There are three main components which must be coordinated to create a successful golf stroke: the initial setup, the backswing and the forward swing. These must all complement each other to allow for a smooth, uninterrupted chain of events which maximizes swing speed and control of the club path. Understanding the basics of these three golf swing steps will help you become a better player.
Setup
Placing the ball too close to your body or standing too far away from the ball can create an uneven swing path, such as an inside-to-out or an out-to-in swing which can create a slice or hook. Playing the ball too far behind you (closer to you back foot) or too far in front of you, can also create an incorrect swing path. There are recommended ball placements for the optimal golf swing, but those standards are based on the assumption the golfer has an otherwise correct swing.
While it's never wise to build a golf swing using a movement or ball placement that compensates for an incorrect swing mechanic, you may have to experiment with your ball placement, based on your swing, until you can work with a golf teacher. Practice placing the ball exactly in the middle of your stance (equidistant between your back foot and front foot) and gauge the results of your swing. Next, place the ball slightly closer to your front foot and estimate those results. Do the same with placing the ball back.
A more open stance occurs when the heel of your front foot is even with the middle of your back foot, rather than both heels even with each other. A closed stance brings the back foot farther forward. The distance between your feet will also affect your swing. The farther apart, the lower your center of gravity; the closer together, the more balance you will have.
Backswing
Taking the club back is done with eccentric muscle contractions. The longer you take your club back, the more energy you will create for your forward swing. During the backswing, you will shift your weight onto your back foot; this will allow you to accelerate your hip into the swing during the forward swing, which creates the internal shoulder rotation which produces most of your club speed.
While the arms initially lead the backswing, rotation of the torso completes the takeback and weight shift. At the top of the backswing, just prior to the finish, the club head must slow down, almost to a slight pause, before the forward swing begins. This helps you better coordinate the change from backswing to forward swing.
Forward Swing
In the forward swing, the hips open during the downward phase of the arms, moving the torso back into an open position, creating internal shoulder rotation. During this time, your weight will shift from your back foot onto your front leg.
The hips---not the arms---create forward movement of the club, generating the power needed to create maximum club acceleration. This is where the phrase, "Swing Easy, Hit Hard," derives its meaning. Because you do not have to create all of the acceleration with the arms, you can relax your grip, which decreases forearm muscle tension, a significant cause of deceleration in the golf swing.
Finally, a full follow through after contact with the ball allows you to use all of the acceleration created during your forward swing to drive into the ball.
References
- "British Journal of Sports Medicine;" Muscle Activity During the Golf Swing; A. McHardy, H. Pollard; November 2005
- "British Journal of Sports Medicine;" Biomechanics and Tennis; Dr. Bruce Elliot; December 2005
- W. Ben Kibler: The 4,000 Watt Tennis Player
- Athletic Quickness: Golf - The Anatomy of the Forward Swing
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