Tag: Golf Shot

The Four Key Factors In Your Swing

The Four Key Factors In Your Swing

Article by Jack Moorehouse

When I mention the word basics in my golf lessons, players start thinking about things like grip, posture, ball position, alignment, and so on. That’s only natural. Golf pros talk so much about these subjects in golf instruction sessions that players assume they’re the focus when the discussion comes round to the basics of a golf shot.

But there are four other basics–plane, centering, radius, and face–that key good ball striking. Players must master the four factors to cut their golf handicaps down to size. These factors, which are sometimes neglected in golf lessons and golf tips, determine consistency. If you’re off with these even slightly, you’ll slice, hook, or mis-hit the shot, regardless of your grip, posture, ball position, or alignment.

Plane:

Plane is the angle your club takes at address. Your swing should have a circular look to it when viewed from a face on perspective. The swing won’t be a pure circle, but it will have a recognizable circular shape. Looking from down the target line, the circle should be tilted the same angle as the clubshaft as it sits at address. This area encompasses the most direct and powerful route back to the golf ball.

The club must remain in this defined plane as it approaches the golf ball on the downswing. While your swing plane may change from waist high in your downswing to waist high in your finish, your club must go through the original plane at address to hit straight shots solidly. So while you may see some odd looking swings by Tour players, you’ll also see that they always return the club to the same plane of address at the bottom of their swings.

Face:

Face is the second important factor. To gain control over the clubface at the moment of impact, your hands must be at the same position when you make contact with the ball as at address or may be a bit forward. Returning your hands to the same position guarantees that your clubface is pointing in the same direction as when you set up to hit the ball.

There are three ways you can hold the club at address–with your hands on the left side of the grip (weak), the middle of the grip (neutral), or the right hand side of the grip (strong) for right-handers. The best grip is the one you can produce naturally shot, after shot, after shot. If you look closely at the pros, you’ll see players with different grips, yet they still hit consistently straight shots. Why? Because the way you grip the club matters less than the how your hands are at address. If you have a strong grip at address, you better not have a weak grip when making impact; otherwise, you’ll end up with either an opened or a closed clubface at impact.

Radius

Radius is the distance from your left shoulder (for right handers) to the end of the clubshaft. In other words, it is the distance from the center of your golf swing to the outer-edge. Your lead arm must be in line with or trailing your arm at impact, known as “maintaining radius.” Bobby Jones, the great amateur, called this “good timing.”

Maintaining radius enables you to strike the ball solidly. Many recreational players that I give golf lessons to try to force the shaft of the club past the lead arm prior to impact. This effort causes the clubface to travel up not down, resulting in a fat or thin shot. A loss of radius causes a hook, slice, loss of distance, and wide assortment of other poor shots.

Centering:

Centering refers to the spine and head at address. While you may have some lateral movement of your head and spine in your swing, consistent hitters keep these areas, or their centers, steady. A steady center involves two things. From a down-the-line-look, the amount that you bend forward from your hips at address is constant throughout your swing. From a face-on perspective, your center (spine and head) remains as constant as possible as well. Your swing, as I’ve explained in my golf tips, revolves around your center.

While the basics like grip, posture, ball position, and alignment are important, they only prepare you to take your swing. They increase your chances of hitting a golf ball when the more important basics are in order, producing accurate, solid shots. To lower your golf handicap, you must the other “basics” of the swing–plane, fact, radius, and center.

About the Author

Jack Moorehouse is the author of the best-selling book “How To Break 80 And Shoot Like The Pros.” He is NOT a golf pro, rather a working man that has helped thousands of golfers from all seven continents lower their handicap immediately.

Perfect Your Golf Swing Alignment

Perfect Your Golf Swing Alignment

Article by Brad Myers







If you ask the players on the PGA Tour to name what they believe to be the most important golf fundamentals, there is no doubt that golf swing alignment would be towards the top of the list. However, most amateurs either do not know or do not admit how important golf swing alignment is to their success.

It is amazing how you always have certain things that stick with you that you have heard from your different instructors. On the topic of golf swing alignment, one of my old instructors used to say.You can have the biggest and boldest cannon and it does not mean anything to you if it is not aimed in the correct direction.. There are many sayings that I am sure that you have heard along these lines. Obviously, you can hit the perfect golf shot but if it is aimed 30 yards to the left of the target the results are not going to be to your liking.

Since golf swing alignment is a main fundamental to each and every golf shot, here are some simple exercises that you can quickly and easily do to check your golf swing alignment.

First, setup to a golf shot as you normally would and make sure you are comfortable. Now that you are ready to make your golf swing, place a tee directly behind each of your heels and push both tees all the way into the ground. Now move away from your setup and place a club.s shaft over both of the tees to create a straight line. Now, go behind your ball and look down the target line. Does it match what you thought?

