Showing posts with label improve your golf swing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label improve your golf swing. Show all posts

Friday, 28 May 2010

Improve Your Golf Swing, Improve Your Golf Game!

Improve Your Golf Swing, Improve Your Golf Game!

The rapid advancement in technology today is reaching out to all corners of the sports world. The performance of athletes in every sports venue can be vastly improved by this rapidly going technology. One of the world's oldest and still most popular games of all time is being drastically changed for the better with each year. That game is golf and the greatest way to improve your game is by improving your swing through video analysis.

Lessons to improve your golf swing with a professional golf instructor can greatly improve your game and swiftly drain your wallet! Swing analysis by your trained golf pro can only better your technique in proportion to his human ability to "catch" your every error and flaw in stance, swing, etc. It is impossible for him to see every second of the complex nuances involved in your individual stroke. Even with a video camera to record your every move, hundreds of hours would be required to slow down and re-watch all foot, hip, hand, head, etc. positions that need the smallest adjustments to bring your game from average to outstanding. Bring the world of technology to your game through golf swing analysis beyond your wildest imagination.

Video analysis software is now being produced by many different companies. A digital video camera and computer are the only required equipment. Have someone video your actual movement and run it through the analysis software to receive a detailed, technologically advanced evaluation of your golf swing. This examination will offer specific pointers to improve the areas of your swing that are not "perfect". The software will cover such swing mechanics as:

Alignment
Ball Angle
Ball Speed
Club Head Speed
Proper Head Position
Proper Positioning of Hips
Proper Positioning of Knees
Proper Shaft Angle
Proper Spine Angle
Swing
Timing

A human golf pro can never keep track of all these areas at the same time for any given swing, that's impossible; but it's completely possible for swing analysis software! Every area of the core of your game will be analyzed and improved right before your very eyes on your computer screen. No guessing, no trial and error. Everything you do right and everything you do wrong will be explicitly evaluated and all appropriate recommendations given to you. It's a personalized swing perfection tool for you and your game. Just having the mirror image of what you do shown back to you may just do the trick.

For less than the cost of only three hours of "human" pro golf help you can have your own personal golf swing analyzer for every swing you have. Right in the privacy of your own home and back yard, your small investment in golf swing analysis software will permanently move your game from average to outstanding in no time. Remember, improve your golf swing, and drastically improve your game!

Wednesday, 26 May 2010

How To Set Up a Golf Fitness Program to Improve Your Golf Game

How To Set Up a Golf Fitness Program to Improve Your Golf Game

Professional golfers on the PGA Tour understand the connection between golf swing mechanics and the body. The most notable players in the world have regimented golf fitness programs they adhere religiously too. The benefits of such programs have been well documented in the media. Press clippings from Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, and Phil Mickelson all refer to golf fitness exercises being a component of their regular practice schedule.

The amateur can learn a lot from the pros. They can learn the importance the body has in relation to the golf swing, how golf swing mechanics and the body are intertwined, and improvement in the golf game requires the implementation of a golf fitness program.

Where most amateurs get "off-track" with their golf fitness training is the components and exercises incorporated in such a program. Golf fitness programs are quite different then "general" fitness or "weight training" programs. A golf fitness program is designed to develop the golfer's body around the golf swing. In order for this to occur certain parameters and exercises are required in such a program.

First and foremost the amateur golfer must understand the connection between the golf swing and body. The golf swing is a complex series of biomechanical movements execute by the golfer. In order for the golfer to execute the biomechanics of the golf swing correctly. It is necessary for the golfer to have certain physical parameters well developed.

These physical parameters are flexibility, balance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and muscular power. High levels of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power are required to execute the golf swing correctly. Often times the amateur golfer is not flexible enough, strong enough, or powerful enough to execute the golf swing correctly.

This results in the golfer developing compensation patterns in their golf swing. The result being poor shots and high scores on the golf course. Bottom line is a physical foundation of flexibility, balance, strength, endurance, and power is required to develop an efficient golf swing. If the amateur golfer is lacking in anyone of these categories the foundation upon which the golf swing is being built will be insufficient.

Once the amateur golfer understands the connection between the golf swing and the body it is necessary to implement a golf fitness program, A golf fitness program is different than "traditional" training programs in such this type of program develops the body around the golf swing.

A golf fitness program trains the body to the positions, movements, and requirements of the golf swing. A golf fitness program is not concern about "beach muscles" or how one looks in the mirror. Rather a golf fitness program has the primary goal of improving the scores on the golf course and play of the golfer.

This type of improvement is a result of using exercise to develop the physical parameters of the body relative to the golf swing. A golf fitness program will include flexibility exercises, balance drills, muscular strength exercise, endurance training modalities, and power drills. Exercises from all of these categories are included in a comprehensive golf fitness program.

Understand the exercises and drills within each of these categories are not necessarily traditional type of exercises. For example, flexibility exercises for golf are less concerned about touching your toes, and more concerned about completing a full shoulder turn. Flexibility exercises for golf are geared towards developing the flexibility within your body to execute the components of the golf swing correctly.

The same can be said about every other category of exercise and drill incorporated in a golf fitness program. The balance drills in a golf fitness program are designed to improve the golfer's balance capacities relative to the golf swing. Power exercises in a golf fitness program are designed to improve clubhead speed. Where as power drills in other programs may be geared towards improving how fast you run.

Once the amateur golfer understands the connection between the golf swing and body, the elements of the body needing development relative to the golf swing, and the components of a golf fitness program. The final component of understanding is golf fitness training order.

Often times the amateur golfer desires more power (i.e. clubhead speed) in their golf swing. As a result they perform only exercises to enhance the power components within their body. What the amateur golfer fails to realize is developing golf strength, endurance, or power is useless if they do not have the flexibility or balance capacities to execute the golf swing. Developing the body for the golf swing requires the amateur golfer to follow a specific order relative to their training programs.

