The golf swing remains a problem for many golfers around the world, as one small mistake can completely change a round. You should work on the mechanics of your golf swing but avoid overcompensating every time you make a bad shot. Avoid swinging too hard and swinging through the ball, as both of these methods will create holes in your swing.
Mechanics
Many golf swing problems begin because you try too hard to have the perfect swing. If you focus on trying to improve one aspect of your swing that you see as a problem, you will likely neglect other aspects of the swing. Many golf instructors will also hurt your swing because they only mask problems, rather than correcting them. You can correct poor swing mechanics, but you should begin by working on your balance, as this remains a major reason for many bad golf swings.
Swinging Too Hard
The harder you swing, the less chance you have of hitting the ball far. Faster swings tend to generate power at the wrong stages, so the club head will slow before you make contact. You should never swing an iron as hard as you can, but rather use a longer club than you think you need. This allows you to take a nice, smooth swing, which will lead to a longer and more accurate shot.
Find a Rhythm
Many golfers have a nice, smooth practice swing, but struggle to keep that swing when striking the ball. You do this because you have a mental image of the club striking the ball, which changes the intent of the swing. This instinctive change causes many bad golf swings because it changes your motion. If you can keep the rhythm that you have during your practice swings, you golf shots will improve.
Consistency
You will only develop a good golf swing if you can develop a consistent swing. If you always adjust your swing, you will run into problems on the course. A good swing stays the same each time, as muscle memory remains important to the overall quality of a shot. Although changing your swing to make up for a previous shot might provide short-term success, this will not lead to consistency. Changing your swing constantly leads to a swing based on mistakes that you have made, which you want to avoid at all costs.
References
- CEGolf.com: Band-Aid Golf Instruction
- WorldGolf; What Causes Poor Golf Swings?; Marc Solomon; May 2009
- "The Best Golf Tips Ever"; Nick Wright; 2003
- "The Keys to the Effortless Golf Swing: Curing Your Hit Impulse in Seven Simple Lessons"; Michael McTeigue; 1985
- "Hank Haney's Essentials of the Swing: A 7-Point Plan for Building a Better Swing and Shaping Your Shots"; Hank Haney; 2009
Member Comments