What would you say is the most important element of a solid and effective golf swing? For me, seeing as many amateur and professional golfers as I do, the answer is not in doubt. It's the ability to have their golf club stay consistently on the proper swing plane.
That's not to say that there aren't several other facets of the golf swing that are of great importance. But as I see it, the only component of a fine swing that you simply cannot do without, is the golf swing plane. Why is that?
Well simply put, the swing path and swing plane that your golf club travels upon, determines how squarely your club will eventually contact the golf ball. Your grip could be weak or strong. Your posture may be hunched or tall. Your swing tempo perhaps is too quick or too slow. And your club face may be wide open or closed shut. But if the club head is traveling on the proper swing plane, no matter how poorly your mechanics are, you will still strike the ball squarely.
Conversely, if your grip is perfect and your posture correct, and your tempo is impeccable and your club face square, they won't matter much if your swing path and swing plane are off a degree or two. It will be anybody's guess where your shot will end up.
As a reminder, the golf swing plane is an imaginary line running from the golf ball at address up through the golfer's shoulders, and another imaginary line drawn up the golf shaft of the club, through their right hip area. It is very difficult for most of us to stay within the proper golf swing plane. We so often concentrate on the other mechanical parts of the swing such as the grip, shoulder and hip turn, hands position, arms, and so on, that we seldom focus on the swing path that the golf club travels on and the swing plane that it must stay within.
So what do I suggest you do to hone in a fine, on plane golf swing?
Practice on a few golf swing drills is my first answer. There are a few sound drills that you can work on that will give you a feel for swinging on the proper plane. Check out You Tube for helpful instructional videos on the subject, there are tons of them to choose from.
Secondly, and the best way to develop a proper on plane golf swing in my opinion, is to get hold of a quality golf swing trainer to practice on. Your local club or certified professional may have one that you can use or rent. Or better yet, consider buying your own swing plane trainer that you can set up at home.
These swing trainers are easy to install and like nothing else you have tried, they guide your club along the proper path. At first you might be surprised to see how far off of a correct swing plane your swing is. That's because you might not even be able to keep the golf club in contact with the golf swing trainer at first. But the ultimate beauty of these devices, is that they will teach you the correct path in a matter of minutes! For they give you the feedback and feel for how to, and not to swing the golf club. Something that, if left to your own sleuthing, you might never discover.
The more diligently that you practice on a swing trainer, the more muscle memory you will build. This will ensure that you'll be embedding these solid fundamentals into your technique. The beneficial results will be manifested in the confident golf swing that you will take with you to the golf course.
There are a number of fine swing plane trainers o the market and the good news is that they are at price points from as little as $ 30+ to well over $ 1,000. So there is certain to be a good one to match your needs and your budget.
On the golf course too many thoughts on swing mechanics and techniques can kill any hope of executing a desirable golf swing. The next time you tee off, just take your normal address and set your fine fundamentals in place. Then the only thing for you to concentrate on, is returning the club head to exactly where it began at address, squarely at the back of the golf ball. Swinging on the correct golf swing plane will aid you in accomplishing just that.
Jack McDermott. Improve golf by implementing the correct golf swing plane with a quality swing plane trainer. http://www.golfshoppronews.com/
copyright 2011 jack mcdermott
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_McDemott
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Friday, April 22, 2011
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Golf Backswing - Some Important Info
A lot of golfers prefer to go "low and slow" when it comes to swinging their clubs. This can be viable if you happen to be prone to very quick swings. However, there are those who won't do well using this tactic. This is because they tend to sway and not rotate on their golf back swing when the focus is on keeping clubs low or near to the ground. Also, a very slow back swing can be the cause of an over swing, which can lead to you lunging into your downswing. As such, both swings achieve bad results. Take note thought that each golfer differs when it comes to the speed of their swings.
The best way is to then keep your back swing as simple as it can be. Instead of concentrating on the position you think you ought to be in during your back swing, you should try to focus on some basic swinging methods.
The first of these methods is to try not to emulate what the pros do. Most people aren't at all that flexible and they probably haven't spent any time on any muscle strengthening when it comes to golf. This means that reaching a position that's parallel to the club at the back swing's apex isn't practical. An average golfer has to make different adjustments in his or her back swing for him or her to have a good position. This means that adjustments will also have to be made for the downswing if one wants to hit that ball square on the mark.
The second method is to imagine your chest, shoulders as well as your arms moving as one. Doing so while you stay centered over the golf ball while maintaining good balance will mean that you won't be doing any over swinging. What's key here is to prevent any movement that your arms might make when the chest and the shoulders have reached maximum rotation.
