10 yards into the wind with a shape that rides the breeze rather of fighting it, minimizing sideways curvature. To ingrain adaptability, try this practice structure:
- Three‑ball strategy set: For each “hole” on the range, hit one fade, one draw, and one straight shot using the same Demaret‑style setup, altering only alignment and face aim. Track your “fairway hit” percentage (for example, aim for 70% of 30 balls finishing inside a 25-30 yard corridor).
- Pressure simulation: If you miss that corridor three times in a row, pause to reset your tempo, alignment, and pre‑shot routine before continuing, training yourself to reboot effectively under pressure.
- Equipment check session: Test various driver lofts (e.g., 9-12°) and shaft flexes to achieve a launch window of about 10-15° and a spin rate appropriate for your swing speed, so your technique and equipment complement one another.
Connecting these technical skills to outcomes-more fairways, fewer penalty strokes, and better approach angles-helps golfers at all levels see real improvements in distance, accuracy, and confidence in competitive rounds.
Level Specific Practice drills to Integrate Demaret Principles into Swing Putting and Driving
for beginners, Demaret‑inspired training should center on simple, repeatable movement and relaxed tempo, prioritizing contact before power. In the full swing, stand with feet shoulder‑width apart, ball centered for irons and slightly forward for the driver, and a neutral grip where each “V” between thumb and index finger points between the trail shoulder and chin. A key drill is the “9‑to‑3 swing”: make half‑swings where the lead arm reaches parallel to the ground on the backswing (roughly a 90° shoulder rotation relative to the target line) and again on the follow‑through, focusing on brushing the turf and holding a balanced finish for 3 seconds. For putting, a “shoulders‑only” stroke drill can limit wrist breakdown: place a coin on the back of the lead hand and hit 10 putts from 1-3 feet without letting it fall. To echo demaret’s belief in playing within your limits, beginners should also use target‑based practice, such as hitting balls into a 30‑yard‑wide zone on the range and counting how many finish inside, aiming to move from 3/10 to 7/10 over several sessions.
Intermediate golfers should design sessions around structured variability, reflecting Demaret’s imaginative, course‑aware shotmaking-changing lies, trajectories, and shapes while keeping sound fundamentals. A core swing exercise is the “three‑ball progression”: hit three balls with the same club-one at 70% effort (contact focus), one at 90% (normal stock swing), and one at 50% (very smooth, tempo‑focused). This improves distance control and rhythm, notably with drivers and mid‑irons. For wedges and scoring clubs, create a short‑game circuit with targets at 20, 30, and 40 yards, hitting three balls to each and tracking carry with a rangefinder or markers; aim for at least 6 of 9 shots finishing within a 5‑yard radius of the target. Putting practice should simulate on‑course pressure with a “Demaret par‑18”: choose nine distinct, varied putts and play them as a nine‑hole course, scoring each and trying to lower your total from the low‑20s toward par (18). Throughout, confirm that driver loft and shaft flex match your speed, and use alignment sticks to maintain consistent stance width, ball position, and swing path.
Advanced and low‑handicap golfers should emphasize precision, adaptability, and strategic discipline, mirroring Demaret’s ability to work the ball intelligently in any conditions. A high‑value full‑swing exercise is the “window control” drill: with a mid‑iron, define three trajectory windows (low, medium, high) by adjusting ball position roughly one ball back or forward and varying finish height (chest‑high for low shots, full high finish for high shots) while preserving consistent clubface alignment and grip pressure. Track trajectories with a launch monitor or by visual checkpoints (e.g., gaps in tree lines), and aim to send at least 7 of 10 balls through the intended window with stable start lines.For driving, try “fairway quadrant” work: choose a landing zone, mentally divide it into left, center, and right thirds, and deliberately drive 3 balls into each third by making small stance and aim changes-training shape control for doglegs and tight landing areas. On the greens, use a speed ladder drill: putt balls to stop at 3, 6, 9, and 12 feet with no hole, then reverse the sequence, learning how stroke length must change with green speed and wind. On the course, adopt a Demaret‑style strategic rule: on par 4s and 5s, choose a club off the tee that leaves a full, comfortable approach distance (such as your preferred 120-140 yard wedge number) instead of instinctively reaching for driver. Over time, track fairways hit, greens in regulation, and average putts per round to refine what you practice and ensure that swing, putting, and driving work together in lowering your scores.
