How to Improve Your Golf Swing
By Steve Silverman
Improving one's golf swing remains a perpetual goal throughout a golfer's entire career. Ben Hogan is widely considered the pro who had the sweetest swing in the game's history, and there was never a point where he was satisfied with his swing. Tiger Woods is clearly the dominant golfer of his era and may very well be the best golfer of all time. He constantly breaks down his own swing and works to improve it. If the best who have ever played do it, you can as well.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Challenging
Work on your stance. You should have some flex in your knees, but you should not stoop over at the waist to reach your ball. Depending on the length of your club, you should stand about 2 feet away from the ball, bend your knees and hold the club with relaxed hands as you get ready to hit the ball.
Start your swing by rotating your hips to the right. Many golfers make their first move with their hands. Your hands should follow your hips and not the other way around.
Keep your left arm solid as you begin your downswing. Your left side leads you through the impact zone. If you relax your left arm or bend it, you are going to lose significant power upon contact with the ball.
Keep your head down as you bring the club through the hitting zone. Beginners and experienced players have the tendency to pick up their heads before the swing is completed. This takes the golfer's eye off the ball and means it will not be hit solidly and consistently. Stay down on the ball until your club has reached at least waist level on the follow-through.
Go to the driving range and work on your mechanics. Many golfers buy their bucket of balls and start working on their swing, but after about 10 shots, start bombing it as far as they can. This serves no purpose. Think about your stance, your grip, your takeaway and your follow-through when you are on the practice tee.
Tips & Warnings
Keep your swing smooth and steady. Swinging harder will not increase distance and will almost certainly send your ball off course
About The Author
Steve Silverman is an award-winning writer, covering sports since 1980. Silverman authored The Minnesota Vikings: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and Who's Better, Who's Best in Football -- The Top 60 Players of All-Time, among others, and placed in the Pro Football Writers of America awards three times. Silverman holds a Master of Science in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism.
