Last Updated: Nov 20, 2023
Golf Swing Position: Top of Swing (P4)
The top of the swing, or "P4" is the moment before the golfer makes the transition move and is absolutely critical to the golf swing!
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Table of Contents
The golf swing has 10 distinct swing positions. The purpose for classifying each position is so that online writers (like myself) and instructors can more easily communicate with the student. While some positions are more relevant than others, each has unique characteristics that allow us golfers to analyze our swing piece-by-piece to improve our overall motion.
The Top of Swing (P4) position, also known as “P4” for short is the fourth position in the golf swing and is part of the backswing.
Top of Swing (P4) Position: Overview
You're locked and loaded. Getting to a powerful top-of-swing position is critical to hitting the ball 300 yards down the middle.
Down the Line (DTL) View of the Top of Swing (P4) Position
Below is the “down the line” view of the Top of Swing (P4) position. When filming from the DTL view, it is important to have the camera at waist height pointing down your target line directly below your hands. You can learn more about filming your golf swing in the DTL view in my post on recording and analyzing the golf swing.

Face-On (FO) View of the Top of Swing (P4) Position
Below is the “face-on” view of the Top of Swing (P4) position. When filming from the FO view, it is important to have the camera at waist height pointing directly in front of your body. You can learn more about filming your golf swing in the DTL view in my post on recording and analyzing the golf swing.

Back (B) View of the Top of Swing (P4) Position
Below is the “back” view of the Top of Swing (P4) position. This is for illustrative purposes only and I don‘t recommend filming your golf swing from this angle. You should be able to learn whatever you need from the DTL and FO views alone.
