How to Hit the Golf Ball Correctly

How to Hit the Golf Ball Correctly
Photo Credit the golf swing pose - one of a series of instructional illustrat image by Wingnut Designs from Fotolia.com

Hitting the golf ball well is a thrill that keeps many golfers coming back for more. A golfer who can hit one or two good shots knows how good it feels to hit a ball squarely and have it fly down the middle. However, improving at the game is about building a consistent and repeatable swing. In order to hit the ball correctly on a regular basis, you must understand how to get into the right position to hit the ball and then execute the fundamentals of a good swing.

Step 1

Line up correctly before you begin your swing. If you want to hit the ball straight, make sure you are lined up with your left shoulder--for a right-handed player--facing the target. Your left foot needs to be lined up directly under your left shoulder and your feet should be shoulder width apart. Bend your knees so you can shift your weight easily.

Step 2

Grip the club firmly but not too tightly. Most golfers know the feeling of taking hold of the club tightly and swinging from their heels as they try to bust a long drive that will impress their playing partners. This almost always results in a poor shot for most new golfers and high handicappers. Instead, start with a firm grip but one that is not too tight. Your grip strength should be at a "6" on a scale of 1 to 10. That's the same as a firm handshake with a business associate.

Step 3

Roll your hips to the rear to get your swing started. The golf swing is not just about swing with your arms and shoulders. A good golf swing has the entire body involved. To get into the correct launch position, you need all your weight on your back side. Rolling your hips to the rear will help you do this. Make sure the club reaches shoulder height on the backswing.

Step 4

Come forward with your hips to get your downswing going. Your arms and shoulders will follow. Once your hips clear the hitting zone, bring your hands to and through the ball. Make sure you snap your right wrist on impact in order to get maximum distance and accuracy on your shot.

Step 5

Finish your swing after hitting the ball. You don't want to stop your swing after impact in order to see where your shot is going. Instead, you want to stay focused on the back of the ball and bring your hands up to shoulder height. This will help you to hit the ball straight on a consistent basis.

References

Article reviewed by Brian Peters Last updated on: Jul 29, 2010

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