TAG | perfect golf swing
When you are playing the game of golf, nothing is as important to the success of your game than a perfect golf swing. Of course, factors such as where you aim and what type of club you use are also essential. But these interact very strongly with how you swing and why you choose the swing and club that you do.
First, let’s look at the three main types of strokes you will use in a typical game of golf:
- Normal stroke: This is the one that you will work on your swing for. The normal stroke involves a full swing and is intended to move the ball a considerable distance, such as when you first tee off, and any subsequent shots until you reach the green.
- Chip: Unlike the normal stroke, the chip is used to move the ball much shorter distances, often from the rough or a hazard (like a sand trap) onto the green without rolling too far. To minimize rolling, the chip has considerable vertical motion, rather than horizontal.
- Putt: Like the normal stroke golf swing, putting is probably of equal importance to the success of your game. Unlike the previous two types of stroke, putting involves keeping the ball on the ground and rolling it across the green toward or into the hole.
The normal stroke is the primary swing that a golfer needs to work on. After all, it is important to putt well, but it’s of no use to have putting skills if you cannot get the ball onto the green in a reasonable number of strokes.
Here is a basic run-down of essential elements for the proper (and successful, once you have enough practice) golf swing:
- Alignment. Make sure you body is parallel to the line you want the ball to follow. This includes not just your legs and feet, but your shoulders, arms, and even your eyes. Keep your back straight and don’t bend it during your backswing or swing.
- Feet. Keep them shoulder width apart, with a slightly wider stance for larger clubs and smaller stance for smaller clubs. Your front foot (toward the hole) should be slightly open so that your body can rotate smoothly. Keep the weight on the balls of your feet with your knees slightly bent.
- Arms. The club should form a right angle with your spine. This may be hard to visualize, so try taking a picture of yourself to see if you are at the right level. Keeping your chin away from your chest will make sure it doesn’t get in the way of your arms and shoulders when you swing.
- Hands/grip. Keeping your hands a palms’ length away from your torso, take your left hand and place it under the club with your thumb along the left and your fingers wrapping to the right. Grip your right hand further down the club, with your pinkie finger resting between the index and middle fingers of your left hand.
This stance gets you in prime shape to deliver the best golf swing. Of course, the further into the game you get, the more complex technique you are ready for. But by following these basic starting points, you’ll be ready to head out on the course and start improving your game and golf swing in no time.