It is necessary for the amateur golfer to first develop their flexibility for the golf swing. Secondly proceed to increasing their balance capacities in relation to the golf swing. Continue the process with developing strength and endurance for the golf swing. Completing the process with power drills to enhance clubhead speed. This guarantees the effort placed within a golf fitness program will enhance the golfer's swing. It becomes a simple process once the golfer is educated on the relationship between the golf swing and the body. The benefits a golf fitness program has upon the golfer's swing, and how to implement golf fitness exercises correctly.

Monday, 24 May 2010

Improve Your Golf Game

Improve Your Golf Game

Why should you work on improving your golf game? For one,
the next time that you head out onto the green with your
boss you won't feel like a complete fool when he starts
talking about his skills. And, you'll be able to brag to
your buddies about how you came out under par. It can also
help you to enjoy the game more so. Maybe you just need a
little more practice (time to get away Saturday morning from
the wife and kids) or maybe you just need someone to show
you a few techniques to help you get the most out of your
game. Either way, improving your golf game can happen in
just these steps.

* One of the most prolific mistakes that people make in
their golf game is their stance. Because of how important
the way that you stand is, you'll need to make sure that you
have it down perfectly. If this sounds hard, it doesn't
have to be.

* After improving your stance, you need to take the time to
improve your swing and your follow through. When working to
improve your golf game, the follow through of your swing
will ultimately provide you with an accurate shot.

* Another mistake the individuals make yet need to realize
when working to improve their golf game is their use of
clubs. Which is the right one to use when you tee off?
Which should you use to get out of the sand dune? While you
may think you know the answer, you probably don't.

Okay, so these are the things that you should work on to
improve your golf game, but how do you actually do it? What
should you look for? While you can definitely learn from
the web, it often makes more sense to see the difference in
what you are doing and what you should be doing, not just
reading it. For that, you should consider one of several
options.

* First, you can enroll in a few golf courses at your local
golf club. This is the best option because it allows hands
on, personal training. It is also the most expensive.

* Second, you could also take some courses through your
local community center. A good choice and it is less
expensive.

* You can also work on your golf game by using videos
designed to help you each step of the way. The videos can
be purchased throughout the web and allow you to actually
see the right way to stand and swing your club.

Improving your golf game just got a whole lot easier!


Friday, 21 May 2010

Improve your golf swing

Improve your golf swing

Are you looking for drills to improve your golf swing? If so then you have come to the right place. Here I am going to share with you 2 drills that have helped me reduce my handicap and have more fun playing golf. While it is often hard to tell someone how to swing a golf club, showing them drills can really help speed up the game improvement process.

1. The first drill I am going to teach you is the headcover drill which is used to prevent the flying right elbow in the backswing, and keeps your arms close to your body throughout the golf swing which is a key to accuracy and consistency. First of all you need to get a headcover and tuck it in under your right armpit. You want to keep your right arm close enough to your side in the backswing that the headcover does not come out. This will help your ball striking drastically. This is one of the top drills to improve your golf swing.

2. The second drill that I want you to do is called the shake hands drill. This drill helps you release the golf club and in turn hit the ball further and straighter. What you are going to do is swing back to the top with just your right hand not using a club. When you swing through your hand should be releasing with your body and the right hand should be in a position to shake someone's hand in front of you.

These drills to improve your golf swing should help you to start playing better golf, because it is much easier to learn by feel than to try and listen mechanically how to do something. Drills give you the ability to learn by feel and you will improve much faster.

I know using a combination of drills and a special system I was able to take 5 strokes off of my scores in just a few days!

Wednesday, 19 May 2010

improve your golf swing

improve your golf swing

Golf slice affects the game of golf negatively, and is a major obstruction in getting consistent good scores in golf games. Golf fanatics are more often than not, troubled with this curse of slicing the golf ball to unintended places - hitting banana shots without much accuracy.

Not surprisingly, many golfers, no matter new or professionals, are constantly looking for tips to correcting golf slice. No matter how much we try to control, the ball just curves away instead of going straight, and looks like a raging boomerang. If you are one of them, then this is the article for you.

Thanks for opening this article and making time to read. By the end of this article, you will not only have armed yourself with complete knowledge of correcting golf slice, but also how to do it in the most effective and economical way. It will save you a lot of time, which a lot of people waste normally on trying flop ideas and products. But like anything, it will also require some dedication from you. Rest assured you will destroy your slice completely. You will be able to participate in a few local golf tournaments soon, without the demoralizing effect of your slicing problem. So let us not waste time and get some basic and very useful information quickly.

Understanding causes that cause slice

The main reason for slicing the ball is that the club is not flat in touch with the ball at time of impact. There are some basic errors that are responsible for this: Improper grip on the club, improper stance position, and also improper swing. Getting rid of these problems is essential in nice slice free shots.

A few tips to get you started getting better shots

A proper grip will help you eliminate a big percentage of slicing problems. The pressure on the golf club should be neither too much nor too less. Both of which will lead to curved shots.

A proper and relaxed stance, feet shoulder distance apart, both feet are facing directly in front with toes. The elbows and arms are as relaxed as they can be. An unnatural position will cause slicing.

When swinging, follow it correctly, without turning the hands too fast. The speed of body turning and hands motion should match perfectly. It is one of the most crucial factors to correcting golf slice and getting good shots consistently.

Monday, 10 May 2010

Improve your golf swing

Improve your golf swing

With the internet and cable television there are hundreds of ways to improve your golf swing like never before. Simply watching the Golf channel a few hours a week can drastically improve your entire golf game and improve your golf swing from the comfort of your couch. The mental part of golf plays such a huge part in your game, but, in the end you are going to need to work on your golf mechanics.

I have come up with a list of 7 tips to improve your golf swing that you may want to use if you are looking for a way to improve your overall golf game. I would recommend trying these tips at your local driving range and not on the course just yet. You need to get the mechanics down before you wind up hitting the links and getting yourself even more frustrated.


