Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Golf Driver Swing: How to Stop Slicing



To have the ability to drive the golf ball straight using your driver from the tee box is really important, simply because it will set the tone for the whole hole you're on. A perfect golf driver swing may improve your probability to score a "Birdie" or perhapsmay also find yourself in a large mess if you slice the ball into the rough or perhaps out of bounds. Slicing the ball is primarily a problem with all levels of golfers, ranging from an amateur to a pro. Slicing depends upon the particular kinematics of the shot. The rotational movement of the ball imparts a force making the ball to curve to left or right in midair creating slicing.
Though it is among the major issues that lots of golfers have, it can be resolved through continual practice in addition to perfected techniques. Below are a few tips which can be employed to avoid slicing while you take the all-important golf driver swing.

1. Griping The Golf club
Grip the golf club by positioning the left thumb in line with the shaft of the golf club, and curl the other fingers around the shaft making sure that they are aiming toward your right eye. Grip the club firmly and when you have the club in position, the first three knuckles of your left hand ought to be visible. Your forefinger and thumb should really create a 'V' formation that's acute enough so the forefinger points to the right shoulder. This type of golf grip is known as a strong golf grip, and it's extremely important to have a strong grip instead of a weak or a neutral golf grip to prevent slicing the ball.

2. The Angle Of The Backswing And Downswing
Make certain, when you take your position, that you maintain adequate distance in between the ball and your body so it doesn't hinder your backswing or downswing. If you avoid this, the backswing is going to be angled in or out from the target making the golf ball to spin while it is in the air, therefore causing a slice. Try to remember, to not turn your hips throughout the downswing, and try to attempt to strike the golf ball down the target line. This can be done when the backswing and downswing keep to the target line. Furthermore, remember that when taking your position, hold both of your shoulders parallel to the target line.

3. The Face Of The Golf club Head
The face of the club head ought to be perpendicular to the target line. Should it be tilted, the golf ball might move off to the right or left dependent on the angle establishing a slice or a hook. Thus, it is very important that the face is perpendicular to the target line while you are taking a golf driver swing.

4. Drills To Make Sure You Swing Along The Target Line
Put a spare golf club flat in the grass in a way that it coincides with the target line. Take several practice swings by simply trying to swing the club in line above the horizontal club. Keep training until you are capable of doing it consistently.
Put four balls in a way that the four golf balls shape a 'X' with the golf ball in the center to be hit. The center ball should be on the target line. Keep all of the golf balls two to three inches away from the middle ball. At this point, try to strike the center golf ball without touching the other balls. Should you successfully achieve this in a consistent manner, you'll defeat your slicing issue.
With persistent training, slicing the ball will not be a difficulty any more and you'll be able to hit the golf ball straight and you will certainly possess a good golf driver swing which can aid you to shoot lower scores.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6600895


Friday, February 24, 2012

Use These Beginner Golf Tips to Improve Your Game




Today, everyone wants to be Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson, but before you go out to the local country club to swing away at some balls, try the tips outlined to improve your golf game. The golf tips should not be followed down to a tee, but should be a general starting block to improve your game, and help you to get to your goal of getting that green jacket.

Hand Placement On Club
Probably the most common mistake most beginners make is incorrect placement of their hands on the club. Here are some tips that can help you improve your control of the ball:
  • Apply a firm, yet light grip on the club.
  • Grip more with your fingers than palm, this improves wrist movement which results in longer tee shots and better feel.
  • Use correct lead hand. (Left hand for right handed golfer, and vice versa)
  • Place club at an angle in your hand. (Dots inside the glove help you out)
  • Trailing hand just as important as lead hand.
  • Both hands must work together in unison to not overpower one another.

Correct Swing and Posture
Now that your hands are placed properly, there is only one thing left to do; swing at the ball. Before you do that, follow these golf tips for having the correct swing and having a posture that provides the best accuracy and form:
  • Balance and rhythm are the most important things in golf; always remember that!
  • Don't stand straight up
  • Maintain consistency throughout swings and posture
  • Balance weight between both feet before swinging. The most common flaw in a beginners game is that they lean onto one leg more than on the other creating an unbalanced swing.
  • Shift 75% of your weight to the back foot.
  • Keep your head behind the ball
  • As you finish the swing, shift 75% of your swing to your front foot
  • After striking the ball and following through, about 90% of your weight should be on your front foot.
  • Most importantly always have a rhythm and stay consistent to it. If you always swing fast don't change speeds. Consistency forms muscle memory resulting in better swings each and every time.

Now there of course there are way more pieces of advice, and golf tips that can be given, but if your dedicated to the game, practice regularly, contain consistency, you'll notice that most of the time figuring things out yourself is usually the best advice. As a beginner many websites are there to help.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6838409

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Golf Tips For The Short Game: Secrets You Need To Know



Have you ever watched a tour event in person? If you have it's a lot easier to see why they are so good.
This is because you see they're pre-shot routine, the focus, the preparation, and the execution.
Sometimes you can see this on the golf channel, but it changes from golfers so often you miss it.
It's unbelievable how good of a short game these guys have. It's also equivalent to the amount of practice they put into it.
So be honest with yourself. How often do you practice the short game compared to pounding a driver off the tee? Now be honest with yourself again. How many times do you hit the driver during a normal 18 hole round. Assuming they all go stay in bounds 14. Maybe more depending on if the stakes are out of bounds or hazards. But most likely, not more the 20. Now how many chip shots, pitch shots, and putts do you take a round.