By doing so, the apex of your golf back swing is going to be at either a nine or 10 o'clock position. Either way, these are good positions. In case you're thinking of the lack of power in your swing, you can make up for it by hitting the ball squarely on the mark. One drill that is going to help prevent you from over swinging is placing a golf glove underneath your right armpit and making certain that it won't fall off when you're practicing your back swing. Working on this will embed in you a more constant golf back swing that sets you up for a more successful downswing.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mattie_Taylo=
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6185629
The best way is to then keep your back swing as simple as it can be. Instead of concentrating on the position you think you ought to be in during your back swing, you should try to focus on some basic swinging methods.
The first of these methods is to try not to emulate what the pros do. Most people aren't at all that flexible and they probably haven't spent any time on any muscle strengthening when it comes to golf. This means that reaching a position that's parallel to the club at the back swing's apex isn't practical. An average golfer has to make different adjustments in his or her back swing for him or her to have a good position. This means that adjustments will also have to be made for the downswing if one wants to hit that ball square on the mark.
The second method is to imagine your chest, shoulders as well as your arms moving as one. Doing so while you stay centered over the golf ball while maintaining good balance will mean that you won't be doing any over swinging. What's key here is to prevent any movement that your arms might make when the chest and the shoulders have reached maximum rotation.
By doing so, the apex of your golf back swing is going to be at either a nine or 10 o'clock position. Either way, these are good positions. In case you're thinking of the lack of power in your swing, you can make up for it by hitting the ball squarely on the mark. One drill that is going to help prevent you from over swinging is placing a golf glove underneath your right armpit and making certain that it won't fall off when you're practicing your back swing. Working on this will embed in you a more constant golf back swing that sets you up for a more successful downswing.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mattie_Taylo=
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6185629
Friday, April 15, 2011
Effective Practice Before A Round of Golf
There are two ways that we should practice our golf swing, and they are distinctly different..
One is when we practice prior to playing a round of Golf, and the other is when we plan a thorough practice session on the driving range on those days we are not scheduled to play.This post will focus on an effective strategy for practicing before a round of golf.
Your primary goal when practicing before going out on the golf course should be to loosen up and gain flexibility. If you can achieve these you'll get quite a jump on your competitors.
But please do yourself a big favor and get to the range early so that you aren't too rushed and stressed. These are definite killers of a fine round of golf.
Here's my advice:
- First start by stretching or doing Yoga for a couple of minutes at least. No need to lie down on the wet turf, it can all be accomplished standing up. If you are taking a golf cart, you can utilize it as a stationary structure to stretch your legs and arms from. Be sure to concentrate on stretching your upper lats, as they can take a pounding in the process of swinging the golf club. Use a long iron and grab it on either end and gradually turn back and through with it, ensuring not to bend your wrists or arms. This will give you a long arc type motion and will limber up your shoulders and upper back.
Finally, while standing erect, bend gently from the waist, attempting to touch your toes and stretch your lower back. You now should be quite limber.
-Grab two of your wedges together for extra weight and slowly begin to swing them back and forth, all the while gathering more speed and lengthening your swing.You are now ready to bang some balls.
-If you've played enough golf, you are acutely aware that your body and swing seldom feel the same two days in a row.Start with a lower iron,( nine would be fine), and always with a "target" in mind, begin to hit four or five shots. Concentrate on swinging at a relaxed tempo, and take an extra few seconds between each shot, so that you can strategize on what shot you will be trying to perform.
Tip: If you are still stiff and can't get down to the ball with your swing,( topping out ground balls), don't panic. Consider teeing up the golf ball until you are feeling flexible. Again the goal here is to get loose.
-Depending on the time you have, next hit another four or five balls with your seven iron, then five iron, three iron or hybrid, always focusing on a target, and, advisably, visualizing a circumstance that you're likely to encounter out on the golf course.
-You are now ready for the "big sticks", the metal woods and driver. Notice these clubs aren't brought out of your bag until near the end of the session, not in the beginning as most amateurs do. Again stick with the routine of having a target and a particular shot in mind, and only hit four or five golf shots no matter the results.
-Finally, end the session with the scoring clubs and get a "feel" for your golf swing this particular day. Preferably find a patch of grass and with a specific target in mind, hit four or five wedges and sand wedges. You should have a good feel for tempo and accuracy as you end the practice.
Tip: Whatever your first shot will be out on the course, make your final practice shot with the club you'll be using and then put all your clubs back in your golf bag and head directly over to the most important part of your pre-game warm up, the practice putting green.
- On the putting green it is important for you to get a sense of speed and distance. From ten or more feet away, use only one golf ball,( but two will suffice), and aim to a specific hole or spot on the green, and concentrate solely on getting a "feel " for the speed of the green. (Hopefully, like most golf courses, the practice green will closely mimic the on course putting green conditions). Stroke as many balls as necessary until you feel confident that you have the speed of the greens down pat.
Do this same drill ten feet from all sides of your target hole or spot, being extra observant, noticing how the speed changes when going with the grain or against it.This will be extremely valuable out on the course.