1. I have found that making a video of myself swing can do wonders in the quest to improve your golf swing. You can see yourself in an entirely different way and analyze what you are doing wrong. If a video is not possible, simple practice your swing in front of a large mirror over and over until you can identify the bad habits.
2. Go to your local golf course and see if the local PGA pro offers golf lessons. Try to learn the correct mechanics to improve your golf swing from a professional if possible. This will move the process along much faster and have you breaking 80 in no time at all.
3. One of the best tips I can give and new and old players are guilty of this, but simply, keep your head down. If you can condition yourself not to lift your head through the follow through you will do wonders in the effort to improve your golf swing.
4. Find a second hand blade iron, these irons tend to have very small sweet spots which force you to hit the ball correctly. This club should be used to practice your swing over and over until you hit that spot on a regular basis. One of the greatest things about the blade type club is that if you hit the ball incorrectly, the club will immediately vibrate in your hands, letting you know you have done something wrong.
5. One of the easiest and simplest tips I can give, is practice, practice and more practice. You can not expect to improve your golf swing by hitting the driving range once a month or by watching a few videos on golf techniques. You need to hit that range and practice, or go to the park, and drive that ball around, walk after it and drive it again, over and over.
6. Here is a trick I learned recently, that is extremely powerful. Practice in slow motion. You can see the problem areas in more detail and the process of repeating the action over and over in slow motion will instill the golf swing mechanics into your muscular system. This trick has worked wonders when I show others how to improve your golf swing.
7. Finally, on your next golf outing, take notes, mental notes if possible of the players in your group that have a great swing. Notice the techniques and mechanics they use and mimic them, or even ask them for a little help on the side to master the process.

I hope you enjoyed these 7 tips to improve your golf swing, hopefully my tips will help in a small way. Enjoy the journey and have fun.

Saturday, 8 May 2010

improve your golf swing

improve your golf swing


Spring has arrived, time to get those clubs out of storage and get your swing on!

So, how was your game last year? Did you finish as strong as you hoped? We're you constantly battling with slicing and hooking and keeping the ball in the fairway. If so, then listen up, you're not alone. In fact, I struggled myself. So when somebody comes up with a product that promises to help you improve your game. I'm going to listen.

Here's the thing. There are people out there that are going to tell you that they can improve your golf shot over. That's garbage. There is no chance of anybody improving their swing and shaving shots off their score over night. Not even the PGA professionals. One reason is because you are going to have to completely overhaul your swing, and that is easier said than done.

One of the simpler things you can do is place the ball near the front of your stance. It may seem a bit awkward, but it will help you get the ball off of the ground. There is a downside to this stance however, you may get the ball off of the ground better and lessen your chance of slicing, but you will be losing significant distance.

Also, make sure you are hitting the ball while you are swinging down, not while the club head is coming back up. This will improve the distance of the flight, and also create that cool little divot that the pros always seem to make, without losing distance or damaging your wrists.

These are just a few tips, but there is a guy out there that has created a product that promises to improve your golf swing and shave points off of your score. And at least he is promising 2 weeks. Be warned though, this takes consistent golfing during that two week period. more than likely, you will be required to play once per day to be able to develop the proper skills this product is suggesting. But hey, it's spring, the days are longer, and the grass doesn't need to be mowed yet.

* Note, I am not suggesting your completely shirk all of your responsibilities and play golf everyday for 2 weeks, remember your priorities.

One important thing to remember is to have fun with your golf game. Add that to the skills you can gain from the Golf Guru, and you can improve you Golf Swing, and shave shots off your score before you know it.


Wednesday, 17 February 2010

How to Improve Your Golf Swing - 7 Tips, 7 Strokes, 7 Days

How to Improve Your Golf Swing - 7 Tips, 7 Strokes, 7 Days

Here are 7 quick fixes that you can apply to your golf game instantly and will have you dropping strokes very soon.

Improve Your Golf Swing Tip 1. Stretch your muscles for 5 minutes before you hit the first tee. Warming up and stretching could save you strokes during the first few holes try it and see it definitely won't hurt your game.

Improve Your Golf Swing Tip 2. Slow your swing down. If you focus on a slower smooth tempo you will end up hitting the ball straighter and likely longer. When you try to hit the ball as hard as possible your mis-hits are going to be amplified big time.

Improve Your Golf Swing
Tip 3. Try to swing through the ball. Golf clubs have certain lofts for a reason let the club do the work. Try to make crisp contact with the grass and leave a small divot.

Improve Your Golf Swing Tip 4. Stand behind the ball and pick a target before you swing. You should have a target to aim for rather than aiming just straight ahead.

Improve Your Golf Swing Tip 5. Picture the ball flight in your head. This one is my favorites because golf really is a mental game I find, and sometimes just using your head will save you some strokes.

Improve Your Golf Swing Tip 6. When Putting, focus on your distance first and then the aim. Having good distance control can help turn those 3 putts into 2 putts on any hole.

Improve Your Golf Swing Tip 7. Keep your eye on the ball. Try to focus right down to the dimple. It will help you from lifting your head in your back swing.

Improve Your Golf - Tips on Correct Swing and Correct Grip Techniques

Improve Your Golf - Tips on Correct Swing and Correct Grip Techniques

If you want to improve your golf, some advice on correct swing and correct grip techniques will certainly help since your golf swing is the most important part of your golf game to perfect. There are many aspects to improving your golf game on which you might want to focus, but your swing is the most important of them.

If we target correct grip techniques first, it is important that you understand the effect of your grip on the direction of the ball. We are assuming here that you are not a beginner, and that you have a basic understanding of the effect of spin on the direction a golf ball will take after the strike, and that you are also aware of the basic components of a good swing.

Adjustments to your grip can be used to correct problems such as the dreaded slice or hook, but by using the correct grip you can also control these faults to use a fade or a draw to drive round obstacles such as trees, or bring your ball into the green on a much better trajectory. In fact that is one of the major ways in which you can improve your golf game.

