Perfect Beginner Golf Swing

How To Stay Match Fit Throughout A Game Of Golf - Part 5 Awareness

2010-03-16T15:29:00.001Z

These on-course performance techniques are not ground breaking. However, by becoming actively aware of what your body is telling you while golfing you give yourself the chance to remedy it the next time you head out for a round.

Being thirsty or becoming tired during a round are signs that you are not getting the water and food your body requires. Suffering body aches or pulling muscles are signs that your muscles are being over exerted and would benefit from some stretching exercises.

Trying to perfect your golf swing at the driving range is one way of improving your game, but you should also look to improve your golfing performance through the use of nutrition, hydration and stretches.

How To Stay Match Fit Throughout A Game Of Golf - Part 4 - Stretches

2010-03-14T15:22:00.001Z

All professional athletes and golfers use stretching techniques and exercises such as Pilates and Yoga to improve their flexibility and reduce the chances of muscle strain. Staying flexible in the core area (stomach and back) is essential to keeping the golf backswing consistent and reducing the risk of muscle strain.

All amateurs should take a few minutes before a match to perform stretches of the lower back and legs to loosen up the muscles. The stretches should also be performed during a round as it will also help stop the back/legs stiffening up as the body becomes more tired.

How To Stay Match Fit Throughout A Game Of Golf - Part 3 - Nutrition

2010-03-12T15:21:00.001Z

All top athletes rightly realize that the nutritional content of their food prior to and during a game of golf can strongly affect their energy levels and performance in a round. Professionals normally choose to take several small meals throughout a day in order to maintain a consistent energy level and rhythm. Prior to a round of golf a favorite choice would be a small pasta/chicken fillet meal.

While on the course, the caddy will ensure the energy levels will stay topped up with bananas or other fruit (bananas are favored for their slow energy release).

How To Stay Match Fit Throughout A Game Of Golf - Part 2 - Hydration

2010-03-10T15:19:00.003Z

If you watch professional golfers on the course you will witness them drinking water throughout the 18 holes. The key point to staying hydrated is to take sips of water while golfing. Once you start feeling thirsty it has become too late as this is a sign that your body is performing in a sub-optimum manner.

You can choose to use other drinks that are high in sugars or caffeine but you should be aware that this causes peaks and valleys in blood sugar levels potentially causing similar peaks and troughs in the way you play (over hitting greens on one hole, short driving/putting on the next).

How To Stay Match Fit Throughout A Game Of Golf - Part 1

2010-03-08T15:19:00.000Z

All professional golfers of the modern era have a staff of nutritionists, physiotherapists, mentors and their caddy working to make the most of the golfer's capabilities on the course. The professional training regimen attempts to increase energy levels, strength and flexibility of the player. Amateurs do not have the disposable free time to complete the same level of off-course training, but they could still use the following key on-course performance approaches that the professionals use.

The Basics: Swinging The Club Part Two

2010-03-01T16:48:00.000Z

The previous post got you to the top of your backswing. Now its time for the downswing and follow through.

As you reach the top of the back swing you should (in this order)

Slowly move your weight over to the right foot
Start moving your hips around to the left (your core has been wound like a spring in the back swing so start, from the hips, the downswing)
Slowly start dropping your hands.

When your hands are nearing the waist level then focus on whipping the club head. This whipping technique increases club head speed generate by your body twisting.

Hit the ball!

Let the club head and hands follow through on a natural course and your weight should be completely on your left foot by the end of the follow through. You should be balanced and capable of pausing to watch the ball flight.

The Basics: Swinging The Club Part One

2010-03-01T15:39:00.000Z

So you’re all set in a comfortable set-up and correctly aligned. Time to hit the ball!

The perfect golf swing starts with the backswing. Start by smoothly moving the club head away from the ball. Keep the club face pointing at the back of your golf ball for at least the first 12 inches (avoid the bad habit of letting the club face point outward).

The backswing is a smooth motion combining

a subtle movement of weight to your right foot (so that about 70% of your weight is on the right foot)
turn your shoulder slowly to 90 degrees from your waist
raise your hands up to the height of your shoulder

Avoid over-swinging and bending your left arm too much (a little is fine and expected). Ask a friend to check you don’t overswing.

The Basics: The Stance

2010-03-01T14:30:00.000Z

Next up after getting the grip right is the stance.

Stand behind the ball facing in the direction of the green/target you wish to aim for. Pick a spot on the ground between one and two meters in front of the ball. This will guide your aim (its easier to align your shot at something quite close).

Walk up and address the ball. Put the club behind the ball and line it up to the spot on the ground you had chosen.

Keep the club head steady on the ground (without touching the ball). Now stand back and find a comfortable distance from the ball so that your arms hang naturally. The distance varies depending on the club chosen.

Once comfortable, place your left directly in line with the ball and point your left toe outward a little (whatever is comfortable). Move your right foot out to the right by a distance that feels comfy.

Right, you are all set to take a shot! If you are at the driving range then do some practice shots trying out this drill to find a comfortable set up that suits your physique.

The Basics: Holding The Club

2010-03-01T12:22:00.000Z

The first step to learning golf is getting the grip correct. I’ll detail below the standard grip for a right hander – transpose right for left if you are a right hander.

Put the club in your left hand and wrap your fingers around the grip. Hold the club at the end of the grip with the fleshy part of your palm near the top of the grip.

The line that your thumb forms should point at your nose and your index (trigger) finger should have the club shaft resting on its first joint (near the finger nail).

The right hand is placed snugly over the left hand thumb. The right hand thumb should also point toward your nose.

Lift the club up to waist and waggle the club head. If it doesn’t feel comfortable in your hands then readjust but keep ensuring the thumbs point toward your face.

Welcome to my blog!

2010-03-01T11:21:00.000Z

Hi and welcome to my blog.

I’ve been golfing over 30 years now and tried and applied just about every golfing technique out there. From time to time I experienced that idea where I think “Oh, if only I’d known this when I started playing golf, then I’d be have perfected my golf swing by now”. Hopefully, my blog will attempt to detail some of these ideas for others to benefit.

If you have any comments then please feel free to drop me a line (or comment) as I’m always open to hearing of new golf techniques, books, etc.

Cheers, Rod