Performance metrics and Video Analysis Protocols for Monitoring Demaret Technique Progress
To monitor progress with Demaret‑inspired mechanics, video analysis should focus on consistent face‑on and down‑the‑line angles, filmed at reliable frame rates (ideally 120 fps or higher) and from 3-4 m away. From down‑the‑line, players and coaches can assess shaft plane at lead‑arm parallel, clubface relationship to the lead forearm, and spine tilt of 8-15° away from the target at impact.The face‑on view is best for evaluating weight transfer, targeting 70-80% pressure on the lead side at impact for full swings, and hand position, which should be slightly ahead of the ball with irons. in line with Demaret’s smooth, balanced motion, golfers can also track tempo ratios (backswing vs. downswing duration) with a tempo app, seeking a stable 3:1 rhythm. For newer golfers, early video work should emphasize consistent setup-ball position, posture, grip alignment-while advanced players additionally monitor club path (2-4° in‑to‑out or out‑to‑in, depending on shot shape) and attack angle (for example, −3 to −5° with a 7‑iron, +2 to +4° with a driver), using launch‑monitor feedback when possible.
To turn these observations into real improvement, set a concise group of performance metrics for full swing, short game, and course management over 4-6‑week blocks. For long‑game work in line with Demaret’s fluid but assertive action, create a baseline with video and ball‑flight data, then apply specific drills such as:
- Rhythm and balance drill: Hit 10 balls with a three‑quarter swing, holding the finish for 3 seconds; record how many finishes remain fully balanced, aiming for 8/10 balanced swings before ramping up speed.
- contact and dispersion drill: Place an alignment stick on the target line and spray the clubface with foot spray. Hit 20 balls and track center‑strike percentage and left‑right dispersion,targeting at least 60% center strikes and a 20% reduction in dispersion over time.
- Short‑game proximity drill: To reinforce Demaret‑style scoring creativity, hit 15 chips from varied lies (fairway, light rough, tight lies) and record average leave distance from the hole; aim for < 1.5 m for low‑handicaps and < 3 m for beginners.
Common flaws revealed by video-excessive sway, early extension, or flipping the wrists-should be addressed with targeted feels (such as stabilizing the lead knee, keeping the tailbone back, and maintaining forward shaft lean) and revisited each practice session so progress is quantifiable, not just cosmetic.
On‑course video and simple scorecard stats can connect Demaret’s strategic smarts to real performance. When practical, record selected tee shots and short‑game plays to confirm that your technically sound range swing holds up under real‑world pressure and different lies. In line with Demaret’s focus on smart decisions,track fairways hit,greens in regulation,up‑and‑down percentage,and three‑putt avoidance,and also more nuanced trend markers:
- Tee‑shot strategy adherence: Note whether the club and target you used matched your pre‑shot plan,with a goal of 90% adherence to your intended strategy instead of impulse choices.
- Leave‑quality rating: After each approach, rate your leave from 1-3 (1 = short‑sided or in trouble; 3 = favorable uphill or straightforward next shot). Aim to improve your average rating over time.
- Mental routine consistency: With video and self‑assessment, make sure a consistent pre‑shot routine (visualization, rehearsal swing, alignment check) is in place before at least 80% of shots.
For golfers with physical limitations, video can verify necessary adaptations-like a slightly wider stance for balance or a shorter backswing-while still retaining Demaret’s trademark qualities of balance, rhythm, and imaginative shot choice. Over weeks and months, this blend of objective metrics, structured review, and on‑course decision tracking produces a clear record of improvement, linking technical refinement directly to better scores and greater confidence.
