A career full of contradictions is probably what best describes Billy Horschel: a sharply dressed golfer with a sharp, buttoned-down swing, but equally known for his fiery outbursts.
Horschel, a standout amateur who helped the U.S. secure the 2007 Walker Cup and a University of Florida star with four All-American honors and two SEC Player of the Year titles, was the can’t-miss kid du jour when he turned pro in 2009. After earning his PGA Tour card through Q-School in December, Horschel’s wrist injury halted his 2010 rookie season, but after two more Q-School attempts, his career took off. 2013. He earned his first win at that year’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans with a dazzling final round of six birdies, then dominated 2014, winning the FedEx Cup with victories in the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship.
After a quiet decade, Horschel bounced back in a big way in 2024, with two victories – one on the PGA Tour, one on the DP World Tour – and a near miss at the Open at Royal Troon. He continues to post top-10 finishes and shows newfound consistency and resilience.
Look below for more information about the swing of the eight-time Tour winner.
1. Address
Pros are much closer to the ball than rec players. Billy is close without looking busy, and he has his backside out without overextending his back.
2. Takeaway
Notice the toe of Horschel’s club pointing skyward – an old-fashioned move that allows you to soften your trail arm and shoulder more to clear your turn.
3. Top
Billy’s neat and tidy backswing is neither loose nor long. Notice that he doesn’t bend his left wrist too much; flat is fine, folks. The buttons on his sweater point away from the target. That’s a torso twist!
4. Decline
Horschel does a great job pushing off his foot drag without overdoing it, and he keeps his chest closed while opening his hips. He holds the shaft between his arms, à la Jack Nicklaus and David Toms. This is a great target for any golfer who gets burned trying to shallow the shaft.
5.Impact
Billy’s impact position is a great combination of a relatively high and forward trail shoulder. It’s something he has to constantly balance with his tendency to maintain the side bend long after impact.
6. Let go
Horschel controls the clubface by holding his trail arm under his lead arm while pointing the butt of the club toward his torso. One keeps the face from closing too quickly and the other keeps it too open for a weak wiping motion.
Brian Manzella is a GOLF Top 100 teacher who teaches at English Turn Golf & CC in New Orleans, La.
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