| Every golfer, whether high or low handicapper, wants | | | | strike the golf ball well. The main point here however |
| to better his game and the secret to improvement | | | | is to ensure that at address you align the ball with |
| lies in the golf swing. We are all individuals and as such | | | | the centre of the sweet spot. |
| we come in all shapes and sizes. However to achieve | | | | * The next important factor is the speed of your |
| that perfect golf swing, and send the golf ball soaring | | | | golf swing as the club impacts the ball. Speed equals |
| away into the distance, we have to harness our | | | | power but this is not dependent solely on body |
| individual physical peculiarities and ensure that at the | | | | strength. Flexibility, timing and movement of the |
| moment of impact the club head travels through the | | | | upper body through the downswing play a great part |
| drive line and impacts the golf ball square on. Here | | | | in successfully striking the golf ball. Do not depend on |
| are nine ways that your golf swing can be fine-tuned | | | | shoulders and arms alone; accuracy and distance do |
| to help Bring Down that Handicap. | | | | not come this way. |
| * Before starting the golf swing the first basic | | | | * Following on from the last point it becomes |
| essential is to keep your head still and look straight | | | | apparent that to gain flexibility in your golf swing it is |
| down at the golf ball. Many things are written and | | | | necessary to have more control over your body and |
| taught about the position of address relative to the | | | | a simple exercise regime should be followed to gain |
| ball but the position of the head is of prime | | | | this control. The more control you have over your |
| importance. It should be perpendicular to your spine | | | | muscles allows you more relaxation and confidence |
| with your head raised slightly so that the left | | | | during the golf swing which in turn leads to more |
| shoulder fits under the chin when you start the | | | | control over your mind. We all know that golf is very |
| backswing. You will be unable to perform a proper | | | | much a game played in the mind. |
| golf swing with your chin tucked into your chest. | | | | Simple golf specific weight training will enable you to |
| Practice addressing the golf ball, with your feet | | | | strengthen your muscles and improve functional |
| correctly positioned, your back straight and your | | | | strength and automatically gain more control and |
| head slightly raised whilst still looking at the ball. | | | | balance. We are not talking here about becoming the |
| Practice a dozen times, your backswing and | | | | next Arnie Schwarzenegger; just a tone up to |
| downswing without hitting the ball or following | | | | improve your general wellbeing which in turn will |
| through, whilst keeping the head still. Take a rest, | | | | greatly assist your golf. |
| relax, and then repeat the exercise. Repetitive | | | | * If you are able to follow some simple golf specific |
| training will condition your body to automatically | | | | weight training the main benefit will be found in your |
| assume the correct posture each time you prepare | | | | golf swing drill when addressing the golf ball. |
| to start your golf swing. | | | | To execute a good golf swing drill you start by |
| * Relaxation is another important aid to perfecting | | | | swinging the golf club right back as far as your body |
| your golf swing. Relaxation is not easy when you are | | | | allows. Obviously the older you are, the less flexible |
| striving to power the golf ball down the fairway. If | | | | you become and you will not be able to achieve the |
| however, you relax your muscles when addressing | | | | back swing of your youth. |
| the ball, your golf swing will be that much smoother | | | | Having achieved your maximum back swing the drill |
| and consequently contact with the golf ball will be | | | | moves to the down swing. Start this by transferring |
| that much sweeter. | | | | your weight easily from the back to the front foot |
| * However good an address set up you have it is still | | | | as you swing the club with your hips, upper legs and |
| important to understand the affect of hitting the golf | | | | then knees all moving forward. |
| ball with your chosen club. There are 4 main factors | | | | The ideal golf swing is completed with the body |
| affecting your golf swing and knowing how to | | | | weight on the outside of the front heel and the front |
| combine these to produce a good swing is essential. | | | | of the rear foot. |
| The first factor is the angle at which the clubface | | | | If you carry out simple golf specific weight training as |
| impacts the ball. A square on hit will propel the golf | | | | outlined in the previous tip your body will be better |
| ball, without spin, straight down the fairway. Anything | | | | prepared to complete the perfect golf swing drill. |
| off of square will put spin on the ball and cause it to | | | | * You hear a lot about club speed and how important |
| hook or slice. | | | | it is in achieving those long drives. Many of us are |
| * Secondly the vertical angle of the club head to the | | | | guilty of trying to hit the cover off of the golf ball. |
| ball will affect the flight path height. Anything other | | | | We get a great feeling of satisfaction when we |
| than 90 degrees to the horizontal will cause the golf | | | | make, what at first may seem to be a tremendous |
| ball to fly high or stay low; either way the result will | | | | strike. Then seconds later we look up in dismay to |
| be loss of distance. | | | | see the golf ball veering sharply left or right. |
| * Every golf club has a so called sweet spot. This is | | | | The solution to this is to relax. Hold yourself back a |
| the optimum point on the club head that gives driving | | | | little. Swing nice and easily. It is ok for the top |
| accuracy and distance. The size of the sweet spot | | | | professionals to go all out, but they are just that. |
| varies with different golf club manufacturers and | | | | Professionals! They practice for many hours a day |
| obviously the larger the sweet spot the easier it is to | | | | and are also far more talented than we mortals. |