Every golf player knows it from experience. Tensing up during play courts disaster. Your golf swing should be easy and fluid. But just how do you develop that kind of free swing?

The real pivotal centre of the stroke isn’t the hands wrist or head. It’s the point exactly between the two shoulders. All of the muscles of the body are below that pivotal centre in action and putting energy in propelling the club forward.

Now let’s address the muscles that are controlling the head. If you keep your head still, you can preserve the pivotal centre constant in relation to the ball. Balance is paramount and if your arms are straight, the elbows are bent and you hit the ball at the toe of the club instead of the centre of the face, this will give you the correct distance.

When you come back to the ball, there’s more power transferred to the arms by the shoulders and back when the arms are extended than when they are bent. So you have more narrowly a fixed guide for guiding the club and the club shaft when the club shaft and the left arm are in line.

When making the swing most players spend too much time on their address thinking about this angle and that angle. What results is they move their heads and stiffen their muscles. Where’s the freedom in this swing? You will be a better golf player the second you find the muscles getting tense at any point in the stroke find a way to loosen up because the tension will destroy your accuracy and reduce the power of your swing.

It’s an advantage to you to keep your arms well in toward the body, because it’s easier to control the amount of play you will allow the arms in the downward stroke if you’re
coming down inside the ball than if you’re going beyond it. So you’ll only have to yield a little to reach the ball. But if you’re going beyond the ball you have to overcome the centrifugal force) (force which tends to pull the club outward) when pulling in the hands. So it’s a good idea to keep your arms in toward the body.

Let the centrifugal force carry your club out in the downward swing until it reaches the ball. Then you can put all your energy in to propelling the club. You won’t need much effort to guide it.

Also, make sure that you don’t reach for the ball in the address because that will stiffen your muscles.

Beginners usually swing too short. Because the amount of centrifugal force is so great, the beginner will involuntarily pull in his hands because he’s scared he’ll go beyond the ball.

If your hands and arms were in motion in the address it would be necessary to have them reaching for the ball. But since they’re still, the idea should be to obtain the easiest and most comfortable position so that as the player reaches the top of his swing his muscles won’t be tired from holding a set position. The angles at which you address the ball have little influence. It’s the way you take your gauge at the top of the swing that counts.

I also advise my students to keep their arms close to the body and both of them straight. The club shaft and left arm should be in line and kept parallel to the right leg. This will give you firmer control of the club with your left arm or guiding arm than if your left arm was bent.

If you practice these tips, your swing should become more fluid and free. Above all, relax. Breathe deeply. Approaching the game with a fun spirit encourages freedom of movement!

It looks so easy – rolling that little ball into a nearby hole. But mastering the skill has threatened many a golfer’s sanity.

Here are a few tips to help improve your putting skills.

• Use just one ball when you practice your putting. This is closer to what a real game is like. You tend to concentrate better this way than if you have a bucket of balls to keep digging into. And be sure to practice your putting daily.

• Putting isn’t all in the wrists. When you’re putting, the palms of your hands face each other. This prevents one hand from dominating and ensures that both work together for you.

• Make sure you’re totally relaxed before you strike the ball. Loosen up your muscles so they feel flabby and jelly-like. Never tense up your muscles when putting!

• Make your back and follow through strokes the same length.

• Keep your putter face square by weakening your left hand and strengthening your right.

• Rely less on your wrists and more on your shoulders when putting.

• Keep that left wrist firm.

• Relax your knees a little. Don’t lock up.

• Your heels should be shoulder-width apart.

• Gary McCord advises that on curved putts, keep your feel parallel to the line you’ve chosen, not parallel to the hole.

• As you make contact with the ball, you want to accelerate the putter. Keep the putter grip moving toward your target.

• It’s better to miss a putt by sending it beyond the hole than by having it come up short. Finishing off the shot will be easier.

• Practice your putt at home on your carpet when the weather is bad or you can’t get to the golf course.

• Find a putter that works well for you and stay with it.

• Have something at stake at every hole so you become accustomed to putting under pressure.

Golf is an individual sport. Two people’s golf swings can never be identical due to differences in people but the basics of the game are the same for everyone. To perform a correct golf swing, golfers have to adjust their bodies. Developing your own technique of playing the game improves not only enjoyment of the game but also your achievement. Making sure that you know the basics of the game well will lead to confidence which in turn will lead to satisfaction and success.

