Anthony Kim is back among the sport’s elite, following his victory at LIV Golf Adelaide two weeks ago.
His journey back to prominence is one of the most remarkable stories the sport has seen.
And it’s been his driving that has underpinned much of his recent progress in LIV Golf.
The wider golf world was quick to celebrate when Kim returned to the winner’s circle earlier this month in Adelaide.
He’s come a long way from a difficult period in his life, one that lasted for quite some time.
Anthony Kim offers advice on adjusting grip and backswing Length
Speaking to GOLF.com, Kim shared three practical tips that could help amateur golfers sharpen up their driving accuracy right away.
Tip No. 1: Choke up
“The most obvious quirk in my technique is that I choke way up on the grip — about two full inches,” he said.
“And I choke up with every club in the bag. I started doing this out of necessity: I have a short torso and long arms, and if I took a “normal” grip I’d be too far away from the ball.
“Over the years, however, I noticed that the choke gave me more control — especially with the driver — and I’ve never looked back.
“Since the choke automatically makes the club shorter, I sacrifice some distance. But it’s less than you think — 10 yards at the most (and | still average 300 yards off the tee). So | have to hit 7-iron into the green instead of an 8-iron. Big deal.
“I’d take a longer iron from the fairway than a shorter one from the rough any day.”
Tip No. 2: Shorten The Backswing
Kim continued: “Whenever I’m playing in a pro-am, I’m amazed at the length of most amateurs’ swings — it’s like they’ve spent three months at John Daly School of Driving.”
Anthony Kim says lowering your center of gravity is a small change that can make a big difference.
Tip No. 3: Squat Down
Kim explained why amateurs should squat at the start of their downswing instead of using their arms.
“When you swing down from the top using only your arms, it’s easy to get off plane,” he said. “The secret to swinging on plane and with power is in your legs.”
Kim noted that his downswing always starts with his lower body rather than his upper body.
He said he feels like he’s pushing himself into the ground, which creates a strong connection between his feet and the turf. As this happens, his arms fall naturally, with his left arm hanging close to his chest.
This leg-driven movement not only helps maintain balance but also sets up a powerful rotation through impact. By engaging the ground early, Kim generates explosive speed without needing excessive arm strength.
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