England’s current golf icon, Justin Rose, came agonizingly close to winning the 2025 Masters, falling to Rory McIlroy in a sudden-death playoff after a thrilling final-round 66 that featured 10 birdies (one shy of the single-round record). It was Rose’s second Masters playoff loss, the first to Sergio García in 2017.
Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and raised in Hampshire, England, Rose was a golf prodigy who shocked the world as a 17-year-old amateur with a fourthplace finish at the 1998 Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, holing out from the fairway at the 18th. After turning pro that year, he struggled early, missing 21 consecutive cuts, but finally broke through in 2002 by winning the Dunhill Championship held at Houghton Golf Club in the town where he was born.
His enviable golf swing has been shaped over the years by GOLF Top 100 Teachers Sean Foley and Mark Blackburn, his coach since 2023 and whose adjustments powered Rose’s 2023 Pebble Beach win and 2025 Masters heroics. And despite persistent back issues, Rose’s resilience still shines. He has an Olympic gold medal (2016) and 11 Tour wins plus an impeccable Ryder Cup win average.
Rose’s 2025 Masters charge, with birdies on five of six holes from the 10th, showcases his undeniable grit. His heart and skill (see above) keep him in the hunt, a testament to his perseverance and a model for golfers chasing glory at any age.
Read on below for a breakdown of Rose’s swing and what you can learn from it.
1. Address
Rose’s trail arm is flexed just enough to show some of his front arm, a simple move that keeps his shoulders square. Great posture with the upper back rounded downward and slightly to the right.
2. Takeaway
Justin’s clubhead leads the parade here, seemingly “pulling” the rest of his body all the way to the top. It’s a great move to copy and to keep the hands from working too far to the inside too soon.
3. Top
However you do it, copy the way Justin sets the clubhead smackdab between his two arms as he reaches the top. You can thank me later.
4. Downswing
The fact that you can still see the zipper on Justin’s pullover at this point in the downswing is evidence that this guy really knows how to swing a golf club. He’s leading with his lower body and — as Jack Nicklaus always recommended — “saving his turn for the last.” Perfect.
5. Impact
Notice how Justin keeps his trail arm under his lead arm as he strikes the ball. It doesn’t get much better than this. And though this is but a photo, you can see that his back hip is slightly rising as he pushes off his back foot. Hall of fame stuff.
6. Release
Justin swings out to the right while “throwing” the clubhead past his hands by straightening his trail arm and wrist. And check out the wrinkles in his jumper! That’s side bend, folks, and the ultimate key to power and accuracy.