To see instant improvement in your golf swing, one of the most necessary steps that you can put into action is to keep your head still and look straight at the ball. Your head should be in line with your spine so that when you begin to swing, your left shoulder fits under your chin. Tucking your head into your chest is what many players do in order to keep their head still, which also causes them to look straight at the ball. Although a correct golf swing cannot be executed whist in this position.

If keeping your eye on the ball is a challenge there are various things you can try to solve the problem. Start by assuming the accurate stance; feet and knees in position, back and head straight, bending forward a little at the waist, looking at the ball. Keep your eye on the ball and raise our head before executing the swing. Keep your eye on the ball. Without striking the ball, practice your backswing and downswing, remembering the follow through.

Practice this exercise in your backyard for about 25 times in a row and then take a break and relax a bit, then start again. Make minor corrections to your head and body position as needed to keep your eyes straight on the ball and your left shoulder from hitting your chin. This exercise will "train" your body, and your muscles will "remember" the correct position you need to be in to perform the movement correctly. Think about any sports athlete, they train and train to place their bodies in the correct stance and position to properly execute the movements necessary to be successful in their particular sport. You are doing the same thing by "training" your body to keep your head straight and position itself so that you can successfully execute a proper golf swing.

Another basic step that can work greatly towards improving your golf swing is to relax. I know it is easier said then done, especially when you are getting ready to put all your power into drive with an audience of either your co-workers, or better still your friends who will not let you forget it if you mess up. However, relaxing your muscles will help you to maintain the proper balance that is important to a great golf swing. Regardless of the golf clubs you use, your balance is the primary foundation of your golf swing, and the way to achieve good balance is to practice. A good way to practice improving your balance is to assume the address position with your club, relax your body and try holding it there for about 30 seconds. Does it feel like you have more weight on one foot or the other? Is one part of your body more tense then another?

Maintaining a good balance, and keeping your head straight are just two of the basic parts of a good golf swing, practise these and you’ll be hitting that ball like a pro in no time! The exercises given above are just two ways that you can start training now to improve your golf swing. You can work on either one separately, or combine them together into one exercise. Improving your golf swing begins and ends with you. Training the muscles of your body to properly perform specific movements takes time and practice. The effort spent improving your golf swing will pay off on the course. Through exercise and practice, you will be able to slip into the proper address position and perform an effortless, powerful golf swing and feel just as if you were sliding your hand into a warm soft glove.

]]> http://improveyourgolfing.info/2008/10/18/2-basic-steps-to-improving-your-golf-swing/feed/ http://improveyourgolfing.info/2008/10/18/the-key-to-better-golf/ http://improveyourgolfing.info/2008/10/18/the-key-to-better-golf/#comments Sat, 18 Oct 2008 14:00:00 +0000 http://improveyourgolfing.info/?p=46
Golf experts do agree on something. It’s not possible to play a good stroke if your balance isn’t maintained throughout the swing. Keeping your balance sounds pretty simple. But it’s nigh impossible when you have a death grip on the club, your arms and shoulders are stiff and you’re trying to hit the ball with every ounce of strength can muster.

Beginners are often warned to not try to hit the ball so hard. A little energy well directed and smoothly applied will drive the ball father than a monstrous effort that ends up not connecting the ball at the center of the club. If you’re balanced, you have more freedom when hitting the ball.

You want to keep your head in one spot, your eyes on the ball clearly. Actually the steadier you keep your head in one spot, the better you see the ball. This is all part of creating your foundation of balance. Anything that tips you off balance makes it impossible to see the ball clearly. You must keep your head still and not move it from the spot in which you start.

You can’t have your body rigid and your muscles tensed if you’re wanting to maintain your balance. Unless you relax your muscles, your head is going to move.

Practice in front of a mirror and you will see that your muscles really do need to be relaxed in order for you to keep your head still during a swing. No two people have the same frame or physique. So you have to work out some things for yourself. But always start with the foundation of keeping your head in one position. If your head is still, you can see the ball clearly and you will turn your hands at the right instant.