This golf alignment exercise shows you exactly where you are aligning your feet. If your pictures do not match, then you can simply change or move the tees so they align correctly and then setup with the tees touching the back of your heels. If you were not aligned properly, do not be surprised that when you setup to your next shot with your heels properly placed that you will feel that you are aimed somewhere else. If your feet have been aligned incorrectly for a while, then it will feel quite strange when you do align them correctly. Keeping track of your alignment, your new feet position will become second nature in no time at all.

Another easy way to check your alignment is to assume your address position, remove your left hand from the club and simply point to a spot 10 yards to the left (for a right-handed golfer) of your target. Monitor where your arm and finger are pointing opposed to where your shoulders and hips are pointing. They should feel like they are creating a straight line. If you feel they are pointing to the left then you are prone to hit a push or a hook. If pointing to the right, you are prone to hit a pull or a slice.

As the PGA Tour players would agree, your golf swing alignment is one of the most important golf fundamentals for each golf shot that you take. You must check it often, because it’s very easy to align yourself incorrectly without even knowing it. That is why I would be surprised if you were on driving range at a PGA Tour stop and did not see several players with clubs on the ground to assist with their golf swing alignment. Now that you know exactly what you need to do to check your golf swing alignment, you should be hitting more golf shots at your target and lowering your scores.



About the Author

Brad Myers writes golf articles for Wireless Golf Coach. Click to find golf equipment or short game tips that will work for you.

What are the different types of golf shots?

What are the different types of golf shots?

Though it sometimes seems that there are dozens of different golf shots that a golfer must learn to be a “good golfer” (e.g., consistently shoot in the 70’s or 80’s), there really are only a critical few golf shots that matter outside of the putting game.  If golfers can master these critical golf shots which can be applied and adapted for just about any golf situation, then they will certainly see a drop in their scores and more consistency in their game.  Below is a listing and description of each of these golf shots and how they are applied around the golf course.

1.Straight Golf Shots: As the name implies, a straight golf shot starts straight and holds the line toward the target.  It is used when the target is straight in front of you and shaping the golf shot right or left is unnecessary.  A straight golf shot is achieved when all the golf fundamentals are executed and synchronized effectively including setup position, grip, swing path and weight transfer.

2.Draw Golf Shots: A draw golf shot is used to curve a shot right to left around an obstacle to the target. The basic fundamentals of straight golf shots are followed, except alignment is right of the target and the grip is rotated in a “stronger” position to encourage right to left ball flight.

3.Fade Golf Shots: A fade golf shot is used to curve a shot left to right around an obstacle to the target. Similar to a draw, the basic fundamentals of straight golf shots are followed, except alignment is left of the target and the grip is rotated in a “weaker” position to encourage left to right ball flight.

4.Fairway Bunker Golf Shots: A fairway bunker golf shot is hit from fairway bunkers adjacent to the fairway. A good fairway bunker shot can position you well for your next shot and help save your score.  On these shots, it is important to position the body so that ball lies in the middle of your stance and stand “taller” throughout the shot to strike the ball cleanly.

5.Greenside Bunker Golf Shots: A greenside bunker golf shot is hit from bunker adjacent or very close to the putting surface. Since loft, rather than distance, is more important on these golf shots, it is important to position the ball forward in the stance while weight is distributed (and kept) favoring the left side throughout the golf shot.

6.Pitch Golf Shots: Pitch golf shot spends more time in the air than on ground and are typically used when 60 yards or more from the putting green.  The setup and weight distribution used for pitch shots are different than for straight, draw and fade golf shots and a lofted club such as a sand wedge or lob wedge is used.

7.Chip Golf Shots: Chip golf shots are typically used when the golf ball is 3 to 6 feet off the green and putting the ball is not a good option.  Chip shots are miniature versions of the full swing where just enough power is applied to land the ball quickly on the surface and roll toward the cup.

Of course, there are several other types of golf shots, but most are just variations of the ones above.  If golfers can focus on mastering these golf shots, then their games are sure to quickly improve.

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Know how you can fix the golf slice

Know how you can fix the golf slice

A common golf swing fault is to “slice” the golf ball.  For right handed golfers, a golf slice occurs when the golf ball starts left of the target once struck, but finishes well right of the target.  The golf slice is one of the worse swing faults encountered on the course because it often results in a very poor position to hit the next shot and because there are many causes to the golf slice.  Common causes of the golf slice include an open clubface at impact, too “weak” of a golf grip, poor body weight transfer and/or an out-to-in or “over the top” swing.

To fix the golf slice, the golfer should first ensure that he or she is properly aligned toward the target with hips, shoulders and feet all square to the target line.  Second, the golfer should ensure that the swing path taken is more in-to-out or in-to-square-to –in rather than out-in.  Third, the golfer should ensure a neutral golf grip position and a square clubface at impact.