Course Management and shot selection Strategies Reflecting Jimmy Demaret’s Competitive Approach
Demaret’s competitive style began with disciplined pre‑shot planning, where strategy dictated swing choice, not the other way around. Rather of using the same “stock” swing on every hole, he focused on matching height, curve, and landing area to the hole design. On a narrow par 4 with trouble around 250 yards, as an example, a mid‑handicap player is often better served by a 3‑wood or hybrid aimed at a wider part of the fairway, even if that leaves a longer approach. Setup supports this plan: aim the clubface first at a precise intermediate target (a tuft of grass or discoloration 30-60 cm ahead), then place your feet slightly open or closed based on the desired shot shape (about 5-10° open for a soft fade, 5-10° closed for a managed draw). Demaret‑style thinking also requires honest equipment choices: golfers with moderate swing speeds frequently score better with higher‑lofted fairway woods (16-19°) or hybrids in place of long irons, since these launch higher and land softer. Reinforce this decision‑making by adding a “planning pause” in practice rounds: before each shot, say out loud your intended start line, curve, and carry distance, then compare the actual shot to the plan and log fairways and greens in regulation as outcome metrics.
From tee to green, Demaret’s philosophy holds that shot selection should reflect your typical pattern and dispersion, not the most daring line toward the flag. On approach shots, especially in the 150-190 yard range, many amateurs come up short or miss big when chasing tight pins. Rather, adopt a conservative‑aggressive model: be aggressive with commitment, but conservative with targets.Aim toward the safest section of the green that still gives you a reasonable two‑putt; for example, with a back‑right pin protected by a bunker, aim 15-20 feet left of the flag and choose enough club to fly at least 5-8 yards beyond the front edge. Maintain a balanced address with 55-60% of weight on the lead side for irons, ball slightly forward of center for mid‑irons, and a neutral spine tilt (roughly 35-45° from vertical, depending on club length). To sharpen these skills, use focused practice such as:
- Three‑Target Approach Drill: On the range, select one central “safe” target and two “pin” targets 10-15 yards left and right. Hit sets of 5-10 balls to the safe target before attacking either pin, prioritizing start line and curvature control.
- Distance Ladder: With a launch monitor or distance markers, hit the same club to three different carries (for example, 135, 145, 155 yards) by changing swing length and speed, not club. This builds Demaret‑like control over distance and trajectory.
By reliably pairing swing technique and club selection with smart targets, golfers can reduce scores without needing to swing harder or chase perfect contact on every shot.
Demaret’s course management also showed up vividly in his short‑game and recovery choices, where he consistently favored the highest‑percentage play over the most glamorous. A practical default sequence is: putt when possible, chip when putting is not realistic, and pitch only when necessary. For example, from a tight lie 10 yards off the green with 20 feet of fringe, many golfers instinctively pull a high‑lofted wedge; a Demaret‑type option is often a 7-9 iron chip with a putting‑like action, minimal wrist hinge, the ball one ball back of center, and 65-70% weight on the lead foot to ensure a descending strike. In bunkers,he favored a consistent,repeatable technique: open the face about 20-30°,align the feet slightly left of target,and focus on entering the sand 2-5 cm behind the ball with a full,committed follow‑through instead of decelerating. Structure short‑game practice with:
- up‑and‑Down Circuit: Drop 5 balls in three distinct lies (tight fairway, light rough, bunker) around a practice green. Try to get at least 7 of 15 up‑and‑down, and track this percentage week by week as a measure of scoring improvement.
- Trouble‑Shot Practice: Intentionally rehearse punch shots (ball back, hands forward, low follow‑through) under branches or into the wind, and low‑running chips with different clubs, building a “recovery library” that minimizes doubles when you miss fairways.
By connecting these short‑game techniques with a composed mental routine-one deep breath, a clear target, and a single swing thought like “smooth tempo”-golfers can blend Demaret’s competitive calm with sound mechanics, turning arduous lies into manageable scoring chances and converting technical skill into tangible handicap reduction.
Q&A
**Q1: Who was Jimmy Demaret, and why are his techniques still relevant to modern golfers?**
**A1:** Jimmy Demaret (1910-1983) was a three‑time Masters champion and one of golf’s most technically refined and inventive players. Famous for his rhythmic swing, creative shotmaking, and elite short game, he combined rock‑solid fundamentals with a distinctive personal style. His methods remain relevant because they are rooted in enduring basics-grip, posture, balance, tempo, and course strategy-that do not go out of date with new equipment or training theories. Many modern teachers still draw on his principles to build repeatable swings, efficient power, and dependable scoring skills.
