Saturday, February 18, 2012

Tiger Woods Golf Swing

A lot of people have been asking for a long time, "why is Tiger (Woods) so good in his game? How can Tiger be consistent on every Tour? What does Tiger do differently with his game to make him the success that he is at golf?" and the list of questions go on and on. Some people theorize that it's all about his putting game, while some people say that it's the power of his drives, some people say he has got the strength of a bull and some opine that it is his golf swing.

These people may be right, but then again they may not. Depends on how you look at it and what kind of golfer you are that would dictate what you will say. But in reality most of us already know the answer but tend to say different things because we can't really admit to the fact that Tiger Woods has the best darn swing in the world today.

The reason why I say it's the best is because of his natural ability to use his dexterity, flexibility and strength in one fluid motion to create his tour winning golf swings. Knowing this let's break down the famous Tiger Woods swing in to 4 key elements of the full swing motion.
These are 4 key elements of Tiger Woods’ swing:

1. At the very start of his swing. Woods uses his amazing flexibility to reach far back (notice that when he extends his swing backwards it reaches farther than most golfers on any tour, this is one of the main advantages of Woods ), extending his range of motion at the same time as keeping his rotary torso in a straight line over his right leg.

2. Once he releases the swing forward, Woods has already built up maximum clubhead velocity. This is achieved by rapidly turning his torso and pressing his right leg forward toward the swing. Throughout the full motion of the swing, Woods wastes little or no energy by keeping a straight line above the ball. Aside from the velocity and the force from his shoulders and arms, he uses his upper body strength in the swing as he pushes forward.

3. Woods drives the clubhead through the ball (maximum clubhead-ball contact is needed so the chance of slicing or chopping the ball is avoided), using the force from his hips, shoulders and wrists he concentrates impact force and makes a very high initial ball speed. Within 2 feet off the tee and the club the ball is now traveling at speeds that reaches around 180 miles per hour – this ball speed is up to 20 mph faster than the average tour pro.

4. One of the most over looked elements and factors in the golf swing is a good follow through. A follow through is the after impact motion that makes a full motion achieve fluidity. By this time, Woods allows the club head's momentum to lengthen his follow-through (this means that the force of the swing is kept at the maximum level from the start of the swing, any decrease in speed will make the follow through rough) far around his back, completing a long and smooth clubhead rotation.

And that is the secret to the championship winning golf swing of Tiger Woods.

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Friday, February 17, 2012

Three Golf Swing Tips

Golf is a popular sport which is why a lot of the tournaments are shown on television. You may not yet play with the likes of Tiger Woods but to be one of the best in the game, it will be helpful to know three golf swing tips.

First, you need a good shoulder turn to be able to hit the ball properly and let it land close to the hole. This is easier said than done because people have the misconception that making the left heel go up too much off the ground will make that work.

In essence, it does make the hip turn which is good but it does not produce any recoil. So what is the lesson here? Simply not to turn too much because recoil can be created not by how back the golfer turns when taking that shot.

Second, you must never let your chin rest against the chest because this will make it difficult to swing the left arm across the upper during the back swing. The correct way to do is it to keep the chin up and allow the left arm to move freely across the chest. This will give you the wide arc that is needed to hit the ball in the in the right direction.

Third, learn to relax because you are not able to think straight when you are pressured. When this happens, you forget tips one and two which disrupts your natural rhythm of hitting the ball the right way.

That is probably hard to do when you are in to winning the game but this is what separates the boys from the men. To get your mind off what is happening, try to block everyone out and picture yourself in your “happy place.”

Remember the movie “Happy Gilmore?” That is exactly what Adam Sandler’s character did in the movie and that helped him win despite the odds.

You might not get all these three tips overnight but if you practice regularly, you will get the hang of things. You have to remember that professional golfers also make mistakes and that they don’t always win each time they are in a tournament.

That should give you a fighting chance because you are an underdog and you have nothing to lose when you participate in the competition. Of course, things change when you have done well throughout the tour and people expect you to do just as good as you did before.

When all else fails, try to remember golf swing tip number 3 because the difference between winning and losing is attitude and that is all in your head. Until you get it right, continue practicing at home, in the golfing range and out there on the green.

Technique and attitude is what the three golf swing tips are all about. How well you perform starts the minute you tee off which is why it is important to make it count so you won’t have a hard time later on when you are only a few yards left from the hole.

If you get lucky, you may even do a “Hole in One” which does not happen very often. That will of course make you move on to the next hole that could be more challenging than the previous one.

It is all about you when you are out there on the green and success can only be achieved by following these golf swing tips.

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The Anatomy of a Golf Swing

Many people envy the likes of Tiger Woods because of his world championship winning golf swing. To the avid golfer, the joy of watching these pros in action and seeing the way they swing the club to hit the ball is a joy like no other. To a true lover of the sport the perfection of the swing is the Holy Grail of golf. The golf swing is the defining skill that separates the greenhorn from the veteran and the golfer from the poser.

Because of the popularity of golf in almost all of the countries of the world, many people have come up with instructional guides, books and CDs that could help improve the golfer's swing. Some of them are effective with some people and some of them are not. The reason behind this difference in the output is the human anatomy. There are no two people that are exactly alike in the same way no two golf swings are alike. Because of the body structure of some people, there are techniques that really don't work for them.

For example a stocky golfer would have a hard time matching the flexibility and nimbleness of a slender golfer and in return the slender golfer will have a hard time matching the power of the swing of the stocky golfer. Because of the stockiness of golfer A, he is able to use his broad shoulders in smashing the golf club far, but because of the nimbleness and flexibility of golfer B he is able to reach farther behind his back to give his club a wider range of motion for the swing creating a higher velocity impact on the ball.

The outcome of the distance of the two golfer's swing maybe the same but the technique is different with each golfer. This difference in technique is because of the difference of the body type.

Another way to look at your golf swing is with the help of mathematics and a little bit of physics. When you look at it this way you will be able to see the impact of the numbers on your game. A study shows that most professional golf players achieve a club head speed of 100 miles per hour at the very bottom of their swing right before they hit the ball. Tiger Woods can swing up to 125 miles per hour that means he can hit 25 mph faster that other pros.

