The Four Basics of Any Golf Swing

When we think about the basics of the golf swing, we usually think about ball position, stance, grip, and so on. In other words, we think about the swing's physical mechanics. That's only natural, because its what most golf pros focus on in their golf lessons and what golf magazines highlight in their articles on the golf swing. It's what I write about the most in my golf tips as well.

But not everyone agrees that these are the true basics of the golf swing. For many, the true basics of the swing are something quite different, something that has nothing to do with the physical mechanics of the swing. For these people, a swing's true basics are four components-plane, centering, radius, and face. golf instruction sessions focusing on these concepts are as helpful as golf lessons on the swing's mechanics, maybe even more helpful

Plane

Most golfers have heard of the concept of plane, but are confused as to how it applies to the golf swing. Plane is defined by the angle your club creates when it is ground at address. To master accuracy, the club must remain on this plane, especially while it approaches the ball on the downswing. (Actually, two planes-one formed by the takeaway and the other by the downswing-are involved in swinging a club, but the second plane is key. ) This plane is the most powerful and direct route to the swing, as I discuss in my golf tips. Coming back to the ball above or below this plane results in pulls and slices.

Centering

Every swing has a center to it, a foundation defined by your head and your spine. If you want to hit accurate golf shots, this foundation must remain steady. Watch Tiger or any of the pros on TV and you'll see how steady their heads and spines remain throughout their swings. This foundation has two angles to it. One is the angle your spine creates with your hips at address. The other involves the lateral movement of your head. Focus on preventing both your head from moving unnaturally one way or the other and your spine from moving up or down, and you will produce better results.

Radius

Radius is the distance between the lead shoulder and the clubhead. You must keep radius intact, if you want to hit good quality shots. The key is releasing your wrists at the right time. Most amateurs release their wrists early, forcing the shaft ahead of the lead arm before impact. An early release causes you to hit the ball thin, or even worse, mis-hit it altogether. If you execute the proper sequence of movements in the downswing, you'll maintain radius.

Face

The ball travels in the direction in which your clubface is pointing at the moment of impact, minus the effect of sidespin. You must attain the same clubface position at impact that you establish at address, which is why you need to align your club properly. The key to doing this is matching the position of your hands at impact with the position of your hands at address. If you grip the club on the right side of the shaft, your hands must be on the right side of the club when you hit the ball; otherwise, you'll mis-hit.

Conclusion

Is one basic more important than another? Not really, as I tell players who take my golf lessons. They all must be executed properly, if you want to achieve a powerful, repeatable swing. Now that you are aware of them and how they contribute to your swing, try filming yourself some day and see how well you maintain them during your swing. Also note how well you hit the ball.

Plane, centering, radius, and face-these aren't the usual basics you talk about when discussing the golf swing, but they are critical. While the physical mechanics of the swing, like ball position, stance, and grip, are key, so are these four components. Master both sets and you'll achieve accuracy and consistency every time, lowering your golf handicap in the process

Copyright (c) 2006 Jack Moorehouse

Golf Swing Mechanics : Different Types of Golf Clubs

Training Aids - Three Different Categories

Practice aids or training aids are available to you to improve any part of your golf game. In listening to the questions that are received about them, it seems that amateurs are just a little confused. In this article we will break practice aids into three categories, give you some examples as well as the ailments that they will fix.

First if you are already taking lessons, you should simply ask your golf instructor. They may give you a discount if it is purchased through them. In addition , they may have practice aids that you can make with things that you already own.

The three categories that we have broken the training aids into are:

Putting Training Aids

Many amateurs simply do not realize that they need to be careful when selecting a putting training aid. The reason is that they must know if they make their putting stroke in an arc or make their putting stroke on a straight line. If you make a putting stroke in an arc then you would benefit from a Learning Curve. The dimensions of the curve are set you give you the proper feeling every single time.

If you have made the decision that your putting stroke need to go in a straight line, then you would need to look at the putting square system or the putting plane alignment system. Both are railed systems that insure your putter moves straight back and through.

Full Swing Training Aids

Most players struggle with finding a good impact position. An impact bag will put you in the correct impact position. An impact bag does this by teaching you how the shaft needs to be leaning towards the target at impact and not away from the target.

Another full swing training aid is a balance rod. Balance is one of the most important things to have in your golf swing and talked about the least by golf instructors. A balance rod is placed under your feet as you swing the golf and gives you instant feedback on your balance. If you make swing that arte out of balance, you can slice or hook the ball. You never know where it is going.

golf Fitness Training Aids

Again, if you are already working with a fitness trainer, it would be best to discuss with them on which golf fitness aids would work best for you. A weighted golf club will help you build strength as well as flexibility. You will need to make sure that you swing it equally right-handed and left-handed as you do not want to overbuild one side over the other.

A swiss ball or balance ball is a very flexible piece of equipment as well. With a balance ball, you can increase your flexibility with various stretches. In addition , you can build your core muscles by doing many of your strength exercises on the ball.

Listed above are the three main categories of training aids. Obviously, you can drill down as far as you would like and create sub-categories for swing plane for example. Keep in mind as you are buying the practice aid, will this help me and my current ailment or is this just what everyone else is buying?

Golf Tips : How to Replace Grips on a Golf Club

How To Increase Your Golf Training Accuracy And Become A Better Golfer

How To Become A Better golfer You won't be able to attain great golf training accuracy by simply reading books. This is because the books may give you a few handy tips to improve your stance and swing, but you'll only be able to assess your accuracy and power when you're on the course. So what are the ways in which you can become an ace golfer, with both swing power as well as accuracy? Well, experts are of the opinion that there is no written or used formula for improving the accuracy of your golf game. In fact , this is a very subjective area where every person might find his own technique that will help him perform better in his game.