As an example, by strengthening your grip - that is moving your hands more clockwise round the shaft than your normal grip - you can impart clockwise spin on the ball that will bend it from left to right. Do that inadvertently and you will slice the ball, but if you use that golf grip in a controlled way, and move your stance so that your feet are aiming left of target, then you can spin and bend the ball from left to right into the flag rather than straight at it. You could use that grip to avoid a greenside bunker, or to allow the ball to run to a flag placed in an otherwise awkward position to reach.

Switch your grip the other way - counter-clockwise - and place your feet to right of target, then you can draw the ball into the green from right to left. Another grip technique you can use to improve your golf involves using a lower grip down the shaft on chip shots where you want to use less of a backswing, but it's important with all of these that you also get your feet placed right and use the correct swing technique to go with the shot.

You can also improve your golf by using various training aids to correct swing problems, examples being the swing plane trainer and the weighted club. The swing plane trainer helps you to correct problems with your swing plane: the circle that your club head makes between the upswing and follow through. These should occur in one plane for maximum control, and there are various types of golf training devices to help you achieve that, ranging from the large circular devices you see at driving ranges to lasers attached to your club head.

A very important aspect of your swing is flexibility, and golf flexibility exercises can help considerably in enabling you to improve your golf swing. A correct swing technique is a twisting and rotational movement that is not natural to the human body, and the more flexible your joints and muscles then the more capable you will be of executing this movement correctly and effectively.

You also need strength to hit the ball and follow through at speed, let alone the stamina required for you to play at maximum ability throughout 18 holes. Strength and flexibility exercises to improve your golf fitness cannot be done in a gym, and traditional weight-lifting training is not involved. A weighted club can be used to swing in order to build up those muscles used during the rotational movement needed in a correct swing, and a medicine ball or other weight can be used at arms length to help you twist your body from side to side while sitting in a chair.

There is more to training your golf swing than just playing golf, and many of the exercises that can be used improve your suppleness, flexibility and golf strength can be carried out at home or in the office. Here's an example:

1. Sit upright in a chair with a medicine ball, heavy book or any other weight in your hands.
2. Hold your arms straight out in front of you, and twist as far as you can to the right - hold for five seconds.
3. Twist round to the left as far as you can and hold for five seconds.
4. Carry out ten repetitions.

You can do that in three minutes in your office two or three times a day, and within a week you will see a difference in your game. You will be able to drive faster and add yards onto your length. Add to that some more indoor training, such as going through your swing at normal speed using a weight, such as a barbell or even a heavy iron rod in your hands, and you will build up your rotational muscles.

There are many ways for you to improve your golf and if you work on correct swing and correct grip techniques, and also on your fitness for golf, it won't be long before your length rockets, your scores start to tumble down and your handicap drop with them.

Monday, 15 February 2010

Five Ways to Improve Your Golf Game

Five Ways to Improve Your Golf Game

Golf is a sport that can never be mastered. You can never win at golf, you can only do better than you have in the past, or score lower than an opponent. Most often, however, this is of little concern; most golfers play because they love the sport. Still, golfers the world over seek to constantly improve their game. To play better, to beat a friendly rival, or simply to have more fun. There are scores of different golf improvement strategies out there, but several stand out as things you can do to improve your game. Here are the top five things you can do to play better golf.

Golf is a sport that can never be mastered. You can never win at golf, you can only do better than you have in the past, or score lower than an opponent. Most often, however, this is of little concern; most golfers play because they love the sport. Still, golfers the world over seek to constantly improve their game. To play better, to beat a friendly rival, or simply to have more fun. There are scores of different golf improvement strategies out there, but several stand out as things you can do to improve your game. Here are the top five things you can do to play better golf.

Number 1: Take a lesson. Don't let anyone tell you that you have to take lessons all summer, or even a series of ten lessons. Although it is fine if you can do those things, you don't need to - especially if you are a summer time, weekend player. A single lesson will go a long way in helping you improve your game. Tell the pro ahead of time what you want to work on and get the most out of your hour. To make the most of your lesson, get back to basics. Focus on the fundamentals. So many golfers - especially 15+ handicappers, have trouble improving because they have fundamental problems. Have the pro look at your grip, your address and your basic spine/body angle both at address and during your swing. Nine times out of ten, slight adjustments in your grip, address, or spine angle can have a huge impact on your ability to strike the ball well.

Number 2: Get clubs that properly fit you. If you went to the large, chain sporting goods store and bought a set of clubs that were on sale, or if you went online and picked up a set of great clubs, you may be playing with the completely wrong set. It doesn't matter that all the reviews said that they're great for your ability level. The clubs need to match you in a much more intimate way. Your clubs should match your swing speed, level of upright, grip size, height and ability. A good swing analyst will examine all of these things, and more, all in an effort to match you specifically to the clubs that you will allow you to hit the ball well.

Number 3: Get Flexible. This is particularly important for golfers who are a little older. If your back and shoulders are tied up in knots, regardless of the reason, you will not play as well. The reason is simple: bio mechanics play the key roll in setting the physics of ball flight into motion. Flexibility will improve swing speed, improve club arc, and even allow you to shape your shots with greater accuracy. The same is true for lower body flexibility. Simple stretching exercises can be employed, or you can try something more exotic like a Thai Yoga Massage to help you along the way.

Number 4: Stop listening to your buddies. This should not even need to be said, but a 20 handicapper has no business telling you how to hit a high fade with a fairway iron to avoid the tree that's 200 yards out between you and the green on a long par 5. The same goes for sand shots, and of course on the tee box. The exception might be on the green. If someone has an opinion about a read, you can listen, just weight how much you listen in accordance with the ability of the player. If someone has just made 30 putts and you're at the turn, don't listen.

Number 5: Get a distance finder. Club selection is one aspect of golf that can be the difference between shooting 100 or shooting an 88. Club selection is all about knowing how far you are from the target and also about the terrain that you are playing on. Moreover, if you have made any other game improving adjustments, a distance finder can help in some unlikely ways: If you have a new set of clubs - properly fitted, of course - you may be hitting your clubs at different distances than with your old set. You'll find two types of distance finders: GPS units like the Bushnell Yardage Pro and laser range finders like the Bushnell Pinseeker. Both are excellent choices. The GPS systems have more features, like the ability to download course data to the units, or linking to systems like iGolf. The laser range finders are more straight forward, providing accurate distance to the pin.

