Hitting the ball straight is the goal of any new or high-handicap golfer. As you begin to play the game, you'll quickly realize how difficult it is to hit the ball straight consistently. However, with each round of golf your play and each trip to the driving range, you'll learn a little bit more about hitting the ball consistently straight. To hit it straight, you need to address the ball squarely, grip the club correctly and execute a solid swing.
Function
Each aspect of your swing affects every other aspect of the swing. If you have a poor address, it will affect your backswing. If you have a poor backswing, your downswing will be inconsistent. If you are insecure about your ability to hit the ball well, anxiety might take over and that might prevent you from getting a good follow-through. Each individual part of the golf swing is important but they must also flow together in order to hit the ball straight.
Considerations
In order to hit the ball straight, you have to start off with an excellent stance and grip. Your left shoulder--for a right-handed golfer--is facing the green. Your left foot should be underneath your left shoulder and your feet need to be a little wider than shoulder-width apart. Your knees have to be flexed in an athletic position. You need a firm grip when you swing the club, but it can't be too tight or too loose. If you think you can hit it farther by squeezing the club too tightly, all you will do is keep from getting the necessary shoulder rotation. If you hold the club too loosely, the club head will not remain in position when it makes contact with the ball.
Potential
Golfers who are small can often generate significant power and accuracy. This has to do with coordination and efficiency in the swing. It does not have to do with strength or power. Golfers who can put together a smooth backswing, consistent downswing and a full follow-through have the best chance of hitting the ball straight.
Effects
One of the fastest and best ways to generate a consistent swing that allows you to hit the ball straight consistently is practice time. It's not enough to play one of two rounds of golf every week if you want to hit the ball straight. You have to spend time at the practice range hitting 40 to 60 balls per practice session. You must work on all aspects of your swing and concentrate on each shot in order to improve enough to hit the ball straight.
Warning
Once golfers begin to get the hang of the game and see noticeable improvement in their game, they might start to believe they understand the nuances of the game of golf. However, instead of continuing to work on the fundamentals, they move on to other areas of the game. This can cause problems in an important match because the golfer will not think about the fundamentals when the match is on the line. This can cause a breakdown in the swing at the most important moments.
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