Though there are thousands of products available in the market, which claim to make you an accurate golfer. It's so rightly said that " the proof is in the pudding". Similarly, it is up to you to experiment with the thousands of products and decide which one suits you the best. But on second thought, is it possible for an individual to try out all the products that the market has to offer? Not only are they going to cost you a huge sum of money, but they will also cost you a lot of time and energy.

Lets have a look at the low cost means of bringing about accuracy in golf. Physical training and muscle building is perhaps a great way of improving your golf game. Working on improving the flexibility of the body as well as toning the golf specific muscles may some times bring about a vast amount of improvement in a golfer.

In order to work on the right muscles you must obviously take the help of a professional coach who will be able to guide you better in this field and set you up on the right programs.

golf Accuracy Training Aids You can also find golf accuracy training aids in the market that do look very promising and have certainly helped a lot of golfers to improve their games. The training kits generally have swing trainers that help you to hit straighter, powerful and more accurate shots. However , before making a considerable amount of investment in the training kits, the golfer should also know the right way to use them.

Since the key ingredient of every sport is physical flexibility, we must get into the habit of including regular exercise in our daily regime. It goes without saying that golf is one such sport where accuracy ranks high because a golfer just can't be content with a powerful swing, but he also has to work hard on putting the balls accurately. Work both on your golf training accuracy and golf excercises to increase your power and you'll become a better golfer!

Ways To Construct Your Golf Training Schedule

Training correctly is the most important part of your training routine. The most commonly forgotten part of golf training is shots near the green. Spending hours at the driving range hitting arrow straight drive might be exciting, but working on shots in the 100 yard range improves your scores faster.

For and training regiment to be effective, you must keep a regular routine. golf training time should be shared equally between driving and approaches. An hour pounding drives should at least equal an hour on the putting green.

Do not neglect approach shots either, or chip shots and or shots out of the sand. A long, arrow straight drive is a thing of beauty to watch, but an accurate chip shot will save two-puts and win matches. When training, it is best to simulate real world conditions. Sure, you could rake the sand perfectly smooth for each and every practice shot and place ball gently on top, but that will never happen on the course. Toss the ball straight up in the air to simulate the dreaded fried egg flop. Set your practice shots up right against the wall of the sand trap practice high angle outs, or the smart shot off to the side.

Has it been a while since the grass was trimmed somewhere? Practice saving your game from the cabbage. Just because you cannot spend all of your time at the driving range does not mean you can practice. If you spent an hour at the driving range this morning, then you owe yourself an hour of short game practice. Take a bucket of balls to the local park and practice chipping from the tan bark, or the untrimmed edges of the grass.

Incorporating your putter into your training routine will prove the most important thing you can do. More matches are decided on the green than any other part of the course. Practice the long shots, the short taps and even a few from the fringe while on the putting green.

Do not forget that you can practice at home too. You can chip from the garden and weed at the same time. Refrain from mowing the back yard another week and practice some light chip shots. Find a neighbor and take turns hitting practice balls into each other yard to work on blind chip shots.

Regular practice is the most important element in your training routine. You will be better off with an hour, three times a day than four hours on a Sunday. Most important, enjoy your time. golf is no fun if becomes work.

Golf Instruction - Chipping Trajectory Lesson and Tips

Five Most Common Putting Mistakes

No one's shocked anymore when Tiger Woods drills a 20-foot putt to win a championship. He's one of the best clutch putters in the game. But did you know that when he practices putting Tiger spends more time working on short putts than long putts. That's right. One media sources estimates he spends about 65 percent of the time he spends practicing putting working on short putts.

Most putts are from 5 to 15 feet. These short putts probably make up about 25-30 percent of your total score. You don't need a golf lesson to figure out that if you sink more of these short putts, you'd lower your golf handicap by at least a couple of strokes. Unfortunately, weekend golfers tend to commit too many mistakes when facing short putts. Here are some common mistakes golfers make when putting and some drills on how to eliminate them.

Confidence is the Key

Many golfers flinch when they putt. Or, they rush the putt so much their stroke becomes choppy and uneven. You can become a great putter if your putting stroke is smooth and free flowing. Creating good rhythm in your putting stroke is the best way of eliminating flinching and rushing. No matter what style of putting you use, if you flinch or rush you'll probably miss lot of putts. Unfortunately, most golfers concentrate more on sinking putts than working on developing a smooth stroke.

Next time you're on the practice green, make some smooth pendulum strokes with your eyes closed. As you make your stroke, count out a simple cadence "one-two. " "one-two. " Once you feel a good flow, have a friend place a ball at his discretion in the path of your putter head. No knowing when the ball is coming helps eliminate the flinching or rushing that can cause you to miss those short putts.

No Putting Ritual

Another common mistake in putting is a lack of putting ritual. If watch Tiger Woods, Fred Funk, or Sergio Garcia putt, you'll notice that they all have a putting ritual. Their rituals are all different. One player walks all around the putt before stepping up to hit it. Another takes his practice strokes behind the ball. But the one thing that's not different is that they use the same ritual every time they make a putt, regardless of the length or difficulty. Develop your own putting ritual. Base it on sound putting techniques and what makes you feel comfortable. And use it every time you have a putt. You'll find that a ritual not only relaxes you and helps build confidence in your putting.

Worry about Outcomes

Weekend players worry too much about the outcome of a short putt. What if I miss the putt? This places a lot of pressure on the golfer. Since the pressure of outcomes is tied directly to the hole, try eliminating it when you practice to relieve the pressure. Next time you're on the practice green, work on drills that improve your putting accuracy without using the hole. For example , place a scorecard over the hole and try to roll the ball over the card, so that the ball ends about two feet past the hole. These drills will improve your accuracy without the added pressure of sinking the putt.

Choking the Putter

A common mistake I see in my golf instruction sessions on putting is players gripping their putters too tightly. Some players grip their putters so tight, their hands almost turn white. A soft and constant grip pressure is vital to maintaining a smooth, free-flowing stroke and creating better "feel" when putting. For players who think they may be choking the putter, try holding an uncooked egg between your right index finger (or left index finger, if your left-handed) and the shaft of your putter. Now drop a few balls and stroke some putts. If your grip is too tight, you'll soon know.

