Golf Swing Guide

jimbo jones asked:


I’m just starting out golfing and I have a problem with my swing. Oftentimes I either hit the top of the ball or hit hte ground before I hit the ball…do you have any tips or pre-swing exercises to help this?

Joyce

Fringey asked:


I’m fed up with golf instruction in general, there must be an easy way to play this game! I need help!

Mike

Dan M asked:


Longtime hacker. How do I make my lower body rotate to allow the downswing to fall down “the slot”? I’ve tried putting weight on the left heel at the top, driving toward the hole with the right leg, all to no avail.

I seem to hit “at” the ball, rather than executing my swing and letting the clubhead move the ball.

Any thoughts?

Philip

yoyoyo asked:


Then also what is the farthest distance a bow and arrow can make?
Explain it in numbers

Joseph

Kevin B asked:


As is obvious to anyone who has seen Tiger swing a club, he puts a tremendous amount of torque on the knee he is getting surgery on. I am wondering if there are exact measurements as to how much torque people, particularly Tiger, put on their knee during a golf swing. As I am relatively unfamiliar with physics, I would also appreciate a comparison of that measurement to something understandable.

David

Eric S asked:


I do that, and it makes me hit the ball better, but I am wondering if it is normal or if any of you guys do it.

Gail

David Barnard asked:


You could be making a big mistake blaming your mishits and mishaps on your golf swing?

No matter how much time and effort you have been spending, grooving your golf swing to perfection, you still will not achieve your goal if you are using unsuitable or defective golf clubs, will you?

Now is the time for you to consider the following Golf Tip - this covers an examination of your golf clubs quality.

If you plan on buying used golf clubs as beginner’s tools, scrutinizing before purchasing is a must. The clubheads, the shafts, and the grips are golf club parts that should pass inspection first, before landing a decent spot in your golf equipment locker.

Another excellent golf tip that will help you when buying a used set of golf clubs, try and ensure you have set consistency. If all the clubs have the same grip, shaft and heads then this will add consistency to your golf swing. It will also help a lot if you check the price of new clubs versus used clubs.

A golf tip for a golfer that plans to regrip his clubs - Be cautious. This is because the grips are the only point of contact you have on the club during your swing. If the grips are too thin or too fat, this will make a big difference to your swing. Before carrying out the regripping, you need to know the core grip of the club and your hands grip size. To determine your core size grip, measure the diameter of the butt of the shaft you’re going to re-grip. The shaft’s diameter should match the grip’s core diameter. In determining your hands grip, the available size grips are regular, mid-size, oversize and jumbo. Use only the best re-gripping materials that will provide optimum performance for your golf clubs.

Another golf tip is that using ill-fitted clubs will be an obstacle to your golf playing success. A golfer must consider his or her body type in choosing the best-fitting equipment to support and carry out the golf swing effectively. Too heavy or too light clubs will result in changes to your swing angles when carrying out your golf swing. With the resulting poor results. This will be avoided if you select the best fitting equipment available.

Custom golf club fitting makes a better option than just buying a new set of golf clubs. Getting custom fitting golf clubs is a golf tip that translates to a very worthy investment. The uniqueness of each person is attributed to the need of this way of buying new golf clubs. A custom fitting produces golf clubs that specifically suit the height, strength, swing characteristics and clubhead speed of the golfer.

The type of club shaft also helps in predicting whether you’ll do well in a game or you won’t. There’s a choice between a steel club shaft and a graphite-made club shaft. This golf tip aims to make you realize which type of golf club shaft will benefit your game.

Observations show that the steel club shafts are more preferred by professional golfers while graphite shafts have become more popular with women, senior players and beginners. Steel shafts are less expensive than graphite shafts though.

One more golf tip that could help you is that the golf clubs in your bag must suit your skill level. Since various skill levels need various golf clubs, it won’t be wise to just use or bring a golf club that is just lying around. And, don’t ever forget about the maximum golf club load your bag is allowed to hold during a round. You can only carry a maximum of 14 golf clubs in your bag. No more.

Aside from your skill level contemplation, your mastery of a certain golf club and being comfortable with using it must also be put into consideration in deciding which golf club to hit.

The correct combination of the right swing and a good choice of equipment will better arm you to become the best golfer you could ever be.