Just by keeping your head perfectly still you’ll correct a lot of faults. You can’t grip your club incorrectly without at some point disturbing your balance and moving your head.
And you can’t keep your balance unless you follow through correctly.

If your mind is concentrated on keeping your balance and keeping your head still, you won’t overswing or jerk your club away. You won’t put forth too much effort forth at any one point. You won’t be stiff and you’ll have a smooth, even rhythm to your swing and a nice finish.

Balance really is the cure-all for many faults of golf. It takes time before you see improvement, so be patient. Think about keeping your head still and maintaining your balance at all times and you will have a foundation for an excellent golf game.

The second I get a golf club in my hand I want to knock the fire right out of the ball. It just plain feels good to send that sucker as far as the eye can see. Unfortunately, being able to hit the ball hard doesn’t equal good golf.

If you just need a little stress relief, go for it! If you want to play a good game of golf, however, you’re going to have to erase the “homerun” mentality.

See, one of the roots of golfing mistakes is that tendency to swing hard. A violent swing shows power, but power isn’t what wins the game. It’s accuracy and control.

You want to swing easily and freely at the ball. If you bring your feet together you will reduce your ability to swing hard. If you brace yourself, you’re probably going to use too much effort. Just relax and swing easily.

You also want to keep your center of gravity the same. Do this by keeping both of your feet on the ground in approximately the same position as when you start. Keep your head still and your center of gravity won’t change.

A sudden effort made with one of your legs or both will cause your head to move. Then you can’t see the ball clearly and you change the position of the pivotal center with relation to the ball. Keep both feet planted on the ground so your weight is supported on the flat of your feet when you connect with ball.

When you hit the ball properly everything is so smooth. You’re conscious of very little effort.

Now, don’t brace yourself for the effort of hitting the ball. Don’t be stiff. The slightest tendency to stiffen your muscles will destroy your balance. You want to make your club head go along a straight line while in contact with the ball.

Try to see how low you can send the ball and how clear on the center of the club you can connect with it. This will help to correct slicing. A ball that goes too high is at the mercy of the wind and can kick off to the right or left on rough ground.

When you hit the ball, remember - you only want to use the power you’re able to control. You’re not going to be bothered by a lack of power but by a lack of accuracy. You want perfect control at every instant during your swing. So there shouldn’t be a violent effort keep your head still and make sure your club head is going straight when you meet the ball.

Your longest drives aren’t usually going to come when you’re trying for distance but if you’re just trying to put the ball down the line you’re aiming at, the distance will come naturally.

What you want to try to do is get a gradually increasing speed until you connect with the ball and then press steadily. If you’re jerky anywhere in the swing it’s because you’re pulling in your hands somewhere. In regard to keeping your head still, imagine that you have a glass of water balanced on your head and when you swing you don’t want to spill one drop of water out of the glass.

You want to swing at a fairly decent speed throughout so you don’t stiffen up. Don’t swing back too slowly then. Basically don’t swing so hard that you’re conscious of the effort.

How much energy can you apply to a ball? It doesn’t matter. It’s the power you can control that counts.

Ninety percent of golf is mental. Oh heck, make that 95%! Arnold Palmer stated, “The toughest 6 inches in the game of golf is between a player’s ears”.

The fastest way to lower your score is to master the ability to focus.

Most golfers tend to think they must practice more, find a new instructor, buy more videos, get the swing right, change those clubs. But one of the often overlooked and most important mental aspects of the game is focus.

Now you want to make sure you focus on the result you want. In golf the shot is determined by your level of concentration. You’ve likely just rushed right in and played shots without concentrating. No wonder the ball ended up going haywire!

It’s better to make ten focused swings than 100 quick, thoughtless ones. Your swing will naturally break down when you’re fatigued. So be sure to take a break when you’re practicing. Brain breaks give your mind and body a chance to implement what you’re learning.

One way to practice the art of focusing is to light a candle and stare into the flame, only thinking of the flame. Every time your mind starts to move to any other thought, bring it back to the flame. Think of the dancing orange colors, how they melt inside of each other.

The first time you do this, you might be hard –pressed to last for 3 minutes. Work up to 20 minutes, and your ability to focus on anything will have improved immensely. You’ll be able to take this enhanced skill to the golf course.