Too Handsy

Another common mistake I see in golf instruction sessions on putting is players using too much of their hands in their putting stroke. Being too handsy eliminates the true feel of a smooth, free-swinging pendulum and cause jerky inconsistent putts. One remedy is to use a belly putter. Simply anchor the putter to a comfortable point on your midsection and swing away. Add a "one-two" count to the stroke to improve rhythm. This approach reduces the amount of movement in the smaller muscles in your hand and keeps the blade on plane.

Eliminating these common mistakes from your putting will not only build rhythm in your putting stroke, they'll also help increase your confidence in your putting. That's big. Ask any professional golfer what the key to great putting is and he or she will probably tell you it's confidence. Great putters are shocked when they miss a short putt. That's how confident they are. To improve your golf handicap, you need to work on things that build confidence and increase accuracy your short putting.

Copyright (c) 2007 Jack Moorehouse

Golf Shot Tips : How to Hit a Tee Shot

Four Steps To Building a Better Backswing

The golf swing is basically a chain reaction, as I've said before. One good move leads naturally to another. Obviously, the first few "links" in the chain are critical, since they determine the quality and the shape of the swing. If you make a proper backswing, as I often write in my golf tips, you'll develop power, accuracy, and consistency in your swing.

Unfortunately, some golfers take their backswing lightly. Instead of taking the club back slowly and smoothly, they rush it and find themselves in a poor position to start their forwardswing. A poor backswing requires complex adjustments during the swing, which can throw it off. The end result is a slice, a hook, or an otherwise ugly shot. If you want to develop consistency and power-while improving your golf handicap-you must build a better backswing.

Make a Preflight Check

Get in the habit of making a preflight check before starting your backswing. A good set-up increases the chances of starting off right. Check for correct posture, the right weight distribution, and the proper ball position, which should be just inside the left heel when using longer clubs and toward the middle of your stance for shorter clubs. Also, check to see that the club's shaft is an extension of the left arm (right-handers) and that you have a neutral grip.

In addition , check your tee-height. As a general rule, the top edge of the driver should be level with the ball's equator, irrespective of the clubhead's size and design. This rule also applies to the 3-wood when used from the tee. The design of this club hasn't changed significantly over the years. Its clubhead is smaller than almost all drivers' clubheads, especially the new ones. You need to tee the ball lower to achieve the right height for the 3-wood.

Shift Weight Properly

Allowing your weight to move back and forth in harmony with the swing's direction generates power. If the upper body coil and the weight shift are both correct in the backswing, the natural movement is a lateral one onto the right foot (right-handers), preparing the golfer for a forceful forwardswing. This is followed by a weight shift to the front foot.

Annika Sorenstam, considered by many as the number one ranked woman golfer on the pro tour, presents a good example of someone whose weight shifts properly during her backswing. Watch her when she swings. If you compare her head position at the top of backswing with her head position at the start of her backswing, you'll see that it has moved a good 5-6 inches (12-15 cm) to the right, enabling her to "get behind the ball. "

Think "All Arms"

A proper takeaway is critical to a good swing. The catalyst for the chain reaction, the takeaway starts everything in motion, as I stress in my golf lessons. It introduces width and coordination in the swing, and determines the quality and shape of the shot. The first 30 inches of the takeaway is perhaps the most crucial point in the swing. The goal is a one-piece takeaway.

To achieve a one-piece takeaway, sweep the club back low and slow as your left knee, hip, and shoulder turn to the right. Shift your weight slightly onto the right foot (for right-handers), creating the feeling as if the move was "all arms. " And hold your chin up as you take the club away to allow for a full left shoulder turn.

Turn and Set

The turn and set is the final element of the backswing. Once the takeaway is complete, the wrists hinge as the body continues to turn and the arms swing the club up on plane. A useful checkpoint in the swing occurs at the halfway point in the backswing. In a properly executed backswing, the club points toward the sky. From there on, it's a simple movement to the top of the backswing.

Watch the takeaway of Ernie Els when opportunity permits. His upper body, hands, arms, and the club all move away from the ball in harmony. The wrists are almost completely passive. They only start to hinge as the hands reach a point just beyond the right hip, the ideal takeaway to emulate. Notice also that he lifts his left heel slightly as he takes the club back. There's no hard and fast rule on this, as I've said in my golf tips. If you need to lift it slightly to complete a full body turn, then do so.

One last tip on building a better backswing: As you begin, try thinking "low and smooth. " Maintaining this swing thought as you start your swing encourages you take the club back in a deliberate manner.

Building a better backswing is a key to generating a consistent, repeatable swing-the hallmark of players with low golf handicaps. Work on your backswing in practice. You'll see a difference in your swing on the course.

Copyright (c) 2006 Jack Moorehouse

Golf Swing Tip | Body Alignment For Better Golf

Attaining The Perfect Golf Swing

The game of golf has a Holy Grail, a mythical thing that everyone is searching for but nobody ever seems to find: the perfect golf swing. The reason for this is simply that there is no such thing as a perfect golf swing. Each person is different, and so the swing style that is right for them will vary somewhat. However , there are a few basics that when applied can dramatically improve your golf swing.

There is no doubt that a professional golf swing is at the heart of the game and it is not possible to expect to play a reasonably good game of golf if one is not able to produce a consistent and good professional golf swing. Golf specific exercises play a key role in helping any golfer dramatically improve on their game quicker and perfect various aspects of their game much more rapidly, such as the golf swing plane.

The Swing Plane

The swing plane represents the path on which your golf club should travel upon during the swing. A good swing plane is vital if you want to be a consistent golfer. The idea that separates the high handicapper and low handicapper is usually the ability to rotate your body, keeping the club on a consistent swing plane.

