Greg Patterson asked:


Ask any golfer on the green for some golf tips and they will tell you, “everything matters.” The course matters. The air matters. The grass matters. The clubs, shoes, humidity, noise and tee time all matter. But the thing that matters most is the swing. Golf begins and ends with the proper golf swing.

Golf swing instructions are essential to learning not only the basics of the sport but to achieving any kind of success on the course. If you go into any pro shop, whether they offer free golf tips or paid professional golf instructions, you are going to learn about the swing. A proper golf swing involves the entire body working towards a unified purpose.

Head and Shoulders:

“Keep your eye on the ball,” is one of the most famous free golf tips you will ever hear. However many professionals providing golf swing instructions advise the golfer to fix their eyes at a point near the ball that aligns directly with where they want the ball to go. To provide maximum energy to the arms your head should stay still and move only during the natural follow-through of your swing.

Observing the physics of a golf swing would indicate the power for forward motion comes from the shoulders. However the power in a proper golf swing comes from the abdomen and is transferred through the shoulders to drive the ball forward. Golf tips often stress the shoulders should keep the chest in an open posture and roll through the swing not bend or jerk. Restrictions or stiffness in the shoulders can cause the golfer to pull up on the swing and reduce the distance traveled by the ball.

The Grip:

A functional and comfortable grip is required for the perfect golf swing. New golfers often find the correct grip to feel awkward however golf swing instructions never waver on the point. Depending on your dominant hand the club should rest against the palm of your opposite hand and be held somewhat loosely at the fingertips with the heel of your hand providing pressure. The dominant hand should then be placed in the same position creating a V with the thumb and index fingers.

In a proper golf swing the dominant index finger is the one that guides the club directionally through the swing. The physics of the swing works in such a way that the V created by the grip should point between your right shoulder and your chin. This helps align the head and neck and focus the power of the swing. A common theme in golf instructions is that the grip should never be tight but strong enough to adequately hold the club.

Posture:

Essential to maintaining linear energy in a proper golf swing is correct posture. The golfer should ensure that they are bending at the waist and not the back or the shoulders. A golf swing driven from the back or shoulders is one of the main reasons for injury when playing golf. Golf instructions advise participants to bend foreword from the hip socket until the arms can swing freely through the chest area.

Another mistake new golfers make in attempting a perfect golf swing is to stiffen their legs as they approach the ball. The legs should be held loosely and the golfer should flex at the knee slightly to aid in the physics of the swing. The knee should never cross the tips of the foot but be flexible enough to allow smooth body movement. On the follow-through of the swing the knee should be able to pivot to allow the body to stay aligned.

Pace:

Golf instructors frequently remind golfers than a faster swing does not equal a farther drive. There is a pace to golf that relies more on a slow and steady tempo than a fast, jerky motion. One of the most common golf tips you will hear is to not jerk your swing.

The way to set your tempo for a proper golf swing is to start with the backswing. A slower backswing with a fluid even motion will result in concentrated force as it comes forward to meet the ball. After your body is aligned correctly in front of the ball, bringing the club back at a slow enough pace that you can see the club head leaving the surface area. As you are raising the club through the backswing, concentrate the physical power from your abdomen through your aligned body to the shoulders which then roll forward extending the power through the club to the ball.

The follow-through should maintain the same even tempo as the energy is released driving the ball forward. At that point the shoulders roll through the body and the head can rise to allow the neck and arms to release the momentum.

By mastering the basic elements of a proper golf swing a new golfer will soon find themselves enjoying their sport and achieving success on the green.



Lillian

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?

John

wolfeman0072000 asked:


should the downswing start with the right side or the left side.

Terri

canon_xc asked:


I did a round with my friend. I’m a newbie for golf. When I tried to hit the ball, I missed it. My back got hurt. What should I do? Is my golf swing really bad? In the game of golf, even though you can hit the ball well, will you still get hurt on your back?

Kimberly

jeremyembrich asked:


Can you download it online?

Tom

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



Glenn

Clint Jhonson asked:


Golf used to be the emblematic sport for the rich and famous, a sport only a few privileged ones had access to. Today, things have taken a new twist and golf is quickly becoming a sport everyone loves, regardless of where they live and how much they make. The popularity of this great outdoor sport is probably is in most part the result of it being so incredibly versatile. Anyone who’s played golf at least a couple of times knows that the sport instantly draws you in and pushes you to evolve as a player. If you feel that your game needs improvement and you’re eager to learn, you should definitely get some golf swing instruction. At cameronsgolfblog.com you can get great golf swing advice from Cameron Strachan, a passionate golf player.

There’s no shame in admitting that you need to improve your golf swing. Even professional players need constant golf swing coaching to make sure they stay on top of their game. This is actually the difference between professional golfers and amateurs – the professionals take the time to learn more and correct their golf swing. You’re probably thinking that professional players also spend a lot of money on golf lessons and you couldn’t possibly afford this luxury. The good news is that taking golf lessons doesn’t necessarily involve you hiring a real coach. The internet offers an unlimited resource of great golf swing instruction, lessons and tips. Cameron Strachan offers one of the most innovative approaches to golf swing instruction and will certainly help you improve your game.

The best approach to getting an improved golf swing is to address each swing element individually. Some of the basic areas you will need to look at in order to get a better golf swing include the stance, grip, alignment, ball position, balance, flexibility and the swing plane. Out of all these elements, the grip and stance are considered to be the foundation of any consistent golf swing. You’ve achieved the right stance when your feet are a little more than your shoulder’s width apart. The right grip should always feel comfortable and you should avoid squeezing the club too tight. If you’re arms or back are sore after playing a few rounds of golf you’re stance or grip probably need some correcting.

