Golf Is a Hard Game

Golf is a hard game! Or is it? In this article we will try to analyze what motion is needed to make a good golf swing. How much of it is natural and how we mentally make it hard. Some of the terms in golf will be discussed, and what they really mean.

In the following information all pertains to right handed players. Reverse the process for left handed players.

The motion of the body in the golf swing is very simple. Follow this sequence! Imagine that are standing facing straight ahead with feet about shoulder width apart and weight distributed evenly on both feet. Leave your feet where they are and turn your shoulders 90 degrees to the right. (Your shoulders will move your arms and hands). Did your shoulders turn your hips about 45 degrees? Did most of your weight move to your right foot? Now, turn as if to walk left. What just happened? Did you turn your shoulders first. No, you moved your weight to the left foot, which started your hips turning. Your hips then made your shoulders turn which brought your arms and hands around. Your right foot rolled up on its toes, (in the golf swing the right foot goes no farther) just before you moved it to walk. Congratulations you just passed walking 101, haven't had to pass that test since you were between one and two years old. Pretty natural, huh?

In the above exercise everything was done in a straight upright position. Now we are going to find the correct golf posture position. But first, stand upright again and extend your arms horizontally away from your sides. Next relax your arms and let them fall, your arms will fall into your sides with your hands striking just below your hips. Remember how and what just happened. Now, bend at your hips about 30-35 degrees forward, keeping your back straight and your knees slightly bent. Extend your arms out horizontally as before, relax and let them fall. Your hands will meet right in front of your body with your arms hanging straight down from your shoulders. This is where you will put your hands on the golf club and ultimately where your arms will swing both on the back swing and forward swing. This is the set up or address position so remember it. Now, while in this position, staying in posture repeat the first paragraph Remember, golf is a hard game if you have forgotten how to walk.

Next we will discuss the position of the hands on the golf club. Nothing is mentioned about “grip” because most players will interpret that as meaning tight. The hands should grasp the club just tight enough that when your arms move the club does too. Again while standing straight up, relax your arms and let them hang at your sides. You will notice that the hands do not hang with your thumbs pointing forward, they hang at an angle. While retaining the natural angle in your left hand wrap your fingers around the grip (do not move the club to the palm of the hand) the thumb will be a little right of center down the shaft. Next, bring your right hand to the club with the “life line” following the thumb of the left, and wrap your fingers around the club. Your hands should be touching each other. There are three acceptable ways to connect the hands together. They are: full finger, overlapping, and interlocking. Full finger is basically the one just described. Overlapping involves lapping the little finger of the right hand and laying it between the index finger and the middle finger of the left hand. Interlocking laces the middle finger of the right hand and the index of the left hand. Use which ever you are comfortable with. Grip pressure should be not to loose and not to tight, half way between would be about right.

Always keep in mind to stay relaxed. Nothing destroys a golf swing faster than tension. Golf is a hard game, mentally, if you let it be. The technique discussed above involved natural motions, with the exception of placing you hands on the club. Do what comes naturally.

Dale Bartlett, PGA Member,  author and golf instructor.
http://dbart5.blogspot.com/