Practice Drills to Fix the Golf Slice

To fix the golf slice, top PGA teaching professionals recommend practice drills that help incorporate the proper golf swing mechanics into the golf swing and ingrain the correct “feeling” of a well-executed golf shot.  Here are several of the most popular practice drills to fix the golf slice.

SLICE TEE DRILL

Corrects slices caused by OUT-IN swings and encourages proper IN-SQUARE-IN swing path.

• Place two tees and ball right to left diagonally, creating an IN-SQUARE-IN swing path. Allow about 4″x 4″ spacing from each tee to ball.

• Assume normal setup and ball position with 7-iron.

• Hit ball crisply without hitting tees.

BACK TO TARGET DRILL

Encourages IN-SQUARE-IN swing path and club release.

• Perform drill half-speed with 7-iron and teed ball.

• Select target and assume normal setup.

• Leaving arms in position and club face square to target, rotate feet 45° with back directed toward target.

• Swing along body line and hit 5 to 10 shots.

To quickly get rid of your golf slice, incorporate both of these drills into your practice routine whenever a golf slice creeps into your game.

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The most viewed Ping G15 clubs review

The most viewed Ping G15 clubs review

Ping G15 golf clubs, with thinner and longer club head, increased stability, make great shots. This innovation has also increased the height of your golf shots and decreased the spinning of your golf ball while in midair. The moment of inertia or MOI of your golf shots are likewise increased.

 

Another common innovation present in the entire G15 line of PINGs is the redistribution of weight, shifting the center of gravity closer to the golf club face. This results in the increase of weight in the bottom of the club without sacrificing swing speed. Ultimately, this also helps with your golf shot trajectory and lessens the spin of your golf ball.

 

And, last but not the least, the look and feel of the G15 golf clubs is a big improvement over the G10 set of clubs. A redesigned full cavity graphics badge (instead of the old moon-shaped ones) makes your golf swings feel softer and your golf shots sound more solid. These three innovations allow you to have superior control over your shots.

 

The Ping G15 golf club line come with a G15 Driver, G15 3-Wood, the G15 5-Wood, PING G15 Irons (from the sand wedge to the 3-iron), and the G15 Utility/Hybrid Club.

 

If you are a current Ping G10 or Ping G5 user, you should definitely consider upgrading to the latest Ping G15. Technology and materials have improved and it will make a difference in your golf game. Besides, wouldn’t you want to be the first on the block with the hottest set of G15 clubs?

 

For more information about Ping G15 clubs check out

http://www.drgolfstore.com/category-36-Ping.html

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Know how to correct a golf hook shot

Know how to correct a golf hook shot

Article by Nicolus Cage







A golf hook is a shot that starts right of the target and curves left of the target. The golf hook is one of the most common swing faults. The golf hook most commonly occurs when the clubface is closed relative to the swing path and/or when the swing follows an excessive “in to out” swing path. Other common causes of the golf hook are too strong of a grip (which encourages a closed club face) or body alignment that is too far right of the target.

Quick Fixes for the Golf Hook Shot

Here are a couple of quick fixes that address the golf hook.* Align parallel to target line. To help visualize, think of standing on railway line.* Swing down the target line-not in-to-out.* Check your golf grip and ensure it is neutral – not too weak or too strong.* Take some practice swings and ensure that your club face is square at impact.

Practice Drills to Fix the Golf Hook Shot

To help fix the golf hook shot, top PGA teaching professionals recommend practice drills that help incorporate the proper golf swing mechanics into the golf swing and ingrain the correct “feeling” of a well-executed golf shot. Here are several popular practice drills to fix the golf hook.

LEFT TOE BACK DRILL

Corrects golf hooks caused by excessive IN-OUT swing and encourages proper IN-SQUARE-IN swing path. Also promotes strong balance.

* Assume setup with 7-iron and without ball.* Draw left foot back and keep toe on ground. Keep weight on right side.* Staying balanced, take 5 to 10 practice swings.* Continue drill by hitting balls off tee at half-speed.

HOOK TEE DRILL

Corrects golf hooks caused by excessive IN-OUT swing and encourages proper IN-SQUARE-IN swing path.

* Place two tees and ball left to right diagonally, creating an IN-SQUARE-IN swing path. Allow about 4″x 4″ spacing from each tee to ball.* Assume normal setup and ball position with 7-iron.* Hit ball crisply without hitting tees.

To quickly get rid of your golf hook, incorporate both of these drills into your practice routine whenever a golf hook creeps into your game.



About the Author

Golf hook shot is one of the common swing faults in Golf. Get perfect golf training aids to correct all your golf swing related issues.