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**Q2: What are the essential elements of Jimmy Demaret’s grip, and how do they influence ball flight?**
**A2:** Demaret advocated a fundamentally neutral grip with careful attention to hand placement and tension:
1.**Lead hand (left hand for right‑handed golfers):**
– The club lies diagonally across the fingers, from the base of the little finger to beneath the index finger pad.
– Seeing two to three knuckles at address promotes a neutral to slightly strong face orientation.
2. **Trail hand (right hand for right‑handed golfers):**
– The lifeline of the trail hand rests over the lead thumb.
– The fingers wrap comfortably, with the index finger slightly separated to guide direction without over‑manipulating.3. **Grip pressure:**
– Demaret favored light‑to‑moderate pressure-firm enough for control, but relaxed to preserve wrist mobility and clubhead speed.
This configuration helps the clubface return square to the target line, limiting extreme curvature. With a neutral grip, golfers can fine‑tune ball flight (fade or draw) through subtle grip and stance changes rather than major swing overhauls.
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**Q3: How did Demaret’s stance and posture contribute to a repeatable and efficient golf swing?**
**A3:** Demaret emphasized a stable, athletic base and a relaxed upper body:
– **Stance width and alignment:**
- For full swings, feet are roughly shoulder‑width, a bit wider for the driver and narrower for wedges.
– Feet, knees, hips, and shoulders are generally square to the target line unless a specific shot shape is intended.- **Posture:**
– Bend from the hips, not the waist, keeping the spine relatively straight and knees softly flexed.
– Let the arms hang naturally from the shoulders, maintaining comfortable space between hands and thighs.
– **Balance:**
– weight is distributed close to 50-50, with pressure centered over the balls of the feet.
This foundation encourages a centered pivot with minimal compensations, facilitating free body rotation around a stable spine and promoting consistently solid contact.
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**Q4: What is the “Demaret Loop,” and what problems in the swing does it address?**
**A4:** The “Demaret Loop” describes a subtle, looping action of the club near the top of his backswing. His club often moved slightly to the outside early, then “looped” onto a more inside path during transition into the downswing.
This can help with:
– **Over‑the‑top moves:**
By naturally shallowing the club in transition, the loop softens steep, over‑the‑top paths that cause pulls and slices.
– **Timing and rhythm:**
the gentle loop encourages smoother tempo and prevents a rushed, jerky change of direction.
While not mandatory for every golfer,the loop illustrates how a controlled shallowing move in transition can promote an in‑to‑out path and more solid ball striking.
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**Q5: How can an amateur golfer safely incorporate the Demaret Loop without overcomplicating the motion?**
**A5:** To adopt a simplified version of the Demaret Loop:
1. **Use a one‑piece takeaway:**
- Move club, arms, and chest together for the first 30-40 cm, keeping the clubhead slightly outside the hands.
2. **Create a soft transition feel:**
– At the top, imagine the arms and club ”settling” slightly as the lower body starts the downswing.
– This encourages the club to drop into a shallower slot without conscious hand manipulation.
3. **Practice in slow motion:**
– Make slow swings feeling the club travel a touch out on the way back, then glide onto a more inside track on the way down.
The goal is not to copy Demaret’s look exactly but to gain the benefit of a smooth, shallowing transition that reduces casting, steepness, and slices.
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**Q6: What are the key components of Demaret’s full‑swing sequence for consistent ball striking?**
**A6:** Demaret’s full‑swing sequence can be summarized as:
1.**Setup:** Neutral grip, balanced posture, and appropriate ball position (forward for longer clubs, centered to slightly forward for irons).
2. **Takeaway:** One‑piece start with minimal early wrist hinge, preserving the arm‑shoulder triangle.
3. **Top of backswing:** Full shoulder turn with the lead shoulder moving under the chin, maintaining width and avoiding arm collapse.
4. **Transition:** Smooth change of direction beginning from the ground up-the lower body leads, followed by torso, arms, then club, with the club shallowing slightly.
5. **Impact:** Hands marginally ahead of the ball with irons, clubface square to target, and weight predominantly on the lead side.
