Using Your Core for a Better Golf Swing

By Steve Silverman

Experienced golfers know that their hands and arms are just part of the equation when swinging a golf club. You don't have to swing hard with your arms to hit the ball far. As a matter of fact, a hard swing usually leads to problems. However, if you use your body, lead with your hips and get your upper-body core muscles involved, you should be able to improve your swing.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Step 1

Address the ball squarely. That means your left shoulder should be in line with your target as you stand over the ball, and your left foot should be directly underneath your shoulder.

Step 2

Rotate your hips backwards to start your swing. As you turn your hips to the right, you should begin your backswing. When you have reached the apex of your backswing, bring your hips back through the ball, and then your upper body should follow right after that. The combination of your hip turn and the movement of your upper body will provide the power behind your shot.

Step 3

Bring your hands through the ball once your hip and core have cleared the hitting zone. You want your head to remain down and on the target all the way through contact. Don't pick your head up until your hands have come through the ball and they are at waist level.

Step 4

Keep your left side strong. That means keeping a straight left arm and keeping your body extended and full through the follow-through. This will help you get more out of your swing and more distance on your shot.

Step 5

Practice your swing regularly at the driving range to make sure you get full rotation from your hips as well as power from your left side. The core muscles in your upper body will help you get more power out of your swing.

Tips & Warnings

Exercise your core muscles by working out on an exercise ball. This will help you develop core stability and strength.

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.