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golf

Golf Swing Basics: Building a Solid Foundation

by shedboy71 23rd September 2024

Golf is a game that requires skill, precision, and a solid foundation in order to achieve success on the course. Whether you are a beginner or have some experience with the game, mastering the fundamentals of a golf swing is essential.

In this article, we will explore the key elements of a golf swing and provide you with tips and techniques to help you build a strong foundation for your swing.

Grip: The Key to Control and Accuracy

One of the most important aspects of a golf swing is the grip. A proper grip allows for control and accuracy throughout the swing. When gripping the club, it is important to find a comfortable position that allows for a firm hold without tension.

There are different grip sizes available, and it is recommended to get fitted for the right size that suits your hand. The grip involves two parts – the upper hand and the lower hand. Many golfers use an overlapping grip, also known as the Vardon grip, where the little finger of the lower hand overlaps the index and middle fingers of the upper hand.

There are three different strengths of grip: neutral, strong, and weak. The neutral grip is the most common and allows for a square clubface at impact. The strong grip promotes a closed clubface, resulting in a draw or hook, while the weak grip promotes an open clubface, resulting in a fade or slice.

Stance and Posture: The Foundation of a Solid Swing

A proper stance and posture are crucial for a solid golf swing. Your stance should be shoulder-width apart, with a slight knee bend. The weight should be evenly distributed between both feet, allowing for balance and stability throughout the swing.

Posture is equally important, as it ensures that you are in the optimal position to make a powerful and controlled swing. Bend forward at the hips, keeping your back straight but relaxed. Let your arms hang naturally, allowing for a comfortable grip on the club.

Alignment: Setting Up for Success

Alignment plays a crucial role in hitting accurate shots. Before addressing the ball, it is important to establish your target line. Your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders should be parallel to the target line, ensuring that your body is aligned correctly.

To check your alignment, you can use a golf club placed along your toes, ensuring that it is pointing towards your target. This will help you visualize the correct alignment and make any necessary adjustments.

Swing Planes: Finding the Right Path

The golf swing plane refers to the angle and path created by the club as it travels from the address position to the backswing, through impact, and into the follow-through. There are two types of swing planes – the one-plane swing and the two-plane swing.

The one-plane swing is characterized by a more shallow swing plane around the body, allowing for better players to draw the ball. The two-plane swing is more complicated and involves a more upright backswing and a flatter downswing. Each swing plane has its own benefits and is suited for different players based on their flexibility and strength.

Backswing: Setting the Stage for Success

The backswing is a crucial part of the golf swing, as it sets the stage for the rest of the swing. It is important to start the backswing by taking the hands back in a straight line, while rotating your body and keeping your left arm straight. This will ensure proper width in the arms and a full shoulder turn.

As you continue the backswing, your lead shoulder should turn under your chin, and your weight should shift to your back foot. Maintain good balance and posture throughout the backswing, allowing for a powerful and controlled downswing.

Transition and Downswing: Generating Power and Speed

The transition from the backswing to the downswing is a crucial moment in the golf swing. It is important to initiate the downswing by shifting your weight back to your front foot and allowing your hips to lead the way. This will generate power and speed in your swing.

As you start the downswing, maintain a smooth and fluid motion, gradually increasing speed as you approach impact. Keep your hands in front of the clubhead, ensuring a square clubface at impact for accurate shots.

Finish and Follow-Through: Completing the Swing

The finish and follow-through are often overlooked but are essential for a complete and successful golf swing. A balanced and controlled finish allows for maximum acceleration through impact and ensures that your swing is completed in a fluid motion.

In the finish position, your body should be fully rotated towards the target, with your weight balanced on your front foot. Maintain a relaxed grip on the club and a stable body position, as if posing for a photo. This will promote consistency and accuracy in your swing.

Tips for Building a Great Golf Swing

Building a great golf swing takes time and practice. Here are some tips to help you improve your swing and become more competitive on the course:

Control direction with your lead hand: Use the back of your lead hand to control the clubface and direction of your shots.
Improve your grip for straighter shots: Find a grip that feels comfortable and allows for a square clubface at impact.
Swing smoothly for better tempo: Focus on maintaining a smooth rhythm throughout your swing, avoiding any sudden or jerky movements.
Know your target: Take the time to align yourself properly and visualize your target before every shot.

Remember, each golfer has their own unique swing, so it is important to find what works best for you. Taking lessons with a PGA professional can be extremely beneficial in helping you develop and refine your swing.