6. **Release and follow‑through:** Continuous body rotation to a balanced finish, chest facing the target and most weight on the lead foot.
This sequence prioritizes coordination and center‑face contact over raw speed, producing predictable trajectories and distances.
—
**Q7: how did Jimmy Demaret approach putting technique,and what are the principal elements golfers can emulate?**
**A7:** Demaret’s putting style focused on simplicity,feel,and precise speed control:
– **Grip and wrist stability:**
– A conventional,slightly lighter grip for sensitivity,with quiet wrists to avoid breakdown through impact.
– **Stance and alignment:**
– Slightly open or square stance with eyes over or just inside the ball‑to‑target line.
– Shoulders aligned parallel to the intended start line to minimize unwanted sidespin.
- **Stroke mechanics:**
- A pendulum‑like, shoulder‑driven action with minimal independent hand motion.
– Putter head staying low through impact for solid contact and consistent roll.- **Distance control:**
– Matching stroke length to putt distance while consistently striking near the center of the putter face.
– Using a focused pre‑putt routine that emphasizes feel, such as rehearsal strokes while looking at the hole.
These elements promote reliable start lines and speed, key ingredients in reducing three‑putts.
—
**Q8: What specific drills, inspired by Demaret, can definitely help golfers improve their putting accuracy and pace control?**
**A8:** Two representative drills aligned with Demaret’s principles are:
1.**Gate Drill for Start Line:**
– Place two tees just wider than the putter head a few centimeters in front of the ball.- Roll putts through the gate without clipping the tees, focusing on a square face and steady path.
2. **Ladder Drill for Distance Control:**
– Set markers at 1‑meter intervals (such as, 1-5 meters).
– Putt balls to stop as close as possible to each marker, progressing out and then back.
– Emphasize smooth rhythm and controlled stroke length rather than a jabby hit.
These drills sharpen both face control and speed judgment, cornerstones of Demaret’s putting success.—
**Q9: How did Demaret generate power with the driver without sacrificing accuracy?**
**A9:** Demaret relied on efficient mechanics and tempo more than brute force:
– **Ball position and tee height:**
– Ball positioned inside the lead heel with a tee height that allows catching the ball on the upswing.
– **Stance and base:**
– Slightly wider stance than with irons to support higher rotational speed while staying balanced.
- **Full but controlled turn:**
– Complete shoulder turn over a stable lower body,minimizing excessive lateral sway.
– Trail leg keeping some flex to support a coiled, athletic position.- **Sequencing and rhythm:**
– Downswing initiated from the ground up, with the lower body leading and the clubhead coming last.
– An unhurried tempo prevented loss of balance and improved clubface control at impact.
This blend produced high clubhead speed with manageable dispersion, delivering both distance and accuracy.
—
**Q10: What adjustments, based on Demaret’s principles, can help a golfer who consistently slices the driver?**
**A10:** To address a slice using Demaret‑style concepts:
1. **Reinforce a slightly stronger grip:**
– Show one additional knuckle on the lead hand and ensure the trail hand is not overly weak.
2. **Improve transition path:**
– Feel the club “drop” or shallow in transition to avoid a steep, over‑the‑top move.- Encourage the trail elbow to move toward the body rather than away at the start of the downswing.
3. **Check alignment and ball position:**
– Confirm that shoulders are not aimed too far left (for right‑handers), which encourages an out‑to‑in path.
– Keep the ball forward, but not so far ahead that it forces an open face at impact.
4. **Maintain a controlled tempo:**
- Avoid lunging from the top; a rushed upper body often steepens the path and leaves the face open.
Together, these adjustments promote a more neutral or slightly in‑to‑out path with a squarer clubface, reducing slice spin.
—
**Q11: How did Jimmy Demaret integrate course strategy into his swing,putting,and driving techniques?**
**A11:** demaret’s technical skills were always guided by astute course management:
– **Leveraging strengths:**
- He preferred his most reliable shot shapes,avoiding heroic but inconsistent moves under pressure.- **Conservative targets, aggressive swings:**
– He chose safer targets (wider fairway zones, larger green sections) but executed with full, confident swings.