One of the easiest ways to analyze your swing plane is have someone film you. A more high tech way to assist you in correcting your swing plane is a laser light that fits onto the end of the club handle. A swing trainer can also help you with your swing plane. Don't try to force the club into the correct swing plane, as this is counter-productive.

Swing Speed

When it comes to swing speed some players just cannot swing the golf club very quickly. It takes an optimum level of strength to produce a high enough swing speed to hit the ball the correct distances. Using a golf training club is one of the most effective ways to increase golf swing speed and power. The Speed Stik golf swing Trainer is one of the better golf swing trainers available on the market today.

Developing core strength is important for increasing golf power levels and swing speed, which is why the proper exercise is also very important to improving your swing.

Swing Exercises

When you are implementing a golf fitness exercise into your golf swing improvement program, you must be able to place the body in the correct starting position of the exercise. It is a proven fact that muscles used in the golf swing that are not exercised and conditioned on a regular basis with the correct exercise will usually not respond to the correct golfing techniques.

Most of the touring pros are now using exercise for golf to strengthen their swing and have seen their driving distance go way up. I can’t tell you how many golfers have emailed me telling me their amazing improvements in power, distance and accuracy from using exercise for golf to strengthen their swing.

The power exercise in the golf swing can also tremendously improve on the enjoyment of the game by eliminating pain, even as your body is strengthened to play a better game. Failure to execute a proper golf swing has even been responsible for numerous nagging injuries many golfers suffer, which further hampers their game.

So there you have it. There is no Holy Grail, no perfect golf swing, but there are three fundamental improvements that can be made: in the swing plane, swing speed, and regularly engaging in swing exercises. If you are careful to pay attention to each of these three aspects of swing training, you are sure to see significant improvements in your golf game.

Drive For Show...Putt For Dough

A popular golf cliche that seems to appear in print and video often is “Drive For Show and Putt for Dough. ” If you play regularly, you’ve probably heard it uttered by your playing companions, probably the one who has just drained a long putt to win the weekend wagers or someone who can't keep up off the tee... but is it really true?

On the surface, you might say that putting is far more important than driving the golf ball simply due to the fact that the average person in the course of a round generally has only 14 attempts to hit a drive, while the same player player will attempt somewhere in the neighborhood of 32 putts per round. I believe this analysis is misleading especially for mid to high handicappers and beginners.

Here’s why!

Your tee shot sets you up on every hole up to either post a good score or a bad one. Nowhere in golf, are the penalties more severe than when you’re driving the golf ball.

For example.. you’re playing a 300 yard par four hole, straight away, no trouble to speak of except out of bounds to the right side of the fairway. If you hit a good tee shot, 200 yards down the middle of the fairway, you have set yourself up for a short iron approach which should yield a score of at worst 5 and possibly even a 3 or 4.

BUT.... if you slice the ball out of bounds to the right, you’re still standing there with your driver in hand but now you’re playing your third shot from the tee box. You have effectively, with a poor tee shot, taken a sure 5 or a probable 4 and turned it into at least 6, more likely 7, or even worse 8, 9, or 10 should you drive the ball out of bounds again.

The stroke and distance penalty imposed for driving the ball out of bounds and for losing your golf ball make accurate tee shots an absolute necessity if you want to shoot good scores.

This is why it’s so important to drive the golf ball well.

Having said that, there is no part of the game that will allow you to shave strokes off your score like good putting. Most players can save at least 5 shots per round just by avoiding 3 putts and making everything from 3 feet in.

Bottom line, both aspects of the game, driving and putting, are essential to shooting good scores and you should work equally hard on your full swing and short game.

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Golf Swing Lessons - Sam Snead Golf Swing Tempo Tips: Master Teacher on YouTube Sifu Richard Silva

Caddie Tips For The Beginner

Caddying for a golfer is not a lot of work, and could be quite enjoyable, especially if you hook up with a good golfer. Like the old saying goes. Watch and learn. There are 8 main job tasks that a caddie must do. We will try and take a look at them briefly.

Carrying golf clubs

This task could very well be the toughest of the eight, especially if the golf bag is heavy. Knowledge is not a factor hears, but carrying them properly is. Try resting the golf bag on the small of your back, may be the most comfortable position. Adjust the strap of the bag to accomplish this position. When you carry a golfer’s clubs, you should hold the irons steady with your hand. Try to prevent them from clanging together by placing your wrist at the edge top of the bag and reaching over them with the palm of your hand.

Placing the golf bag down around greens, fairways, and tee boxes, should be done gently. By doing this routinely, will prevent noise of the clubs around golf greens, tee boxes, and other players. Do not drop clubs.

Washing players golf clubs

This is a fairly simple task, but you have to stay on top of it. Keep a wet towel with you at all times. You may want to keep half of it dry, if you want to carry it with you. Make sure the golfer’s clubs are clean and dry at all times. Do not hand your golfer a dirty club. Keep a tee in your pocket to clean the grooves of the clubface and wipe clean with the towel. Make sure golf clubs are dry and clean before every hole. When the golfer is finished with the club. Clean them right away and place in golf bag gently. If you do not put them back in the bag right away, you may forget them on the ground, and find out later the golfer may need that particular club. When you happen to remember leaving one behind. Mention it to your golfer immediately. He or She will give you instructions on what to do.

Washing players golf ball

Ask the golfer well in advance, if he or she would like their golf ball cleaned. Do not wait until the last minute before their shot. Have other golf balls clean and ready, just in case they decide to change golf balls. Do not pick up your golfer’s ball, when on the tee box, fairway, bunker, rough, and green to clean it. The ball must be cleaned before the tee shot, and after the ball is marked on the green. The golfer will know the playing rules. Let them give it to you to clean.

Replace golfer’s divot

Typically you will find divots on fairway shots. That is not always the case. Sometimes they will have to be replaced on tee boxes. Wait for all golfers to finish their shot, if they are behind you. When everyone starts to march out to his or her next shot. Simply run out and pick up the turf and place back in divot hole, and pack down with foot. Replace a couple of divots, if you have time.