Finally, move to within three feet of your target hole and practice a smooth stroke, concentrating on sinking each putt. Be extra aware of the tightness in your grip and consciously loosen your golf grip for the remainder of the session. After sinking a few in a row, walk away with confidence, knowing that you are in for a fine putting day.
We love this game and so often approach the first tee in awe, not knowing what tricks the golf gods, or our own mental state, will rain upon on us this day.But if you have had an effective and confident practice session before the round, there will be nothing that the game or your mind, can throw at you that you aren't prepared to take on with genuine confidence. And that's really the battle that we all want to win..
Regards,
Jack
Jack McDermott. The surest way to improve your game is by implementing an on plane golf swing. http://www.golfshoppronews.com Copyright 2011 Jack@ http://www.golfshoppronews.com. All rights reserved
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_McDemott
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6015435
One is when we practice prior to playing a round of Golf, and the other is when we plan a thorough practice session on the driving range on those days we are not scheduled to play.This post will focus on an effective strategy for practicing before a round of golf.
Your primary goal when practicing before going out on the golf course should be to loosen up and gain flexibility. If you can achieve these you'll get quite a jump on your competitors.
But please do yourself a big favor and get to the range early so that you aren't too rushed and stressed. These are definite killers of a fine round of golf.
Here's my advice:
- First start by stretching or doing Yoga for a couple of minutes at least. No need to lie down on the wet turf, it can all be accomplished standing up. If you are taking a golf cart, you can utilize it as a stationary structure to stretch your legs and arms from. Be sure to concentrate on stretching your upper lats, as they can take a pounding in the process of swinging the golf club. Use a long iron and grab it on either end and gradually turn back and through with it, ensuring not to bend your wrists or arms. This will give you a long arc type motion and will limber up your shoulders and upper back.
Finally, while standing erect, bend gently from the waist, attempting to touch your toes and stretch your lower back. You now should be quite limber.
-Grab two of your wedges together for extra weight and slowly begin to swing them back and forth, all the while gathering more speed and lengthening your swing.You are now ready to bang some balls.
-If you've played enough golf, you are acutely aware that your body and swing seldom feel the same two days in a row.Start with a lower iron,( nine would be fine), and always with a "target" in mind, begin to hit four or five shots. Concentrate on swinging at a relaxed tempo, and take an extra few seconds between each shot, so that you can strategize on what shot you will be trying to perform.
Tip: If you are still stiff and can't get down to the ball with your swing,( topping out ground balls), don't panic. Consider teeing up the golf ball until you are feeling flexible. Again the goal here is to get loose.
-Depending on the time you have, next hit another four or five balls with your seven iron, then five iron, three iron or hybrid, always focusing on a target, and, advisably, visualizing a circumstance that you're likely to encounter out on the golf course.
-You are now ready for the "big sticks", the metal woods and driver. Notice these clubs aren't brought out of your bag until near the end of the session, not in the beginning as most amateurs do. Again stick with the routine of having a target and a particular shot in mind, and only hit four or five golf shots no matter the results.
-Finally, end the session with the scoring clubs and get a "feel" for your golf swing this particular day. Preferably find a patch of grass and with a specific target in mind, hit four or five wedges and sand wedges. You should have a good feel for tempo and accuracy as you end the practice.
Tip: Whatever your first shot will be out on the course, make your final practice shot with the club you'll be using and then put all your clubs back in your golf bag and head directly over to the most important part of your pre-game warm up, the practice putting green.
- On the putting green it is important for you to get a sense of speed and distance. From ten or more feet away, use only one golf ball,( but two will suffice), and aim to a specific hole or spot on the green, and concentrate solely on getting a "feel " for the speed of the green. (Hopefully, like most golf courses, the practice green will closely mimic the on course putting green conditions). Stroke as many balls as necessary until you feel confident that you have the speed of the greens down pat.
Do this same drill ten feet from all sides of your target hole or spot, being extra observant, noticing how the speed changes when going with the grain or against it.This will be extremely valuable out on the course.
Finally, move to within three feet of your target hole and practice a smooth stroke, concentrating on sinking each putt. Be extra aware of the tightness in your grip and consciously loosen your golf grip for the remainder of the session. After sinking a few in a row, walk away with confidence, knowing that you are in for a fine putting day.
We love this game and so often approach the first tee in awe, not knowing what tricks the golf gods, or our own mental state, will rain upon on us this day.But if you have had an effective and confident practice session before the round, there will be nothing that the game or your mind, can throw at you that you aren't prepared to take on with genuine confidence. And that's really the battle that we all want to win..
Regards,
Jack
Jack McDermott. The surest way to improve your game is by implementing an on plane golf swing. http://www.golfshoppronews.com Copyright 2011 Jack@ http://www.golfshoppronews.com. All rights reserved
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jack_McDemott
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6015435
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