Conclusion

Mastering the basics of a golf swing is essential for success on the course. By focusing on your grip, stance, alignment, swing planes, and the various stages of the swing, you can build a solid foundation for your game. Practice regularly, seek professional guidance, and remain patient as you work towards improving your golf swing. With time and dedication, you will see improvements in your accuracy, distance, and overall performance on the course.

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How to improve your backswing in golf

by shedboy71 8th September 2019

Perfecting A Backswing Quickly & Easily

In order to get more extension & turn in your backswing, there are a few simple things that you can do to help. One mistake that many players make is that they use a grip that is too loose, especially the left hand grip (for right-handed players).

A loose your grip will help you extend your clubhead behind your body.
But, the problem with this is that you must remember to re-tighten your left hand when following through. If you don’t, the alignment of your clubhead might get thrown off. The result can affect the accuracy of your shot.

It is best to always maintain a firm, yet light grip on the club. Varying your grip pressure during a swing should therefore be avoided.
One of the best ways to increase the arc of your backswing is to keep turning your left shoulder until it has reached a point somewhere over your right foot.
This way you will always create a “full turn.”

This full turn should create the fastest speed that you can possibly generate while still maintaining a good amount of balance & grace in your swing.

A. The Top Of Your Swing

At the top of your backswing, look at the position of your club shaft to see if you are on the proper plane & if you really have a full backswing.
The club should be perfectly parallel to your target line & the clubhead should literally be pointing right towards your target.

An easy way to correct your swing is to have a partner watch your moves. Better yet, have him videotape your swing so that you can determine the real changes that are needed.
Remember, you want your club to point directly towards the target & your swing to be on the correct plane.

If you are a right-handed golfer, then check to see if the club is pointing to the left of your target. If so, then the club is considered to be “layed off” which will often result in a slice.

When the club is pointing to the right of your target, then you have “crossed over” which may result in a hook.
With a little work & practice, you can fine tune your backswing so that the clubhead will always be pointing directly towards your target.

Adjustments like this, my friend, will help you get well on your way to a lower score.

Come From The Inside & Other Tips

Putting hard work and effort into fine-tuning a backswing is an investment every aspiring golf player should make. There are many tips & tricks that can help you develop better form & accuracy. But, the best advice is to stick to the basics, especially if you are a beginner or amateur.

Every golfer wants to hit the ball with as much power & accuracy as possible without sacrificing form & balance. So, in order to accomplish this, you must be able to hit for distance without “coming over the top” (as it is commonly referred to).

Coming over the top is a flaw which causes the clubhead to veer to the outside of the target line during the downswing. What happens when you “come over the top?” A horrendous slice is what happens….

A. Come From The Inside

To avoid this, you must learn how to keep your clubhead from moving outside of the target line. This can be accomplished by simply working on a technique which is the opposite of coming over the top: come at the ball from the inside.

Coming at the ball from the inside may be easier said than done for the beginner golfer. Practice is key & once you get the hang of it, you can rid yourself of that terrible slice that comes from coming over the top. You’ve got to make impact with the ball from a downswing which comes from the inside of the target line ever so slightly.

B. How To Train Yourself

There are drills that you can practice which will help you come from the inside.
Here is a simple training procedure known as a swing path drill:
1. Take 3 tees & place them into the turf at approximately 3 to 4 inches apart from one another, in a perfect line, and at a 45° angle to your target line. If you are a right-handed golfer, then the line should point to your left foot (make sure that you have enough room in between each tee so that you can swing the club).
2. Now it’s time to find your swing path. Take out your 5-iron & practice a few swings by attempting to hit the top portion of the middle tee. In order to do so, your clubhead must pass between the outside tees in the pathway (best described as “in-to-out”) in order to avoid hitting them.
By practicing this technique and hitting the middle tee like this on a

consistent basis, you will be making contact correctly from the inside. If you happen to hit the outside tees, then you are still coming over the top and need more practice.
This can be a great way to narrow your swing’s focus & get it right every time.

C. Power Comes From Technique

Many golfers think that over-swinging automatically creates more power & that there is a direct ratio between the size of the swing & the power it generates.
But, this thinking is incorrect.
The truth is that you’ll get maximum power only when you swing within the confines of your feet.
There are two basic rules to remember:
1. Avoid placing your weight on the outside of your right foot during the backswing.

2. Avoid placing your weight on the outside of your left foot until after you make contact with the ball.

And here is how you should position your knees, ankles, & feet during a swing:

Start with your weight evenly distributed on the balls of your feet. As you shift your weight to the inside of your right foot on the backswing, roll the left foot in. The left knee should turn in naturally, but the right knee should remain fairly stationary.
Now, as you come into the ball, your right knee should turn & your weight should move off the ball of your right foot and onto your left.
Meanwhile, the right knee should head straight towards the hole. After impact, your weight should keep moving until it is focused on the outside of your left foot. Eventually your weight will be far off to the left and your right heel will come off the ground.

