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To hit the long ball you have to shift your weight properly. Improper weight shift is the major cause of lack of distance. Assume a narrow stance using a mid-iron. Take several practice swings. Begin your backswing by lifting your left foot slightly off the ground.

As you initiate your downswing replace your left foot and then lift your right foot as you follow-through. Trouble with this drill may indicate a weight transfer problem. You will know immediately if you are not shifting your weight back and then forward properly.
Purpose

1. To detect an incorrect weight shift. If you are struggling through a round hitting fat shots (hitting under the ball) and/or topped shots (hitting near the top of the ball) your problem may be an incorrect weight shift. It's an easy habit to get into and just as easy to break - if you recognize the symptoms right away. This drill provides you with a simple "on course" detection method. If you have trouble doing this drill you have found your problem. Concentration and correct repetition of this drill will solve your weight shift problems.
2. To improve your footwork and gain distance. Proper weight shift is necessary to hit the long ball. Learning a proper weight shift will add 10 yards or more to your shots. This drill will also help you stay balanced and light on your feet throughout the swing. If your weight is back on you heels, this drill will help you get your weight more centered.
3. To build tempo. Tempo means a backswing and downswing with the same smooth rhythm. It should be a balanced one - two type of action. This drill and the Weight Shift See-Saw drill help to slow down people who have gotten into the bad habit of a fast backswing.

Dos and Don'ts
Remember this drill can be used as an "on course" diagnosis of weight shifting problems.
As pubished on:
http://www.golfhelp.com/golf-tips/Golf_Weight_Shift_Two_Step.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

Keeping your feet together practice hitting balls with the ball teed up. Your feet should be touching or within 2 or 3 inches of each other.

Swing slowly at first. Concentrate on making solid contact with the ball. Always think tempo and rhythm. Once you can hit consistently good shots, work on hitting the ball off the grass.

You may be surprised how far you can hit the ball with your feet together as you groove your swing. This drill helps you in many ways. It's a good drill to do every practice session as a warm-up.

Purpose

1. To promote good balance and rhythm. This is one of the most popular practice drills, because it is an easy drill to do and yet it does so much for you. Use it as a warm-up or to stay loose on the course during those long waits on the tee.
2. To improve timing, reduce swaying, and promote good swing mechanics. This drill encourages you to swing within your capabilities. It reduces swaying because of the narrow balance point. If you sway or swing too hard you will almost fall over.
3. To provide a quick check of good swing mechanics. This drill can actually prevent many bad faults from creeping into your swing. On a bad day some players actually use this drill as an emergency fix during a round. They actually move their feet closer together to prevent extraneous body movements that may be causing errant shots, resulting in loss of confidence and wasted strokes.

Do.s and Don.ts
Do the "Feet Together Drill" whenever you start to lose confidence in your swing because of repeated missed shots, or ball flight problems.

As published on:
http://www.golfhelp.com/golf-tips/Feet_Together_Drill.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

It's like throwing a frisbee with your left
arm.
Strive for a "one-piece" takeaway. Move shoulders with arms and
hands. Extend left arm.

Take club back low and slow.

Let your body start the backward movement of arms and club.

On backswing, coil with your shoulders first, then hips.

On takeaway, when club is halfway back, shaft should be lined
up with toes, and right arm should be a little higher than left arm.

At top of backswing, keep weight on inside of right foot.

Feel "lazy" at top of backswing to promote the right tempo.

On backswing, keep arms in front of your chest. Make
sure left arm stays with your chest on downswing. If
arms go slack on downswing, club will fall behind,
producing weak pushes or slices.

Drop arms into downswing by gravity alone.

On downswing, right elbow should lead right arm to
impact.

On downswing, pull rather than push the club along
the swing plane.

Start downswing by transferring weight to left foot and
by moving body toward target.

On downswing, chest leads arms to create pulling action. It's
like throwing a frisbee with your left arm. Forget the hips on
downswing. Level rotation of chest squares clubface without
conscious forearm rotation or wrist-flipping.

On downswing, try to keep shaft at 90 degree angle when arms
are waist-high.

On downswing, keep the hinge in your right hand as long as you
can.

Left side should start the downswing and right side does the
hitting.

On downswing, let right elbow fall to right side to keep ball
straight.

Make a shallow approach to the ball. For shallow, inside-out
swings, start downswing with body.

Proper sequence on downswing is shift weight, rotate hips,
release hands and arms.

Hands should be in front of ball at impact on all fairway shots.

Think about swinging only the handle of the club to get a
smoother swing motion.

Keep height level and left arm straight throughout swing.

Maintain flex in right knee throughout swing.

Keep arms and shoulders loose throughout swing. It generates
extension and speed.

To help square clubface, try to touch your left forearm with your
right forearm at impact.

Keep clubhead moving along target line.

Keep your elbows together throughout the swing.

Keep spine angle (the forward bend) constant throughout swing.

Divots should point toward target.

keep head and body behind ball throughout swing.

Hit with 80% of power.

When in doubt, use more club.

Point your chin at a spot just behind the ball throughout the
swing.

To get correct feel for swing, practice with right foot drawn back
and flared to the right.

Swing path controls the direction of ball flight. An open or closed
face controls fades or draws.

Accelerate through shot.

Make sure left shoulder and arm are in the same position at
impact as they are at address.

Keep body behind ball to prevent "skyed" shots.

Move the ball with the clubhead, not your body.

Drill to promote correct feel: Freeze midway into downswing and
make sure that handle of club points to target line, right arm is
pressed against side of chest and shoulders are lined up to
right of target.

