.png)
TPI is a way of checking what your body can and cannot do, so your coaching fits the body you actually have. You have been to lessons. You understand what you are supposed to do. You can feel the right position when you swing slowly. And yet on the course, the old miss comes straight back. If that sounds familiar, the problem may not be your understanding or your effort. It may be your body.
That is the idea behind TPI, and it is one of the most useful things a golfer can learn about their own game.
What TPI means
TPI stands for the Titleist Performance Institute, an education organisation that studies how the human body affects the golf swing. It trains golf coaches, fitness professionals and physiotherapists to use a shared way of looking at golfers. In everyday use, "TPI" has come to mean this whole approach, and in particular its physical screening.
The central idea is simple: a golf swing is a movement, and every movement is limited by the body that makes it. If your hips cannot turn, no amount of coaching will make them turn. If your shoulders are stiff, your arms will find another route to the ball.
Why your body decides your swing
Your coach can only ask for positions your body can reach. When it cannot, your body quietly finds a workaround. These workarounds are called compensations, and they are behind a surprising number of common faults.
| What you see in the swing | A physical reason it might happen |
|---|---|
| Standing up through impact | Limited hip mobility or weak glutes, so the body lifts to make room. |
| Arms lifting in the backswing | Restricted upper back or shoulder rotation, so the arms do the turning instead. |
| Early extension, hips thrusting towards the ball | Tight hips or hip flexors, or poor control of the lower body. |
| Losing posture during the swing | Limited core stability or tight hamstrings. |
| Swing feels fine slowly, falls apart at speed | The body can hold positions slowly but not under speed and force. |
These are possibilities, not diagnoses. Two golfers can show the same fault for completely different reasons, which is exactly why guessing does not work.
What a TPI movement screen involves
A TPI movement screen is a short series of simple physical tests, done in everyday clothing, with no equipment beyond a mat and a few bits of kit. A good screen looks at things such as:
- Mobility: how freely your hips, upper back, shoulders and ankles move.
- Stability: how well you control your body when it is asked to hold a position.
- Balance: how steady you are on one leg and while moving.
- Movement control: how well you can separate one part of the body from another, such as turning your upper body while keeping the lower body steady.
Nobody passes or fails. The screen simply shows where you are today, and the plan starts from there. You do not need to be fit or sporty beforehand.
Pairing the body with the swing
A screen on its own tells you about your body. A swing analysis on its own tells you about your swing. The real value comes from putting them together, because only then can you see which faults are physical and which are technical.
That is how we use it. Your TPI movement screening is paired with TrackMan and video swing analysis, so we can see whether the priority is technical, physical or a bit of both. See how TrackMan works for what the swing data shows.
What happens afterwards
The result is a plan, and it can go in several directions:
- Mostly technical. Your coach works on the swing, knowing your body can do what is asked.
- Mostly physical. You follow a set of exercises to build the mobility or stability you need, alongside lessons, so changes can stick.
- A mix. Swing coaching and body work run together, each supporting the other.
- Pain or restriction that needs treating. A physiotherapist can assess it first, then you return to the plan.
Our golf strength and conditioning work builds the programme around what your screen found, and our golf physiotherapy is there if something needs treating. Your PGA Professional leads the pathway, with the fitness and physio team joining in where they are needed.
Will it add distance?
Often, yes, though it is not a promise. Clubhead speed tends to come from moving well rather than from swinging harder. If a golfer is held back by stiffness or poor stability, freeing that up lets the swing work more efficiently. Many golfers find that better movement also means more consistent strikes and less strain on the body afterwards.
Who it is for
- Golfers whose swing changes never seem to last.
- Anyone with niggles in the lower back, hips, shoulders or knees after playing.
- Players who want more distance without swinging harder.
- Older golfers who want to keep playing comfortably for years.
- Juniors and improvers who want solid foundations early.
If you have an existing injury or medical condition, check with your doctor or physiotherapist before starting a new exercise programme.
What to expect on the day
Wear comfortable clothes you can move in, and trainers or bare feet for the movement tests. You will be asked about your golf, your health and any injuries, and then you will be guided through each movement while the coach watches and makes notes. Nothing is painful, and you can stop at any point. You will leave with a clear picture of your results, what they mean for your swing and what to do first. It is also a good moment to ask anything you have wondered about, such as why one side feels tighter than the other.
What it costs
A TPI movement screening session is £75, and it is paired with TrackMan and video swing analysis, so the plan covers both swing and body. If you would also like regular coaching, our monthly golf coaching programme is £60 a month. For other prices, see our guide to how much golf lessons cost.
The academy is at Ormonde Fields Golf Club in Codnor, about 20 minutes from Derby and Nottingham, and open every day, 7am to 10pm.
Want help putting this into practice?
Book a Session