He achieves this by reaching farther back on his set up that most golfers. Physicist have already studied golf in relation to the angular motion and the torque force that changes the angle of the club when it hits the ball. Velocity is also an important factor in your golf swing. Almost all club heads weigh the same and for a golfer to hit the ball farther they need to achieve maximum club velocity or they must have higher club head speed at the bottom of their swing.

One of the most common misconceptions that a golfer has is snapping the wrist right before impact is like pressing the nitro button in the straightaway lane. When golfers do this they are actually slowing down the velocity of the clubhead making the golf swing lighter. This is a bad habit that should be avoided.

This usually happens when a golfer is standing to close to the ball during the golf swing.

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Thursday, February 16, 2012

Take the Slice Away from Your Golf Swing

All golfers want that perfect golf swing that they can always rely on. It is a swing that can be used effectively with either a wood or iron. You can tee off and drive with it, adapting to changes in wind and terrain. It is a swing that can get you out of bad situations like bunkers and even water. It is a swing that is as simple as it can get, yet can be versatile and dependable.

That isn’t happening though if your swing has slice.

Perfecting that golf swing definitely isn't easy, no matter how you look at it. It takes a lot of experimentation and practice to get the kinks out of the swing. However, the real fact about this is that it is actually simpler than you think. It is mostly about what you do during your swing.

Simplify

One tip that always works is to always keep your swing simple. With as few movements as possible, you can take away unnecessary movements that may be both a waste of energy and bad for your swing. There is no real need for your elbows to bend during the swing and you have to only pivot with your feet as you follow through. There is no need to take an extra step or anything, which can skew with the shot.

Rhythm

Of course, if you can't improve by yourself, then get a coach who can teach you the finer points of improving your golf swing. Balance and correct positioning are crucial to a good golf swing. However, without rhythm, you can never achieve these two things. You are to ensure that you can have a smooth rhythm in your swing to fix whatever you need to fix. You can hum a tune, sing a song, count, or do whatever is necessary to get a rhythm down to swing correctly.

Hand and Wrist Position

Another tip is to always mind hand and wrist position. One of the major causes of slicing is that the club is twisted during the swing, which makes it hit the ball in a crooked manner, driving it in directions other than straight ahead. This is due to the hands and wrists twisting during the swing because of wrong positioning. The technique must be refined in order to correct this mistake.

Interlocking your hands by connecting the little and ring finger of your dominant hand with the index and middle finger of your complementary hand (never call that other hand 'weak') to solve this problem. This can help you prevent that unnecessary twist with a little practice. It can also help you improve in terms of accuracy and distance.

Straighten Your Spine

Always have your spine straight and acting as an axis for your swing. The importance of spine alignment can never be understated when it comes to golf. Imagine yourself as a pendulum with your spine as the point of axis. This can help you simplify your golf swing in a great deal.

Hip Rotation

With that spine straight and fingers interlocked, you must also remove excess hip rotation in your golf swing. While lots of hip rotation is something that can make a punch stronger, this is not boxing. In golf, that hip rotation causes slicing, and that can damage your game. Therefore, you must keep hip rotation as minimum as it is required. However, don't mistake this for removing hip rotation in your swing as it is still required to generate power in your swing.

Therefore, study how much hip rotation is needed to improve your swing. These tips, along with lots of practice, can help you remove that slice and achieve distance and accuracy in your golf swing.

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Supplemental Training for Your Golf Swing Muscles

The golf swing is a complex motion that involves the entire body. This complicated rotational movement uses as many as 32 individual muscles. Like any other physical skill, repetition using the proper form is the best way to improve. However, the dedicated golfer can rapidly increase their skill level by supplementing the basic swing drills with exercises specifically designed to strengthen crucial muscle groups and optimize their response.

Breaking Down the Swing

The three basic components to this movement are called the back swing, the down swing, and the follow through. Most of the power needed to drive the ball across the course is generated by the forward swing component. The back swing stretches key muscles in order to maximize their ability to generate power in the down swing. A properly executed follow through is necessary to reduce the possibility of injury by allowing muscles to reach their full biomechanical configuration before returning to their resting state.

The power for the swing is built up in three areas, the trunk, the arms, and the wrists. Force generated through the trunk is mainly a translation of rotational force around a pivot and is primarily a function of building momentum. This requires a strong base and a stable pivot. The pivot points are the spine and the hip joints.

The bulk of the propulsive power is generated through the arms, where contraction of the muscles greatly increases the velocity of the club. The seemingly inconsequential contribution of the wrist is important for stability and in order to properly direct the forces the swing has built up

Muscle Groups Getting into the Act

The major muscle groups used in the trunk are the lateral rotators of the spine and hip. Most of these muscles are part of what is commonly referred to as the core group of back and abdominal muscles. These muscles initially rotate the trunk laterally from left to right in the back swing. After which the group on the other side contracts to rotate the trunk from right to left to power the downswing. Hip and thigh muscles help stabilize the spine and assist in the rotatory motion.

Muscles in the chest, back, and upper arms are used in the downswing to generate propulsive force. This power is translated through the speed built up in the golf club. The main movers of the arm are the pectoralis muscles of the chest and the deltoid muscles of the shoulder and teres and latissimus muscles of the back. Finally, the fine tuning of the direction of the swing is controlled by the muscles of the forearm and wrist.

Training Strategies to Improve Power and Speed

The goals of supplemental training are to improve muscle strength and increase response time. Strengthening core muscles is important, so abdominal exercises and balance drills will help stabilize proper form. Weight lifting is optimally concentrated on the muscles of the chest, shoulders and upper back where power is generated. Most people who do not do manual labor tend to have weak forearm and wrist muscles, so these should be targeted as well.

Isometric training is incorporated into supplemental training to improve response times. Golf swing velocity is best transmitted to ball speed by making the contact time as short as possible. This requires fast muscle responses, so drills to improve speed of muscular contraction are necessary. By balancing both strength and speed, golfers will quickly see improvement in their game.

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Making the Perfect Golf Swing

Self-assurance on the course is a key element to reap success and pleasure in a game of golf. Practicing the essentials of golf over and over again will lead to an improved game. However, different golf players have different body types; hence, no two people will exhibit the same golf swing on the course.

Each person trying to be good at golf will have to find ways to adapt to their body kind, and develop a swing that works best for them. Read on to pick up a few helpful pointers, and make that perfect swing next time on the course.