When you’re playing, just think about the next shot. During down time, allow your mind to relax and wander for a few minutes. Don’t try to concentrate the entire game, or you’ll get very fatigued, very quickly. Save the mental workout for thoughtful shot decisions and center on what shot you’re going to play next.

Also, keep your cool and behave in an emotionally controlled manner. You will perform more effectively. In the great game of golf, emotions soar and fall quickly. You can go from totally happy to totally ticked off in no time at all. In fact, the feeling of anger is actually a series of reactions that happen in just 1/30th of a second.

Stop it at the first spark. The important thing is to figure out what is really making you angry. Think of the grand scheme of life and how today is just a speck. Your golf game is a speck on a speck. It helps to minimize the situation and look at the big picture of what’s really important in life.

Master the mental art of focus, and you’ve got 95% of the game of golf all figured out!

Problems with a good player are almost always mental in nature. Thinking clearly really is the name of the game. And a clear head is impossible when fear reigns.

So if you change how you think, you change your game. Don’t worry why the ball flew where it did. Just keep your mind focused on the next shot.

One of the big problems for some folks is that they constantly worry about what others will think of them if they make a bad shot. If you’re thinking about how someone else is going to perceive you, you’re not concentrating on the ball, on your swing, on the basics.

Must you have the approval of others? In the grand scheme of life, is hitting a bad shot truly a disaster you can never overcome?

Psychologists tell us that we tend to become a composite of the five persons we’re around the most. Maybe you need to find some more relaxed folks to practice with.

Playing with a perfectionist translates into “no fun”. Why ruin the joy of the game for yourself? Find friends you can play the game with just for the pure enjoyment. Your game will likely improve as you’re less tense and able to swing more freely.

One help in this aspect of overcoming fear is to concentrate solely on your game. Ben Hogan wrote that “to ignore the gallery and the other golfers, and to shut my mind against everything but my own game” was key to his concentration.

If you’re worried about what others think, chances are your game is really inconsistent. You’re overly aggressive one second and overly conservative the next.

The key? Focus on the target, not the situation. Ignore the stakes. Just concentrate on your game.

Perfectionism not only causes ulcers, but it ruins the joy of the game. Top players refine their skills every year. They’re always improving in little ways that add up. You’re not always going to play your best game, and you’ll never play a perfect one - no matter how skilled you are. Work to improve little faults and your game will gradually get better and better.

Smiling widely relaxes your facial muscles, and serves you well in overcoming anxiety. Get into the habit of smiling before hitting the ball instead of furrowing your brow.

Don’t dwell on mistakes. As Tiger Woods says, “I hit it and forget it.” You can’t go back in time and replay a shot, so just forget about it and move on.

Don’t worry about what others think of your shot making. Overcoming that fear alone will improve your game vastly! And when you’re ready to play your next game – think confidently and stay focused.

You’ll soon become a master of fearless golf!

Have you ever read one golf player’s valuable advice, only to find the next day a different professional vehemently disagreeing and advocating the exact opposite? One pro fanatically advises to keep your head straight. Later, another person comes along and gives completely contradictory advice.

What’s a golfer to do?

Listen to me, of course. ☺

We’re all different, and no two people play exactly alike. So don’t get too caught up in this or that different method.

But there are some basic fundamentals that can make you or break you. And I’m advising – fanatically – that you keep your head absolutely still and not move it from the spot in which you start.

You can’t keep your head still if you stiffen your muscles. By keeping your head still, you loosen up and this allows you to finish your stroke smoothly and naturally. Keeping your head still also prevents slicing since you don’t have to draw your hands in to keep your balance.

One championship winner admitted that every time he stepped up to the ball, at every shot he repeated to himself, “Keep your head still. Keep your head still.” It’s a vital aspect to the game too many players overlook.

You will find yourself improving rapidly if you just master this one detail. If you happen to make a terrible stroke then focus on keeping your head still on the next stroke and you’ll do better.

See, when your head is still, your ability to see the ball at every point in the swing is enhanced. How can you watch the ball if your head is jerking here and there?

This is one sure way to build confidence in your golf game. Keep your head so still that you wouldn’t jar a glass of water perched on top of it, and look at the ball when you make your stroke. You’ll see the ball clearly and hit it more accurately.

No matter how nervous you are when you’re playing, these two tips - keeping your head still and your eye on the ball - will help you play a better game.