Keep both feet flat on ground longer throughout swing for better
balance.

Control shot with speed at which you unwind your body, not with
hands and arms.
As published on:
http://www.tomsgolftips.com/fullswingshots.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

Take your stance with feet shoulder width apart. Play the ball forward in your stance. Relax your arms and grip. Take the club back low and slow using shoulders and arms as a unit.

Make a full shoulder turn with hands set above right shoulder, back facing target, and eyes focused on the ball. The downswing should be triggered by your hips, legs, or planting the left heel.

Think of the hips as the center of the swing. Finish your swing with 95% of your weight on the outside of your left foot. (See also Tee Shots).
Purpose

1. To know when and how to use the driver off the tee. On a par 4 or par 5 the opening drive sets the tempo for the rest of the hole. It can make a hard hole easy or an easy hole very difficult. Don't try to kill the ball. Your goal is to place the ball in the proper location on the fairway for your next shot. You do not always have to hit your driver. Many times you can hit a shorter club and still reach the location you want to hit your next shot from. Learning the fundamentals of a good drive will give you the confidence you need to make solid contact, get good distance and keep the ball in the fairway.
2. To know the set up and dynamics of the driver off the tee. Because of its longer shaft the driver requires a more level, less descending swing. It is very important to take the club back low to the ground for the first foot and a half. The arms and shoulders go back as a unit, the wrists cock late in the backswing. Rotate your hips so the upper body does not get too far ahead of the lower. Initiate your downswing with a leg drive-weight shift, or by replanting the left heel. Sweep the ball off the tee on the same path as the takeaway.

Do's and Don'ts
Be sure to match the upper and lower body turn, and keep upper body behind ball at impact. Be careful as to how high or low you tee the ball. Experiment to find what is best for you. Be consistent.
As published on:
http://www.golfhelp.com/golf-tips/The_Driver.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

When hitting striped range balls, align the stripe down the target line. Concentrate on hitting the inside of the stripe as you swing through impact. This will encourage an inside to outside swingpath.

The inside to outside swingpath produces straighter and longer shots. For tee shots on the course, position the brand name on the ball down the target line. Aim to make contact with the ball inside the brand name for the same effect.
Purpose

1. To develop an inside to outside swingpath. Once you have ingrained an inside to outside swingpath you will be well on your way toward realizing your true golf potential. The consistency in your shot pattern will increase dramatically as you groove a swingpath that flows inside to out. Mastering the inside to outside swingpath will help keep your right elbow in close to your body. This will help eliminate casting or other over the top moves that generally cause slices or pulls.
2. To hit longer straighter shots. Experienced golfers know that a draw (right to left) rolls much farther than a fade (left to right). Hitting a drive with a draw can increase your distance off the tee 10 to 40 yards. This becomes increasingly important as you become a senior golfer. Along with the inside to outside swingpath you need a full arm and hand release to get the clubhead square at impact. This imparts a right to left spin on the ball.

Do's and Don'ts
Be sure to compensate with your club selection to allow for the lower trajectory and greater roll on an inside to outside shot. For example, you might be able to hit one club less because of the increased roll.

As published on:
http://www.golfhelp.com/golf-tips/Inside_the_Stripe.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

Hold a club behind your back. Bend forward with knees bent into an address position. Start a backswing motion. Turn in a 90 degree angle and then right.

Hold each position for 20-30 seconds. Begin with just one or two repetitions. Keep both knees bent slightly as you would when addressing the ball. Stop immediately if you feel any pain.

Make sure the angle of your spine remains constant throughout the turn. This drill will help you add distance to your shots and retain your flexibility for many years.

Purpose

1. To provide a base for a consistent swing. A proper turn is the key to a powerful golf swing. Developing a repeatable turn is the basis for the shot consistency that leads to enjoyable golf.
2. To develop the full turn necessary for achieving maximum distance. A full turn means full power. Two factors limit turning ability. First, flexibility: you must be physically able to turn without injuring yourself. Second, confidence: you must have confidence you can make a full turn and still return the clubface squarely to the ball at impact.
3. To provide gentle stretching, thereby increasing flexibility. How far you can turn is a function of your current flexibility. You can increase your flexibility and reduce the possibility of injury with a regular stretching program. If you do not work at keeping your flexibility, you will lose it. You can keep your full swing for many years with just a little stretching and flexibility work. You have no choice if you want to play golf at your full ability.

As published on:
http://www.golfhelp.com/golf-tips/The_Driver.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

If you were to ask 100 people this question, you would get 100 different answers. Some people probably think it's a swing that would allow a person to hit the ball 400 yards. Other people probably think it's a swing that would allow the person to shoot 64 every time they went to play. Still others would say that it would be the swing of Ben Hogan, while a totally different group of people would say that Byron Nelson or Tiger Woods who has a perfect swing. There isn't one clear idea of what the perfect swing is.

When I was learning the game, perfect to me was a toss up between Ben Hogan (flatter swing now known as a one-plane swing) or Jack Nicklaus (upright swing known as a 2 plane swing). Sure, there were other great players on tour at the time, but these were the 2 everyone talked about. It made sense to pick one of their styles and copy it.

Out of these 2 golfers, Jack Nicklaus had the swing that I wanted to copy. I used to imagine I was him on every shot I hit. I had quite a few people at the club tell me my swing looked like his and I even had the blonde hair to match. In 4 years of using this Jack Nicklaus swing, I became a scratch golfer and our Men's Club Champion at 17 years old.