It pays to warm up

As with any other sport, the saying “practice makes perfect” is an important part of improving one’s game. In fact, it’s the only way to earn self-assurance on the field, especially in a game of golf. Before heading towards your golf tournament, you should first spend a few moments on the practice area. This is where everything is developed in the first place.

This is the place where you get two hit two important things: warm up and slacken off your muscles and improve your ball-striking skills. It is best if you start with a wedge, slowly making your way down the entire set to the driver. This is a great way to get the feel of hitting the ball correctly, as well as minimize your risk for injury.

Giving the swing power

Unlike badminton where wrist flicks play a major role, golf, on the other hand, is not a wrist game. Many amateur golf players tend to hit the ball relying on the power of only the arms and wrists. Although this may work from time to time, this does not yield real stability and power. To achieve an effective swing, you should use the entire body – employ the muscles of the trunk and legs for maxed out power.

However without a good balance, no swing is effective enough. As with any structure that requires a solid foundation, your swing also needs to be provided with a firm support. Try practicing hitting some balls with your feet approximately six inches apart. This will enable you to keep up a great balance, as well as pace, and will be helpful when you return hitting at your usual stance.

Noting the knees

It is best if you put your body’s weight on the inside of your right foot and preserve a slight bend in the knee while on the backswing. As you swing the club backwards, make sure that the right knee is rock-solid – this helps you utilize the power coming from your trunk, and send the ball flying. Many amateurs too have this mistake of letting the left knee give way towards the right leg during the backswing.

This does not good a swinger any good except making the hips sway and make an overturn. In order to deal with this properly, on the backswing, you should stabilize both knees. Imagine there’s a basketball between your thighs, and that is how stabilized your knees are – enough to hold the ball up.

Perfecting your golf swing takes a lot of time and practice. With the few pointers mentioned above, you can work out your most confident swing, depending on your body type and, of course, on what work for you.

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Improving Your Golf Swing to Amp Up Your Game

No matter what causes the need to improve your golf swing, be it balance, body position, power, rhythm or speed, there’s always a way to make it better and reap enjoyment and successes on the golf course. If you’re a beginner, forget about what other players might think or say about your swing; the best you can do here is to develop your skills over time until you are fully confident with your proficiency with the game

Common misconceptions

A common boo-boo many amateurs commit when driving the ball is to hit it as far as possible. Although this will be great at sending the ball flying across the course, however, they’re losing out on things that are far more essential: consistency and accuracy.

It’s easy for a beginner to get overwhelmed. More often than not, they get a wrong sense of where the power to drive the ball should come from. Don’t be deceived by what other people think about golf not being able to give you a total body work out. The truth is, a golfer needs to utilize the major muscle groups in his arms, trunk and legs in order to give their swing power and consistency.

Improving is the key

There are many ways to get better each time with your golfing skills. The first step is finding out what you need to improve, especially with your swing. For this, you might need to seek advice from your friends who have had ample experience on the course. You can always choose to make the most out of swing lessons, instructional videos and store-bought golf aids. There are also a variety of golf magazines which you can purchase, wherein tips in achieving that perfect swing are provided by professional golfers themselves. However, you should bear in mind that without consistent and efficient practice, your golfing skills will continue the way it has been.

It’s not a secret that professional golf players enhance and improve their skills through constant practice. Although it’s true that practice makes perfect, then again, one should not stop practicing once perfection is achieved. Confidence on the course can either make or break you.

Ample practice

Golf workouts will greatly change the way you play the game. Through them, you’re able to condition your golf muscles, letting you attain straighter and self-assuring swings. A regimented workout can make you hit with your golf driver spot on each time; your brain will remember the correct number and series of muscular relaxation and contractions each time, what is known as muscle memory.

Putts and short chips are played without much movement of the muscles. It’s easy to practice such in your living room or in your lawn. But a game of golf is not merely comprised of putting and chipping. You definitely need to practice at a driving range or indoor golf training facility to improve your full range of swing, especially those long range shots.

Your upper body, arms, lower back muscles and upper legs are impacted the most when playing golf. Each time you practice or before you head out on the course during a tournament, it’s best if you do warm ups. Do a set of stretching exercises followed by your practice swings, from putting, chipping to driving.

With constant golf swing practice, optimistic attitude and repeated affirmations, you’ll surely become a consistent and successful golfer.

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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

How to Make the Proper Golf Swing like the Pros

The best way to start a golf game is with a good golf swing. That way, the ball will land near the hole so it is just a matter of putting it in.

In scientific terms, this is all about physics because the twisting swing produces torque on the club. When this happens, the kinetic energy that is collected for the club head will go to the club causing it to fly a great distance.

Professional golfers that make the ball go very far achieve a club head speed of about 100 miles per hour. Tiger Woods is an exception because he was once clocked at 125 miles per hour.

But the proper golf swing has another component and that is the lie angle. For those who don’t know what this is, it is the angle between the club shaft and the club face. If you have a golf swing monitoring machine, you will notice that most golfers strike the ball at 12 degrees. One scientist believes that players can do better if they hit the ball at a 7.5 degree lie angle.

To do that, you need to know the 4 elements.

First, at the back of the swing, you should stretch as far back and extend the range of motion while keeping your rotating torso directly over your right leg.

When you begin your swing, turn your torso quickly and press down on your right leg.

Next, drive through the ball using your hips, shoulders and wrists which will all help increase your ball speed.

Lastly, let the club head’s momentum extend to the follow through far around the back so you get to complete a smooth club head rotation.

You have to remember that the golf swing mentioned is far different when you are stuck in a sand trap because there is something blocking your way and you have to go over that. To do that, you have to hit the sand behind the ball using the club head. How far will the ball travel depends on the distance between the club head and the sand.

In both instances, a good golfer must be able to adapt with the surroundings and the weather. If the winds are strong, you cannot hit the ball at 7.5 or 12 degrees every time. The rule of thumb is that when the wind is coming from behind you, you have to use a club that has a greater lie angle. If the wind is coming to you from the front, you should use a club with a smaller lie angle. If you do not follow these rules, the ball will not travel far or you may end up with a slice or a hook.