One-Armed Swings For Faster Improvement

A great practice technique that can be a remarkable way to help develop a better swing is to try one-handed swings.

Here is what to do:
1. Stand over the ball with your normal stance and grip a wedge or 9-iron.

2. Let go of the club with your dominant hand. Keep it at your side. (Remember, this drill requires only one arm).

3. Start by taking one armed chip shots. These small chip shots help you develop a better feel for getting the clubhead on the ball. This will also let you see how the ball moves when it comes off the clubface.

4. Continue this drill & work your way up to taking ¾ swing pitch shots, still using just your non-dominant hand.
If you keep practicing, you will find your confidence in one arm swings improving. Therefore, when you go back to making normal swings, they will seem stronger & the ball will fly farther. Also, normal swings will seem MUCH easier too!

Hit The Wall

One of the most common swing errors occur when golfers take their clubs too far inside of the target on the backswing.
This move is typically caused by having a backswing that is controlled more by the hips and the dipping of shoulders away from the golf ball.
This move leads to many bad shots like duck hooks, topped shots, & slices. Stuff you definitely don’t want.

A. The Simple Solution
To fix this problem, there is a simple practice technique that you can use: try balancing yourself against a wall. Simply situate your body with a wall behind you & pretend to address the ball while your backside touches the wall.

Now simulate your backswing (in slow motion).

If you find that your club is touching the wall, this means that you are moving too far inside.
By practicing the above drill with a wall, you will correct your backswing path as well as be alerted to any other problems that you might have.
For instance…you may be “laying off.” This term describes when a golfer’s hands have moved the club under the plane on the backswing (sometimes due to having weak wrists).
Adjust as necessary.

Videos

Sport

How To Become A Great Putter

by shedboy71 8th September 2019

Introduction- How To Become A Great Putter

Beginner golfers tend to think that the type of putter used is what makes a great shot. However, the truth is that you can go out and spend hundreds of dollars on a new putter, but it’s not the club that counts (though it doesn’t hurt)….

A.The Real Secret
Do you want to know the real secret behind becoming an excellent putter?
The answer is (drumroll)… Confidence. And confidence is often developed from practice. Both real & imaginary practice. And “Imaginary practice” (imagery) is more effective than you might think, according to some studies.

Your $500 putter can definitely help. But, the true power lies in your ability to see and believe that you have a chance to make every putt that you attempt.

Ask anyone good a putting, and he or she will tell you the exact same thing.

When they approach the ball, they know full well that they have total control and that they will sink that ball with every swing made.
Sounds a bit cocky, right? It is, but it’s that attitude which makes winners on the green,
B. Always Have A Target Line
Every putt you make should always be straight. Okay, perhaps your shot will not end up going in a straight direction, but that’s not the point I am trying to make here.
By saying that each putt should be a straight putt, I mean that you should stroke every putt straight down the target line.
In order to hit a straight putt, visualize a straight line that travels from the back of the ball directly down your target line.
This straight line should stretch all the way to the hole or least to a point that you selected so that the ball will break right to the hole.
To better increase your chance of success, choose a spot on the target line to aim at. Remember, the target doesn’t have to necessarily be the actual hole. It can be anything, so long as it gets your ball rolling in the proper direction toward the hole.

II. The Catch 22 Of Putting Shots
One of the major factors influencing a putt’s success or failure is it’s speed. In other words, the pressure that you apply on your swing determines your success as a putter. However, it’s not that easy….

A. The Catch 22
You see, if you hit it too hard, the ball will cruise right past the hole. When this happens, you will need to make an extended recovery shot.
On the other hand, if you don’t put enough pressure on your swing, the ball will stop short of the hole.
Thus, the “Catch 22” of putting.

Hitting the ball too hard will give you less break, or curve. For example, if you hit the ball too hard and had calculated six or seven inches of break, the ball will likely break just two or three inches. And thereby miss the target.

By hitting the ball too hard, even a putt that is only two feet long can cause you to miss the hole completely. Your own power is your downfall.
But, if you hit the ball too gently, the ball may break more than your calculation and also miss the hole.

Therefore, the success of the putt depends on the speed of the ball.
Speed, along with distance, go hand and hand on the putting green.