As I got a little older, golf instruction started to gain popularity. It became mainstream in the late 1980's, early 1990's when David Ledbetter created Nick Faldo. This was a whole new way of building the golf swing. Dissecting every movement and setting very precise positions was now the way to perfection. I remember how people described Faldo as having a machine-like swing. To me, mechanical was cool. Setting perfect positions was cool. The thought of perfection had now become my obsession. I was no longer using my old out-of-date Nicklaus swing, I was a new man and I was seeking perfection. I was trying to become a blonde haired Nick Faldo. Unfortunately, this is where the trouble began.

In seeking the perfect swing, I totally destroyed my game. My obsession with perfection became my demise. I read books, watched videos and I listened to anyone who would give me a tip. I couldn't break an egg for over 10 years. Within this span of terrible golf, I tried going back to my Jack Nicklaus swing (that didn't work anymore) then the flat Ben Hogan swing (that didn't work either). Then it was Faldo swing again which I knew didn't work but I thought it might (again). Then, Nicklaus, Hogan, Faldo, Hogan, Nicklaus, Faldo (I can't remember but I think there may has even been a couple of Greg Norman's in there as well ) it was never ending and I was totally frustrated.

After floundering for many, many years, I finally saw the perfect swing ... really I did! The perfect swing I saw was that of the Iron Byron swing machine. For those of you who don't know, the Iron Byron is a robotic golfer that was designed by True Temper Sports in 1963 to test their golf shafts. The Iron Byron hits the ball perfectly every single time. The funny thing is this machine was not just picked out of thin air, it perfectly replicates the golf swing of the legendary golfer, Byron Nelson (hence the name "Iron Byron").

By seeing the Iron Byron hit a ball, it made me clearly understand what the perfect golf swing was and how it worked. By incorporating the movement of Iron Byron into my swing, I immediately improved (when I say immediately, it really was). Because of the Iron Byron, I got my swing back and I now hit the ball better than I ever have (and I rarely practice).

To this day, I teach all of my students to copy the Iron Byron swing machine. Why? Because it really is the only perfect swing on the planet and it only has 2 moving parts! I invite you to see a video clip of the Iron Byron and myself hitting a ball together on my website at www.swingmachinegolf.com so you can see that it really is possible to copy the only perfect swing on the planet.

Hopefully after seeing the Iron Byron in action, you too, can stop searching for the answers and changing your swing like I did for so many years.

As published on:
http://www.paulwilsongolf.com/golf_tip_17.htm

Labels: Swing Improvement

Who's your favorite player on the PGA Tour? Is it Tiger, Ernie or Freddy? When you swing the club, do you ever think that your swing looks like this players' swing? If you said "yes", I have some bad news for you. As much as you think you look like Tiger Woods, Ernie Els or Freddy Couples when you swing, the sad truth is ... you don't.

If you don't believe me, just put your swing on video and you will quickly see that I am right. Now that I have you totally depressed because you've have been trying to copy Tigers' swing for four years let's take a look at what you should be looking for to take your swing to a new level.

The Overall Appearance of a Pros Swing

When you watch Tour Players on TV doesn't it look like they have the ability to shoot 65? Their swings are so graceful, powerful and in control. Sure, some Tour Player's swings through the ages have looked a little odd but even these players looked like they could play great golf. In order to get this same look you have to have the proper fundamentals. In order to get the proper fundamentals you have to work hard on your swing. Here's a way you can look like a pro when you swing:

Go through the list below and check off the things that you do rather well (you or your pro may wish to add to this list based on your swing). Once you have your list finalized and checked off, take a little time and go over each point that isn't checked off. Once you've isolated the things that need to be worked on, make a new list on a new page. Try to list them in order of importance.

To determine their order of importance just ask yourself, "what could I change right now that would make my swing look more like that of a Tour Player"? Maybe it's something like: working on staying in balance throughout your swing. If you were someone who swung out of their shoes and fell over after each shot this would be a huge change that would immediately take you one step closer to looking like a pro (after all, they don't seem to fall over after each shot). Once you master that one thing, move on to the next and so on until your have crossed out every thing on your list. The day your list is totally crossed off will be the happiest day of your life!

Before You Hit the ball:

1. Grip Position - strong / neutral / weak

2. Grip Pressure - too tight / perfect / too loose

3. Set up - too tall / perfect / too low

4. Set up (feeling) - too tense / relaxed / too loose

5. Thoughts - too many thoughts or confused / clear thoughts

Starting Back:

1. Takeaway - inside / outside / perfect

2. Your Pace - slow / medium / fast

3. Your body coil - no feeling of being tightly coiled up / tightly coiled like a spring

4. Weight shift - weight shifting into the right instep / weight staying on left foot (reverse weight shift)

5. Swing Plane - inside / outside / on plane

Top of the Backswing:

1. Balance - in balance / swaying to the outside of your right foot

2. Weight shift - loaded 80% into the right instep / weight stayed on the left

3. Wrist hinge - fully hinged wrists / broken left elbow

4. Clubface position - open / square / closed

5. Right knee flex - flexed as it was at address / straightened up

6. Spine angle - dipping down / maintained / raising up

7. Swing Plane - upright / flat / perfect

8. Grip pressure - too tight / secure / letting go

Starting Down:

1. Pace - quick and jerky / smooth

2. Arm strength - trying to kill it / relaxed

3. Weight shift - sliding to the left / shifting and rotating at the same time

4. Plane - too far inside out / perfect / outside over the top

Impact:

1. Power Level - hitting as hard as you can / scooping the ball / solid / weak

2. Balance - leaning forward / perfect / falling back

3. Spine angle - raising up / maintained / dipping down

4. Weight distribution - hanging back on right foot / perfect / moving too much into the left

5. Arm extension - fully extended / buckled chicken wing

Follow Through:

1. Balance - feet twisting / weight falling back / perfect balance

2. Consistency - same swing each time / different swing each time

3. Spine angle - lifting up out of the shot / leaning over too much / leaning back / perfect

After the Ball is Hit:

1. Balance - can you swing in balance / out of control

2. Control - are you letting the club swing freely / are you steering the ball

3. Divot pattern - too far left / perfect (slightly left) / too far right

4. Ball flight - too low / too high / perfect

5. What you felt when you hit the ball - arms / body

6. Energy levels after your practice session - tired / fresh

I really hope this list can take your swing to the next level. Please keep it close at hand and refer to it on a regular basis. Keep this thought in mind as you continue your quest for a great swing. "Great golfers look like they can shoot 65. Great golfers all have the proper fundamentals. If I were to give you the proper fundamentals you, in turn, would look like a great golfer."

As published on:
http://www.paulwilsongolf.com/golf_tip_9.htm

Labels: Swing Improvement

Place your left hand on the end of a long iron or wood so that the club is held vertically at arm's length away from the body. Use your right hand to initiate a one arm backswing and underhand follow-through. Next, you can throw a golf ball down the target line to improve direction and follow-through.

Try swinging a club with your right hand while pretending to hold a club vertical with your left hand. Keep the right hand and arm close to the body throughout the swing and be certain your head stays down. Feel how this drill makes you keep your right shoulder under and through the imagined shot.
Purpose

1. To keep your right shoulder down the target line. If you have been told you "cast" or "throw the club at the ball", you are probably an upper body swinger. The means you move your right shoulder out and across the target line as you start your downswing. This drill gives you the proper feel of how your right shoulder should move during the swing.

2. To keep your right shoulder under and through the shot. This drill will show you what it means to stay under and through a shot. It will help you keep your right arm in close to you body at impact. Your right arm motion, close to your body, will carry your right shoulder under your chin and down the target line. Your right shoulder will come around and through the shot as you complete your swing. It also helps you "stay down" (keep your head down) and reduce the tendency to "spin out of the shot" (turn too much). The head and eyes are fixed on a target (clubhead) and the hips turn naturally throughout the motion.

Do's and Don'ts
You can use this drill as a pre-shot warm up while you are waiting to tee off. It can even be used on the course when you feel you are not staying down through the shot. You may see pro golfers do a version of the drill before some shots.
As published on:
http://www.golfhelp.com/golf-tips/Shoulder_Drill.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

Proper ball position will help ensure solid contact. Ball position should be just inside the left heel. Hands, head and weight are behind the ball.

Think low and slow in the takeaway. Arms and shoulders stay "connected" for a one piece takeaway. Good hip turn and proper weight shift are important. Control any premature wrist cock.

During the downswing the upper body turns but doesn.t lunge or sway toward the target. The head and body (most of it) stays behind the ball through impact. Let clubhead speed do the work.
Purpose

1. To swing with balance and tempo while hitting long irons and woods. Don.t try to swing too fast. A smooth swing generating the proper clubhead speed will produce more consistent and positive results than a sudden, short violent effort.
2. To build confidence with the long game. You need to ensure a low wide arc away from the ball while loading up for the downswing. To ensure a low takeaway, you can place a tee about six inches behind the ball on line with the target. Trying to hit the tee during your backswing ensures a low takeaway. Let the speed and loft of the clubhead get the ball into the air.
3. The ball should be positioned close to the left heel so it can be struck at the bottom of the swing arc. Your stance should be square to target with rear foot "turned out" a little extra to allow for a greater hip turn.

Do's and Don'ts
Do not get frustrated if you have difficulty hitting long irons. Golfers learning to hit their long irons should consider using a utility wood. Ask your pro about them.

As published on:
http://www.golfhelp.com/golf-tips/Balance_and_Tempo.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

To keep the clubface in the correct position throughout the swing, the left wrist must move in a flat position. What I mean by flat is in relation to the back of the left forearm, and the back of the left hand for right-handed players with the opposite for the left-handed players. To deviate from this position will roll the clubface out of position.

Keeping the left wrist in this flat position will allow the correct movement of the wrists at the top of the backswing, and the starting of the downswing, which is an up and down motion, keeping the clubface maintained in the proper position throughout the swing.

To check to see if the wrists are in the proper position that was mentioned above, swing the club half-way back about hip-level high with the clubshaft in the position horizontal to the ground. If the left wrist is in this flat position the clubface will be parallel to the target line, or the toe of the club will be pointing vertically towards the sky. Half-way through the forward swing with the shaft horizontal to the ground again the clubface should be parallel to your target line or toe facing upwards towards the sky. In these positions the left wrist has remained in the flat position throughout your entire swing which translates into a solid straight shot on line to your target. Finally, remember that any attempt to hit the ball with your hands will force the wrists out of position, and the cause them to break down which results in wayward shots.
As published on:
http://www.worldgolf.com/protips/tomward/ward7.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

We've all heard of the famous X-factor and how crucial it is to turbo-charging the range of your drive. We'll, here's an amazing tweak that you can apply for immediate results that will help you master your X-technique You can look forward to more power and greater distance in those long drives and with a whole lot less effort.

A Little Twist-Isolate your hips from your shoulders for a longer drive. The power in your stroke is directly related to the angular difference between your shoulders and your hips at the outer range of your backswing. The more the merrier. We're talking about the famous X-factor as first coined by Jim McLean back in 1992. The "X" refers to the cross created by an imaginary line through your hips as it intersects an imaginary line through your shoulders when viewed from above.