Making the proper golf swing is not easy. If that was the case, almost everyone will be able to hit a hole in one. This is why professionals practice more than 8 hours a day because they know that there are things beyond their control and the weather is a very significant factor.

Now that you know what to do, it is just a matter of practice so you can put theory into practice. If you are still having a hard time, get some golf swing aids to help you out.

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How to Improve Your Rusty Golf Swing

Golf is a sport of luck, chance and lots of skills. It involves all of these three things working together to have a perfect game. It is an individual sport where everyone who aims to play it starts with the same skill set as everyone else. Compared to other games and sports that are played by people, golf highlights the differences in the styles of the athletes with every golf swing.

Speaking of golf swings, one of the most obvious differences in the playing style of different champions in the game of golf is their golf swing. Because of the differences in body type, arm length, shoulder length and arm strength, each individual golfer have different kinds of swings.

The fundamentals of the game are the same for everyone with the exception of the swing. Some people hit hard enough to send the golf ball flying over 300 yards without much effort and for some people sending the ball 100 yards seem to be harder than finding a decent wife.

Even though the discrepancies in the swing usually determine the playing style of the golfer, there are ways on improving your golf swing good enough for professional tournaments. One of the most important steps to follow is the position of your neck and head during the swing. This is the most common tip given by coaches and it is one with the immediate results. The technique is to keep your head and neck in the same straight line with the rest of your spine.

Relaxing your head and neck so they find their place in the alignment of the spine and the neck region is important at this stage. Make sure that your arm will fit under your chin as you make the swing to keep the alignment straight. One of the common mistakes about the technique is that some golfer tuck the head into the shoulders to keep the rest of the neck moving. This does not work because during the motion of the swing the arm is forced to go around the chin, bending and affecting the line of flight of your ball.

To maximize the effect of this exercise, remember to put into practice at 25 times in a row. After the 25th swing rest for a while and practice another 25 swing in a row. Maintain your body position and your head and neck alignment.

Make minor adjustments to make the position more comfortable. Do the exercise at least an hour to two hours in a day to make sure that your body is remembering the position it is most comfortable with. You might say that this is like conditioning your body to align itself automatically for every swing.

Another great way of improving your swing is to relax your body as you swing. Tense muscle movement leads to limited dexterity and flexibility. Relaxing your body as you swing helps a great deal in improving your game. When your body is tense, the burst of kinetic energy is cut short because it is hindered from moving in a free flowing way. And of course balance.

Balance is important in improving your golf swing because it directly affects the force that ball is hit with. Proper balance during the golf swing helps a great deal in releasing the maximum hit force.

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How To Improve your Golf Swing

Golf instructors, golfing schools, golf advice, even self-help instructional golf materials flood the media. No matter where you turn, it seems like there is always somebody ready to help you get a better golf swing. But before you start accepting any of this help, you need to think about a few things first.

Separate the Good from the Bad

Like any other sport, the best way to improve at golf is repetitive practice using the proper form. The tricky part is figuring out exactly what the proper form is, and how one goes about acquiring it. The sad truth about this industry is that there are a lot of pseudo-experts and unproven techniques out there. If you apply the wrong advice, you could end up with a worse swing than you had in the beginning.

But isn’t that what golf instructors are for? Don’t they correct your mistakes and set you on the right path? Bad habits are hard to break, so it is really important not to develop new ones. If you take bad advice, it only hampers your progress as you will have to unlearn these bad habits before you can start learning the good ones. What is worse, some “training” tips may cause injuries which can hurt your golf game permanently.

Spotting the Genuine Article

There is no hard and fast way to identify bad advice, but certain things should ring alarm bells. Good advice works for lots of people, so ask around. Try to contact other players who have either been taught by the same instructor or have benefited from the proposed technique.

Look at the credentials of the instructor, if he plays a good game that’s ok, but it is also important to see if he has any formal education. People who have no sports medicine background may be recommending potentially harmful drills without them realizing it. Well meaning individuals have caused great harm before.

Managing the Tangibles

Goal setting is a key component of any training exercise, so what is the goal of this activity? It should not be as nebulous as: ‘you will improve your game’ or ‘you will have better form’. Measurable goals are important, such as average distance traveled by the golf ball, increased accuracy of shot trajectory, or increased golf ball speed.

Some of the problems you encounter may be related to your golf equipment. It pays to make sure that you are using the correct club length for your height, good fitting shoes, and appropriate clothing. You must also practice in a setting which hampers your movements. If you are in an area that is too crowded, this may prevent you from fully realizing your swing.

Keep Your Mental Game Pure

Finally, find instructors and training tips that fit your personality. Golf like any other game involves a lot of psychology, so your mental game must be improved as well. Try to figure out what kind of personality you are and what mental traits you need to develop in order to acquire a better golf swing. This is often the major stumbling block for athletes, be they professional or amateur, so do not feel weird about it.

In the end you will not only get a better game, you may even get a better you.

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How To Fine Tune Your Golf Swing

For some, golf is one of those games that may shorten your lifespan. But for others, it is a grand game where patience and a good hip go a long way. While it may seem simple enough as all you need to do is to hit a metallic ball really hard to hurl it towards a hole at the other side, countless people have trounced in frustration because of it. Luckily, it doesn't have to always be so bad.

Keep it simple, keep practicing

The keyword in golf is consistency. If you can't hit the ball the same way each and every single time, then you will definitely have bad scores. Such problems like short distance, slicing, hooks, and many other golfing maladies are caused by lack of consistency. Therefore, you are to achieve consistency by improving your form. The only way for your body to do the same thing in the same way is to train it, and train it well. Practice.

Learning how to swing your club properly should be simple enough as long as you practice. A good way to think about it is to use your spine as an axis and keep your grip on the club properly. Such techniques are used by professional golfers all around the world. While differences can be quite subtle, there are many different types of golf swings. The similarity is that they all adhere to this principle. If you learn how to apply these principles to your swing, then you shall have no problem in driving longer distances without slicing and having 90% of strokes landing on the fairway.

Economy of movement

The best thing to do with your golf swing is to reduce unnecessary movements. Think of it as energy conservation, since all of your energy is supposed to be focused on hitting the ball and not wasted on awkward movements that cause slicing and other problems in the first place. Get back to the basics and incorporate only the movements needed to hit the ball dead center. This should lower your handicap by 7-12 strokes in no time. With more practice, you will hit par or better every single time. However, that is only if you do practice.