III. Dangers To Look Out
If you think that your ball is safe once it hits the green, think again! There are unsuspecting obstacles, or a better term would be annoyances, that can wreck a seemingly perfect putt.
When making your putt, the following unsuspecting problems may hinder your success on the green:

A. Grass
Since when is trimmed short grass on the green a problem? Although the smooth surface of the green is well kept and maintained, it is still grass after all, and it will grow. A small patch of higher-than-normal grass blades can get in the way of a perfect putt.
That’s what you have to watch out for. A poor groundskeeper can ruin your day!

B. Leftover Footprints
It is common etiquette not to step in the same line of your fellow player’s shots on the green, so as to not create footprints. But not everyone has such good etiquette unfortunately. What if the group

ahead of you has trampled all over the green? Footprints may not be easy to see, but they can interfere with your ball’s line of travel.

C. Untouched Grass Around The Hole
Greens gets a lot of foot traffic from people walking all over them. People make their putt shots, walk around them to grab their balls, and all sorts of other stuff . But the 6 to 10 inches that surround the hole itself never really gets stepped on. This can also create an uneven level of grass and cause your ball to move in a different direction.

IV. Putting From A Bunker
Is it possible to successfully putt the ball from a sand bunker?

The answer is yes, it is definitely possible! There are times when the bunker sand is so hard and lipless, that you can make a successful putt. It’s not easy from the sand, but it can be done.
As Arnold Palmer says, “the worst putt is better than your best chip.”

Before trying to make the “hero” putt shot from the sand, it is important to properly assess the situation. If the following conditions exist, you may be able to go for a successful putt from the bunker:
1. The sand must be firm and well packed.
2. There must be absolutely no lip at the top of the bunker/edge of the grass.
3. The ball should not have to roll for more than 4 feet or so of sand. This is because it is often harder to roll the ball on sand rather than grass.
4. The hole should be very close to the bunker.

I. Putting Strategies
Long putts can turn into rewarding & anticipated challenges for those who are well practiced. If there is one thing that many great putters have in common, it’s that they have a natural sense of feel for the speed & distance needed to make their shots.
This feel isn’t something that you can easily discern from a “how to” booklet.

It must be learned by instinct & then practiced repeatedly.

A. The Proper Speed
As a beginner, you may be tempted to try to putt from 8 feet out or even farther. However, this shouldn’t be the first goal.
Great golfers realize that it’s best to lag the ball a little. They’ll try to get it as close to the hole as possible & leave themselves a very easy final shot using only 2 – 3 feet of distance.

Of course, knocking the ball into the hole from a distance can hypercharge your self confidence…. But, you want to still avoid the dreaded “3-putt shot” which can arise more often than you’d like it to….

Therefore, pick your shots carefully….
Many beginner golfers have trouble with this concept…. Their ball may be situated 15 to 20 feet away from the hole, so they put too much speed & distance into their shots. The next thing they realize, 5-6 shots have consumed a par-3 hole.

B. Mastering Long Putting
What you want to strive for is the “perfect lag” on your ball when trying a long-distance putt. You want your ball to always land safely near the hole, regardless of whether it breaks too early or too soon.
You want your ball to end up so that an easy putt will finish the hole on your next swing.

C. A Simple Practice Exercise
As with any maneuver, practice makes perfect when learning the feel for speed & distance on the green.
Try this simple exercise to become a better putter:

1.Place four to five balls in a line approximately 10 feet apart from each other, evenly distributed toward the hole. Now, you should have a line of balls evenly spaced out between each other. All leading toward the hole, starting at about 40 to 50 feet out.
2.Now start the exercise. Try putting the ball closest to the hole first & slowly work your way back. Putt down the line until you reach the farthest ball. Try to imagine yourself playing in a real game. (Because you know it’s not a real game, you should be more loosened up & not stressed about making a perfect lag shot.)
3.Guess what will happen? You’ll play well! That is the ironic part about golf. When you are in the middle of a good game, worry & doubt can tense you up, causing poor shots.
*You should strive to take this relaxed mindset with you during a real game.

Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkmYdHWeaWs

Sport

Mastering the bunker shot in golf

by shedboy71 8th September 2019

Introduction

Whether you are a new golfer or a seasoned pro, you’ll enjoy these quick tips on how to deal with bunkers.
It’s never a good feeling when you see your ball land in a bunker hazard. But, when a bunker shot is executed perfectly, it can be wonderful to see how far your skills have progressed.

Your clubface swings down, sand flies in all directions, the ball soars high into the air… eventually landing softly on the green…right near the hole.
It’s 1/2 art & 1/2 science.

If you are a beginner golfer, the above scenario may seem out of reach for now.
But, with enough practice, you can get to the point where every bunker shot gets the hole after just two swings.

