4 Swing Tips From Arnold Palmer That Are Timeless

As the Arnold Palmer Invitational unfolds this week at the magnificent Bay Hill Club & Lodge, I find myself reflecting on my long-standing love affair with this iconic venue and my profound admiration for its legendary namesake. Bay Hill isn't just another stop on the PGA TOUR — it's a living tribute to the man who transformed golf.

Arnold Palmer's approach to golf transcended mere technique; it embodied a philosophy about how to play the game and, perhaps, how to live life. As we celebrate the legend this week, it seems like a perfect opportunity to revisit some of his timeless wisdom, which remains as relevant today as when he first shared it.

"Swing your swing," Palmer famously advised. "Not some idea of a swing. Not a swing you saw on TV. Not that swing you wish you had. No . . .swing your swing."

This advice feels revolutionary in today's world of swing analysis and technical perfection. Palmer understood that authenticity trumps imitation. He didn't advocate for wild abandon but for owning your natural motion.

For today's golfer: Rather than chasing the perfect swing, identify your natural tendencies and refine them. Work with a PGA Coach to enhance your unique motion rather than completely rebuilding it. The most sustainable improvements come from polishing what you already have.

"Hit it hard, boy. Go find it, and hit it hard again," Palmer once said. Yet behind this aggressive philosophy was nuanced wisdom: he also advocated playing at about 80% of your maximum swing speed.

Palmer recognized that control with reasonable power yields better results than maximum power with minimal control. This approach helped him maintain his aggressive style while keeping the ball in play.

For today's golfer: During your next practice session, experiment with the 80% principle. You'll likely discover you don't lose significant distance, but your accuracy improves dramatically. This single adjustment can lead to more greens in regulation and, ultimately, lower scores.

"Always make a total effort, even when the odds are against you," Palmer always insisted, and nowhere was this more evident than in his approach to putting.

Palmer treated every putt as makeable. He didn't just hope to make putts; he expected to. This positive mindset transformed his putting from a technical exercise into an expression of will.

For today's golfer: Before each putt, visualize the ball dropping into the hole. Make a decisive stroke, believing that you've already made it. This confidence often translates into proper speed and line, resulting in either makes or tap-in seconds.

"Success in golf depends less on strength of body than upon strength of mind and character," Palmer observed. His full, high follow-through became his signature, representing both physical technique and mental commitment.

Palmer's complete follow-through demonstrated his full commitment to each shot — no holding back, no hesitation.

For today's golfer: Focus on finishing your swing in balance with a full follow-through. This simple focus prevents many common swing flaws and ensures you're fully committed to the shot at hand.

As we watch the world’s best compete this week at Bay Hill, we're reminded that Arnold Palmer's legacy extends far beyond his 62 PGA TOUR victories and seven major championships. His approaches to golf and life — playing with conviction, embracing your authentic self, and committing fully to each challenge —remain guiding principles for golfers at every level.

PGA of America Golf Professional Brendon Elliott is an award-winning coach and golf writer. You can check out his three weekly columns on RG.org, and to learn more about Brendon, visit OneMoreRollGolf.com.