At the top of your backswing you should have the biggest differential between your shoulders and your hips, typically about 30 degrees. The differential lessens as you move through the downswing. Your power is directly related to this maximum differential and not to the overall angle that you generate between the club and the target line at the extreme of your backswing. It's doesn't mater how far you turn If there's no twist between your shoulders and your hips you'll have no power. And that's no fun.

As published on:
http://hotgolfblog.com/golf-x-factor-twist-for-a-killer-drive/#more-22

Labels: Swing Improvement

Learning how to hit a fade or a draw on command can be a useful weapon to have in order to play better and reduce your golf handicap. Becoming a shot making master can really make the game a lot easier. It is important to learn these shots as they are required in many situations when you are on the course. Here are some tips to help you learn these different shots:

The Draw Golf Swing:

Certain holes are shaped in such a way that hitting a draw increases your odds of making the fairway from the tee. Also hitting a draw is great with the driver when you are looking to get maximum distance since a draw golf shot usually travels a lot further and is effective against a strong headwind when it comes to hitting long drives in the wind.

The best way to hit a draw is to change your setup position slightly and move your right foot (right handed players) in a little so your feet are pointing to the right of the target. Then make a normal swing but focus on lower hand position in the finish. The idea is to get an inside to out path which will put draw spin on the golf ball.

The Fade Golf Swing:

If you find yourself behind some trees or some other obstacle and need to hit a pronounced fade in order to hit the green then the first step is to do the opposite to hitting a draw. Setup with the left foot slightly in and your feet pointing to the left of the target and then make a normal swing except focus on having a high finish.

The Hook Golf Swing:

Most golfer strive to cure the hook however there are instances when it can help especially to get out of trouble. Sometimes the only way to get to the green may be to hit a hook. Hitting this shot is similar to hitting a fade but just make sure the right foot is in even further and make sure your finish is even lower.

The Slice Golf Swing:

Again, the majority of golfers are in pursuit of curing their slice problem but getting out trouble may call for this shot to be deliberately executed. This is also similar to a fade swing but place your left foot in more and make an even higher finish.

The Punch Shot:

Hitting a low running shot is very useful for getting out of the woods when branches from trees prevent you from hitting a normal trajectory shot. To hit this shot simply use a lower lofted club and place the ball a little further back in the stance and then make a normal swing but make sure to have a low finish with the hands.

The High And Soft Landing Shot:

This shot is important when you are faced with hard and fast greens and need to stop the ball quickly. The key to this shot is to place the ball a little further up in the stance and then simply make a normal swing. This will encourage a greater upward blow to the ball which will launch it at a higher trajectory.

As published on:
http://www.golfswingtips4u.com/articles.php

Labels: Swing Improvement

After impact you want the club to fully release while keeping your head behind the ball. Your head should naturally come up with your right shoulder, so your chin should be over your right shoulder and your head facing the target to complete the follow through.

Remember to have some patience when learning the golf swing, go to the range and practice your swing without hitting any golf balls to start and then as you feel more comfortable with your swing you can start hitting a few balls.

Use these golf swing tips to practice your swing on the range for a few days, maybe even a couple of weeks until you are comfortable before you go out to the golf course. Remember to relax and focus on your targets when you are on the course and try to avoid thinking about swing mechanics on the golf course, rather focus on trusting and believing in your game. Use some of these golf tips to help you play better and lower your golf handicap. Do you suffer from bad swing mechanics? You need to learn a simpler golf swing that can help you hit the ball straighter more often.

As published on:
http://www.golfswingtips4u.com/

Labels: Swing Improvement

The biggest key to the backswing is to be slow and deliberate. Do not rush your backswing, rather keep in mind that power is generated on your downswing so conserve your energy through your backswing. Try to keep the left arm as straight as possible and go as far back as you comfortably can.

As published on:
http://www.golfswingtips4u.com/

Labels: Swing Improvement

A perfect swing begins with a perfect set-up. By aligning our body and our club square and on-line to the target, if we hit it correctly, the ball will go exactly where we "hope" it will go. Our alignment however, is just one piece of the puzzle. With a correct neutral grip, we can now set-up to the ball.

Whether you are hitting a driver off the tee box, or chipping around the green, having a correct set-up is essential. A perfect set-up always includes two important parts: posture and balance. Perfect posture means that no matter what the shot, you are comfortable over the ball, and are in an athletic position. Since golf is a sport and golfers are athletes, it goes without saying that all athletes must "look the part". To do this, first, relax.

Tension is the #1 killer in all golf swings. When addressing your ball, your spine should be angled in such a way that has your shoulders on top of your toes and our arms hanging freely down from the shoulders. A good way to test this is by getting into position, and taking your right arm off of the club and let it hang freely. If you let your right arm swing loosely, it will come right back to your club. With this, bend your knees just enough to earn our second point of discussion, balance.

Without balance, it is guaranteed our perfect swing will fail. Our weight should be centered over the sole of your feet, and your feet should be spread accordingly

-For chips, pitches, and your low irons (8,9) your feet should be closer than shoulder width apart.

-For your mid-irons (5-6-7) your feet should be shoulder width apart.

-For your long-irons and woods, your feet should be wider than shoulder width apart, because with the increased shaft length means increased stability.

Balance also comes with swinging within your limits.A controlled tempo golf swing will incorporate balance, so know your limits.Good exercise programs and proper practice techniques will help you develop a sound swing!