Repair ball marks on green

The golfer should do this task. The golfer may ask you to repair the ball mark, if he or she is lining up their putt. Simply prop up the grass around the hole with a tee and pack down with a flat surface, such as a putter or sole of foot.

Tending the flagstick

Wait for the golfer to ask you to either pull the pin, or tend it. Be nearby to keep play up to speed. Stay off of all golfers’ lines to the hole, and keep the flag from waving in the wind if holding the flagstick for the golfer. Also keep your shadow away from golfers's line. Make sure the flagstick is pulled when the ball is rolling towards the hole. The golfer may occur a penalty stroke, if they hit the pin when putting. The golfer has the option to leave the flagstick in when off the green. Some golfers like it out. Wait for instructions when another player is off the green. Try to stand still when a golfer is putting. After all golfers are finished putting, replace the flagstick and check for golf clubs left behind.

Club selection advice

This particular task is for the experienced caddie, and or caddie that has been with the same golfer for a while. Try to memorize the distance of your golfer’s shots and what club he or she used. They may ask you for advice on what club to use on any given hole. You may surprise them with your choice of clubs. Let’s hope it’s a good surprise. If your not sure, do not guess. Just remember. It’s only advice. When your not sure of the distance and club selection, encourage them on making the right decision.

Keep sight of golfer’s ball

When your golfer and other golfers are taking a golf shot, always watch where the ball lands. Always keep a marker, like a bush or particular size tree when it lands. This particular task is very important. Your responsibility is for the golfer you are caddying for. Try to look out for other players as well. This could be the single most important task. No golfer wants to lose a golf ball. When you can always find the golf ball, the golfer will almost always want you to caddie for them again.

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How to Optimally Prepare for the Golf Season with Golf Fitness Exercises

The PGA Golf Tour is in full swing and for many parts of the country and world the golf season is upon us. Many of you are anxious to dust off the golf clubs and get out to the golf course for your first round of golf. A question that may be on your mind is how do I get ready? How do I knock off 6 months of rust on my golf swing, feel comfortable with my driver on the first tee, and post a good golf score at the end of the round?

All questions that are asked often in the world of professional golf and this article will provide you with the answers. Answers to these questions and many more fall under the category of how do I prepare myself for the golf season?

Interesting enough if the guidelines from this article are followed the golf score you post for your first round of the year may be lower than you ever expected, the distance of your drives may well be farther than you imagined, and the number of accurate golf shots you hit may be even more surprising!

The answer to all the questions on how to get ready for the upcoming golf season centers on preparation. Preparation is the key to a successful first round of golf and every round you play in the upcoming golf season.

We all probably understand the definition of preparation but lets take a quick look in order for us to all be on the same page. Preparation can be defined as the work or planning involved in making something or somebody ready or putting something together in advance (Encarta Dictionary, MSN. com).

A definition that sheds light on getting ready for the upcoming golf season. Using the above definition we can see the process of preparing for the upcoming golf season does not begin 10 minutes before your first tee time, but rather in advance of when you get ready to hit driver off the first tee. Bottom line the process of getting ready for the upcoming golf season begins weeks or even months before your’ first round of golf of the year.

To have a successful first round of golf and a good season of golf you must begin the process of preparation well in advance of your first time on the golf course. If you look at professional golfers they begin the process of preparing for the upcoming golf season months in advanced. I would suggest doing the same. Develop a plan that will get your golf swing ready once the snow thaws, the birds are chirping, and the greens are ready for putting.

What does such a plan contain? This type of “golf preparation plan” would contain drills, exercises, and programs to improve and prepare every aspect of your golf game. If we break down the game of golf into categories the “golf program” becomes much easier to understand. Obviously, we have the different shots made on the course. A brief breakdown would indicate the need to implement swing drills to work on the full swing, short game, and putting. We could obviously get a little more detailed than a breakdown of the golf game into three different categories, but lets’ keep it simple.

Now that we have this breakdown of the game of golf into full swing, short game, and putting the next step is to implement a series of drills to work on each of these aspects. Simply put I would suggest devising a series of drills to work on each part of the golf game/swing. This can easily be accomplished by purchasing a few books or videos from one of the top-teaching professionals in the world of golf.

Each one of these qualified golf instructors have numerous materials available to help you with your golf swing. And if you are one of those individuals that lives in a cold climate and is unable to get to a driving range or practice facility, no need to worry. Most all of the instructional videos/books available have drills that can be performed in the comfort of your own home.

At this point we have a couple of bases covered in the “preparation plan” for the upcoming golf season. We understand preparation is key to a successful year on the golf course, the “preparation plan” begins well in advance of the first tee time of the year, and a portion of the plan consists of swing drills. This brings us to final part of your “preparation plan” for the upcoming golf season.

This part of the plan centers on the implementation of golf fitness exercises to go along with your swing drills. We must understand the concept of your body and the golf swing. The golf swing is executed in its’ entirety by your body. In order for your body to execute the golf swing correctly. It requires you to have certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power within it. If you are lacking in any one of these physical areas compensations will occur in your golf swing.

It comes down to this: In order to be prepared for the upcoming golf season and to improve your golf swing. The implementation of golf fitness exercises geared towards developing your body around the golf swing is necessary. This type of program will prepare the body for the golf swing and the upcoming golf season.

To summarize, the process of preparing yourself for the upcoming golf season begins with a “preparation plan”. This plan begins weeks to months in advance of your first time out on the golf course. Additionally , this “preparation plan” for the upcoming golf season contains a series of golf training drills to prepare your golf swing. The golf training drills break down the golf game into three sections; full swing, short game, and putting. A series of swing drills are implemented to work on each one of these parts of your golf game. In addition golf fitness exercises are implemented into the golf-training program to develop your body around your golf swing. Put all these pieces together and your first time out on the golf course this year should be an enjoyable one.