These five steps will help you play better golf. You don't even have to do all of them. Just make a plan to do one of them, wait for the results and then pursue another. In a very short time, you can really improve your golf game.

Improve Your Golf Game - Harvey Pennick Says Build Your Game Around Your Best Golf Iron

Improve Your Golf Game - Harvey Pennick Says Build Your Game Around Your Best Golf Iron

Are you looking for some silver bullet to improve your golf game? There's no such thing, but I've been (re)reading Harvey Pennick's books on golf, and something struck me. Something he said really stuck in my mind: If you are an amateur golfer, you can get very good results by building your game around your #5 or #7 iron.

Now, who is Harvey Pennick and why should you listen to him? In his heyday, Mr. Pennick was golf coach to several US Open Winners - Tom Kite among the most prominent of his students. He also successfully coached university golf teams, and more than a few weekend golfers. He ended his career as the much-beloved club pro of the Austin Country Club, having successfully seen to the golfing needs of hundreds of club members.

So why does he say stick to one iron, especially the #5 or #7? First of all, the #5 and #7 irons are the most used golf irons among amateurs, being medium range clubs for many golfers. Once you are off the tee and on the fairway, you no longer need the range of the driver. Looking back, my best shots on the fairway were always aimed at some particular point I could see clearly. And any point I could see clearly was within range of my #5 iron.

The point is: when you stick with one main iron, you get better faster (with it). It becomes your best buddy, the one you go to most often. You quickly learn what it can do, and what it can't. You learn how to bend its performance to meet your needs. A lot of uncertainty disappears.

Let's say you make the #5 your favorite. You are faced with a tricky shot. You estimate the distance at 70 yards with a 15 yard margin of error to the bunker ... you hope. You know your #5 iron can give you that distance with a 3/4 backswing. You know because you have done it many, many times in the past, because this is the club you build your game around. You swing your club, and lo and behold, the ball rolls to a stop with 5 yards to spare.

In theory, you could have done the same thing with a full swing from your #7 iron. But you can't be sure, because you don't play enough golf to practice equally with both clubs. So you have to choose, jack of all trades, master of none, by playing all your irons from #3 to #9, or just master one iron, which can get you most places you need to go.

Remember that you are a weekend golfer. You don't play the US Open, and don't need to master every iron in your bag. You don't need the level of precision and control which every iron can give you.

Unless you can spend everyday on the golf course, the fastest way to improve your golf game is to simplify your game as much as possible. Minimize the number of clubs you actually play with in order to develop the skill and consistency with those clubs quickly. Stick with the driver, #5 iron, putter and one wedge, and you'll see real improvement quickly. These four clubs will serve you most of your time.

Thursday, 11 February 2010

Improve Your Golf Game - Will All the Golf Tips You Read Really Help?

Improve Your Golf Game - Will All the Golf Tips You Read Really Help?

Everyone seems to want to improve their golf game and seek out all of the advice that they can find. They read everything they can and mostly get confused in the end. To really improve your golf game you need to concentrate on one aspect at a time and work on that until you prefect that one point. Unfortunately, no one is dedicated enough to actually see it through and work through their frustrations. You will surely have bad rounds while improving your swing and you will get frustrated but if you actually hold out and continue doing the corrections to your swing, you will benefit by them tremendously for the effort. Don't be the golfer that is looking for a band-aid to improve their golf game as they are not really curing the problems but instead treating some of the symptoms.

The golf swing is not something that with a weeks worth of practice can become like a pros, but most golfers think they can do that or possibly just hope they can. During the phase of correcting your swing, you will not be hitting the ball good and your swing will feel very awkward to you. You need to keep practicing it until you develop coordination with the part of your swing that you are attempting to improve.

Most instructors feel that every golfer should pick out one thing in their game to improve. Most golfers don't do that and after approximately 3 years of consistent play they cease to try to improve anything and just continue with what they have learned. Get a good instructor and practice the improvements for at least one full month for each aspect you are trying to improve. Do not forget that you will get frustrated and that is part of the game so you will have to learn to deal with it.

So now you have decided to improve your golf swing and you get a good instructor and he tells you how to improve your backswing, for instance. Make sure that whatever they teach you that you understand it completely. Practice will help you to improve your game but if you are practicing the wrong things you will never improve anything. Ask the instructor if you are actually doing it right and you explain back to him what it is you should be doing so you make sure that what you are practicing is the proper thing.

While you are practicing these tips to improve your golf game, you have to give it a full month on just one small part of the improvement. If you don't change that aspect one at a time, and try to change a lot of things at one time, all you will be doing is not allowing your body and muscles to adjust to the change and everything eventually will go back to the way it started.

Make the decision to change one aspect of your game and you will improve your golf game along with it. This will help you cut down on the frustrations once they are learned and possibly teach you some patience while you are practicing.

One of the aspects you can start with is the golf grip. Find out how a golf grip trainer can improve several of the flaws that may exist in your swing.

Do You Know the Top Three Golf Aids to Improve Your Golf Swing?

Do You Know the Top Three Golf Aids to Improve Your Golf Swing?

If you play golf, you are always looking for a way to improve your golf swing. Without a doubt, the best way to achieve the perfect golf swing is to get good quality golf swing instructions. Unfortunately, not all instructors are created equal. Even when you find a good trainer, he can only take you so far. To master your golf lessons, you still need to do a lot of work on your own. Luckily, there are inexpensive tools and golf aids that can help you.

The most important principle to improve your golf swing is practice. Correct practice. Lots and lots of practice. The top three golf aids listed below are selected with this central principle in mind - to give you the ability to do lots of correct practice.