– **Positioning for scoring:**
– Off the tee, he sought not only distance but also angles that simplified the next shot.
– On approaches and around the greens, he considered pin position, slopes, and where the easiest next putt would come from.
– **putting strategy:**
- He often prioritized leaving uphill or straighter second putts, even if that meant playing the first putt away from the direct line to the hole.
This integration shows that sound swing and putting mechanics are most effective when paired with thoughtful, context‑driven decisions.
—
**Q12: In what ways can modern technology (video, launch monitors) be used to apply Demaret’s principles more effectively?**
**A12:** modern tools can sharpen the request of Demaret’s fundamentals:
– **Video analysis:**
– Confirms grip, posture, stance, and the presence of an effective shallowing motion like the Demaret Loop.
- Reveals differences between intended and actual moves, highlighting compensations.
– **Launch monitors:**
– Provide objective data on club path, face angle, angle of attack, and spin, clarifying cause‑and‑effect that demaret understood intuitively.
– Help validate that grip or stance changes are producing the desired ball‑flight patterns.Combining his timeless concepts with precise feedback accelerates learning and allows players to tailor his ideas to their own swings.
—
**Q13: How should a golfer structure practice sessions to integrate Demaret’s swing, putting, and driving techniques into a coherent improvement plan?**
**A13:** A Demaret‑style practice structure might look like this:
1. **Fundamentals block (20-30% of time):**
– Emphasize grip, posture, and alignment with short irons and wedges.
– Use mirrors and alignment sticks to ensure repeatable setups.
2. **Swing development block (30-40% of time):**
– Work on takeaway and transition (including a simplified Demaret Loop feel) with mid‑irons and the driver.
– Incorporate slow‑motion and half‑speed swings to engrain patterns.
3. **Short‑game and putting block (30-40% of time):**
– Perform drills for distance control, face alignment, and green reading.
– Add up‑and‑down simulations that combine chips or pitches with putts.
4. **on‑course application:**
– Use your technical focus selectively on certain holes while applying Demaret’s conservative‑target, aggressive‑swing strategy.
This comprehensive plan ensures that technical work feeds directly into lower scores, rather than remaining confined to the practice tee.
The instructional ideas linked to Jimmy Demaret outline a detailed, technically grounded roadmap for correcting swing faults, stabilizing putting, and tightening driving accuracy. By weaving these concepts into a structured practice routine-emphasizing biomechanical efficiency, precise alignment, consistent tempo, and reliable routines-golfers can address root causes instead of layering compensations on top of visible mistakes.
Sustained improvement comes when these lessons are applied consistently and tracked through objective indicators such as dispersion patterns, total putts, and driving metrics like launch, spin, and fairways hit. As players progress, the Demaret‑inspired model develops not only cleaner mechanics but also sharper decision‑making, smarter course management, and stronger mental resilience under pressure.Ultimately, golfers who adopt and systematically rehearse these principles can build a more dependable, efficient, and scoring‑oriented game-one in which swing, putting, and driving work together as a unified system rather than as disconnected skills.
Unlock Your Best Game: Jimmy Demaret’s Proven Fixes for Swing, Putting, and Driving
Who Was Jimmy Demaret and Why His Fixes still work
Jimmy Demaret, a three-time Masters champion and member of the World Golf Hall of Fame, was as famous for his colorful personality as for his ability to make the game simple. his teaching style focused on:
- Solid fundamentals over complicated swing theory
- Rhythm and timing instead of brute strength
- Smart course management rather than “hero shots”
Modern golf swing mechanics may use high-speed cameras and biomechanics, but many of Demaret’s best tips still line up with what top coaches teach today: a repeatable setup, a balanced swing, and a reliable short game.
Jimmy Demaret’s Core Swing Philosophy
1. Start With a Repeatable Setup
Demaret believed that a great golf swing begins before the club even moves. To build a reliable golf setup for every full shot:
- Grip: Neutral to slightly strong, with both “V’s” (thumb and index finger) pointing between your right ear and right shoulder (for right-handed golfers).
- Posture: Soft knees, bend from the hips, not the waist. Let your arms hang naturally.