Sean Cochran

Golf Tips: Secret Power Move - Drive 300 Yards - Jim McLean

golf better | golf swing | golf lessons | golf books | golf video

golf better | golf swing | golf lessons | golf books | golf video

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Why Does Tiger, Phil And Vijay Have Obscene Power?

Who doesn’t want to pound the golf ball 300-plus yards? We see PGA Tour players all the time ripping it down the middle of the fairway, and we would all love to do it too.

Take a look at the long drive champions pounding it well over 400 yards. Amazing if you ask me.

How do they do it? Everyone’s got an opinion on that question, but lets take a look at one part of the equation. The shoulder turn is an integral part of what allows these guys to crank on their drivers.

Take a look at Tiger, Phil, or Vijay on tour. Watch what they do with their driver on the backswing.

All these guys take a monster of a shoulder turn, coiling their bodies, and just waiting to unload it on the downswing.

This allows them to flat out rip the golf ball off the tee!

So how can the amateur emulate such a swing, increasing the distance of their drives, and feeling pretty good about themselves and their game?

There are two concepts to focus on:

§ Increases in distance are related to increased Clubhead Speed.
§ Clubhead speed is contingent upon Developing more Power in Your golf swing.

Developing more power in your swing is directly related too:

1. Your golf swing Mechanics
2. Your Body

Efficient golf swing mechanics will allow for the greatest amount of power to be transferred to your clubhead.

The generation of this power lies within your body.

It is your body swinging the golf club, not the other way around. Your body develops the power that is transferred into clubhead speed during the swing.

In order to develop more power in your swing you must develop more;

§ Flexibility
§ Strength
§ Endurance
§ Power

Improving in all of these areas will translate it into a much more powerful and athletic golf swing (if they are efficient), and end up with more clubhead speed.

Like I said, a little more complex than first thought, but very doable.

Developing more power in your golf swing begins with your flexibility. Increasing your flexibility will improve your power.

This is where the idea of a larger shoulder turn comes into play. Increasing your flexibility allows you to take a larger shoulder turn.

A bigger shoulder turn (resulting from your improved flexibility) allows the body to coil more, store more energy, and translate it into clubhead speed.

Increasing your shoulder turn is a result of improving your flexibility. In the bigger picture flexibility adds to your entire swing.

In addition to an increased shoulder turn, improving your flexibility allows you to take the golf club through a larger range of motion.

Why is this relevant too more power in your golf swing?

It becomes a simple equation in physics.

If you are able to draw the club through a larger range of motion in an efficient manner, the ability to generate more power will be available.

Simple!

Next question; how do you develop more flexibility relative to your golf swing?

Golf Specific Flexibility Exercises are the Answer!

Golf specific flexibility exercises develop your flexibility around the golf swing.

This will enhance your ability of your body to take the golf club through a greater range of motion, and take a bigger shoulder turn allowing you to generate PGA Tour like clubhead speed.

Now understand, developing flexibility for golf is not simply performing a toe touch stretch. That is not going to get it done.

You must develop flexibility in the areas of the body that are integral in swinging the golf club.

In addition, you must develop flexibility through the ranges of motion that are required for the golf swing.

These are the reasons it is necessary to use;

Golf Specific Flexibility Exercises

Golf specific flexibility exercises develop your body around the golf swing. Focusing on the muscles incorporated in the golf swing. Developing the ranges of motion required of the golf swing. Improving the shoulder turn in your swing, and increasing the power in your golf swing. Take a look at Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, and Vijay Singh. They will all show you the same in their golf swings. Flexibility and a full shoulder turn are needed to develop power.

Sean

how to play golf for beginners - How to Increase Your Golf Swing Speed

Teaching Children the Game of Golf

So , you think your little guy might be the next Tiger Woods? If you think your child has a propensity for golf, or if you have a love for the game that you want to share, how can you best teach your youngster the game? How can you tell that they are ready to learn? What age is best to start a child on learning golf if you want to develop a quality player?

Golf, a detailed and complex sport, can be tough to teach to kids. For this reason, get them started early and ensure that you build a firm foundation in their gameplay so that they learn to be confident in the sport and in their own abilities. This type of learned confidence can help them embrace the complexities of the game as a whole and will turn them into golfers that are ready to learn.

Once a child is walking well independently and able to hold a child-sized golf club, he or she is probably ready for the first introduction to the sport. This can happen when the child is as young as two or three years old. Preschool children will not be ready to play golf as a game, but they can be given small putters and practice swinging the club correctly.

Children at this age learn almost everything through imitation. The best way to teach them proper swinging and putting techniques is to demonstrate, and then have them imitate the motions. But use caution that you do not make this tedious for the child. These imitation sessions should be short and fun. Try having the child hit a small balloon. Not only will this be fun, but the child will also have success in hitting the balloon, which will keep the frustration at bay. To make it even more fun, try filling the balloons with water for added resistance! This is a great summer time activity for you and for your child!

Once the child has entered school and has a good handle on the swinging and putting techniques learned through observation, it is time to start teaching the game of golf. School aged children are accustomed to verbal instruction and can listen to explanations about the game better than their preschool counterparts. You need to keep in mind, however , that they are still children! They will thrive on encouragement, and all teaching sessions should be kept upbeat!

Start by taking your child to the driving range. Show your son or daughter how to hit the ball correctly, aiming for distance. The driving range is a good place to start since there is not a specific target they must reach, so the child is less likely to get frustrated. After the child demonstrates aptitude on the driving range, you can head to the course. By this point you should be able to tell whether or not your child is going to share your love for the game of golf.

Parents need to remember that no matter how hard they try, not all children have the same likes and dislikes that their parents have. If you have introduced your child to the game of golf, and he or she does not enjoy it, try not to push them. By pushing, you might find that you drive your child away from the game. All you can do is give them the experience at an early age, and they must come to a conclusion about the game on their own.