Once you’ve decided to get some more information on how to achieve a better golf swing you’ll probably be left wondering where to start. We all know the internet offers a world of information on any topic and golf instruction is no exception. However, if you’ll start browsing randomly through websites that pop up first chances are you won’t feel like you’re getting exactly what you were hoping for. Search engines will pull out the semi-relevant websites and in the end you’ll just end up wondering where all the good information is. If you want real golf swing tips from real people there’s only one answer: blogs. Truly passionate golf players have set up blogs in order to share their knowledge with other players from all over the world. At cameronsgolfblog.com you can take a look at what Cameron Strachan has to say about improving your golf swing.

More and more people are choosing golf as their number one leisure activity. This is a sport you can play with your friends and see how you improve each time you’re on the grass. However, if you really want to bring significant improvements to your golf swing you should take up some golf lessons. Golf swing instruction is currently available online so you won’t even have to leave the house to get the greatest tips. Cameron Strachan invites you to discuss, study and ultimately improve your golf swing.            



Neil

John Lynch asked:


The golfer with a clear understanding of the biomechanics of the golf swing will have a huge advantage over the golfer who doesn’t have a clue.

First, the definition of biomechanics - “The study of the action of external and internal forces on the living body, esp. on the skeletal system.”

Anyone who has played this great game of golf knows intimately the external and internal forces on the body when you swing a golf club.

I soon realized the complexities in not only understanding these external and internal forces in a sound golf swing, but also in the managing of these forces.

After much study and much play, I realized the secret to a sound golf swing is first you must understand how these forces work in the golf swing, then you must put these internal and external forces in alignment so they work in harmony.

This is key to developing a powerful golf swing you can repeat over and over again.

The biomechanics of golf swing operate along the laws of physics and anything we do that works against these laws will only further delay the learning process.

I hope this scientific discussion on the biomechanics of the golf swing helps you as much as it has helped me.

Jon Barrett of Golf Swing Eureka carried out a survey and asked golfers the question: Which part of the body contributes the most to club head speed?

The answer to this question was to make a profound impact on my understanding of the biomechanics of the golf swing. Most golf pros NEVER talk about this fact yet it is the determining factor in creating effortless power in the golf swing.

Only 20% got the answer right!

That’s only 1 in every 5 golfers!

And these golfers ranged from scratch golfer to high handicapper.

Curiously this figure relates to another golfing statistic - Do you know that only 20% of golfers have a handicap of less than 18?

I believe these same 20% of golfers understand this crucial biomechanical aspect of the golf swing.

Which part of your body do you think contributes the most to club head speed?

Is it:

- Shoulders

- Arms

- Hands

- Hips

- Legs

- Torso

- Wrists

The answer:

***THE HANDS CONTRIBUTE THE MOST TO CLUB HEAD SPEED!!!***

High handicap golfers usually “hold on” through the impact area causing a weak hit resulting in a slice or a push shot.

The reason High handicappers “hold on” through impact I believe is because they do NOT have a clear biomechanical understanding of what creates club head speed…

Let me make an illustration that will “hammer home” (excuse the pun) this biomechanical concept in the golf swing. Try to hammer a nail without breaking your wrist…just use your arms and body…keep your wrist rigid…not much power, huh?

Now hammer the nail by only breaking or releasing your wrist, no body, no arms…much more power huh? You are using biomechanical angular and centrifugal forces to create much power with very little effort…

Much like golf!

Have you ever seen that trick shot golfer on the golf channel? He can hit a golf ball 275 yards while kneeling on the ground. This totally blows the cover off the notion it is the lower body that contributes most to club head speed…don’t ya think?

Do you think all his power still comes from his lower body?

Effortless power comes from a full release of the hands through the impact area…have you ever watched pro golfer Sergio Garcia’s hand action through the golf ball? This is how a 150LB person can crush 300 yard drives…they have mastered this move.

By far the most important force in the biomechanics of the golf swing is a full hand release through the golf ball…

Once you learn a full release through the golf ball you will be on your way to great golf…

Hit ‘em Long and Straight!

John Lynch



Jack

Marcus Boo asked:


Success at playing golf largely revolves around your golf skills and the most important aspect is your golf swing. The ability to execute a powerful and balanced golf swing is the key to mastering golf. Here are some proven power tips to improve your golf swing.



Power Tip 1

A great golf swing is more than just swinging with your arms. Swing your golf club behind your back while you turn it to your target. It is like taking your club back as you hinge your arm at your shoulder. You could also practice the drill known as no arms.

Power Tip 2

You should not forget to cock your wrists. This might be difficult at first, but it will be natural to you with enough practice and will produce tremendous results.



Power Tip 3

Your left arm should turn clockwise slightly when you start the back swing. It is not really something that you actually should remember. It naturally happens if you would just allow it. This just means that you should not resist this movement that is just natural. You might not notice it, but you might have been resisting this movement because this causes the head of your golf club to go open slightly when you swing it. Just allow it to happen naturally.



Power Tip 4

Always plant your feet firmly on the ground. This technique is also commonly used in baseball. It involves letting your foot heel in front to come above the ground when you swing your golf club back. Some people think that by doing this so, their back swing feels bigger.

It is something that seems lifting the front heel can easily make the body coil and for the tension to build that much harder. Letting the foot roll freely to the inside is fine. However, one should keep that foot on the ground to make golf back swing well-anchored.



Power Tip 5

Work on your bottom golf down swing. Assuming that you accomplish all the drills correctly, from the golf stance, the golf grip you have, and your golf back swing. But you can still ruin everything if you begin the golf swing that you have with the shoulders. You might want to use a swing trigger to begin the golf down swing that you have with the lower part of your body.



Power Tip 6

Another tip on your golf down swing. You should turn the belt buckle to your target. Try turning your hips as powerful and fast as possible when you do your golf down swing, it works.



Leonard

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.

Frances