- Ball position:
- Short irons - just back of centre
- Mid irons – center
- Long irons/hybrids – one ball forward of center
- Driver – inside the led heel
He frequently enough said that with a consistent setup and stance,your body “knows where to go.” This reduces compensations and makes your swing more repeatable under pressure.
2. Smooth Tempo Over Raw Power
Demaret was a strong advocate of a smooth tempo golf swing. His rule of thumb: ”You should feel like you could hit another ball with the same effort immediately.” That means no violent lashing at the ball.
Simple tempo drill inspired by Demaret:
- Count “one” to the top of your backswing.
- Count “two” as you start down and strike the ball.
- Practice with this 1-2 rhythm on the range to smooth out your swing.
This rhythm-based approach helps with driver accuracy,fairway wood consistency,and even your iron play.
3. Balance From Start to Finish
To Demaret, loss of balance meant loss of control. Modern golf biomechanics back this up: good players finish with their weight on the lead side and their body stacked over a stable lead leg.
Balance checkpoint:
- Hold your finish for 3 seconds after every swing in practice.
- If you’re falling backward or sideways, your swing is highly likely too fast or off-plane.
Jimmy Demaret’s Proven Fixes for Common Swing Faults
| Fault | Demaret-Style Fix |
|---|---|
| Slice (left-to-right for right-handers) | Stronger grip, close stance slightly, feel a right-to-left “baseball throw.” |
| Hook | Neutral grip, more body rotation, less hand flip at impact. |
| Fat shots | More weight on lead foot at impact, focus on brushing turf after the ball. |
| Thin shots | Maintain posture, feel your chest stay down through the hit. |
Fixing the Slice the Demaret Way
The slice is one of the most common problems in recreational golf. Demaret’s approach was simple and still extremely effective.
- Adjust your grip: Rotate both hands slightly to the right on the club (for right-handers) so you can see 2-3 knuckles on the lead hand.
- Close your stance: Drop your trail foot back an inch or two to encourage an inside-out club path.
- Feel a draw: Imagine you are throwing a ball from right field to home plate with your trail hand. This encourages a swinging motion from the inside.
These small changes can dramatically improve driver ball flight and iron accuracy without rebuilding your entire swing.
Eliminating the “all Arms” Swing
If your swing is powered mostly by your arms and hands, you’ll struggle with consistency and distance.Demaret taught golfers to “turn the big muscles” and let the arms follow.
Body-turn drill:
- Cross your arms over your chest and hold a club across your shoulders.
- Rotate back so the club points at the ball line, then through so it points at the target.
- Feel your chest and hips rotate together.
Now hit half-speed shots focusing on that same connected rotation. This builds a more efficient,powerful golf swing sequence.
Jimmy Demaret’s Driving Keys: Accuracy First, Distance Second
1.Setup Tweaks for Better Driving
Demaret’s driver tips where focused on control and launch, not just raw distance.
- Wider stance: Slightly wider than shoulder-width for stability.
- Ball forward: Inside your lead heel to promote an upward strike.
- Head behind the ball: Keep your nose just behind the ball at address and into impact.
These fundamentals help you hit higher, straighter tee shots with modern drivers just as they did with persimmon woods in Demaret’s era.
2. Demaret’s “Fairway First” Strategy
Demaret played tournament golf before 460cc drivers and modern shafts. He learned quickly that an extra 10 yards in the rough rarely beats a full swing from the fairway.
course management inspired by Demaret:
- Pick the widest part of the fairway and aim there,not at the tightest corner.
- On narrow holes,consider a 3-wood or hybrid off the tee.
- Play a controlled shot shape (fade or draw) you can trust, not one you wish you had.
This “fairway first” mindset can dramatically lower your scores without changing your golf swing technique.
3. Simple Driving Drill for a Solid Strike
To improve your driver contact and launch angle, try this demaret-style drill:
- Place a headcover about 6 inches outside the ball, just behind it.
- Make drives without hitting the headcover.
- This encourages an inside path and center-face contact, promoting straighter drives.
Demaret’s Putting Wisdom: Roll It Like a Champion
1. Simplify the Putting Stroke
Demaret believed putting was more about feel, rhythm, and confidence than complex mechanics. His core concepts:
- Quiet hands, rocking shoulders: Use a pendulum motion with the shoulders, not quick wrist flips.
