3 things every golfer can learn from Chris Gotterup's unique swing

Chris Gotterup, the 27-year-old American golfer, has already secured three PGA Tour victories in 2026, propelling him to seventh in the world rankings. His rapid ascent and, in particular, his unique swing have captured the attention of both experts and golf enthusiasts. Despite his technique appearing unorthodox, it consistently yields impressive results. GOLF.com's Zephyr Melton spoke with Gotterup's coach, Jason Birnbaum, a GOLF Magazine Top 100 Teacher, to uncover lessons from Chris's swing that everyday golfers can apply.

1. Swing hard

According to Birnbaum, when Gotterup first started working with him, he only knew how to swing at one speed: fast. And that, the coach believes, is something all young golfers should strive for. Too often, recreational players spend years trying to build a technically flawless swing before ever learning how to create speed. Birnbaum argues this is backward. It's much easier to learn to control speed than it is to add it after years of making careful, controlled swings.

“Too many amateurs are trying to be perfect, and then once they feel like they have control, they try to add speed,” Birnbaum says. “Speed really should be first.” In an era where distance is more important than ever, learning how to go fast is a must. Don’t be afraid to go all out and learn how to create that speed. There’s always time to refine it later on. It’s a recipe that worked for Gotterup, and it can work for you, too.

2. Don’t be afraid of a strong grip

One of the most recognizable features of Gotterup’s swing is his exceptionally strong grip. Birnbaum notes that this is something Gotterup has had since childhood, and it's been a major reason he's been able to eliminate the big miss to the right while generating tremendous power. However, Birnbaum cautions against judging his swing by a single position. Many golfers notice the amount of extension, or “cup,” in Gotterup’s lead wrist at the top of the backswing, along with a steep path into the ball. But according to Birnbaum, much of that appearance is simply a consequence of his grip.

“The stronger the grip, the more cupped the wrist,” Birnbaum explains. “The amount of cup he has is probably a little deceiving because his grip is so strong.” A strong grip can help generate power, so don’t shy away from it. If you do opt for a strong grip, though, remember that there are certain matchups you need to employ to make it work. Gotterup marries these matchups to perfection, and it’s one of the reasons he can play at such a high level with an unconventional-looking swing.

3. Function over fashion

With so much technology available these days, it’s easy to assume that every swing checkpoint has to look textbook, but Birnbaum doesn’t see it that way. While many swing pundits focus on Gotterup’s steep downswing, Birnbaum stresses that appearances can be misleading. What matters is whether the club is delivering a consistent strike at impact, not whether a frame from the backswing looks unconventional.

“Sometimes pictures lie,” Birnbaum says. “We could look at a video that looks super steep, and the TrackMan numbers are perfect perfect.” For Birnbaum, launch monitor data and ball flight always outweigh aesthetics. If the swing is repeatable, producing the right numbers and creating the desired shot, there’s little reason to chase cosmetic changes just because a position looks different from another Tour player.