If you look around, it's easy to find dozens of tricks, some of them quite ridiculous, for improving your swing. In fact the best way to improve your swing is to go back to basics. So let's review some of those.
Stance and Ball Position
As a general rule of thumb, your feet should be about the same width apart as your shoulders. If you're using a short iron, move them a little closer together, for long irons and wedges, slightly further apart. Imagine a line between your position and the target, and aim the club along that line, sometimes called the target line. You need to position your body parallel to the target line, and the line between your shoulders must be perpendicular to the clubface. The ball is teed correctly when you're driving if the top of the ball is slightly above the head of the club. When putting, the putter's face should also be perpendicular to the target line.
Grip and Wrists
Make sure your grip is firm, but still relaxed. Control is more important than strength. If you want to create maximum impact at the proper angle, then it's essential to get your wrist position correct. That will do more to achieve distance than sheer brute strength. It's very easy to allow the lead wrist to collapse on impact, so you need to firm up your wrists. You can do this by taking a club and raising it just using your wrist, holding your arm at your side. Hold the club with the toe parallel to the ground and keep it there for at least five seconds. It's a lot harder than it sounds! Repeat the exercise until you can feel that you've been using your forearm, but don't persist if it hurts. Change arms and do it again. It can also be helpful to take some swing with only one hand and arm. It might feel a bit strange, and it won't necessarily improve your swing as it's such a different movement, but it can do a lot to help you develop control.
Position You Body Correctly
Stand in the normal stance and position you use before swinging (often called your normal address). Place a club across your shoulders, then pretend to make a back swing in your normal manner. Have someone watching, and check to make sure your club ends up pointing four feet or more beyond the ball.
Golf Swing Drills
The basis of any good swing is a type of rotational movement. What you're aiming to do is keep in the same plan on the downswing and you're in during the back swing. Imagine a big circle balancing on top of the ball and in line with the target line. Your club needs to follow the same arc as the bottom half of that circle throughout the entire swing.
Spend some time practicing your back swing to downswing movement, stopping your club at the point of impact to make sure the clubface is in the correct position, which is perpendicular to the target line. If you find the clubface is open, your right forearm has rotated too much (the left if you're left handed).
Place a line of tees in the ground, and practice swinging at each one, before moving forward to the next. With some practice, you should find you're consistently clipping the middle of the tee and still remaining in the correct swing plane.
Rhythm and Balance
The final things you need for a good swing is rhythm and balance. If you've watched a great golfer, then you probably know exactly what I'm talking about, because all the greats have beautiful rhythm. It's essential for a consistently good swing. However good rhythm can't happen without good balance and vice-versa.
The easiest place to start is with the static elements of your swing - proper positioning and stance. Balance is linked in to all the dynamic elements of the swing, and rhythm and balance need to be maintained through the entire swing.
Take your time and make sure you're not rushing through the swing. Your weight should be evenly distributed between your right and left feet, and the spine tilted away from the target at address. Once you're ready, take a smooth pull back and easy swing down.
It can be helpful to have a friend practice with you. As you take a few swings, your friend should gently push you, first between the shoulder blades, then the lower back, one shoulder then the other. You should feel the pressure but still be able to remain upright. The whole motion of the swing should remain smooth, and once you've done some practice, your back swing and downswing should feel as effortless as a well-oiled machine.
Quickly improve your golf game by visiting Golf-Swing-Improvement.com where you will find plenty of helpful tips and information on golf swing aids, golf swing instruction and golf putting tips.
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