While many people enjoy the leisurely pace of a round of golf, some become frustrated by their unsatisfactory swing performance. Although the basic golf swing looks deceptively simple, it requires precise positioning and consistent movement. Golfers can improve their score by picking up tips and tricks to improve their swing. The components of a good swing are not really "secrets," because they are available to golfers of all experience levels, but they are often ignored by beginners and intermediate players.
Club Face Alignment
The setup is one of the most important components of the swing, because it determines everything that comes after it. Start by getting behind the ball and assessing your target, advises Barry Goldstein, a golf instructor and contributing author for GolfTipsMag.com. Then set your club face to aim toward the target before you ever get into your stance. Allow your club face to dictate your stance.
Teeing the Ball
Golfers rarely hit the ball straight consistently. Most players, even intermediate golfers, tend to either slice or hook the ball. In a slice, the ball curves to the left as it comes off the tee, then curves to the right mid-flight. In a hook, the ball starts traveling right, then curves to the left. In an article at Tomsgolftips.com, Nick Bayley, a professional golf instructor based in New Zealand, says tee height can help correct these problems. Teeing the ball higher will help straighten out a swing that produces a slice, while teeing the ball lower can help fix a swing that produces a hook.
Grip
A proper grip will help you develop a smooth consistent swing and achieve better results. Grip the handle with the gloved hand first, making sure the grip rests between the palm and the first knuckle. Wrap the gloved hand around the handle, closer to the club head than your non-gloved hand. Both hands should form "V" shapes that roughly point toward the right side of your chest, according to Goldstein.
Follow Through
A lack of follow through is a common problem among beginning golfers. Many people have difficulty understanding how the swing can continue to affect the shot after the club comes in contact with the ball. After the club face contacts the ball, continue the swing until your hands are parallel to the shoulder pointing toward the target. The club should be over your leading shoulder. Starting the downswing with the full finish in mind also keeps you from flipping your hands over, which can turn the club face and ruin the shot, according to Goldstein.
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