Get lessons

To learn more about the golf swing, the most obvious thing is to receive instruction in an actual golf class. These classes would have equipment and instructors that can help you achieve perfection as long as you have the determination, discipline, and money to do it. Enrolling in such classes does require a fee, so you do need to be earning quite a bit before you can actually think of getting into it. However, you can learn a lot if you do.

Read up

Others would try to find information over the internet. This is quite convenient, but the information gathered can be quite conflicting. As there are many different ways to hit a golf ball, experts are divided in what is the best way to improve your golf swing. Your job in this is to find out what is best for you. Every golfer has a different body, so not everyone can adhere to the same swing.

By being able to adjust to your configuration, you can improve without having to break a back or hip to do it.

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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Golf Swing Tips

There is no argument that golf is very popular. It may not be one of the events in the Olympics but whenever there is a tournament, you can expect to see a lot of people watch both in the course and on television. You can be just as good as the pros someday if you follow these golf swing tips.

When you play golf, don’t just hit the ball as hard as you can and hope that it will make the ball land near the hole. Unlike cards, this is not chance but proper technique is involved to make it happen.

This may not happen every time because there are things beyond your control like the wind and any obstruction that lay within the path but you can just imagine how well you can do if the conditions are just perfect.

The first tip to do well when you make a golf swing is to learn how to control your body. In this game, how you raise your arm to the time that you let your club hit the ball is important. It is not only about strength that makes the ball travel far but the recoil effect.

So how do you achieve this recoil effect? This is done by not turning your body too much when you start from your right to the left. There are various aids to help you out here like working with a heavier club, getting someone to watch you, practicing in front of the mirror and recording how you swing with a video camera and playing it back.

When you turn from one side to the other, keep your hands relaxed the entire time. If you are unable to do that, you put a strain on your muscle making it hard for you to achieve the shot you desire.

To make this work, remember that the arms are an extension of something bigger because the power does not come from here but from your abs and hips which happen to be two are the largest muscles in the body.

Make it a point to always hit the ball right in the center. That way, you are able to divert it to the direction you want it to go. So you know where the ball is going, keep your eye on this until you send it flying through the air.

Aside from working on the upper body, don’t forget to work on your footing. For that to happen, make sure both feet are flat on the ground so you are able to transfer the weight from the right side until it passes a little over your left shoulder.

The golf swing tips mentioned are not hard to do. It just takes a little bit of practice so that you are able to maintain consistency each time it is your turn to putt on the green.

Just remember that when you make the first putt, you must have a relaxed grip on the club with your feet flat on the ground so you are able to swing from the right to the left with a good back swing and follow through.

From there, your ball will land within yards of the hole making it easy for you to put it in and move on to the next hole. This would take more time than anticipated if you did not make some adjustments in your golf swing.

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Golf Swings Are Just One Aspect to Win the Game

Golfers who are able to make those great golf swings developed their skills. They were not born with it so don’t think that copying what these people do will some day make you just like one of them.

This is because the more you try to imitate them, the more you make mistakes. The morale of the story then is to learn how to play your own game.

But how do you play the game without following what the best do? Well the answer is practice. If you are new to the sport, get professional help and learn the basics. If this is not enough, watch some instructional videos.

You have to put the time and effort into the game to get the results you want. Yes you have a job or a business but for golfers like Tiger Woods, that is their job so they can spend more time there compared to you.

Does this mean you quit your job and try your luck at professional golf? Of course not but given the limited practice time, you have to maximize each session.

You might see a lot of people practicing at the golf range. They would hit a buckets and buckets of balls but then what happens? Nothing because n an actual game, it all boils down to putting the ball into the hole. This means you should spend more time on your short game because this is where it really counts.

To do that, do various drills that will help you chip and pitch. Since the ball may sometimes land in the bunker, practice shots from there as well. A study shows that 50% of golfers will have to make their shots from 75 yards or less from the hole. So you should also practice putting shots at this distance and less.

Spend time practicing your wedge play because this can help you setup an east birdie. Hit as many balls from 40 to 135 yards. This club may be shorter than what you use for long distances but the principle is the same.

There are various golf techniques around to help you improve your short game. You can try hitting the ball with your club only using one hand, hitting the ball with your eyes closed and drawing a chalk line to make sure that when you hit the ball, it is moving in a straight line.

There are also a few tools you can use like golf gloves to ensure you are holding the club properly because how you hold it also affects where the ball is going to travel.

One thing that you need which you cannot buy from the store or learn from a professional is attitude. Confidence plays a significant factor because if you have doubts that the ball will not go in the hole, chances are, it won’t. Think positive and hope for the best because this is all you can do each time you make that putt.

To win in golf, the golf swing is just one of the things that will make the ball travel far enough to land close to the hole. In the end, it is your ability to putt it in that counts which is why you should spend more time on your short game than anything else.

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Monday, February 13, 2012

Golf Swing Aids to Improve Your Game

Talent and skill may not be enough to ensure victory in the game of golf. Sometimes, you will need the assistance of others and a few golf swing aids to improve your game.

The first golf swing aid is the weighted club. This instrument is two to five pounds heavier than what you normally use when you play golf. Why this is so useful is the fact that it helps you practice your swing in slow motion so you get the correct form and do this properly during the tournament.

If you are like some golfers who have a hard time keeping their arms together during the course of the swing, you will find the stretchable arm band very useful. This should be placed in between your triceps so that you are forming the letter “V” from the moment you start your swing until the follow through.

How you hold the golf club is also important in the game. You should not hold it too tight and one aid that can help you do that is the golf grip. The nice thing about this device is that it fits all kinds of clubs. It is made of plastic so you can easily take it off and remove. If your hands are slippery, try putting on some golfing clubs.

Sometimes, your upper body is not the problem when you are trying to do your best in the game. Perhaps, your footing is what needs to be improved on and for that, the foot wedge was invented so for you right handed players out there, your weight is on your fight foot.

Apart from golf swing aids which you use on the green, there are other materials which you can use at home. You can buy a golf DVD and then try to practice what you learn by following what the person is saying.

There is also the mirror so you can watch yourself swing. If it is hard to swing and observe yourself in the mirror, get a video recorder and then play it back when you are done.