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How to Buy and Look After Your Golf Shoes

Golf Shoes are a very important part of your success as a golfer, we all spend hours choosing clubs, and five minutes choosing Golf Shoes.

This is just crazy when you consider you will walk somewhere over 4 miles every time you play, and you’ll be on your feet for anything from 3 to 5 hours. Like me you probably haven’t given much thought to the part that golf shoes play in reducing your handicap. It was only after I took expert advice and invested some money in a pair of Adidas Golf Shoes that my game improved by three or four shots. Coincidence – No I don’t think so!!

What follows are a few guidelines you should follow when choosing golf shoes

1. Always wear the same socks you golf in when trying on new golf shoes

2. Don’t wear socks that are too tight or tend to scrunch up.

3. Check the fir of the shoes by standing on one foot. You should be able to wiggle your toes, and when you stand on tiptoe the shoes should bend where your foot bends.

4. The fit around the middle of the shoe should feel tighter than with ordinary shoes. This is where you get the most support when swinging the club. Don’t overworry about the tightness because all shoes will stretch a little after you have worn them a few times.

5. There should be no more or less than about a half inch of space from your big toe to the end of the golf shoe.

6. It is important to make sure that the shoe and the widest part of your foot are a comfortable fit, without being too loose. Loose fitting shoes cause your feet to slide when you swing the club, and you lose stability, essential for good golf.

7. If the shoe fits all the above criteria, but is a little loose, then use an insole to make the fit a little tighter

It is no bad thing to get your feet measured professionally for width and length, once a year. This should be done at the end of the day, because your feet will be a little swollen at this time. Remembering we all have one foot larger than the other, so you need to pick the shoe size of your larger foot when trying on a golf shoe. Don’t forget you can always use an insole to balance up your smaller foot.

You might care to consider one or two additional thoughts on buying your new golf shoes.

· Waterproof shoes are more expensive, but essential if you play in wet and muddy conditions.

· Leather uppers are great for keeping the wet out, and they also offer the best support.

· Synthetic leather golf shoes should be avoided if possible because they are not waterproof, and as they won’t allow your feet to breathe, they quickly become smelly!!!

· Leather outsoles are found with more expensive shoes, and they do give a more supportive fit, because leather adjusts to the shape of your foot.

I can’t overemphasise the need to choose a good, probably quite expensive golf shoe. It will repay you many times over.

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PGA Tour Golf Fitness Instructor

Golf - What You Need To Play

I would like to offer some tips on equipment purchase and what would be required to get started playing golf. Beside club purchase, there are additional items necessary to prepare yourself for play. The next most obvious items are a golf bag and golf balls. If you are purchasing a starter set of clubs many come with a golf bag included. If you like to walk and enjoy a little workout as you play there are carry bags, which are light weight and are slung over your shoulders. There are other bag options for you to choose from and I would suggest that you speak to the sales representative in your local pro shop or golf store (ie; Dick's Sporting Goods and Golfsmith would provide this service) and ask him to explain the different types and price range to best suit your needs. Golf balls can also vary dramatically in price - from about $9. 99 /dozen to $45. 99 for the best balls on the market - Titleist Pro V and Pro V1x.

As a beginner I would recommend that you buy the more economically priced balls. The difference in performance will be negligible and you will have a tendency to lose more balls as a novice so why waste money? As you improve, you can always upgrade the type of ball that you use - I would recommend purchasing about two dozen balls to get started. There are also different compression golf balls made. 80, 90 and 100. The compression selected is directly proportionate to how fast you swing and your golf mechanics. I will not elaborate on this right now but an 80 or 90 compression ball should be more than adequate for now. If you have some power and a fairly quick swing, I would opt for the 90 which may give you a bit more distance. NOTE: The professionals and low handicap players use the higher compression balls because their impact speed and swing mechanics will allow the ball to compress properly, thus attaining the maximum result in distance. Some other equipment I would strongly recommend would be as follows:

A golf towel, golf shoes ( though not absolutely necessary it will assist with stability as you swing), Golf tees ( Note: there are different height golf tees made for different drivers, woods and irons - I would recommend that you pick up an assortment of sizes - 2 1/8" for woods and irons
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Golf Swing Lessons

Golf Tips, Golf Equipment

In this article, we hope to share with you the many aspects that this important subject has to offer you. Blaming your moves, shots and swings for your golf mishits and mishaps? Well, no problem how greatly time and power you have been expenses over practicing your moves to hone your spirited, you still won't achieve your goal if!

From this point forward, we will let you in on little secrets that will help you implement this subject into your life. You use unoutfitable or defective enters of golf equipment. Now is high time for you to ponder the next golf tips that rivet glance on your golfsmashs attribute. If you arrange to wish worn golfsmashs as beginner's tools, scrutinizing before purchasing is a must.

The smashheads, the ducts, and the grips are golfsmash parts that should condition inspection first before corridor in your golf equipment cabinet.

Another superb golf tip that will get you through the spirited is making clearly that the set of worn golfsmashs you're eyeing have set consistency. It will also help a lot if you restraint first the value of new smashs vs . worn. A golf tip for agolfer"> golfer that arranges to regrip his smashs: Be guarded. This is because the grips are the only link points one can access to move the shot. Before moving out the reriveting, know the spirit grip of the smash and your hands grip volume. To control your spirit volume grip, meaclearly the diameter of the strike of the duct you're departing to re-grip. The duct's diameter should tally the grip's spirit diameter. In determining your hands grip, the offered volume grips are standard, mid-volume, overvolume and outsized. Use only the best re-riveting equipment that will impart optimum performance for your golf smashs. Another golf tip or guidance is that with ill-integral smashs will be an barrier to your golf live winner. Agolfer"> golfer must ponder his or her body enter in choosing the best-right equipment to joist and free his backswings efficiently. Too steep angles in moving out backswings may be avoided if one selects the hone right equipment offered.

