The Simple Golf Swing
April 5th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
More and more people are discovering that golf is a fantastic way of getting some exercise in fresh air and beautiful surroundings. Formerly the preserve of the rich and elite it is now a sport enjoyed by the masses. Enjoyable as it is though, it can also be the most frustrating game in the world. How can you hit a perfect drive straight down the middle on the eighth only to hook it left into the trees on the ninth? If you are serious about the game and have trouble with the simple golf swing, which is the basis of the sport, your stress level will go through the roof negating all the other benefits ssociated wiith golf.
Position – Get Your setup right
If you want a solid dependable building you need a good foundation. The simple golf swing is exactly the same. The first thing you have to do when building your simple golf swing is to examine your stance. I have sat with a professional before and watched golfers teeing off from the first hole at my local club. He could tell me exactly where the ball was going to go just from the way the person addressed the ball.
First of all address the ball as if you were going to make your swing. Then lay your club down so that the shaft touches the tips of both your left and right shoe. This will show you the direction in which you are actually aiming, and the chances are it won’t actually be at the pin!
If the golf club is not pointing towards the pin or your chosen target then adjust the shaft of the club until it is. Then reposition yourself so that your toes are once again touching the shaft of the club.
The next part of your stance that you need to addresses are your hips and shoulders. These should also be parallel with the shaft of the golf club on the ground. Then keeping this in mind pick up your golf club and take a few practice swings trying to keep your shoulders and hips parallel to that invisible line at the base of your toes.
The Simple Golf Swing
The next stage of the simple golf swing is becoming aware of the actual swing itself. The assistance of a golfing partner may be helpful in this or perhaps you could get someone to video you. This is extremely useful as you very rarely have the swing you think you have and you can’t dispute the evidence when it is caught on camera. These days you can even get special software such as SwingView Pro 6.0 to help you analyze your swing on the computer.
First look at the back swing. The actual start of the back swing should be relaxed and fluid. Take your time – deliberately try not to hit the ball too hard. When you reach the top of the back swing stop for a second. Then, let your downward golf swing flow in the same relaxed way towards the ball. You must remember that speed and force are not the basis of a good simple golf swing.
Also, try to notice whether you keep your wrists straight or is there a bit of movement? Ideally the movement of the wrists should happen just as the golf club is horizontal to the ground.
Contact – Connect With the Ball Properly
The third part of the simple golf swing is when your club makes contact with the golf ball. Remember that you are not playing baseball. The power to drive the golf ball does not come from your arms and shoulders. The whole of your upper body, as well as your legs, should play their part. Also, remember to follow the path of your golf club that was lying at your feet to position your stance. The simple golf swing should stay parallel with this imaginary line.
Don’t Forget The Follow Through
The final element of the simple golf swing is the follow through. It is imperative that when you have made contact with the ball that you continue your swing. When you have finished your entire body should have turned until you are facing your target with your arms high and the club above your head. You be amazed at the number of golfers who don’t do this and wonder why the ball isn’t going where they want it to. And that my friend is the simple golf swing. Good luck!