If you can afford to hire someone as a coach, that will be great because you get feedback from that person instead of second guessing if what you did in the mirror or video is correct.

Golf clinics may be done regularly but how often does it happen where you live? The golf swing aids mentioned can easily be purchased from the sporting goods store. Most of these are sold for under $20 so it will not hurt your pocket so much just to improve your game.

Should the golf swing aids mentioned be not available in the store, check for these items online. It is possible that they are much cheaper here even if you add shipping costs so check what is available.

There are many brands to choose from that sell these various golf swing aids. Before you buy one, check if this is saleable compared to other brands.

If the feedback given by other golf enthusiasts are good, try it out yourself and see if this can improve your game or not. Don’t forget to practice because the golf swing aids can only do so much when what really matters is how well do without them during a game.

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Golf Swing Fundamentals

Golf is definitely a game where an individual's discipline, determination, and heart can be measured. While others tend to see the game, when watching golf being played, as completely boring, this sport can truly reel you in. You just need to get ahead with your golf swing.

While the basics are the same for everyone, the differences in body types and mentalities bring forth a multitude of differences in the game that can cause confusion for most beginners. As such, one must adapt to his/her body in learning how to perform the perfect golf swing. While the perfect golf swing is there, it is elusive as it is different for every individual. Practice and knowledge are the keys to success in golf, and muscle memory is what you are trying to ingrain into yourself. Once you have the proper golf swing in your system, confidence in your game and calmness of mind shall follow.

Basic Principles

One of the most fundamental principles that can be applied for immediate improvement in the golf swing is to keep your head still and eyes on the ball. This is to straighten your spine's alignment and to aim at the ball properly. The spine is the axis that you are to swing with, so you have to keep yourself straight in order to achieve any positive result. Keep your head straight by raising your nose up. Your left shoulder should be under your chin by the time you are to swing. Tucking your head into your chest is not the way to go. The best way is to keep everything straight so that you can hit the ball dead center.

Keeping your head straight and with eyes on the ball will definitely help those who have constant problems with their golf swings. The next step required is to assume the correct position of knees and feet. The feet have to be planted onto the ground and the knees are to be straight while allowing pivoting to occur. Bend a little bit forward at the waist and look right at the ball. Minimize hip rotation to prevent swaying and do not overdo your backswing. This way, your left shoulder should hit your chin upon swinging.

Prevent this by lifting your head a bit until your shoulder doesn't hit your chin anymore. In this position, slowly do your backswing and downswing while staying focused on the ball. A practice swing is best done first before actually hitting the ball. Practice your golf swing by focusing on straightening your head and keeping your eyes on the ball.

Position and balance are the most crucial points of a golf swing, leading to consistency and good power. Another thing that needs to be focused on is relaxation. Being tense can only make one's golf swing worse. By relaxing your muscles, you can maintain your balance and flow with the swing as smoothly as possible. Practice this while maintaining your position. While this can be daunting at first, you can make things easier for yourself by breathing at a relaxed pace while maintaining the position without tensing your muscles.

Hold this position for around 15 seconds before doing your swing during practice. Keep your weight even on both feet and try to not tense yourself. This is a good way to improve your golf swing.

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Basic Golf Swing Mechanics

Golfers everywhere try to replicate the "perfect" golf swing to improve their game in leaps and bounds, making shots effortless and very professional. However, one thing to note that there is no such thing as the perfect golf swing as there is only a perfect golf swing for each player. As our bodies were made differently, so should our mentality in swinging a golf club. By adhering to basic principles and practicing everyday, anyone can achieve perfection and hit the ball onto the green every single time.

A lot of golfers suffer from not being able to hit either their drivers or irons right at all, causing slices and other problems with their swing. Some tend to have a “to blame” list: the weather, the slope, too much overtime affecting their game, or that they’re just warming up. One thing that golfers ignore is the fact that basic motions are always the best way to go.

Here are six basic principles that can help you get the mechanics of your golf swing properly.

1. Alignment is crucial in hitting your target square. The fundamental concept behind a proper golf swing is hitting the ball dead center, which means that alignment is the most important basic in a proper golf swing.

2. Make sure that you have a comfortable stance that will let you rotate your body in the most effortless way possible. Think of your spine as an axis and find your center of gravity by pushing your backside out. Once you achieve that comfortable stance, then you should have less problems.

3. Always keep your eyes at what you are trying to hit. This has got to be the most ignored rule as it seems so simple. However, this definitely is the most important rule to keep in mind as you have to see what you are supposed to hit in the first place the actually hit. This is all about common sense, so do it.

4. Be patient and keep your mind concentrated on your goal. Do this by thinking smoothly and having your feet planted firmly on the ground. This is not about what happens next or what you did in the past. This is about the present, and you should always concentrate on what is now to achieve anything significant in the future. This way, you can achieve proper rhythm in your golf swing.

5. A good way of thinking is "sweep" for woods and "pinch" for irons. This may sound strange, but it can help you with your game as these are how clubs are designed. An iron is supposed to pinch the ball off the ground, while a driver is supposed to sweep it off the tee.

6. Humming a rhythm can help you keep your mind away from the golf swing and more on hitting the ball. These two things sound similar, but there is a fundamental difference. Thinking about the golf swing is a complication as it is more about technical aspects of the game, while hitting the ball is just the basic concept that the game is about.

Keeping things simple is the way to go as it helps you concentrate on the details that truly matter without making you panic when you do commit a mistake. Fear and lack of self-esteem are the enemies of a golfer.

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3 Golf Swing Drills to Improve Your Putting

After hitting the ball as close to the hole as possible, it is just a matter of putting so you can move on to the next one. While this may sound easy given the short distance, there are still some who have a hard time. To help you out, here are 4 golf swing drills you can try.

The first is the one handed drill. You do this by practice putting ten balls using only your training hand. This drill lets you focus on the palm of your hand as it moves towards the cup.

Next, practice putting using your target hand. The emphasis here is for you to concentrate on your back hand moving towards the cup.

When you do this drill using either hand, be conscious of the toe of your putter in the follow through. Should this turn away from the cup or point toward it, this means you are turning your hand. So you know you are doing it right, the face of the putter should be square to the cup.