As published on:
http://www.ctgolftips.com/

Labels: Swing Improvement

A consistent golf swing requires a smooth tempo and good balance. Just as a house needs a solid foundation, so does your golf swing. Practice hitting some shots with your feet close together (about six inches apart). This forces you to maintain better balance, tempo, and rhythm and will prove effective when you go back to hitting from your normal stance.

As published on:
http://www.learnaboutgolf.com/beginner/swing_tips.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

Overswinging is very common among players striving for more distance.

Mathematically a longer arc should create more clubhead speed. Not so,unless done correctly. Overswinging will definitely throw the clubhead in a very poor planeswing. How far should you take the club back? Only as far as you can turn your shoulders-with balance. If the club goes back farther than the shoulders,the left wrist will break down. This will not only open or close the clubface but will take the pulling action away from the legs,thus allowing the shoulders or hands,or both to take over and dominate the forward swing. This type of motion puts the club in an outside-in plane (Over the top).

How does a player cultivate the proper length of backswing? We are all individuals and our muscle coordination is not the same,therefore it would be foolish to try to force the club to a parallel position at the top of the backswing. Trying to take the clubhead to parallel will not only shorten your distance it will wreck your accuracy as well. So returning to the earlier premise:The club should not go back any further than you can turn your shoulders.

How can golfers learn this? By feel, Keep the left wrist in a flat position in relation to the back of the left forearm and back of left hand. This will allow the wrist to hinge naturally,not break,which will allow the club to go back only as far as the shoulders turn. Practice this drill daily,and before you know it your muscles will get conditioned and trained to stretch further under control to create the arc you desire without overswinging. Going to parallel is not the answer to solid shot making,and power. Distance is the speed of the lower body pulling the speed of the motion of your left arm corresponding together to launch the ball towards the target.

As published on:
http://www.worldgolf.com/protips/tomward/ward10.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

Here are some tips for losing distance:

• Be sure to make a full turn.



• Maintain a relaxed body with light grip.



• Keep left side firm with left knee bent through
  impact.



• Swing through the ball, not at it.



• Keep arms fully extended through impact.

As published on:
http://www.tomsgolftips.com/

Labels: Swing Improvement

Pulling the ball is often caused by rushing the downswing, maybe when you're trying to swing too hard.

Let the lower body lead the downswing in the proper tempo, so that the arms and hands can deliver the clubhead along the right swingpath.

Also, when you don't have enough coil in your backswing, this can produce an out-to-in
swingpath that can result in a pulled shot.

As published on:
http://www.tomsgolftips.com/

Labels: Swing Improvement

I was down at The Faldo Institute recently. This is a huge practice facility here in Orlando, Florida, obviously named after Nick Faldo.


While practicing, I looked over and there was Nick, hitting some bunker shots. What saw amazed me. Nick had a couple of instructors around him watching every fragment of his technique. One guy was watching his body movement, the other his clubface positions. Actually, this wasn't too amazing because this is what he does quite a bit. But the problem in this situation was that it was only a couple of days after Nick had been thumped by Tiger in the World Match Play, where he was doing about 20 drills before each shot!


It was almost comical to watch because this was the easiest bunker shot in the world. It's a shot Nick has executed a million times and undoubtedly could do with his eyes closed. Why he needed an entourage around him is something I just don't understand.


As I was watching, I kept saying to myself, when is Nick going to say "enough is enough"? When is he going to just forget about all of the nuances of the swing and get back to playing golf?


I think this is an important question for all of us to ask ourselves when we become too technical with our game. The thing to remember is that golf is a sport, and the golf swing is an athletic action. It's not a series of positions, or a bunch of links. It's an aggressive, athletic action, and when we think otherwise we're doomed.


Now certainly I am not saying that it's not important to know some mechanics about the swing, and what it takes to get the ball from point A to point B. After all, that is the purpose of much of this e-lesson program. Likewise, nobody on tour was born with a perfect swing path and plane. This comes from hard work and an understanding of their swing.


However, the line must be drawn somewhere on one's approach to the mechanics of golf. It is definitely drawn in other sports. Do you think Roger Clemens throws a fast ball while thinking of arm angles and pivot positions? I highly doubt it. Do you think Michael Jordan used to take jump shots while thinking of degree of calf tension or the radius of his follow through? I think not! Sometimes, if not all the time, it's just a matter of looking at the target and letting it go.


So how do you know if you've become too mechanical? In my opinion, if you are thinking of more than one swing thought, you are too mechanical. I don't have a problem with a swing thought here or there. A lot of times I even encourage it because it can take the pressure off if you concentrate on one. Although anymore than one will usually lead to "paralysis from analysis."


What do you do if you are all hung up on swing mechanics?


The best thing I have found to do, and which I've seen others do, is simply hit the ball hard. Just stand up and rip the ball with a very aggressive swing. You will find it very difficult to think technical when you are trying to hit something hard. Ben Hogan used to play this way. He said he wished he had "three right hands" because he wanted to hit the ball that hard, and avoid the tentativeness brought on from mechanics.


Even one of the best players in the world, Lee Westwood, was not very good just a few years ago. His mind was saturated with mechanics and he was nothing more than an average player on the European Tour. Then he decided to forget about technique, and start swinging aggressively. As a result, he is now a top-notch player.


So if you find that you are all bogged down in technique, try hitting the ball hard. Get the aggressiveness back in your swing, and your good shots will follow.

As published on:
http://www.golflink.com/golf-tips

Labels: Swing Improvement

Throughout the entire swing you should let your body swing your arms, much like swinging a heavy ball at the end of a chain. If you keep your elbows together and in front of your center (the upper part of your body) in the hitting area centrifugal force will create club head speed.