Custom golfsmash right makes a better variety than just trade new golf smashs. receiving custom right golfsmashs is a golf tip that translates to a very good investment. The uniqueness of each character is attributed to the penury of this way of trade new golf smashs. A custom right produces golfsmashs that specifically outfit the height, force, swing characteristics and smashhead race of thegolfer"> golfer. The enter of smash duct also helps in predicting whether you'll do good in a spirited or you won't. There's a variety between a steel smash duct and a graphite-made smash duct. This golf tip aims to make you apprehend which enter of golfsmash duct will profit your spirited. Observations tell that the steel smash ducts are more ideal by professionalgolfer"> golfers while graphite ducts become more general with women, chief players and beginners. Steel ducts are minus classy than graphite ducts still, the most importen thing is the contract of the sharft, it have to fit your smashhead race.

One more golf tip that could help you is that the golf smashs that must be the central content of your bag must outfit your knack equal. because several knack equals penury several golf smashs, it won't be prudent to just use or pass a golf smash that is just deceitful around.

And, don't ever overlook about the greatest golfsmash freight your bag is allowable to sustain. You can only pass 14 golf smashs in your bag. No more. departure from your knack equal contemplation, your mastery of a certain golfsmash and your being comfortable with with it must also be put into ponderation in deciding which golfsmash to hit.

A good combination of the right moves and good variety of equipment will make you the bestgolfer"> golfer you could ever be.

3 Year Old Junior Golfer With Huge 40-50 Yard Drives Down the Middle! Got Golf 2?

Golf Swing: 5 Essential Measurements for More Distance. Get more yards without spending a fortune.

Renowned golf instructor Art Khano says before you spend money on that expensive new driver, consider the five important measurements for distance and straightness.

If you are like me you are in your twilight years. Those days of whipping everyone from the blue tees and scoring a 67 are long gone. No longer do I brag about beating my son who hits it 300 yards against the wind. Because quit frankly I don't hit it far anymore and haven't for years. In fact , every year seems like I hit it shorter and shorter. Or it's just harder to get the same distance. When I try to crank it up, the ball goes in directions I've never seen from my classic smooth golf swing.

For the better part of the last 15 years, my long ball son and I have worked on my golf swing to get more distance. I am a golf instructor and poured what I knew into him. I've created a monster. He hits an eight iron 200 yards. He still doesn't score that well. His work schedule doesn't allow him to put in the time it takes to get down in the 70's. We have opposite games, he hits it far and doesn't score that well, I hit short and score in the mid seventies consistently. You see where I'm going with this.

For the last seven years, I have taught the golf swing. I'm a PGTCA certified golf instructor. I've literally taught hundreds of people during the years. The number one request from most of my clients over 50 years old: How do I get more distance without giving up straightness? They lament, "I bought this $600 dollar driver only to see my distance go down over the years. "

After studying the game for the last 45 years, I've studied under some of the greatest golf teachers. I get a kick out, when an amateur golfer thinks pros hit it well because of the clubs. If you are an experienced golfer you know that if you give a touring pro the oldest beat up, out-of-date golf club and an amateur the best club with the newest technology, the touring pro will hit smoother, straighter and farther. So it's not entirely the club.

Below you will find some measurements and simple solutions to apply to help determine what exactly is happening to your swing. They will help you understand WHAT you need to DO in order to get more distance without sacrificing straightness. Then you could go buy that expensive new club with these measurements in mind.

Before you spend money on a new driver: 5 measurements you must consider.

1. Clubhead speed

This is one of the more important measurements you can take on your own golf swing. The only thing about it. You can't just go one time to a store to have them measure it. You need to take ongoing measurements to track your progress. There are affordable options out there my favorite is the "Speed Stik" which helps improve your clubhead speed and measure it. It measures clubhead speed and helps you hear when you are swinging faster. Practice it over and over at the increased speed. A more expensive option is the "SwingMate" just for measuring the speed. Both are available at golfsmith. In order to build the strength you can also use a weighted club or weight donuts. Swing it five minutes before you use the Speed Stik. Then try it again.

2. Center of the clubface

Clubhead speed without hitting in the center will impact your distance and of course straightness. A simple solution, impact tape. This goes on your clubface and you see the mark it leaves. Do this a few times at the range or even at home with plastic golf balls. (Don't go breaking the windows or hit the ceiling now).

3. Correct swing path not for distance but straightness

The swing path is tricky to diagnose but through training you can get an eye for it. Simply observe the immediate path of the ball after impact. If the ball shoots to the left immediately after impact you are hitting it from outside in. If the ball jets to the right immediately after impact, you have an inside out swing path. Another way is take a flattened cardboard box place it one or two inches parallel outside the golf ball. The goal being to avoid hitting the box altogether. But if you hit the ball then the box you have an inside out swing. If you the box then the ball you have an outside in swing path.

4. Angle of approach.

The angle of approach can be observed through a trained eye also. The trajectory of the ball immediately after impact will give you a clue as to your angle of approach. If you are using a driver and your ball seems to jet up very high right away, you need to make a more sweeping motion to correct the sharp axing motion giving it rise. Increasing the axe motion down the club range to the sand wedge. The driver is more of a sweeping motion. The fairway wood is more descending and so on.

5. Square to the clubface, different than the center.

Many astute golfers get the center of the clubface and square to the clubface confused. You could hit it center but not be squared to the ball. As the ball is in mid path you will see a slice or pull. This tells you that the hit was center (see #2) and swing path was correct but not squared.

Okay, now after several days of measurements. Make some adjustments and track your progress. Start with number one. Clubhead speed. Then take more measurements from two through five. We want to ensure that with the increased clubhead speed you aren't straying from the other important measurements.

Now you successfully increased your clubhead speed with the other proper measurements. Go buy the best club you could buy.

Golf Stretching Exercise For Golfers Lower Back Strain