Another drill is to practice putting with one eye. Some golfers do this because it stops them from lifting their head prematurely. If you have played this game often, you can even try putting with your eyes closed.

But won’t closing your eyes make it harder for you to see where the ball is going? Yes but research has shown that when you try to putt with your eyes open, there is interference with the brain/muscle control system. By closing your eyes, you are relying more on your hands to guide the ball into the hole. And how will you know if the ball goes in? By simply using your sense of hearing.

To do this, you have to practice first putting first with your eyes open at a range of 10 to 50 feet from the hole. After putting these balls with your eyes open, do the same thing this time with your eyes closed. If the ball goes in the hole, you know that sink the ball with your eyes closed.

Another eyes closed technique involves dropping some balls to the ground and just putting them. The objective here is simply to let you feel how the stroke flows back and forth. Do the same thing also with your eyes open. Now that you know the difference, try to incorporate that when you are putting the balls into the hole.

The last golf swing drill is called the alignment drill. To do this, you lay two clubs on the green about six inches apart and make sure that they are parallel to each other. Now putt the ball to see if your stroke is aligned at impact and steady on the back and forward stroke. Do this several times and if you get tired, take a break and rest for a while before resuming the drill.

Practicing some golf swing putting drills like those mentioned will surely help you improve on your game. Who knows? You might even win when you are playing 18 holes with friends. If you can do that at short distances, the only thing to practice on now is your long game because this is just as important as the short game.

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Sunday, February 12, 2012

What is a Golf Swing Launch Monitor

In baseball, a speed gun similar to what police use to check on the speed of motorists is used to check the speed of a pitch. In golf, a device called a golf swing launch monitor is used to study the swing aspect in a game.

The golf swing launch monitor is designed to tell a golfer why the ball is flying in a certain direction after the golfer hits it with the club. With the information gathered, the golfer will know what is wrong so the appropriate changes can be made.

How it works is by compiling the data comprising of more than 100 swings made by the golfer. Professionals are not the only ones who use this data because even amateurs use this as well.

Now that these are produced by various companies, it is easy to find one when you go to a sporting goods store.

But what must the golf swing launch monitor have when you go out looking for one? It must be able to tell you the following information which includes ball speed, club head speed, face impact position, flight time, launch angle and yards off line.

But what does the information tell you exactly? Well, if your ball speed isn’t in proportion with your club head speed, this means that you are not hitting the ball as far as you want it to go. Ideally, there should be a 1:1.5 ratio between these two. In simple terms, a club head speed of 100 mph will let you make the ball travel at 150 mph.

If you think getting this number is easy, think again because most professionals are only able to hit a 1:1.4 ratio. If your numbers are way off, do your best to try and achieve this number.

Another thing to watch out for in the golf swing launch monitor is the launch angle. The lower it is the better because this will make the ball travel farther. Tiger Woods who is one of the best golfers of all time launches at 12 degrees. Should you do the same? Not necessarily but if this works for you, then why not.

There are other indicators that can tell you more about your golf swing but take note that these will cost a bit more. These devices can even tell you the average of your shots in various areas and compare them which will helpful to improve your game.

The golf swing launch monitor comes with its own software. This can be even be hooked up to your computer which is even better.

Of course to achieve the right angle and speed, it has a lot to do with your technique. There are other tools you can get to help you practice your golf swing like hiring a coach, practicing in front of a mirror, recording yourself and putting some of the aids on.

Will this make you play better? In most cases yes so you should consider using them if you are still not able to improve your game like you have hoped.

Years ago, there was no machine that could analyze your golf swings. We should be happy then with tools like the golf swing launch monitor because you are no longer guessing if you are doing well or not when everything can be seen in the numbers.

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Practice Makes Perfect after Working on Some Golf Swing Drills

You don’t become a great player overnight. This is because it takes to learn to learn the ins and outs of a sport and in the game of golf you don’t just hit the ball as far as you can so it can reach the hole. This is achieved by first working on some golf swing drills.

But why are golf swing drills important? This is because from the moment you raise the club in the air until the moment it goes down, proper technique will ensure that the ball will travel and land close to the hole as possible.

In golf, you start the game by teeing the ball. If you are new to the game, you probably hit the ball or sliced through it. The end result is that the ball will not travel as far as you want.

So you can improve your golf swing, you must first check on your grip because this controls the club face. You should make sure that you are forming the letter “V” with your thumb and forefinger on each hand and that these are pointed towards the trailing side shoulder.

Don’t forget to relax because holding the club too tight with your hands will make it hard to get a good shot.

If you are practicing this drill, ask someone to watch if you are doing this correctly. If there is no one around, try to watch yourself in front of the mirror or record it using a video camera then play it back.

The important thing to watch out for when you practice this drill is your follow through. Some people start strong but then shift positions later on. The proper way of doing it is to make sure the toe of the club points up and the trailing side is released over your lead hand.

It is also possible that you are not maximizing your golf swing if you are not in the right position when you take the shot. To do this correctly, imagine that you and the ball are inside a small square. Better yet, put some masking tape on the floor and then practice swinging.

If this is not the problem for your shots, check on your divots. If the angle is to shallow, you should practice hitting the ball on a side hill below the feet. Should this angle be too deep, do the exact opposite. Hit the ball on a side hill above the feet.

Some golfers have a problem with their flat swing. If you are one of them, do some swings with your back 6 inches away from a wall. If you don’t butt or your back does not come into contact with the wall, then you are doing this correctly.

In golf, the winner is determined by whoever has the least number of strokes after completing 18 holes. The golf swing drills mentioned are very simple so you don’t have to buy anything to improve your game. You just have to make some adjustments to your form with the help of coach, a mirror or a camera. If you are able to make the necessary improvements, there is no doubt that you will perform much better in your next golf game.

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The Simple Golf Swing

While golf is a game with a simple concept, which is that you are supposed to hit a ball towards a hole at the other side, there is much difficulty in that task. Eighty percent of all golfers don't get to achieve a handicap of less than 18. This is simply because of inconsistency in their golf swing. While you may have difficulties, it should be simple as the only thing that you really need to achieve is consistency.

Achieving this golden consistency can help you hit the ball square, letting you go at longer distances every time and shave off 7-10 or more strokes off your score. The key principle to consistency is to have a simple golf swing. It is a swing where there is no wasted movement and is easy to do, no matter what. The best way to do anything, whether it is golf or anything else, is to keep it simple.

