Your golf swing is your signature on the golf course. The way you swing will determine how you play throughout your round of golf. It is the most important aspect of your game. Eventually, you will learn how to handle the short game and the putting greens, but building a consistent and repeatable swing is the most important aspect to playing solid golf.
Stance
Make sure your left shoulder--for a right-handed golfer--is facing the target directly. Your left foot needs to be underneath your left shoulder and your feet should be shoulder width apart. Bend your knees in an athletic position so you can transfer your weight from one side of your body to the other.
Ball Position
Where you play the ball is vitally important to your swing. If you are hitting with a driver, you want to play the ball about one ball length closer to your front foot than your back foot. This will enable your to make a sweeping swing and get the ball in the air. However, if you are playing with a medium or short iron, you will want to play the ball midway between your two feet. When you are hitting with those clubs you will want to swing down on the ball to get maximum accuracy and velocity.
Grip
Grip the club firmly but do not choke the club. If you grip the club too tightly, you won't be able to make a full rotation with your shoulders. If you grip it too loosely, the clubhead will move on contact with the ball and the result will be a shot that veers off course and gets into trouble. Grip the club at a "6" on a scale of 1 to 10. That's the same as a firm handshake.
Swing Process
Begin your swing by rotating your hips. When you look at the golf swing from a distance, it looks like your hands and arms are doing the majority of the work. However, a good golf swing involves the legs, hips, core muscles and back as well as the shoulders, arms and hands. When you rotate your hips to the rear you have a better chance of having a smooth and balanced swing and getting your whole body involved in the process.
Expert Insight
The golf swing not only has to be efficient, but it also has to be comfortable to the golfer. As you think about your stance, grip, balance, weight transfer and follow through, you may lose your comfort level because you are thinking about so many things.
According to golf instructor John Davies, the comfort factor can never be overlooked in your golf swing. "Your swing should not only look good but also should feel good," Davies said. "Analyze your swing from the back swing to the finishing stance, to be more precise see if your weight is properly balanced on front of your hips, your chest and back knee pointing to the intended direction of the ball. These might seem small things, but they are important."
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