1. More golf balls.

To get lots of practice, you need lots of golf balls. How many do you have? Ten? Twenty? I say that's not enough. You need at least a hundred. You need to be able to just swing away at the ball, without having to go pick them up. If you just hit the ball five or ten times every time you practice, you will never improve.

A quick check at Amazon shows that a dozen balls sell for around $15 to $30. Wilson's Staff Fifty, which travels 250 yards (as tested by CNN's Golf Lab), costs $15. If you don't have the budget for new golf balls, secondhand balls are a good choice. Modern golf balls are very resilient and can last you very many games. Amazon offers good quality used golf balls like Titleists NXT Tour, (which travels 254 yards), at $37 for 36 balls. If you look carefully, you can get even better deals on eBay, effectively paying $0.50 per ball.

2. Golf net.

Whether you hit your balls at the driving range or at home, a net is a must. At the driving range, having your own net helps you to easily recover your golf balls after your practice session. After all, you don't want to hunt for your golf balls every time you finish your practice, do you? And there is no way for you to practice at home without a net.

You can buy a golf net at your local golf shop, or look for a good deal from Amazon on eBay. You'll find that some nets are easy to set up and take down, but a bit flimsy. Others are sturdy but difficult to set up. What you get will depend on your needs. If you have a fixed place to practice at home, buy the sturdier net. If you need to take your net to the driving range, then pick the one which is easier to put up and dismantle.

You can even make your own golf net. Just use a double or triple layer of fine-meshed fishing net and you ready for lots of practice.

3. Digicam/Videocam.

The third essential (and inexpensive) golf aid is a digital camera. Set it up on its tripod or a folding chair and turn it on. Record your golf swings and play them back in slow motion. Find out where your mistakes are and fix them your next practice session. Fix your mistakes one by one and improve your golf swing step by step. Compare the playback of your swing against a good reference - either borrow a good golf swing book from your local library or look at the videos on the PGA's web-site.

Remember, the best long-term method to improve your golf swing is to get lots of practice hitting golf balls correctly. The three golf aids listed above will help you to do that.

Tuesday, 9 February 2010

Best Golf Swing - How to Swing Like a Pro

Best Golf Swing - How to Swing Like a Pro

In golf, the scores you get are directly proportional to how good your best golf swing is. Unfortunately, most people take a long while to get a good golf swing going. Many give up the game early. To keep this from happening to you, remember that getting your best golf swing going means practice -- and lots of it.

The Best Golf Swing Tips Can Be Painfully Obvious

First of all, remember that you can only learn so much from your golfing idols. Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, Vijay Singh -- they all have their own distinct styles when it comes to swinging their golf clubs. You can learn the fundamentals of a good grip, a good stance, and a good state of mind from them. But that's as far as you can go -- your swing will totally be up to you.

Why? Simply because no two people in the world have the exact same body structures. People can be tall, short, stocky, lanky, flexible or stiff, and everything in between. You'll need to find the best golf swing for your body type on your own. It's hard, but it gets much easier once you get used to the fundamentals.

Once you settle into a good grip, stance, and state of mind, you can start working on your swing. Start with working on your back swing. Many people make the mistake of pulling the golf club back too quickly, accelerating on the way up. This takes a lot of energy away from the downswing.

The proper way to bring your club back is slowly and steadily, at a speed that feels natural for you. Your aim is to begin your downswing the moment the upward energy gives way to gravity -- that way you'll have gravity and all the potential energy on your side when you bring the club head down.

The downswing should be fast and powerful, but not so hastily done that it hurts your accuracy. Swinging too hard can cause you to slice the ball, sending it deep into the woods -- or, worse, the spectators. Find the right amount of strength and speed to send the ball exactly where you want it to go.

For best results, find a trainer -- trainers can school you in the best golf swing drills you can use.

Exercise -- One Of The Best Golf Swing Aids Out There

Finally, it helps to exercise -- both physically and mentally. Exercise will improve your balance, strength, and flexibility, while mental exercises will help you make better decisions and enjoy the game more. And when you're having fun, coming up with the best golf swing will come much more naturally.

Monday, 8 February 2010

Improve Your Golf Swing - Relax, Just Do It

Improve Your Golf Swing - Relax, Just Do It

If you want to improve your golf swing then your are going to have to learn to relax, study and practice . These are three fundamentals about golf that we sometimes forget and with this article, you should find it easy to get back into the swing of things.

What does it mean to relax when you are playing golf? Let's begin with a very, very important fact about the golf ball. It's already dead. So don't try to kill it. It just won't do you any good.

That is an important fact that we all over look. Why? Because we put too much pressure on ourselves while we are playing. The truth is trying to get extra yardage out of smacking the ball as hard as we can destroys our chances of having a good solid hit.

What exactly should you study in golf? Well, everything but here the most important thing to study is yourself. You need to videotape yourself hitting the ball. But you need to tape your hit in two different ways.

The first videotaping should be of you doing practice swings and practice shots. Did you every notice that practice swings are actually pretty good. Without the pressure of the score, you probably have a good swing.

Now tape yourself on the actual golf course. There is probably a big difference between the two shots. But if you can tell the difference you can improve your shot.

There is also another reason to know your own swing. If you like the swing of another player, on the course or on tv, you know what the difference is and you can change. The change will probably be really small. Make the little changes and you will improve your golf swing.

Okay, we talked about the need to relax and the need to study your own swing. Now it is time to practice your new swing.

There is a story about the great golfer Gary Player. A fan came up to Mr. Player after he watched him play a round of golf. The fan said, "Gee, I wish I could play golf like you." Mr. Player replied, "If you hit buckets of balls until your hands are bloody and then hit some more, you can."

Now you don't need to play until your hands are bloody but without practicing you really never will improve your game to where you are happy.

You now know three important steps to a better golf swing. You must be relaxed, enjoy it for what it is, a great game. You must know your swing to be able to improve your swing. Finally, you must practice. If you are missing any of these three points in your game then you are not going to really improve your swing.


