| Another hectic workweek is behind you and | | | | line of flight from the ball to the target. Focus on the |
| Saturday has thankfully arrived. The scent of freshly | | | | proper stance at all times to cultivate a consistent |
| cut grass lingers pleasantly in the air as you tee up | | | | swing. |
| for the first round of the day. With your practice | | | | Backswing: |
| swings completed you eagerly approach the ball, | | | | The backswing is considered more of a strategic |
| establish your stance, and strike. Your eyes follow | | | | motion than one which generates power, as it's main |
| the trajectory expectantly in hope that the long | | | | purpose is to correctly position the club at the top of |
| hours you've invested at the range will pay off, only | | | | the swing to align it precisely for the downswing. |
| to watch in disbelief as the tiny blur of white in the | | | | When beginning the backswing bring the club back |
| distance suddenly careens to the left and vanishes | | | | slowly, allowing your body to start the backward |
| defiantly into the rough... | | | | movement of arms and club. Coil with your shoulders |
| Whether you're a seasoned player, or a novice who | | | | first, followed by the hips. As you bring the club up |
| dreams of breaking 100, developing a consistent and | | | | the shaft should be in line with the toes at the |
| accurate swing is an essential element to mastering | | | | halfway point, and the right arm should be a bit |
| the game of golf. Although seemingly elusive by | | | | higher than the left. Upon reaching the top of the |
| nature, it's a skill which can be honed through | | | | swing keep weight on the inside of the right foot. |
| diligence and a firm grasp of the basics. Enclosed | | | | Hesitate momentarily at the apex of the backswing |
| below are various tips that will point you in the right | | | | to establish the correct tempo, and keep arms in |
| direction when considering the most effective means | | | | front of the chest. |
| of improving your swing: | | | | Downswing: |
| Mental Approach: | | | | The downswing is undoubtedly one of the most |
| Zen your way to a better golf swing? The notion | | | | important aspects of the swing, and if executed |
| may not be as "new age" as it sounds. Many top | | | | correctly will guarantee a powerful and accurate shot. |
| players across the nation have begun utilizing the | | | | While implementing this movement make sure your |
| technique of "visualization" to improve their swing. | | | | left arm stays near your chest. Allow your arms to |
| Before approaching the fairway create a mental | | | | fall by gravitational force alone, with your right elbow |
| image of swinging effortlessly and precisely. Visualize | | | | leading your right arm to impact. Pull rather than push |
| the club hitting the ball and the type of shot you | | | | the club as you move into the swing with your chest |
| desire, creating in your mind's eye a line of projection | | | | guiding your arms. Turn your left hip toward the ball |
| that leads directly from the tee to the hole. Learning | | | | as your right foot rolls inside which shifts your left |
| to let go and allowing your body to find its own | | | | knee towards the target, pulling the right shoulder |
| natural rhythm without the constraints of the mind | | | | and club down and around. Allow your arm to drop in |
| will guide you to a place where perfection resides, | | | | front of the toe line as your right elbow lowers to |
| taking several strokes off your score in the process. | | | | your right hip. Swing your hips toward the ball and |
| Grip: | | | | shift your right knee toward your left which is |
| The grip is considered to be the focal point of the | | | | followed by your shoulders. The angle of the club |
| golf swing, and if properly applied will reduce the | | | | shaft and left forearm should remain fixed as your |
| tendency to slice. Maintain a comfortable and relaxed | | | | club and hands move toward your toe line. The left |
| grip, keeping in mind it should be firm enough to keep | | | | side of your body should initiate the swing, while the |
| the club head square on impact. Gripping the club too | | | | right side does the hitting. |
| tightly will inhibit a smooth swing and follow through, | | | | Follow Through: |
| and often elicits a draw or hook. Conversely a weak | | | | The final step that completes a full golf swing is that |
| grip promotes a left to right flight of the ball. The | | | | of the follow through. Although sometimes |
| most commonly used grip is referred to as the | | | | overlooked in regard to significance, if performed |
| "Vardon" or "overlapping" grip, which is formed by | | | | correctly it insures optimum club head speed and |
| wrapping the little finger of your right hand around | | | | distance. It also allows the body to complete the |
| the index finger of your left hand. | | | | movements it started, thus protecting oneself from |
| Stance: | | | | injury. After striking the ball your right shoulder should |
| Working in conjunction with a proper grip your stance | | | | be lower than your left, with the belt buckle pointing |
| will serve as a solid foundation for your swing. The | | | | toward the target. Your right heel will have a |
| key to a good stance is to be balanced and relaxed | | | | tendency to rise due to the momentum of your |
| by equally distributing your weight over your right | | | | swing, and the right arm and club should extend in a |
| and left leg, with your feet shoulder width apart. The | | | | straight line. The V position of your arms should |
| length of your arms when extended and the length | | | | remain constant, which indicates that your club struck |
| of the club should reach the ground easily. Slightly | | | | the ball with maximum force. A follow through that is |
| flex the knees and provide a subtle tilt to the waist | | | | performed correctly should end with your hand over |
| to ensure proper form. An imaginary thread | | | | your left shoulder, with most of your weight on the |
| extending across your feet should run parallel to the | | | | left foot. |