- Eyes over the ball: Or just slightly inside the target line for better alignment.
- Light grip pressure: Just firm enough to control the putter, not so tight you lose feel.
2. Classic Putting Drill for Distance Control
distance control is critical for avoiding three-putts. Demaret would have loved this simple, timeless drill:
- On a practice green, place tees at 10, 20, and 30 feet.
- hit three putts to each distance with the same stroke tempo, changing only the length of your backswing.
- Notice how far back the putter goes for each distance and memorize that feel.
This builds a reliable putting stroke with better speed control, especially on fast or sloping greens.
3. Green Reading the Demaret Way
While modern players talk about AimPoint and green-mapping, Demaret relied on basic green-reading skills:
- Walk around the putt and look from both sides of the hole.
- Notice the general slope of the green in that area (toward water, away from a hill, etc.).
- Pick a specific spot or blade of grass a few inches in front of your ball on the start line.
This simple process helps you commit to your line, which is essential for confident golf putting.
| Putting Skill | Demaret tip |
|---|---|
| Alignment | Use a spot in front of the ball, not the hole, as your aim point. |
| Speed | Same tempo stroke; vary only the length of the backswing. |
| Confidence | commit to the line; never “steer” the putt mid-stroke. |
Short Game and Wedge play: Demaret’s Scoring Secret
1. Keep It Simple Around the Greens
Demaret favored the percentage play in the short game. His guideline: “Putt when you can, chip when you can’t putt, pitch only when you must.”
- Use a putter from just off the fringe whenever possible.
- Chip with a 7-9 iron for low-running shots.
- Pitch with a wedge only when you need to carry rough or a bunker.
2. Basic Chip Technique Inspired by Demaret
Chipping setup:
- Feet close together, weight slightly on the lead foot.
- ball back of center for a descending strike.
- Hands slightly ahead of the ball at address.
Then make a small, putting-like stroke with minimal wrist action. This simple motion helps you control distance and improve short game consistency.
Practical Practice Plan Using Demaret’s Methods
Weekly Practice Blueprint
Use this simple, Demaret-inspired practice structure to get more from your range time and putting sessions.
| Area | Time | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Full Swing (Range) | 30 mins | Setup, rhythm, balance; slice or hook fix drill. |
| Driving | 20 mins | Fairway-first targets,headcover drill for solid contact. |
| Putting | 30 mins | 10-30 ft distance control; 3-6 ft “must-make” putts. |
| Short Game | 20 mins | Chipping with simple, one-club technique. |
On-Course Application
- Pre-shot routine: one practice swing feeling your smooth tempo, then step in and go.
- Target selection: Aim for the wider, safer side of the fairway or green.
- Emotional control: demaret was known for his lighthearted attitude-don’t let one bad shot ruin your round.
Case Study: Applying Demaret’s Fixes to a Mid-Handicap Golfer
Consider a 15-handicap golfer who struggles with a slice off the tee, inconsistent irons, and frequent three-putts. After adopting Jimmy Demaret’s principles:
- Slice fix: Stronger grip, slightly closed stance, inside-out path drill. Driver goes from a weak fade to a gentle draw.
- Iron consistency: Focus on balance, smooth tempo, and a stable posture. Fewer fat and thin shots.
- Putting: Pendulum stroke with distance control drill. Three-putts decrease significantly.
Within a few weeks of focused practice, this golfer can realistically see:
- More fairways hit
- more greens in regulation
- At least 3-5 strokes saved per round simply by better course management and putting
Key takeaways from Jimmy Demaret’s Approach
- Build a consistent setup and posture for every club.
- Prioritize smooth tempo and balance over power.
- Use simple, effective slice and hook fixes instead of overhauling your swing.
- Adopt a fairway-first driving strategy for lower scores.
- develop a pendulum putting stroke with reliable distance control.
- Simplify your short game: putt, chip, then pitch only when you must.
By blending Jimmy Demaret’s timeless wisdom with your modern equipment and practice tools, you can unlock a more consistent, confident, and enjoyable golf game-one swing, one putt, and one drive at a time.