For the sake of argument, this mini report starts with the assumption that you’re now trying stuck in a bunker & trying to get out. Let’s get right into it & give you some quick pointers on how to deal with bunkers the right way.

Bunkers You Will Run Into

No two bunkers are the same, and neither is the sand that they are made from. When your ball lands in a bunker, you need to make an informed assessment of the situation. You must know the type of sand the bunker is made of and the lie you are dealing with.
Although every bunker is a different size and has different sand characteristics, you will typically encounter two different types:

A.”High Lip” Bunkers
Some bunkers are very small and circular, but run deep. These bunkers have a big lip that you must overcome between the ball & the green. The key to overcoming high lip bunkers is to swing back steeply & then follow through.

B.”Wide Flat” Bunkers
Other bunkers will not be nearly as deep, but instead very shallow. However, these wide flat bunkers run extremely wide – and they can be difficult to manage because they can end up being quite expansive.

You will not need to pop the ball up as high as the previously mention high lip bunkers. Instead, go for a low loft & let the ball travel a longer distance.

Adjust Your Swing According To The Sand’s Texture

The sand used in bunkers vary greatly from course to course. Some locations use very soft, fine sand while others have tight, firm sand.
And some courses may use less sand in their bunkers than others. All of these conditions will require different techniques if your ball lands in a bunker.

A.Look But Don’t Touch
If you are playing by the rules, you should know that the regulations dictate that you cannot test the sand’s texture before playing a bunker shot.
*However, you are allowed to estimate whether the sand is wet and hard, or soft and light. In your own mind, of course.

B.Hard Sand
Bunker sand that appears to be on the hard side will require you to slow down your swing speed a bit.

This means that you shouldn’t take the club back as far as you normally would. The ball will pop out faster because there is no cushion of soft sand between the clubhead and the ball.

C.Soft Sand
Soft sand will require more speed from your swing. Because the sand is light and fluffy, there may be alot of it that gets between the ball and your clubhead. Soft sand actually slows down the club as it follows through so must be managed accordingly.

Ball Positioning as an Effective Bunker Strategy

More advanced golf players have the advantage of doing some creative ball positioning when setting up for a bunker shot.
For the rest of us, it’s best to stick with the basics and play the ball in the middle of the stance until the shot can be mastered. (Once you can step into a bunker with the confidence that you can make the ball onto the green, you are then ready for more advanced techniques.)

However, some bunker shots may not allow you to take an even stance with the ball positioned in the middle, like these two following scenarios: A.Downhill Bunker Shots

If you are facing a downhill bunker shot, move the ball slightly behind the center of your stance to be sure that the ball flies up. (The reason is that gravity will naturally pull it down.)

B.Uphill Bunker Shots
When dealing with an uphill bunker shot, move the ball slightly forward of the center of your stance to ensure that you splash the sand in the front of the ball.

Keeping An Eye On The Clubface.

Most bunker shots require the player to hit the ball into the air with just enough distance to clear the lip in order to reach the green. Less distance & more height is the key.
The club you choose should be the shortest and most lofted club that you have in your golf bag. The sand wedge is almost always the best choice.

In order to play your bunker shots effectively, you have to watch the clubface.
Remember that you are using a high lofted club. It needs to remain lofted as it scrapes it’s way through the sand and scoops the ball upward.

When you grip the club and take your swing, you don’t want to do anything that ruins the technique and de-lofts the ball. This includes attempting to help the ball become overly airborne, breaking your wrists, or changing up the angle…..

Videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qoUw-3-boBU

Sport

A collection of golf practice tips

by shedboy71 6th August 2019

I. Introduction: Practicing The Right Way.

Even though many golfers are dedicated improving their game, relatively few really understand how to practice properly.
If you have ever taken a look at golfers practicing their drives at the range, more times than not, it looks like their intention is to get rid of balls as fast as possible. And, use as much muscle and might in the process.

Is this the right way? Do players actually get better from playing “how many balls can I hit today?”
The reality is, probably not. But, it’s difficult to know exactly what to practice because the swing is so complex. And where your swing differs than most, might be unique to you.
Truly understanding your specific swing’s weakness or having professional guidance can provide truly productive practice sessions.

A. Thought Vs. Practice

Although your eventual goal should be to develop a natural swing that is not influenced by thinking, some thinking should go into your practice sessions.

Visioning, thinking about why a ball didn’t go where it should have, and a slow reflection & optimization of your weak points will help you immensely.
In fact, you should bring a notebook with you to record your thoughts. These notebooks can serve as a great way to increase your progress by zeroing in on what you think is wrong and possible ideas to fix the problems you are having.