Marcus

John Lynch asked:


“Keep your left arm straight”! You’ve been hearing this golf mantra for years.

The trouble is; how do you learn to keep your left arm straight?

A lotta golfers who think they keep their left arm straight during the golf swing are shocked when they see themselves swing on video…The left arm of these golfers are bent as much as 90 degrees during the backswing and/or the downswing…or the downswing.

Then there are the golfers who try so hard to keep their left arm straight during the golf swing their backswing is restricted to the point they have little or no power.

So, how do you learn to keep the left arm straight during the golf swing?

But first, let us discuss the physics behind an ideal golf swing…

Golf swing experts talk about a “Magic Triangle” that is created in a fundamentally sound golf swing. This is the triangle formed by the golfer’s left arm, the golf club, and an imaginary line from the golfer’s left shoulder to the center of the club face. For best results, this triangle should be maintained from the start of the backswing to just before the impact area when you release the club head. This will produce a high speed impact with the ball as described in detail by Joe Dante in his top selling golf instructional book - “Four Magic Moves To Winning Golf”.

By focusing on maintaining the magic triangle throughout the golf swing you are taken advantage of a powerful physical force…the conservation of angular momentum…the principal that states angular momentum of an object remains constant as long as no external force or moment acts on that object.

If the object (club head) is brought closer to the axis (formed by the golfer’s stable spine), it speeds up. As the club head moves further out from the axis of rotation causes it to slow down. In a golf swing, as the player rotates the club, the hands move farther from the body or axis and slow down. This reduction in momentum feeds into the much lighter club and increases the speed of the club head in the last part of the stroke, in a whiplash type of effect, increasing the force of impact on the ball.

The truth is, if your left arm does not stay straight during the golf swing, you are losing out on the benefits of centrifugal force because your swing arc is smaller. Think of your left arm as a spoke in a wheel and your swing arc as the circumference of the wheel. By not keeping your left arm straight you are essentially shortening the spoke thereby reducing the circumference. You are also upsetting the positive effects of conservation of angular momentum and thus reducing the speed between club face and ball.

Now that you understand the physics behind the benefits of keeping your left arm straight during the golf swing…

How do you learn to do so?

The answer is quite simple; All you need to do is to become aware of this magic triangle during the golf swing. Don’t try to force this triangle…just become aware of it next time you go to the range…

Then, just before impact, release all that stored energy you will have in the club head, like cracking a whip!

Before you know it the ball will be exploding off your clubface…

You’ll be surprised how straight your left arm becomes during the golf swing just by shining the light of awareness upon this magic triangle during the golf swing.

You will now have a tiger by the tail so use this new found power wisely!

Hit ‘em Long and Straight!

John Lynch



Jeremy

Sean Cochran asked:


Golf exercises can help you maintain a fixed spine angle in your golf swing. A number of components are required for successful golf shots. No matter if you are on the tee box or hitting a short iron shot to the green a fixed spine angle is necessary. As we all know alterations in your spine angle can easily cause compensations in your swing. Leading to miss-hits and bogies rather than birdies. One of these keys to improving your spine angle lies within golf fitness exercises and training.

Overall, a number of physical components are necessary for the execution of most any golf shot. The reason for this is connected to the requirement of drawing the club through a long range of motion on the correct swing plane. This leaves you with little room for error in either tempo or sequencing of every phase in the swing.

Now, in order to accomplish the requirements of the golf swing the amateur golfer must have certain levels of flexibility, balance, strength, and power. If the body is lacking in any or all of these physical components, execution of the golf swing may be difficult. So in order to provide you with the opportunity to hit your golf shots successfully we can implement golf fitness exercises into your training program to develop these parameters.

A quick review of the golf swing indicates a requirement of maintaining a fixed spine angle as well as additional postural positions. In order for your body to perform these requirements of the golf swing the muscles of your body require certain levels of strength.

Strength relative to the golf swing can be defined as the ability of your muscles to exert the required levels of force to perform the movements within the swing. If your body is lacking in the levels of strength required of the golf swing. The ability to maintain your spine angle and postural positions of the swing will be compromised.

As stated previously the process of developing muscular strength for the golf swing is relatively simple. It consists of utilizing golf specific strength training exercises to develop the required levels of strength to maintain a consistent spine angle in your golf swing.