Sunday, 7 February 2010

Can You Improve Your Golf Swing Without Spending Thousands of Dollars?

Can You Improve Your Golf Swing Without Spending Thousands of Dollars?

Does improving your golf swing without spending thousands of dollars seem impossible? And is it painfully obvious that thousands of people claim to know some expensive "secret" for golf swing instruction - and yet they have no proof? And you haven't gotten the improvement that you deserve?

The human body is capable of learning virtually any kind of behavior and movement. But the golf swing seems to be impossible for some to master. Golfing actions can be excruciatingly awkward for most people to learn (unless, like Tiger Woods, they have been doing them since early childhood). But you can't go back and change your childhood to learn to golf, can you?

But what if you had a way to make the unfamiliar become familiar? What if you could make golfing feel correct from deep inside the core of your movement and your self? And you could do this without spending thousands of dollars and breaking the bank?

Golf Swing Instruction: Imitation Is Not Learning.

Golf Pros and instructors often teach us the game by having us imitate golf mechanics. They ask us to imitate a "good" swing, a "good" putt, and "good" hand placement. But as you may already know from your lack of desired improvement: When learning golf, imitation can only take you so far. Have you, or anybody that you know, won a golf tournament by imitating Tiger Woods or Jack Nicklaus? Probably not. Why does imitation of other's golf swing techniques rarely (if ever) give you the improvement that you crave?

The reason is that the dynamics of your movement are greatly different from the dynamics of the person that you are imitating. It's a little like putting on some of your old clothing from when you were younger. The clothes rarely fit, and even if they did, they are out-of-date and out-of-style. Who needs that?

True improvement in your golf swing, true comfort while playing, and true mastery on the course, will come from learning the seemingly hidden dynamics of your own movement. This type of learning, often called "sensory-motor learning", is how you first learned to move as a child. It's less commonly used in adults, but it is still possible to access it.

What Is Sensory Motor Learning And How Does it Apply to Golf?

Sensory motor learning involves sound scientific principles from the field of motor learning and human development. It is the most effective way to improve your golf swing and to feel good while doing it. It involves feeling, sensing, and learning from your own natural movements. Part of the process is getting yourself into a relaxed and open state so that you can learn to feel the inner dynamics of your movement. Once you know what you are doing, and once you feel what you are doing, you can build the perfect golf swing based on your own natural tendencies.

Where Do You Begin The Process Of Using Sensory-Motor Learning To Improve Your Golf Swing?
I am sorry to say, that you can't improve your golf swing by reading about the techniques in some over-priced e-book or DVD series. You will actually have to do the techniques and get comfortable with the idea of trying some new and often strange movements.

For instance, what if I had you lie on the floor and engage in an entire sequence of movements designed to improve the coordination of your head, eyes and neck? What if I told you to keep your eyes closed the entire time, so that you could have greater focus on yourself and your body? Would you be willing to do that? If not, you won't be able to benefit from sensor motor learning systems. Go spend a $1000 on the latest "miracle" swing technique. However, if you are willing to explore, you can find a whole wealth of new possibilities and golf swing improvement.

The most evolved practitioners of sensory motor learning are often "alternative health practitioners" such as those who do the Feldenkrais Method, Alexander Technique, or Rolfing. These practitioners are taught to help you change the inner dynamics of your movement so that you can evolve your technique on many levels.

The trick is to find a practitioner who understands the needs and desires of golfers. But what if they do not? Consider that a slight improvement in your ability to sense and feel from your core could unleash a whole new potential in your ability to improve your swing. You are smart enough to take those learnings and apply them to your swing, are you not?



Three Drills to Improve Your Golf Swing

Three Drills to Improve Your Golf Swing

Once you have got the ball as near to the hole as possible, all that is left is to putt it so that you can move on. Seemingly easy, it gives some golfers a hard time. Here are four drills to improve golf swing while putting.

The one handed drill is the first one. Practice putting 10 balls using your training hand only. It helps focus you to focus on your hand as it moves to the cup.

Next, the same putt, but use your target hand instead. Concentrate on your backhand as it travels towards the cup.

When practicing the above drills, concentrate on the follow through, conscious and focused on the toe of your putter. Keep the face of the putter square to the cup. If it either turns away or points towards it, then it means that your hand is turning.

Practice putting with an eye closed. It prevents you from lifting your head too early. Some golfers do it. If you are a frequent player you can try putting with both your eyes closed.

You may think that closing your eyes will make it difficult to observe where the ball is headed; but, research has established an interference between the brain and the muscle control system when your eyes are open while putting. Keeping your eyes closed forces you to rely on your hands to putt the ball. And by using your sense of hearing you should be able to judge whether the ball has gone in.

Practice this from a distance of 50 to 100 feet from the hole. With your eyes open at first and then with your eyes closed. You will know that you can sink the ball with your eyes closed, if the ball goes in.

Another technique is to close your eyes, drop some balls on the ground and try to putt them. You just try to get the feel of the back and forth stroke. Repeat the same with open eyes. Did you notice the difference? If you did, try to fit in the experience when you are actually putting on the course.

The last but not the least drill to improve golf swing is known as the alignment drill. Put down two golf clubs on the ground parallel to one another. Now putt the ball. See if your stroke is aligned at impact. Also if it is steady on the forward and the backward stroke. Repeat several times, take a break if tired and resume the drill.

Who knows? But this practice is bound to improve golf swing and improve your game skills also. If you can reasonably putt from short distances, it is time you concentrated on your long game, as it is also equally important. You might even win when playing eighteen holes with friends. Best of Luck!



Friday, 5 February 2010

How Outside Exercises Beyond Golf Can Improve Your Golf Swing

How Outside Exercises Beyond Golf Can Improve Your Golf Swing

In regards to improving your golf swing, the most important part of your body to focus on are your wrists. Your wrists are involved with starting the swing, finishing it and they determine how far the golf ball goes. If you do not have strong wrists, your puts will not be very accurate or go very far. So how exactly do you strengthen your wrists?