Finally, when you have downtime (eg you are in an airport or waiting for a meeting), you can practice thinking about your game and your swing too.
Practice doesn’t have to always be done on the course or the driving range!

B. Practice At Your Current Skill Level

A student golfer should practice swing specifics until the swing is fundamentally sound. From there, he can advance & practice higher level refinements.
The key is to take it from where you are in your game currently. A countless number of items can be practiced, but specific procedures must be followed in every practice session.

These may seem like common sense, but they are important enough to list here:

1. Knowing what to practice should be the basis for your practice session. It is essential to have a positive outlook and defined goal of what you are trying to accomplish.
2. Begin your practice sessions by smoothing your swing with short, soft iron shots, working your way up through the clubs until reaching your driver. You should only use maximum power when your swing has consistent smoothness and a fluid rhythm.
3. Rhythm should be an integral part of every practice session. Proper rhythm promotes coordination and good timing. Get into the groove!
4. The process of lining up a target is for more than just for accuracy. It’s for self-confidence as well. Striving for distance and not accuracy can give you a false sense of security that you are progressing.
You’ve got to actually get the ball towards the green. Not sliced beyond into the rough!
5. Distance and direction are always the primary goals of practice. But, take the time to learn proper balance and a solid feeling in your swing by testing different positions and adjustments. Get to where YOU feel right before trying to knock it out of the park!

II. Getting Through The Ball During Impact

Improving your golf swing can be frustrating unless you have the right tips and techniques to help you adjust specific aspects of your swing style, body rotation, grip, and stance.

There are dozens of small adjustments that you can make. But, one of the most overlooked aspects of improving your golf swing is:
Taking notice of the position and movement of your hands & forearms when impact occurs.
Have you ever considered what is happening with your hands, wrists, and forearms? If you haven’t, listen to this, because it really is one of most vital parts of a successful swing:

A. An Awesome Tip!
Do this. Pretend you are making real contact with the ball. Now take your trailing wrist and “flip it,” just like casting a fishing line. This flipping-wrist action is a fairly common problem among golfers. It is also known as a “wrist break,” and your don’t want it.

However, the solution to ending this wrist break habit will improve your swing immensely.
In order to correctly flip your hands through the ball when contact is made….Pay attention to what your hands and wrists are doing. If they aren’t working right, try correcting the problem….

Use a wristwatch.
You’ll be using it as a visual marker.
This will help you learn the correct way to move your hands.

As you approach impact with the ball, the leading arm should have the face of your watch pointing straight towards the target line.
Now, rotate the face of the watch so that it is pointing straight at the ground. When you have a club in your hands, this move will make the trailing forearm and wrist flip over the top of your leading forearm and wrist.

*An added bonus to this is that it will help you add distance to your shots in addition to reducing your slice because the club face will “close” smoothly.
This will also help your forearms to work in sync. (They should be as close to one another as possible).

III. Eliminating Shanks

Of all of the messed shots in golf, the shank is probably the most dreaded. The shank happens when you make contact with the ball using the hosel of the club.
One of the main causes of a shank could be that you are standing too close to the ball at address.

The second factor that could be causing you to shank is that you may be shifting your weight forward on your left foot before making impact. This also may cause the hosel of the club to hit the ball.

A. The Setup
One way to fix this is to set up evenly. And, when you hold your club, be sure that there is just over a fist’s length of space between the end of the grip and your body.
Now you are on the right track. 😉

B. The Shaft
The second thing you can do is practice by using a shaft. Place the shaft 3 inches in front of your leading foot and then back 3 inches.
Check your distance so that a fist is perfectly measured between your body and the grip.
Now, take a few practice swings. Make sure that your left hip brushes against the shaft (for right handed players). Now hit a couple of shots and put it all together.
This advice will help you in minimizing the number of shanks you experience!

Just try it. You’ve got nothing to lose!

IV. Daily Stretching Exercises

Flexibility is a key factor in producing more powerful drives. And, of course, it can optimize your short game performance too.
Golfers that are limber & flexible are able to turn their shoulders back much further back in relation to their hips during the backswing. If you would like to improve your flexibility, there are some very simple stretches that can be done everyday. These are some of the same stretches that professional golf players use to increase their flexibility.

A. Hamstrings
By keeping hamstrings flexible and limber, the power of a golf swing will be increased tenfold. In addition to enhancing the swing, the chances of pulling a muscle in the back of the legs are reduced. Muscle pulls are very painful & can keep even the best players off the course for a week or more.

