Feeling the Clubhead

photo credit: Evan Wilson Photography   Golf is a game of feel.  Playing golf is all about striking the ball cleanly on the sweet spot (center) of the clubface.  Hit the ball off the sweet spot and you've got an errant shot.

TIPS:  a)  never force your swing, the idea is to swing as smoothly as possible generating speed as the swing progresses with maximum clubhead speed reached at the point of impact.  b)  hold the club with very light grip pressure which will give you maximum feel of the clubhead.  c)  don't try guide the club with your hands, the swing is accomplished through the use of the entire body not just your arms.  d)  make a full body turn to generate maximum power. 

These tips are not at all hard to follow and they do not require any change in your style or golf swing.

Setting the Club

photo credit: Justin Tallaksen   First -  the target line is an imaginary line which runs through your ball directly to the target your aiming at.  Second -  the club should travel towards the ball from inside the target line.

At the top of your backswing the club should start it's downward path from inside the target line – NOT down the target line as some think.  Setting the club means to make a slight inside move just as the club starts it's downward path.  This allows the clubface to enter the impact zone from inside the target line.  When the clubhead meets the ball it is SQUARE to the target.

The way you can be assured of setting the club at the top is to make sure that your right elbow (left for lefties) is close to your side.  If your right elbow drifts away from your body the clubhead will not move into the ball from the inside.

Take the Brake Off

photo credit: Clintus McGintus   Many amateurs are not aware that the back foot acts like a brake during the backswing, here's how:  Assuming you are in the address position, if your back foot is pointing straight towards the target line, it will prevent you from making a full body turn going back.  If you point your back foot towards the one or two o'clock position (for left-handers it would be eleven or ten 0'clock) you will find that it frees your hips up to make a longer turn going back.

Moving the back foot away from the target allows you to take the club back to parallel at the top.  Try it the next time you are on the practice range and you will notice a huge difference in how much farther you can take the club back.

Backswing Fundamentals

photo credit: Tarter Time Photography   The downswing is a replication of the backswing.  Take the club back improperly and expect a poor shot.  There is one problem:  How do you make a good backswing?

The club should be started back with your arms and shoulders.  Once the club is “pushed” back in that manner, the hips and arms begin their move to the rear.  The wrists begin to break about half way back.  The body movement to the rear creates a coiling action which develops torque and torque is what creates clubhead speed.

An instant before the backswing reaches the top, the hips begin their forward movement (twist).  This forward movement creates a catapult-like action which drives the club at a greater forward speed towards the ball.  If done correctly, you can achieve maximum distance and shot accuracy.  Synchronizing this entire movement requires patience and plenty of practice.

Don’t Decelerate

photo credit: AmCham Shanghai   A decelerating golf swing, (slowing on the downswing) can mean only one thing, a bad golf shot.  A professional almost never decelerates during their swing because they know that swing consistency is a critical factor in playing great golf.

It all begins with the practice stroke.  When you take your practice stoke concentrate on making a good follow-through with a high finish.  When making the shot, try not to think of hitting the ball or where it will go once it is hit.  Concentrate on duplicating your practice swing and making a full finish.  Think in terms of  accelerating through the shot.  Doing this will develop consistency, a better golf swing and most importantly, better scores.

Right Hand Position

photo credit: AmCham Shanghai   Here is a great tip from golf professional Jim McLean:  “One of the least understood elements of the swing is the position of the bottom hand (right hand for right-handers) in the backswing.  Swing your club half way back and stop.  Now open your right hand on the grip.  Your palm should be at a 45 degree angle to the ground, somewhat facing the sky.  This position forces your right elbow down and puts you in a very powerful hitting position.  This is all based on a neutral grip during the address position.”

A good golf swing begins with good technique.  The above tip is one of the best I've ever seen to determine whether you are maintaining the correct clubface position during your backswing !  Remember a good backswing usually means a good golf swing.

Firm Wrists for Pitch and Run

photo credit: Justin Tallaksen   With plenty of green to work with and a good lie in the fairway, it makes no sense to fly the ball to the hole. 

Take out your 8 or 9-iron, play the ball in the middle or just slightly back in your stance and keep your weight and hands forward.  The key here is to pick out a target (landing zone) somewhere on the green.  Take the club straight back (the length of backswing depends on how far you want the ball to go).  Accelerate through the ball and make sure your clubface is pointing at the hole at the top of your follow-through.

It's very important to resist the urge to help the ball with your hands at the moment of impact.  Note:  if your backswing is too long you will tend to decelerate coming through the shot and dump it short.

Skimming

photo credit: mikebaird     Many think that the practice swing is simply a warm-up to the forthcoming shot but that idea is a misconception of the purpose of taking a   practice swing.   Swinging the club prior to the golf shot is not to limber-up, it is to mimic the swing that you you are about to make for the actual shot.

During the practice swing the player should swing the club so that it skims the top of the ground (through the grass).   This is done to determine where the ground is in relation to your clubhead (sole).   You will find that, even if your address position is impeccable, the clubhead will skim the ground differently on every shot.   The reason is because the terrain is never the same, of course, except on the flat surface of the tee-box.

Keeping Your Cool

Even the best PGA Tour players lose their cool but losing your cool can cost you big-time.   One of the most difficult aspects of the game of golf is maintaining a calm, steady and persistent demeanor.   For those who really know what the golf swing is really all about, maintaining a relaxed body and mind is what good golf is really all about.

If you lose your cool on the course, you are essentially destroying your chances of playing well.   If you cannot control your temper you are probably better off finding another sport to involve yourself in.   Golf is all about self-control and concentration, temper tantrums ruin any chances of keeping your cool and playing well.

Lose your temper and you will surely lose your game.

Downswing Acceleration

photo credit: rioncm     Many  amateurs  try to create more clubhead speed by jerking their club from the top, thus laying  the  groundwork for all sorts of swing problems.   Gradual acceleration is the key!

After taking the club to the top, the club should start down gradually and begin it's acceleration.   Your lower body is the key to  clubhead acceleration  as it  moves toward the target.   Don't try to create  more momentum with your arms and/or hands, let your body do  the work  for you.

Allow your club to swing “through” the ball, don't “hit at it.”   Always be mindful of  making  a full follow-through.   A poor finish  results in clubhead deceleration.   Greater clubhead speed, created by proper acceleration, results in improved shot distance.

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