Outside exercise beyond golf can strengthen your wrists and help with your golf swing. One exercise that comes to mind is doing sets with a stress ball. Stress balls are easy to find at any toy or sports store. Doing a few sets with a stress ball every day is guaranteed to strengthen your wrists, forearms and hands. Another exercise that can be done almost anywhere are push ups. Sets of push ups strengthen your whole arm, and this includes your wrists.

Cross-training with other sports can also help improve your golf swing. Tennis, swimming and softball are all sports that use a lot of arm strength. Tennis, in particular, uses a lot of wrist strength and might be your best bet in improving your swing. You do not have to be a tennis pro to go out there a couple times a week and hit some balls. And I guarantee your wrist strength will increase within a few weeks.

In addition to unrelated exercises, drills are always helpful in improving your golf swing. There are many many drills available online and elsewhere. All you have to do is hop online and search. One example is to focus on following through with your swing, without actually hitting the ball. Stand on the golf course with your club, lean back on your back toe, take your club behind you with both hands and swing out in front of you, with the weight shifting to the front foot.

Do fifteen sets of this drill and see how you feel. There should be a mild burning sensation in your wrists. That means you are doing it correctly. This particular drill should eventually help you improve your swing.



Wednesday, 3 February 2010

Improve Your Golf Swing, Improve Your Golf Game!

Improve Your Golf Swing, Improve Your Golf Game!

The rapid advancement in technology today is reaching out to all corners of the sports world. The performance of athletes in every sports venue can be vastly improved by this rapidly going technology. One of the world's oldest and still most popular games of all time is being drastically changed for the better with each year. That game is golf and the greatest way to improve your game is by improving your swing through video analysis.

Lessons to improve your golf swing with a professional golf instructor can greatly improve your game and swiftly drain your wallet! Swing analysis by your trained golf pro can only better your technique in proportion to his human ability to "catch" your every error and flaw in stance, swing, etc. It is impossible for him to see every second of the complex nuances involved in your individual stroke. Even with a video camera to record your every move, hundreds of hours would be required to slow down and re-watch all foot, hip, hand, head, etc. positions that need the smallest adjustments to bring your game from average to outstanding. Bring the world of technology to your game through golf swing analysis beyond your wildest imagination.

Video analysis software is now being produced by many different companies. A digital video camera and computer are the only required equipment. Have someone video your actual movement and run it through the analysis software to receive a detailed, technologically advanced evaluation of your golf swing. This examination will offer specific pointers to improve the areas of your swing that are not "perfect". The software will cover such swing mechanics as:

Alignment
Ball Angle
Ball Speed
Club Head Speed
Proper Head Position
Proper Positioning of Hips
Proper Positioning of Knees
Proper Shaft Angle
Proper Spine Angle
Swing
Timing

A human golf pro can never keep track of all these areas at the same time for any given swing, that's impossible; but it's completely possible for swing analysis software! Every area of the core of your game will be analyzed and improved right before your very eyes on your computer screen. No guessing, no trial and error. Everything you do right and everything you do wrong will be explicitly evaluated and all appropriate recommendations given to you. It's a personalized swing perfection tool for you and your game. Just having the mirror image of what you do shown back to you may just do the trick.

For less than the cost of only three hours of "human" pro golf help you can have your own personal golf swing analyzer for every swing you have. Right in the privacy of your own home and back yard, your small investment in golf swing analysis software will permanently move your game from average to outstanding in no time. Remember, improve your golf swing, and drastically improve your game!



Monday, 1 February 2010

Improve your golf swing

Improve your golf swing

Are you a golfer trying to improve your golf swing? Perhaps you have had the bad luck of developing a slice which send your ball into the rough on a regular basis. Here are a few suggestions that may help improve your golf swing in just a short time.

This may seem like the ultimate golfers dream. Hitting the ball down the fairway each and every time straight down the middle. Imagine being able to chip your golf ball onto the green just a few inches from the hole. What if you could sink every putt that you have on the green matter how far away you were from the hole?

How this can become a reality is by developing a more consistent golf swing. Regardless of the club or iron that you are using, if you develop consistency in every swing that you have, you will simply play a better game.

Most people that play golf understand that consistency is the key to lower scores and having a better time. Regardless of your problem, whether it is slicing, hooking, or simply being unable to putt your ball into the hole, by developing a consistent way of swinging, you will be on your way to winning more games.

The first thing to consider is why a golf swing matters. To hit the ball correctly, the center of the club head must strike the ball firmly as you follow through on your swing. If you're swing path is correct, you will always hit the ball where you want it to go.

To develop this consistent swing, you need to incorporate some simple techniques such as fading, cutting, or a combination of the two. If you are a golfer that has a high handicap, and you simply want to hit the ball straight each and every time, learning to swing consistently will help you achieve this one goal.

As you examine your own golf swing beginning with the address, your take away, and the transition between the back swing, down swing, and follow through, you may notice several different things. It is only by analyzing each step of the golf swing itself that you can determine where your weaknesses lie and how you can improve.

Although most avid golfers understand this, beginners do not realize how complex the golf swing really is. There is no way to explain this to someone who does not understand. They will only come to this realization once they have practiced swinging themselves.

The bottom line is that consistency is the key. Poor swings are the result of not having a consistent and repeatable swing that occurs each and every time. Your swing can not be improved simply by reading a book on what to do. You would be better off not knowing anything and simply going to the driving range to practice.

It is because the swing has so many biomechanical movements that it is possible to miss the actual problem that you have. Everything is about timing and sequence. Therefore, by understanding the mechanics of the swing, and then practicing your swing with that in mind, you can find your deficiencies and improve them very quickly.

Here is one way that you can improve your golf swing today.

When you are setting up to hit the ball, make sure that you always remember four things. Remember where your hands are, where your hips are, make sure your grip is correct, and then focus on the swing. If your stance is correct, you can then focus only on the swing itself and you will be able to correct your problems much faster.

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