1. How It’s Done:
What I like to do is sit down on the floor with my legs out in front of me at approximately a 60° angle toward each other. Now, I simply bend forward at the waist, nice and easy. I usually feel the stretch in my hamstrings now. I like to reach a point where the stretch feels tense, but without pain. I hold this position for 10 to 15 seconds and then return to the upright position. I repeat this process 5 to 10 times each day to increase flexibility.

B. Stretching The Back
This particular stretch of the back helps lengthen the large muscles that run up the sides of the back, as well as the upper back muscles. Practicing this exercise will enable the body to turn more into the backswing. Every week try to increase the distance of this stretch each time you bend to the sides.

1. How It’s done:
I like to stand with my feet shoulder width apart, raise both of my hands over my head and clasp my palms together. Now I simply bend to the left side slowly, until I feel a tight stretch on my right side. I usually feel tension in my right side, upper back, and shoulder area. I hold this position for 10 to 15 seconds, release, & repeat for the opposite side.

C. Stretching The Triceps
The triceps stretch helps loosen muscles in the arms & shoulder area. As with the other exercises, I try to increase the distance (capacity) of my stretch each week.

1. How It’s done:
I stand with my feet shoulder width apart, bring one arm and reach over my head. Then I bend that same elbow down as if I am grabbing for the center of my back. Now I take my other arm and reach over my head & grab the elbow of the arm reaching towards the back. I simply pull and shift my torso at the same time. I hold this for 10 to 15 seconds and then repeat for the opposite side.

V. Unconventional Shots For ANY Scenario

The secret to becoming a better golf player isn’t really a secret. It just takes practice, plain and simple. The only way to straighten out long shots, master bunker shots, or sink the majority of your putts is to invest your time into practicing wisely.

A. The Unconventional Approach

I am sure that you are well aware of the benefits that driving ranges can have on both your distance and your accuracy. If practiced right, that is.
However, the set of scenarios that you be confronted with during a real game doesn’t usually exist in such “safe” practice zones. In other words, try something different when you practice. Try to break the mold.
When playing on the golf course, you often have to improvise to deal with an uncommon shot or angle.

So when it comes to practice, why not practice some of these situations more often? Thereby preparing yourself for those inevitable pitfalls that will arise on the golf course.
If anything, practicing “different” swings & trying bizarre shots will break the monotony of your practice sessions.

B. Prepare For Any Condition

If you have a standard course that you play on regularly that contains a cart path, then try making shots directly from this road during your practice sessions.
Try hitting a couple of 5 Irons back into the game as part of your practice regimen. This way you are prepared for the shot if it ever comes up (and it will).
Many professional golf players practice like this. In fact, you can read about how Tiger Woods will practice like this on any course he has to play on.

*Tip: Do not use your good set of clubs for some of these practice shots. You do not want to damage them. Instead, go shopping for some older irons that are similar to the clubs you use and practice with them. This will prevent repeated damage to your quality golf clubs.

C. A Few More Unconventional Shots You Can Practice

Just to give you a few more practice ideas, here is a brief list of unconventional shots that you can add to your golf practice regimen:

1. Use a 3-wood to chip the ball.
2. Turn your club over in order to play from the side of a tree.
3. Hit several shots from an inch or more of water.
4. Putt from the bunker area.
5. Bellying a wedge.
6. Play the ball from up against a wall or fence.
7. Bury the ball deep in the sand and hit it back into play, otherwise known as a “fried egg” shot.
8. Play a few shots from rough, dried out grass.
9. Putt the ball with a 3-Wood

Sport

101 golf tips

by shedboy71 7th January 2018

1. Watch professional golf players play the game.
If you want to become a golf player, it is a good idea to watch professional golf players playing the sport. When you watch them, you would become more inspired in getting better with your game. Aside from that, you could also take note how they carry themselves on the field, as well as how they make their swings.

2. Find a playing partner.
Playing golf is interesting, especially if you do it together with a friend. Find a friend who also wants to learn how to play golf, so that you can each share some pointers. Aside from that, you can both boost your motivation by competing against each other from time to time.

3. Hire a trainer.
To begin learning the sport, it is best if you can hire a trainer. The professional trainer can guide you on how to execute the proper swing. Aside from that, he can also monitor how you handle yourself with each swing, and be able to make adjustments. Moreover, a trainer can provide you the guidance you need in every aspect of the game.

4. Buy a good pair of sunglasses.
Buying accessories for your newfound sport can be fun. One of the more important accessories though would be a pair of sunglasses. This is because, when playing the game, you would be doing it out in the field, when the sun is shining bright. A good pair of sunglasses would provide your eyes the protection that it needs.