It's more than 20 right? So what will be better, spending hours trying to get your 20 drives down to 14, assuming you even take 20 drives, which will save 6 strokes. Or lets say you take two pitch/chip shots and 2 putts a hole. That is 54 strokes right there. Now let's say we knock the two pitch/chip shots down to only one per hole. Thats only 36 strokes. A total of 18 strokes to be shaved. More than three times by practicing with your driver!
But how hard can it be to hit a ten yard chip shot and get it to stop close to the pin? That's what we think, which is why we don't practice it as often. However, Dave Pelz found that the player that earns the most on the PGA Tour is not the one with the best driving accuracy, putting, approach, or ball striking. It is the player with the best short game.
This is why all the pros spend 80% of their practice time practicing their: bunker shots, pitch shots, chip shots, and putting.
Because it is the most important part of the game.


But how do you practice the short game?
It's simple, you don't line up next to the practice green and start chipping hundreds of balls. Remember, quality of quantity.
You can practice for 15 minutes and have it more effective than practicing for 5 hours.
What you do is pick a different hole to chip to every time, and go through your routine as if you were playing. If you can do that while practicing, you will have problem doing it on the course.
Why?

Because you already practiced like you were playing, so the entire time you were practicing, your mind was reading it like you were playing!
Do You Want To....
Instantly slash 7-12 strokes off of your golf game?
Get 3 times more accuracy in your chip shots?
Gain a silky smooth putting stroke that's comparable to Tiger Woods?
Get your distance control to an exact science?
Start making twice as many putts with less effort?


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6877180


Thursday, February 16, 2012

Golf Tips On Chipping For All Skill Levels



There are some important golf tips on chipping that all golfers should be aware of. Golf tips come in all areas of a player's game. Few though are as fundamentally important as the chip shot, almost all skill levels have some issues that need improvement.
Chipping is one of the hardest shots to master but yet as critical as having a reliable putting stroke. No matter how good a game you have the truth is you will not reach the green on every hole. Those shots that are just off the green but are too close for a full shot require a gentler touch with your club better known as the chip shot. The best thing about a chip shot is you do not need the power swing of a touring pro as this is a shot that can be mastered with practice and the improvements to your game are immediate.

Few realize how important their setup is when it comes to this shot. Before setting your body for the shot make sure to rest the club face behind the ball. Contrary to popular belief when it comes to this shot the only correct way to aim is to place the club on the ground first then set your body. One way to make sure you set the club before your body is to keep your legs closed.
Once you have set your club face and body properly take a moment to make sure your shoulders are square. Square shoulders insure that your swing will go straight back and follow the target line through the rest of the shot. If your chip shots are not following your target line this is an indication that your shoulders are not square at impact. Take time to make sure your shoulders are properly aligned and this will ensure a straighter shot following your target line.

When it comes to the right chip shot take a moment to place your ball correctly. When you come up to your golf ball make sure that your belly button is centered over the ball. This setup makes sure that the ball will be hit correctly, when the ball is hit with the bottom of the club this results in a high arching shot that sails well over the green.
Once all these pre shot setups have been checked and re checked you need to focus on your back swing. The number one thing to remember is to keep your triangle in tact, the triangle is the position of shoulders down to arms and hands. This proper triangle means your shoulders, arms and hands are all moving back at the same time. Your lower body should be loose and your body weight correctly balanced.

The rule has always been finish what you started. This is no different for your chip shot, make sure to continue the swing through to the end. Professionals do this all the time and there is a good reason for it, the tendency is to end the shot as soon as you hit the ball. This behavior eventually becomes ingrained and your consistency will suffer as you will end your swing earlier and earlier resulting in poorer shots. Some hold their shot till the ball stops rolling others stop their swing when the ball reaches close to the hole. For best results keep your stance till the ball stops rolling.
Keep these golf tips on chipping in mind the next time you practice or play a round. Place your club down before you setup, square your shoulders and make sure the triangle is not broken. Once hit continue the shot to the end, this means when the ball stops rolling.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6857968


Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Golf Backswing Tips To Cure Over The Top Golf Swing


One of the most common swing faults is an over the top golf swing. This fault causes 2 major mishits. One is the dreaded slice, the other is a hard pull. This is all dependent on the club face at impact. This issue is so common many books have been written on how to cure a slice. And yet, golfers are still struggling to fix it. I've got some of my own opinions on this topic, and will give you a few tips that relate to the proper golf backswing.
You see, the backswing is where alot of things can go wrong. So just imagine, the first 12 inches of your golf swing actually ruining your consistency, accuracy and even power. This is exactly the result if you don't get your backswing correct.

The first tip I want to give you is to take your hands out of your golf swing!
This has ruined my game for many, many years, and I didn't even know it. I've taken dozens of lessons; some from the so-called guru's, never to hear anything about my hands upon initial takeaway of my swing.

Once you get the proper grip, you take the club back in "one-piece", with the shoulders taking the club back, not your hands. Continue to turn your shoulders until the club is parallel to both the ground and your toeline. This is where you slowly begin to let your right elbow bend, which now brings the club up to the top of the backswing. This whole time, you are not consciously doing anything with your hands and wrists. Thing of them as almost frozen; they can't move.

This may feel awkward at first, and you may struggle to hit a solid shot, but in a short period of time, you will start making the kind of contact on the ball you've never done before. After you've been able to make good contact, then, and only then, may you take a look at what your wrists are doing during the backswing. But, you still should not be doing anything with your wrist cock until your hands have passed your right knee, so that is about the first 2-3 feet of takeaway.

Watch any pro golfer and you'll soon see there are similarities with all of the takeaways and backswing, and the key is to move the club back in one-piece, with no independent moving parts of your hands, wrists or even elbows.


Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6487112