How to Improve My Golf Swing?

There are many elements that feed into the quality of your golf game on any given day; from frame of mind, to quality of equipment. But a key component to your success on the fairway is your golf swing. We have found seven golf swing tips that, over time, will help you improve your game.

1. Prepare your body

Golf requires a significant amount of flexibility in your upper body. This can prove challenging if you are new or inexperienced at the game. Lack of flexibility often limits the swing of casual players. If you are looking to improve your golf swing, completing exercises on a regular basis that strengthen your core is sure to help. Even better again, sign up to one of the many ‘Pilates for Golf’ classes that happen around the country and get stronger with fellow players.

2. Breathe and take your time 

When you are on the tee box take your time (within reason) readying yourself to take your shot. Many golfers power through the shot rather than letting the club do the work. By slowing down, you are creating optimum conditions for striking the ball. Although it sounds easy, it can be a difficult thing to do but if you practice, you are likely to see an improvement in your game.

3. Grip your club lower down 

To increase the distance your ball travels, it is usually helpful to reduce its height. An easy way to do this is by shortening the arc of your club by holding it lower down the grip.

4. Watch your shoulder

An interesting tip is to watch your shoulder as you swing. If you are a right-handed player, watch your left shoulder (your right if you are left handed). It should move under your chin as you swing, but making sure it returns to where is was before you swing means you get the needed through swing and avoid hooking the ball.

5. Use your body for power

It’s easy to get into the habit of using your arms for power on your golf swing but the best golfers use their body. Practice using your body at the driving range by taking some shots without a back swing. To get the ball into the air at all you must use your core.

Once you get used to what this feels like, employ the same technique on the golf course.

6 Keep your eye on the ball 

As you take your shot, looking at the ball is important but not on the whole thing. Focus on the part of the ball you want your golf swing to hit. In most instances this is the back of the ball.

7. Practice 

Last but by no means least, like most things in life, practice is key when it comes to improving your golf swing. If you don’t get the opportunity to play regularly, practice your swing using a variety of clubs at your local driving range.

How do you hold a club? 

This varies from player to player but the vardon grip is by far the most popular way to hold a golf club. This involves overlapping your fingers by placing the little finger of your non-dominant hand between the little and middle finger of your lead hand.

How do you hit the ball straight? 

All the tips we have listed should help you hit the ball straight but pay particular attention to number four, watching your shoulder. This one will help you focus on your follow through which is critical when it comes to controlling the path the ball takes.

If, after reading this, you are feeling more confident, don’t forget an improvement in your swing should lead to a better overall game. Use this, along with our other tips to improve your golf handicap.

You know we offer discounts on insurance premiums to member of the GUI or ILGU? If you are a member of either golfing organisation you could save on car, home and travel insurance.

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