| Almost everybody who plays golf, and wants to | | | | Grab 2 clubs out of your bag and place them on the |
| improve their game, watches golf swings either on | | | | ground as follows: One club is on your feet line parallel |
| television or in person by going to tournaments. It is | | | | to the target line. The second one is placed |
| definitely a great and very productive way to | | | | perpendicular on top of the first club to show your |
| improve your swing and your golf game as well. | | | | ball position. If you ever get to watch a pro practice |
| However, there is a right way and a wrong way to | | | | at a golf tournament you will notice almost every |
| watch professional golf. | | | | one of them use this practice station, or something |
| Have you have ever watched Tiger Woods or other | | | | similar, as they hit balls so they won't develop any |
| great professionals play this game and say to | | | | bad pre-shot habits. |
| yourself, "How do they make it look so easy and | | | | Keep your swing simple as you can. Don't clutter |
| effortless?" It is to them. If there is one thing you | | | | your mind with 1000 different set-up and swing |
| can take away from watching great players play is | | | | thoughts. I see amateurs all the time at driving |
| this... when pro's swing a club or execute any golf | | | | ranges try to think their way through a swing, and |
| shot, they don't think about technique. They focus | | | | they never improve because of that very reason. |
| only on the target and where they want to hit the | | | | When you have too many thoughts in your head, |
| ball. The reason they can do this is because they | | | | you never let the natural athletic movement of the |
| practice their mechanics and technique on the driving | | | | swing happen. Simplify the swing with one key |
| range until the moves their working on are ingrained | | | | thought or feeling on the backswing, and the same |
| in their sub-conscious. Then, when they play, they | | | | on the downswing. Below are excerpts from my |
| just pick a target and let their swing happen. | | | | book Golf Swing Connection which are examples you |
| If you want to play what I call "effortless golf," and | | | | can use to simplify your swing: |
| have your buddies and competitors say to you, "Man, | | | | Backswing:keep your upper left connectiona smooth |
| you make the swing look so simple and effortless," | | | | move away from the ballturn over the inside of your |
| then below are some great ideas you can use next | | | | right leg |
| time you practice. Also, this winter would be a good | | | | Downswing:turn your upper left connectiona full turn |
| time to get your swing on track for the up and | | | | and release throughhit against a solid left leg |
| coming season. If you live up north and are seeing | | | | Practice how you play. On the driving range pick a |
| snow on the ground right now, you can still practice | | | | target, line up and hit a shot as if you were on the |
| an effortless swing without hitting balls. Here is just | | | | golf course playing. Toward the end of your practice |
| one idea, set up a practice mat in your garage or | | | | session, hit the last 10 balls like you would on the golf |
| other room and hit plastic balls into a net. There are | | | | course. Pick a target, pick a club that you can hit the |
| many other ways you can practice efficiently without | | | | target with, go through your pre-shot routine, and |
| hitting golf balls. | | | | swing away only focusing on the target or a key |
| Ways you can make your golf swing effortless: | | | | swing thought you've practiced that day and nothing |
| Make sure your pre-shot fundamentals are in order. | | | | else. If you honestly let the swing happen and focus |
| Pay attention to how you're holding the club, where | | | | only on the target or your key swing thought, you |
| your feet, body, and clubface are aligned, and your | | | | will be amazed how well you hit those last 10 balls. |
| posture at address. If you start from a correct | | | | These are some very effective ways you can |
| set-up you will have a better chance of making a | | | | practice your swing this winter or anytime you |
| good solid swing. You can practice your set-up and | | | | practice. Remember, make sure your pre-shot |
| address anywhere. I personally know pros who | | | | fundamentals are correct and simplify the golf swing |
| practice their address position's and posture's with | | | | so it's easier to execute on the range and when you |
| out hitting a single ball. | | | | play. |
| Set up a practice station next time you practice. | | | | |