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10 Steps to a Perfect Golf Swing
There's not a beginner out there who has had major problems getting the all important swing down to a science. (Well, OK, we've all seen those home movies of Tiger Woods when he was two years old and even though his golf clubs were a foot taller than he was, this little tyke could drive and putt as well as Jack Nicklaus.)
Some of us are born with a perfect swing and the first time on the course it's obvious. For the record, the rest of us hate you all.
For those who weren't so lucky, we need to practice our grip, stance, balance, position, and body contortions that can be just plain downright painful if not carried out properly.
These tips may or may not help you win your first "green jacket", but at least you'll be able to tee off without embarrassing yourself – or your friends!
Before going crazy over your swing, however, get some clubs that fit you. If you are seriously interested in playing golf, borrowing clubs at your local public course won't do you much good. You'll be fighting with a club that doesn't fit you in order to perfect a swing that won't happen. Using the wrong size golf clubs is no different than having a 6 year old try to bat with a heavy full size bat. (Forget Tiger Woods!)
- Your grip is important. Don't hold your club like a baseball bat. There are 3 common styles to use, but the most comfortable and the easiest for most of us is this: fold your hands around the club a few inches from the top, intertwine your little fingers, and overlap your thumbs so they both point down, on top of each other. When done successfully, this form looks like you are praying. I'm sure there's a reason for this!
- Flex your elbows and wrists. Remember, you are not swinging a bat.
- Flex your knees a little, just past the point of not standing up straight. Bend over, too. Not much, but just make sure you aren't standing up straight.
- Place your feet facing forward, about 18" apart to start with. As you practice your swing, you'll be able to adjust this distance to what feels natural to you. If it doesn't feel natural, you'll never be able to move that ball.
- Now, focus on the ball. Don't be looking at the club.
- Next, you need to move your arms up and back in one easy move – this is where you either make it or break it. Twist your entire body in one fluid motion. This is where most of the problems begin. You can't move your arms up and back and then decide you need to twist more at the waist, or maybe reposition your knees. Everything needs to move at the same speed, at the same angle, at the same time. Before practicing on the course or at a putting range, practice at home in front of a mirror (without the ball of course). The trick here is that you need to watch yourself in the mirror, not look down at the ball.
- As you swing the club up and back, your left foot should lift up and twist, keeping the ball of your foot on the ground and pivoting to follow the swing. If you're a dancer, this will come naturally to you.
- Now that you are all twisted like a pretzel, your next moves will determine what happens to the ball. (Your goal is not only to hit it, but to hit it really far – and towards the appropriate hole, not into the sand, pond, or trees. At this point, if you are a beginner, just hitting the ball is a big deal.) Without missing more than a nanosecond, once you have your backward swing completed, you now need to swing down and front – all the while not taking your eyes off the ball.
- The front swing is where you need to pick up speed. The funny thing with a golf swing is that you don't need to smack the ball hard in order to get it to go far. Some of the easiest and softest swings can turn your game into an under par miracle. It's all about where the club meets the ball.
- As you bring your arms down, you are going to reverse your stance. Your left foot at this point should still be off the ground with the ball of the foot and your big toe pivoted towards your right. As you swing down at the ball you now need to complete the swing up over your left shoulder – the follow through. In order to finish with a clean follow through, your left foot will return to its original position as your right foot now lifts up with the ball and toe pivoting towards the left. Your club should be at roughly at a 90 degree angle over your left shoulder – and your ball should be flying through the air.
Don't feel bad if you don't master this the first time out. The swing is tough. Pros the world over still head to putting ranges on weekends just to hit balls and practice their swing.
Thank you to Marie Duffoo for this "Golf Swing Tips" article.
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