One such strength exercises I often use with professional golfers for this goal is Bent Knee Marches. This is a simple exercise to perform and is very proficient at developing strength in the hips, abdominals, lower back, and hamstrings. All of which are important muscles in the maintenance of your spine angle.

Begin the exercise lying with your back flat on the floor, knees bent, and feet together. Point your toes upward by pressing the heels into the floor. Elevate your hips off the floor inline with your knees and shoulders.

Slowly lift the left heel off the floor maintaining a bend in the knee and hips elevated. Continue to lift the heel 3-4 inches off the floor, pause for one second, and return to the starting position of the exercise. Repeat the “lift’ with the right heel. Alternate back and forth for 10-15 repetitions.

Keep in mind there are a number of components required in the execution of your golf swing. One of which is a fixed spine angle. And order to maintain a fixed spine angle certain levels of muscular strength are required of your body. Muscular strength for the golf swing can be improved through golf exercises such as the one described above. Keep in mind it is a series of golf exercises within a golf fitness program that can have a positive effect on both your spine angle and golf swing.

Sean Cochran is one of the most recognized golf fitness instructors in the world today. He travels the PGA Tour regularly working with professional golfers, most notable PGA and Masters Champion Phil Mickelson. To learn more about Sean Cochran and his golf fitness exercises and training programs go to http://www.seancochran.com



Debra

David Dunlap asked:


Golf is definitely a sport with a difference. The similarity between golf and other sports, such as track and field, ends at the need for a proper technique. Though professional golf may require some basic minimal physical training, the weekend golfer can achieve high degrees of success in the game without following a fitness regime at all. Concentration on a suitable technique, diligent application, avoiding common mistakes and having a positive attitude can produce excellent results in the golf swing and overall game.

When looking for golf instruction, even though someone may want to observe and imitate professionals, the fact is that though spectacular movements can be noticed, the subtle ones mostly skip even the careful observer unless you know what you are specifically looking for. The irony is that it is these subtle movements that are critical in dictating a style and perfecting the art of a swing.

This peculiar aspect of golfing has given rise to many fallacies or myths about the mechanical principles that are used in golf. It is thus imperative to know which ones to avoid. Here we will address a few of the most commonly heard today.

1. “Relax” and “Use a Light Grip”

A very natural combination of a ‘relax’ and ‘light grip’ is often used by instructors teaching the golf swing today. Even though ‘light grip’ relates naturally with ‘relax’, the admonition to ‘relax’ actually became standard with golf instructors in order to loosen up their students who were self conscious and frightened to the point of rigidity. Over time these instructions seem to be issued to anyone who starts a training session. However, inability to use these techniques in the correct perspective can do more harm than good.

2. “Be Loose”

Another common instruction, ‘be loose’, may sound the same as “relax” yet is very different. The swing can be loose even if you are not totally relaxed. A loose swing is the outcome of a big hip turn on the backswing or a sway, bad wrist and foot movement and a certain type of grip.

3. “Stop at the Top of the Swing”

Another fallacious instruction given is with regard to stopping at the top of the swing. It is an established mechanical principle that any object moving in one direction must come to a complete stop before moving in the opposite direction. Consciously stopping at the ‘top of the swing’ results in freezing of the body movement thus disrupting the rhythm that it significantly contributes to the swing.

4. “Turn Your Hips To The Left”

Don’t try and ‘turn your hips to the left’ on purpose. Hip turning does take place during a swing but more often than not, it is a natural turn after the golfer has moved laterally to the left. When golfers make an actual effort to do nothing more than turn their hips, it results in a ruined swing and poor shot.

5. “Keep Your Head Down”

This is a commonly quoted directive given by most weekend golfers. However, the head needs to instead be kept back through the golf swing and the subtle movements that occur will do so naturally. It is actually completely unnatural to try to fix your head in a locked position throughout the golf swing. By concentrating on this one point too much, you lose focus from the rest of the golf swing that actually helps to generate the power needed to drive the ball forward.

You need not be a professional golfer to improve your golf swing and scores quicly. Better and more consistent golf can be played by the weekend golfer by simply heeding some good advice and practicing sound discipline. The important thing to note is to follow the modern techniques that have evolved over the years, avoid fallacious outdated instructions and learn to manage the game properly.



Lee