Tips for the Golf Swing

Tips for the Golf Swing
Photo Credit the golf swing pose - one of a series of instructional illustrat image by Wingnut Designs from Fotolia.com

The golf swing takes a lot of work to master. Most golfers need many rounds and many hours of practice at the driving range before they feel comfortable with their swing. Having an effective golf swing is not about powering the ball and driving it 300 yards every time you tee it up. It's about being able to hit the ball straight and do it with consistency. It takes balance, coordination, timing and confidence.

Set-up

You might not have a smooth swing because you have the correct set-up, but you will be taking the first step toward getting there. Make sure your left shoulder (for a right-handed player) is facing the target. Your left foot needs to be directly under your shoulder and your feet should be about shoulder-length apart with your weight evenly distributed. Bend your knees so your are in an athletic position.

Backswing

Make your first move with your hips. Roll your hips to the right (again, for a right-handed golfer) and keep going at a slow and steady speed until you can't go any further. As your hips are turning, bring your arms back to shoulder height. Your club and your forearm should form the letter "L" when you have reached the top of the backswing.

Making Contact

Once you have reached the top of the backswing, you are ready to begin your downswing. Roll your hips forward. Once you get to the hitting zone, your hands will follow. Just before you make hit the ball, you need to snap your right wrist as you make contact. This will allow you to hit the ball straight and give your shot more distance. Keep your head down after contact. You do not want to take your eyes off of the spot where you hit the ball until your club has gotten to hip level on the follow-through.

References

Article reviewed by Kirk Ericson Last updated on: Mar 24, 2010

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