Research shows that one of the best treatments for osteoarthritis is exercise. It can improve mood and outlook, decrease pain, increase flexibility, improve the heart and blood flow, maintain weight, and promote general physical fitness.

Usually, osteoarthritis (the most common form of arthritis) comes on slowly. Early in the disease, joints may ache after physical work or exercise. Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint. Most often it occurs at the hands, hips, knees, or spine.

Right. All those areas used in playing the game of golf.

No worries, though. Golf actually helps increase your range of motion and your balance as well. And the walking, if you can do it, will benefit your health in numerous ways. In short, golf is one of the perfect exercises for someone with osteoarthritis!

Now here's the key - you are probably going to need some special products to make golf a little easier on your joints.

At arthritis.org, the Arthritis Foundation shares some tips for golfers to help you keep enjoying this wonderful sport and suggests some products that might help you.

For instance, it's a good idea to wear wrist braces and gloves when you play. This will help stabilize the joints in your wrists and hands. Both these items are inexpensive.

Try using a lower compression ball.

Golf shoes without spikes will likely be more comfortable for you.

Ask your local golf store specialist about the latest helps for making golfing easier on your joints. New products are coming out all the time.

Always warm up before you play. Do some basic stretches, take some practice swings. Start out swinging about half strength. Never try to hit the ball too hard. This one goes for everyone - not just folks with arthritis. It's accuracy that counts!

Using tees will help.

Drink water while you're playing. (again, a tip for everyone)

If you feel tired, listen to your body and rest a bit. It's not a mortal sin to play less than 18 holes. The key is to enjoy the game.

Now, if you’re feeling sore after play, here are some things to try.

• Take a warm shower.
• Do some gentle stretching exercises.
• Use an ice pack on the sore area.
• Rest the sore joint.
• Try magnetic therapy.
• Try to keep your weight down. Too much weight can make your knees and hips hurt

If playing golf causes pain that lasts for more than 1 hour, it’s too much. Work with your physical therapist or doctor to adjust your game when you notice any of the following signs of too much exercise:

Unusual or persistent fatigue

Increased weakness

Decreased range of motion

Increased joint swelling

Continuing pain (pain that lasts more than 1 hour after exercising)

Really, when it comes right down to it, playing golf (along with warming up for your game with range of motion exercises) may be just what the doctor orders for arthritis help!

Optimal balance depends on three aspects - your visual perception, the signals from the inner ear, and signals from your muscles and joints. Sometimes these aspects get out of sync, causing a balance disorder.

A lack of balance usually occurs when your head position changes - which is a good reason to keep your head still during your swing!

Migraines can attribute to a balance disorder. So if you have frequent migraines, seek medical attention. These headaches can affect your golf game in ways you may never have thought of.

Don’t spend a fortune on new golf equipment hoping for better play before you check your medicine cabinet to see if any drugs you’re taking affect your balance. The condition “ear poisoning” seriously affects your balance. Ear poisoning is usually caused by side effects of some medications - notably the antibiotic gentamicin. Up to 50 % of people who take this drug experience some sort of ear poisoning.

Diuretics can pose a problem as well. So if you're on any medicine and you start feeling dizzy, get medical help! Sometimes the dizziness can literally become a lifelong problem, so don’t delay in seeking help.

If your balance is a little off in your game, you may want to do some simple exercises to improve it. Just kicking a ball around your backyard can help. You can also set up a little obstacle course and weave in and out of it to improve your balance. Your kids will have fun with the course, too! In fact, they may even set up one for you!

You can also buy a balance board to help you with your center of gravity. We found a handmade, well-crafted balance board on eBay. These boards are challenging and fun to use!

In addition, working with flexibility exercises helps increase your balance by releasing muscle tension. Try some simple yoga stretches to help with loosening up tight muscles.

Another useful item is a yoga ball or exercise ball. Even just sitting on one of these balls requires balance - so try using one for part of the day. Work up gradually until you can sit on the ball for 30 minutes at a time. These ball exercises can help you develop proper posture, increase the mobility of your lower back, and develop overall control of your body core.

Since balance is fundamental to every aspect of your golf game, spend some time each day working on developing it. Who knows? You could find your swing and your score improving dramatically!