Golf for Beginners

Golf for Beginners

Archive for the 'Golf Swing Instruction' Category

Fix My Golf Swing!

“FIX MY GOLF SWING!”

I can hear you from here! Okay, so let’s look at fixing that golf swing…Let’s look at the proper way to swing a golf club. When you initiate the downswing, your body starts to uncoil itself (literally) and releases a surge of built up energy. Beginning with your hips turning, then the shoulders, and ultimately the arms and wrists, the entire movement is like a whip snapping. Before you make contact with the ball, the worst thing that can happen is allowing your hands and forearms to release, or turn over.

Similar to a shutting door, the clubface quickly moves from an open position to a closed position as it approaches impact. The releasing movement is then caused by your hands and forearms turning. If you do not have this release then the clubface remains open and the resulting shot is typically an unwanted slice.

During the precise moment of impact, your clubface should be pointing in the direction of the target line, yet on its way to closing, or at least pointing far left of the target line (right-handed golfers). Most players that demonstrate poor shots do not release the clubface in the manner as just described, which results in lack of distance and severely reduced accuracy of the intended target.

Pay Attention To Your Grip

To ensure that you release appropriately, pay attention to your grip. It should be firm, yet light pressured throughout the entire swing. Nothing causes a terrible shot more than having too much tension coming from the arms and hands.

Next, make an extra effort to swing with a decent tempo. Too many golfers, especially beginners, swing so hard and so fast that they leave the clubface open when impact occurs.

And finally, for right-handed golfers, make a concentrated effort to keep the backside of your left hand pointing down towards the target line during impact.

Making Impact Count

The last lesson here for making the best of your golf swing is to get the impact right. You should have the feeling that your forearm (right side for right-handed golfers) is turning over your left forearm when impact occurs.

You can practice this movement by swinging in slow motion. Simply swing the club up and throughout, and pay attention to the movement that your forearms are making. At this point, make the effort to turn the right forearm over the left one.

When impact arrives, totally freeze your entire body and then check out the position of your clubface. It will either be square, open, or closed. The goal is to ensure that it is square to your target line, which is exactly what you want.

Golf Swing Instruction - Find Your Tempo

With some proper golf swing instruction, time and patience, you’ll be well on your way to finding your perfect and individual golf swing tempo. What determines the qualities needed for the average golf player to become great at their golf swing? And what exactly is a great golf swing anyways?

There is a good answer to both of these questions, but first let’s examined a professional golf player that is noted to have probably the best swing in the entire PGA tour, well, at least one of the best!

His name is Ernie Els and although he is over 6 feet tall, Ernie displays amazing grace and fluid athleticism. With impeccable timing, power, and amazing coordination, he makes swinging a golf club look like a piece of cake. Ernie’s shots are as smooth as silk, and never appears to be forced or rushed, as if he were swinging underwater.

A Lesson You Can Take From Ernie

If you are an average player, like myself, then don’t be too hard on yourself if you cannot swing a golf club like Ernie Els does. However, you can learn quite a few tips from the pros.

First off, do not try to kill the ball. You don’t want to chop, slash, hammer, or swipe at the ball. Even amateur golf players who have been playing for a few years still swing as if they want to kill the ball. If you put too much energy and stress into your swing, you will undoubtedly end up making poor shots and with less power than had you used more grace and fluidity.

Take It Easy

Do you want to hit the ball long and hard, enough so that it travels at a great distance and lands exactly where you want it to go? If so, then forget about using brute strength.

Professional golfers understand that hitting the ball as hard as they possibly can may actually impede their progress. Proper tempo, grace, and a solid technique will move the ball higher and longer than just using force.

The pros understand this. In fact, you will never see John Daly or Tiger Woods using all of their might to hit the ball at the expense of technique and finesse.

Everyone Has A Different Tempo

One of the interesting ingredients that make a great golf swing is an individual player’s tempo speed. Every golfer has their own tempo (speed of swing). For example, take a look at professional golf players such as Fred Couples and Ernie Els. They both swing in a very easy, almost lazy manner. Tom Watson, on the other hand, displays a more deliberate swing that comes off very fast.

It is important that you develop your own personal swing tempo. Most players have tempos that mimic their personality. If you are more relaxed and easy going, chances are that your swing will display the same attitude.

If you are more high strung, talk a lot, and move fast, then you will probably have a more deliberate and speedier swing, such as Tom Watson. There is no right or wrong in terms of tempo. Developing your own style is always the best route.

Beginner Golf Swing Instruction

Looking for some beginner golf swing instruction help. Here are 4 golf beginner golf swing tips and some instruction so that you can perfect your own swing. Before you make your swing to hit the ball, it is best to have a routine that you can quickly go through in order to bring together your focus and mental energy.

Let’s look at an example:

Step 1: Take one practice swing. Many players, especially beginners, tend to overdo this first step by taking too many practice swings. Unfortunately, taking too many practice swings can make a person more nervous and less confident about the shot.

All you need is one decent practice swing before hitting the ball. Keep it simple and try to keep your mind off of the swing as much as possible. Your goal is to simply limber up your arms and shoulders, not over-stressing the play.

Step 2: Visualize the outcome of the shot you wish to see. Once you have loosened up with a practice swing, take a few steps back and mentally visualize the clubhead hitting the ball in perfect harmony with your desired aim.

Picture the ball flying through the air, with a perfect arc, and then landing exactly where you want it to go. Literally pretend that you are making a real shot, then step up to the ball for the real thing.

Step 3: Get your aim dialed in. Now it is time to get your aim set up so that you can hit the ball directly to your desired landing spot. You must align yourself with the clubhead in accordance with the turf and the distance you need to reach your goal.

Once you are ready, select a second target that is a few feet in front of you, one that is in the direct line of fire. This second target makes it easier to hit the ball towards your destination.

Step 4: Fire! At this point, you have taken one practice swing, visualized the entire shot in your mind, and have dialed in perfectly with your aim. It is now time to swing your club. Before you make your shot, however, be sure to stay limber by wiggling the clubhead a bit. Once you’re ready, it is time to get your backswing in motion and go for the gold!

With this golf swing instruction perfect for beginners and intermediate players alike, you’re bound to see improvement in your swing.