The faster you can move the body in the forward swing without sacrificing a smooth rhythmic tempo the more club head speed you will develop. The left arm will rotate and the right arm will extend and cross over the left, just as a home run hitter's arms react.

It is imperative that you keep the body moving to the finish. Otherwise the arms and hands will deliver prematurely.

As published on:
http://www.golflink.com/golf-tips

Labels: Swing Improvement

Golf isn't a wrist game. To achieve a powerful swing, you need to employ the big muscles of the legs and trunk. The common instinct of many amateurs is to hit at the ball with only the arms and wrists. Every once in a while this may connect, but for real consistency and power, use the whole body, not just part of it. Muscle it!

As published on:
http://www.learnaboutgolf.com/beginner/swing_tips.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

The easiest way to picture the path of your clubhead is a circle. You want this circle to be as wide as comfortably possible. The extension of your arms is very important in creating a wide circle.

As you take the club away from the ball let your clubhead sweep the ground for a few inches as you turn your back to the target. About half way back, your right arm will begin to fold, staying even with the right side of your body. As you near the end of your backswing your left elbow will bend slightly.

As your swing starts back toward the ball, your arms must regain the extension that they started with. At the point of impact, both arms are fully extended. This extension should last well through the hit and up into your followthrough. When your club is about half way back up the circle, your left arm will begin to fold. At this point, your right arm should be pointing straight out to the target. From this point, you can just relax and let the club finish its path up and over your shoulder.

The easiest way to keep proper extension with your arms is actually to keep them as relaxed as possible during your swing. This begins with a light grip pressure. Too much tension will cause your arms to freeze up and stay bent. Trying to swing too hard or trying to steer the clubhead will cause tension in your swing. If your arms do not extend during your throughswing, you cannot get your club to the ball without colapsing at your waist, shoulders, or knees. To make sure that your swing is big and round, keep that arm extension through the ball.

As published on:
http://www.bbrd.org/golfcourse/lessonarchives.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

Have you ever stood on the tee knowing the wind is dead in your face and yet you still hit the highest shot you have all day? The most common fault when playing into the wind is to hit the ball too hard. This makes the ball spin faster and therefore go higher. When playing into the wind we want to keep the ball low, so we must make a few adjustments in the setup and also in the swing motion. The wind's strength will dictate which club you use. Always take at least two more clubs. For example, if faced with 7 iron distance, then take a 5 iron and choke down on the grip. Choking down on the grip will give you more control. Take a little wider stance than normal and play the ball further back in your stance.

Keep your hands slightly forward of the ball, so that the shaft slopes more obviously towards the target. To avoid changing the clubface angle at address, be sure your hands are only slightly forward of the ball. This setup and club choice will give you a good chance of hitting a low shot. However, a swing adjustment is also needed. The first swing change is to shorten your backswing. Make what feels like a three-quarter length backswing. As you accelerate through impact, try to keep your hands ahead of the clubface. Having your hands ahead of the ball at impact will aid in keeping the ball low. Be sure to have a well-balanced finish.

When practicing this shot at the range, hit some full 7 iron shots and then try to hit your 6 and 5 irons the same distance. When driving, tee the ball a touch lower and use the same setup. Remember, do not try to hit the ball too hard. Swinging into the wind can be very difficult and knock you off balance. Swing smoothly, and try to finish balanced.

As published on:
http://www.foxglengolfclub.com/Golf_Tips.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

The inside of your right leg. The inside of your right leg. How many times have you heard this notion before?


Although it may be correct, the thought of shifting your weight to the inside of your right leg could lead to some large problems. The fact is that you should never think of shifting your weight in the swing. It should happen automatically.


The main reason for this idea of a weight shift in golf is because there is one in other sports. A quarterback shifts his weight. A baseball player shifts his weight. And a hockey player taking a slap shot shifts his weight. But do you really think that these athletes make it a conscious thought to shift their weight? Or is it just a natural reaction to the distance they are trying to throw something, or the force which they are to shoot?


The reason a quarterback or tennis player's lower body shifts is because he took his arm back in the correct position, not the other way around. The same rules should apply to golf. You should never try to shift your weight to the right side and hope that gets your club in good position at the top. If you do, you will start to sway and your timing will be completely thrown off. - Don't start rocking the boat or you know what will happen.


Here is a checklist for the weight shift in a golf swing:
1.Take the club back on the correct plane. (Steep and outside for the over the top slicer)


2.If you do this, the weight will shift automatically. However, if you whip it way inside and around your body, look out for a reverse pivot.


3.Also, in order to make the most of your natural weight shift, you should keep that right knee flex. This will create a lot of built up energy, just waiting to be released through the ball.


The feet are the foundation for the swing. It's the only contact you have with the ground, and like any home, a sturdy foundation is needed to support the frame. How the feet are placed determines how well a player can swing the club toward the intended target.


Placing the feet too close together or too far apart restricts the foot action - too far apart restricts and blocks hip action. Too close together prohibits the full use of foot and leg action. The angle of the feet will cause a problem as well. Toes pointed too far out can also restrict the foot action.


An open stance firms the backswing and makes it easier to swing through to the target, but will also encourage an outside-to-inside type plane swing. A closed stance will allow a maximum rotation of the shoulders and hips lengthening the backswing, but if too closed, will restrict the forward swing. The closed stance will force the club head to swing on an inside-to-out swing.