Spine

One of the secrets to a good golf swing is to have a stable spine which you can work around. Keeping it straight will enable you to use your spine as an axis for your body rotation. Most golfers with high handicaps have a lot of unnecessary movements, swaying as they swing. This makes them waste a lot of energy in those movements and not let them focus on the ball itself. The best way to achieve that consistency is to coil around your spine and limit hip rotation. This will let you put power into your golf swing.

Limit Hip Movement

By having a stable spine, you are to limit hip rotation in your swing. Hip rotation is good for other sports like boxing, but it is no good in golf. Hip rotation will cause you to sway as you swing, which makes it ineffective. Only swing around your spine, and you can take the sway away from your swing.

Backswing

Power is crucial in a golf swing. You can get this by not swinging the club too far back as all you need is to coil around your spine. This is a key in getting power.

Those are three basic principles you need to keep in mind - swing around a stable spine, limit your hip rotation, and shorten your backswing as you don't really need to swing it back to parallel. These can help you achieve efficient movement in your swing.

The thing you have to remember is that the best golf swing does not have a lot of movement to it at all. Professional golfers understand this principle, and that is why they have such low scores. By keeping it simple, they can achieve consistency in their swings and hit the ball right at the center.

A simple golf swing helps a player perform even at the harshest and most nerve-wracking of conditions. When you have trained well and long and hard, your body “becomes” the golf swing itself, as some golfers put it, and almost effortlessly, your swing becomes consistent. By achieving the most perfect golf swing for you, your confidence will be increased.

This will let you play without distractions even in tournament play, where the pressure can faze other people out. Once you get it, all you need to tune up is your mental game.

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Achieving the Golf Swing of Pro Golfers

Developing the perfect golf swing takes time and tons of practice. It also pays to take note of how pro golfers execute their winning swings. By taking note of the following tips and taking time to work them out, you will surely be enjoying tournament successes in no time.

1. Ask any pro golfer, and he or she will tell you that the power it takes to get that ball flying does not come from the arms alone. Use your entire body to achieve maximum power. If you are used to fuelling the golf club with your arms, wrist and hands, then you might struggle at first trying to employ the rest of your body. Practice hitting the ball with using your torso and legs. Once you get the hang of swinging the club with your entire body, you will notice that you are sending that ball flying with more consistency and accuracy.

2. Swivel your shoulders perfectly each time you do a backswing. Your right forearm should be parallel to your spine and your left wrist is flat. To ensure you are doing it the right way, your elbows and arms should form a triangle. Make sure you got this effective position pat at the top of your swing – you are guaranteed a perfectly solid hit, and a more accurate one.

3. Many amateurs fail at making a solid hit because of two reasons. First, the right way of pivoting the wrist is done too late during the backswing because the takeaway is likely to be too low to the ground. Second, achieving a bad posture by swinging the club too far during the backswing, thinking this is the right way to gain power. However, taking note of a few things will help eradicate these flaws. Make sure a 45-degree angle exists between your left arm and the shaft of the club at setup.

Your hands should remain as close to the ground as possible during the takeaway, while moving the head of the club upwards rapidly. Notice how your left arm is parallel to the ground and the shaft is perpendicular to it? This is about enough to prevent you from swinging your arms too far at the backswing; thus, putting off bad posture and reverse pivot.

4. Golf is an outdoor game, so it’s best of you are able to practice chipping outdoors. However, one is tempted to hit chips indoors from time to time. You can perfect your chipping with the help of a wooden rod or a busted club shaft.

Get the hang of your chipping technique – just make sure that your left wrist remains solid as the club passes through the area of impact. The rod or shaft you are using will hit your left side should your left wrist give way during the impact. Practice is the key to mastering your chipping.

5. From time to time, even pro golfers get caught red handed losing flex in their back legs as they try for distance. Inconsistent swings constantly take the success out of any game of golf. It’s best if you can view your posture in a full-length mirror when you practice your swings from time to time. Start with the setup position, hold it then look at the mirror. Do the backswing, hold it and observe your posture. This will help you determine your postural flaws during your golf swing.

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An Empty Box Can Help Your Golf Swing

Golfers use various training aids to improve their golf swing. Most of these can be purchased from the sporting good store but did you know that there is something you can use at home? Yes there is and this is the cardboard box where your golf clubs came in.

But before you learn how to use that in a driving range, don’t forget to stretch and warm up by hitting 15 balls with your 5 or 7 iron or wood.

Once your body is warmed up, set it up. To do that, put the cardboard box lengthwise towards the target because the objective of this aid is to let you hit the ball without hitting the box. This should be 5 to 6 inches away from the ball. If you don’t know how to do it, ask someone from the range to help.

To start, make a few practice swings and let the club brush softly against the ground without hitting the box. When you are ready put a ball and then fire away. Each time you hit the ball, try not to hit the box. If you do, just reset the box to its original position and try not to hit it again.

If you are able to hit a few balls without hitting the box consecutively, move the ball at least half an inch closer to the box. Once the distance between the club and box is about 1 to 2 inches, increase your swing speed to what you do usually.

For those who are able to do it, this means that your swing is within the zone. If not, this means that your swing is on the outside and this could have happened before or after impact. This can happen because you are not holding the club properly or your clubface is not aimed properly. Whichever the case, it is best to consult a professional who can analyze the situation and tell you the best course of action.

Should you be able to hit the ball without coming into contact with the box then it is time to remove it and then practice swinging without the aid. If your shots are going outside again, put it back so you can recall how this is done.

There are other golf swings aids aside from the box to help you improve your golf swing and you will have to shell out more than $10 just to use it.

The nice thing about the box is that it won’t hurt your pocket because should this be damaged and have a lot of holes. You can throw it away and then find a box with similar specifications so you can continue practicing your golf swings. One alternative is a soft, long and circular foam that is used as a pool toy.

Speed and hand positioning are important to prevent your golf swing from going outside. Keep in mind that a biomechanically correct golf swing path is not inside out or the opposite. It is also not going down a straight path. It is a movement from inside to inside and once you get it, you will be able to have the correct technique to make this ball fly into the air and land near the hole.

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