Let’s be very clear before you start. Only through practice will you improve on your golf game. That goes for every facet of your game and with a bit of luck, you can surely perfect every angle.
Your shot starts before the swing
A lot of golfers get straight down to business and tee off when they start. That is very wrong. You must first get your stance right A good round starts in your head. Look at the flag and start visualizing. This is the part where you do your pre-shot routine and for that high-quality shot, get all your alignments in place and hit it the right way you want it to go. So what should you do to get the swing with enough power and quality?
The right process and steps
You need to use the club with a suitable grip. Players tend to try these grips at the Pro Shop and assume that the one that ‘feels’ right is the right club. It would be best to have a professional do the recommendation for you. Generally:
- If you are a beginner, you might want to get the side-by-side baseball grips. For an experienced golfer, they usually go for those where the right pinky rests between the left hand’s index and second fingers.
- On the club, grip it between the joint of the first and second fingers with the index wrapped around the pinky of the other hand. Take note that the thumb would be going around the back.
Now, get your posture right. Have your chest lowered and push your hips backward and slightly upwards. Notice that your weight would not go towards the ball. Your feet should be apart from the same distance as your shoulders. Try to release the tension on your shoulders and knees.
Getting into the swing
Now that you have the grip settled and your posture ready, it is time to focus on the swing.
- First, aim the clubface towards the pin. Your body would go along with this. Ensure that your feet and shoulders are square to the pin.
- Now, turn your shoulders where the upper part of your body is rotating around your spine. At this point, your left arm would bend slightly. Move until your left shoulder is near the right armpit. While doing this, your shoulders, hands and arms should be working in tandem.
- As you start your downswing, start moving your left knee towards the target. You will notice that your weight will start shifting to the left. Let your body slide towards the flag. Maintaining a straight line between the shaft and your left arm, hold your wrist hinge as your swing your club down.
- At the point of impact, let your weight flow down to your front foot and ensure your chest is facing the target and as you complete the swing, your back heel should be off the ground.