The stance also greatly affects knee action, which, in turn, affects all body motions - especially foot and leg action. When addressing the ball, both knees should be slightly flexed and pinched gently inward toward each other to ensure weight transfer. The right knee should be kept as close to this starting position until the top of the backswing. This will anchor the swing center in order to maintain balance and store up power in the backswing.


Knee action is also tied to hip action. By maintaining good knee flex in during the backswing, the hips are allowed to rotate in the correct sequence while establishing proper balance. This proper foot action creates a chain reaction from the ground up that will pay off at impact.


A big mistake many golfers make is allowing their weight to move to the outside of the right foot during the backswing. This improper motion will throw everything off kilter and force them to make compensations in order to reroute the club.


By keeping the right knee braced and flexed going back, the left side will lead the downswing in the correct sequence, uncoiling at top speed at impact. The longer the knees remain flexed in the forward swing, the longer the club stays on the target line, adding more distance and control to shots.


A common fault is the straightening or locking of the right knee during the backswing or downswing. This is a natural reaction created by trying to hit the ball instead of swinging. Experiment with different stances to find which one is the best suited for you. Remember, "You can't steal second base with your foot on first." By doing some footwork, you'll be firmly grounded on the path for success.

As published on:
http://www.golflink.com/golf-tips

Labels: Swing Improvement

Often the difference between a strong, powerful swing and a misguided hack is the tendency to hit, rather than stroke, the ball. The difference can be seen when examining a short putt, when it is easy to stroke the ball. Hitting is not an option for a short putt, which makes it the easiest shot in golf. No desire to hit the ball allows a stroking, swinging motion. Perfect this technique for short-distance shots and you will find increasing accuracy and distance with your long shots as well.


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Labels: Swing Improvement

Amateurs have a tendency to take the club back too quickly with the wrists. This reduces proper extension and gets the swing off plane. Here's a great drill to help you get the proper feel for the take-away. First, get into your normal address position, and then place or drop a ball behind your clubhead. As you initiate the backswing, roll the ball backward. Continue rolling the ball until it is well past your right foot (left foot for left-handed players). When doing this properly, you'll feel the opposite shoulder move under your chin. You'll also realize how straight the left arm (right arm for left-handed players) should be when taking then backswing.

As published on:
http://www.learnaboutgolf.com/beginner/swing_tips2.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

Here's a good image to keep in mind during your backswing: Think of placing your right hand in a "hitchhiker" position. This means that when the club is at waist height, you should be able to look back and see your thumb pointing to the sky. Here's another trick: Imagine that your hand is in a handshake position, with the palm facing neither up nor down. These simple thoughts will ensure the beginning of your swing is correct!

As published on:
http://www.learnaboutgolf.com/beginner/swing_tips.html

Labels: Swing Improvement

Hitting a golf ball far can be a very pleasurable experience as you watch the ball penetrate through the sky and land deep in the fairway. There are many things that need to happen to accomplish this feat. It will require good mastery of swing mechanics to be able to consistently hit the golf ball far and straight. Here are some tips to help you master your driver.

Slow down your swing:

It sounds almost contradictory to actually slow down the swing in order to hit the ball farther. Remember that club head speed must occur through the hitting zone. Most amateurs create the most club head speed before the club head even gets to the hitting zone so when the club head does get to the ball the club head speed is much slower than it could have been.

It does not take huge muscles to generate great club head speed. Simply make sure that your backswing is slow and deliberate. Also the downswing must feel just as relaxed. This will allow you to develop supreme control over the club since a slow relaxed swing will usually be much more repeatable than a rushed one.

Stop at the top of the swing:

This can be difficult to do at the start but many of the longest hitters stop for a second or two at the top of the swing before they start the downswing. They often start the downswing with a slight shift in body weight towards the target. This helps to create more leverage and increases lag which is important to create maximum club head speed.

Maintain balance:

Balance is critical in executing any golf shot especially the driver. Remember that the driver is the most difficult club in the bag to hit so you need to be in control to hit this club well. If you find yourself losing balance after your swing then consider slowing things down until you do attain balance.

Accuracy must come first:

You cannot hit a golf ball consistently far if you are not also hitting the ball straight. Crooked drives rarely go very far so you must learn to hit the ball straight first. This starts with the wedge. If you struggle with the wedge then you will also inevitably struggle with the driver too as the longer swings are simply extensions of the shorter ones.

Make sure you are spending appropriate amounts of time on the shorter clubs because if you can master your wedge then hitting longer shots will become a lot easier. Also the level of confidence that you will have when hitting your drives will be much greater since you know that even if you miss a fairway or two you have the short game that can help you to recover so do not underestimate the power of increased confidence when you are about to hit your drives. Do you suffer from consistent slicing of the golf ball? Discover a golf slice cure system that can help you to get rid of that slice and hit straighter golf shots more often.

As published on:
http://www.golfswingtips4u.com/golf-tips-drive-golf-ball-far.php

Labels: Swing Improvement

What is the easiest shot in golf that all beginners can properly execute? It's the "gimme" putt. As the distance between the cup and the ball becomes greater, the tougher it is to make a shot.

Start Small.

Beginning with this idea in mind, you will see that when honing your golf skills it makes sense to start with smaller swings, then build up to the full swing. This is the reason why a person just learning the sport will learn and teach the body the correct motions iin developing an accurate and powerful swing by starting with the short swing. Trying to learn the full swing first makes it much more difficult to learn the correct muscle coordination that the full swing requires.

Learning to hit for distance and then accuracy is putting the cart before the horse. It works the other way around. Ultimately, accuracy will create distance.

As published on:
http://www.golflink.com/golf-tips/tips/ward001.asp

Labels: Swing Improvement