5. Find a good pair of golf shoes.
There are lots of golf shoes available in the market today. However, you should know that they are not all the same. Thus, it is best if you do your research about the brands that are more preferred by professional golf players. This way, you can choose a pair of golf shoes that can really serve its purpose for a long period of time.

6. Buy golf clubs.
Having your own golf clubs is important if you are serious in playing golf. Just keep in mind though that golf clubs are pretty expensive. Therefore, you should purchase a set that are really made with the best materials. Aside from that, you should also know how to compare the different sets of clubs, so that you can choose the best ones while playing the game.

7. Find a good caddy.
When you play at a certain golf course, it is best if you find a caddy that you can rely on. A good caddy should be able to give you the club you want in just a few seconds. Aside from that, he
should also be someone who is easy to work with. Furthermore, once you find a good caddy, try to see if you can make him your regular assistant, so that you won’t have to find someone else.

8. Go for smaller golf courses at first.
There are golf courses that have 18 holes, while others have only 9 holes. Aside from that, each of the innings of these golf courses may also vary in terms of their sizes, as well as in their designs. Since you are still starting out in playing the game, choose the courses that are relatively smaller first. Aside from that, visit those that offer simpler obstacles.

9. Book hotels that have or are near a golf course.
When you go on a vacation with your family, try to book a hotel that has a golf course on its own, or at least near to one. You can also do this even on business trips, as long as you have spare time. By doing this, you would be able to try out other golf courses, which are designed differently from the ones you are used to in your place.

10. Read stories about successful golf players.
Reading stories about successful players in the game of golf can be done through magazines, or even through the internet. Doing this would inspire you more in playing the game. Aside from that, you can also gather ideas on how they are able to improve on their game and follow them.

11. Take note how professionals do it.
It is a good idea to visit golf courses where well known professionals enjoy the game. When you do that, you would be able to see them play golf. With that, you would be able to take note on how they would do their putting, how they execute a powerful swing, how they decide between the woods and the irons, and so on.

12. Eat a healthy diet.
Although playing golf would not require running, jumping, and, other types of activities, it is still best if you watch what you eat. This is because playing golf would still require a lot from you physically. Keep in mind that golf courses are very big pieces of land. Thus, you may often find yourself walking uphill or downhill in getting to the hole. With that, it is best if your diet can provide you with the energy that you need.

13. Try to lose weight.
If you have gained some weight than you think you should, then it is best if you lose some of them. This is because playing golf also need you to become flexible. Your flexibility can help you in executing the swing properly. Thus, eat right and get some exercise, so that you would become fitter.

14. Build your stamina.
When you watch professionals playing golf, it may be easy for you to conclude that playing it would not need you to have good stamina. On the contrary, you need to build your stamina in playing golf. This is because going from one hole to the next can become quite tiring, aside from the fact that you are going to do lots of swings. When you get tired, it might affect your judgment in selecting the clubs, as well as executing your swings. Thus, it is best if you have good stamina.

15. Develop a way to determine the direction of the wind.
Always remember that the golf ball is lightweight. Therefore, when it is in midair, the wind can easily affect the direction that it is going. Therefore, it is best if you can develop a way to determine the direction that the wind is going. By doing that, you would be able to properly target the hole by considering the wind‘s direction and speed.

16. Develop a way to determine the roughness or smoothness of the green.
When you hit the ball while you are putting, you might get surprised when it slowly goes to a different direction. It is actually the grass inside the green that influences it. Aside from that, it can also affect the speed of the ball. Therefore, it is best if you check the green properly. Moreover, don’t forget that it is also possible that the green has an angle.

17. Think about playing golf at nights.
Before you go to sleep, while you are lying in bed, it is best to think about playing golf. This way, you would be more motivated in practicing your swing, and your putting the next morning. Aside from that, thinking about the sport at nights can also give you the opportunity to plan your steps in training for it.

18. Come up with a plan.
When you are about to learn how to play golf, it is a good idea to come up with a plan for it. Your plan should provide you with the guidance on the steps that you need to take in learning to play golf. This would involve hiring a trainer, going to a driving range, buying your gears and accessories, and many more.

19. Set up goals.
When you play golf, it is best if you set up goals for it. For example, your initial goal may be to finish holes in a golf course with a par; and, once you are able to hit it, you can set goals that can offer you with more challenge. Setting up goals would provide you with the challenge that you need, aside from helping you in monitoring your progress.

20. List down the things you need to bring.
If you are on your way to a golf course to play the game, it is best if you can bring all the necessary things you need. Thus, you should come up with a list of things you want to bring. The list should help you check on the things you need. However, make sure not to forget checking the list. With that, you should hang it somewhere you can easily see, such as at the door of your refrigerator.