The golf swing: it’s the technique that has launched 10,000 ships, so to speak.
Agonized over, practiced, and attempted time and time again, it’s one of the essential considerations in the entire game of golf. With all those things in mind, it makes perfect sense that people are always, always trying to improve theirs.
If you’re in that boat, here are a few simple things you can do to enjoy a better golf swing this spring:
8 Tips for a Better Golf Swing This Year
Whether you’re a new player looking to learn a stronger set of basics, or an experienced golfer trying to beat your friends on the green this year, these eight tips will help create a stronger swing and more balanced swing geometry:
1. Keep Your Hands Low
Lower than you might think. The reason for this is simple: when you limit the height of your follow through, you reduce the height of your shots.
This, in turn, lowers the ball flight. You can also move the ball back in your stance or select a stronger club to use, while also swinging easier. No matter what you’re aiming to accomplish, these tactics are less reliable and harder to execute, though.
With this in mind, keeping your hands low is a simple way to get started on the path to enjoying a better golf swing. When the trajectory of your shots is as low as possible, everyone wins.
2. Keep Your Spine and Forearm in Alignment
For the most powerful swing, you want to be on-plane at the top of it. To this end, your forearm should be parallel to your spine at all times, with your left wrist flat and your arms and elbows arranged to form a triangle.
Keep that formation tight and structured for best results. This improves your backswing and makes it easier to rotate your shoulders correctly.
3. Drive From Your Body
Many people make the mistake of thinking that the power of their golf swing comes from the arms. This is a misguided assumption.
The power comes from your body. Here’s a simple hack to remember this as you swing: put the club behind the ball with your body in a full, dead-stop position.
Don’t take a backswing, though. Instead, try to drag the ball into the air. If you’re using your hands to control the club, you won’t be able to do it. If you’re using your body, though, it’ll be easier to get the ball into the air more consistently.
This will translate into your downswing, and make it easier to turn entirely through the ball as you downswing.
4. Master the Hinge
If you’ve ever watched amateur golf, you’ll know that they have a hard time making powerful shots for two reasons: first, they are frequently too close to the ground with their takeaway. This delays the proper wrist hinge and takes it too far into the backswing. This, in turn, causes the posture to break down and alters the angle of the pivot. These flaws, in turn, create mis-hits and a lack of control and distance.
To combat this, it’s essential to take a series of simple steps designed to gain control and reduce the length of the swing. To begin, you should create a 45-degree angle between the left arm and the club shaft as you set up a swing.
During the takeaway, take this one step further by keeping the hands close to the ground and moving the clubhead quickly. The goal, here, is to create an environment where our left thumb points up toward your right shoulder as quickly as possible. When you can hinge your wrist while your left arm is parallel to the ground, you’ll manage to set your wrists much earlier in the backswing. This, in turn, sets your wrists and eliminates the need to “overswing” at the top of a shot.
4. Make Better Use of Your Elbows
Some players swing with their elbows pointed out to the side, while others keep them tight to their bodies. This just goes to show that golf swings are as much about personal style as they are technique.
At the end of the day, though, there are a few ways to position your elbows more effectively, to promote a draw. If you want to develop a powerful draw, the best bet is to focus on your right elbow. Instead of letting that elbow fly up toward the sky, keep it tight to the body, aligned down the right side of the shirt.
Placing the elbow in this area keeps slices at bay and promotes powerful draw, all while making it easier to drop the club on the downswing, and foster improved control and maximum power.
5. Focus on Developing the Solid Plane
If you make contact with the ball with an open face, you’re at risk of slicing. To prevent this, use a golf ball box. Stand it on its side and align it with your target line. As you strike, aim for a groove path that will allow the shaft to graze just over the box. If you want to slice, use the box and set it up on the same line, but just a bit forward of the golf ball. Make sure you avoid hitting the box!
6. Keep Your Thumbs Down
To stop the clubface from closing prematurely, keep your thumbs-down as you approach impact. This is a unique yet simple movement, and is designed to slow the closing of the club face, while also eliminating any shots that curve up or toward the left. This is a simple hack, but it can have a powerful and long-lasting impact on your swing.
7. Combat the Early Release
The early release is a dreaded golf event. It happens when the body moves too far forward, in front of the golf ball. If this happens, the club lags with an open face, and your hands automatically work to fix the gap. The clubhead then strikes the ball on an ascending arc. Don’t worry, though: it’s possible to fix this.
Keep your left side firm and angle the head behind the golf ball. This keeps the dreaded “flip” from taking place and allows you to focus on alignment: your lead arm and shaft should make a straight, vertical line and the head should be slightly back. The left leg should be braced with hips turned slightly open. This position can create the proper feel and a more powerful stroke.
8. Master the Chip
The chip is one of the most important swings in the entire game of golf, but many people never fully master it. You, however, can be different! To practice your chip, use a club or wooden dowel (if you’re indoors) to practice the chipping motion. Keep your left wrist rigid as you move the clubface through the center of the impact zone.
Keep your hands forward to ensure clean contact and don’t be afraid to experiment with things like your grip. It’s all about finding what works for you!
Get Adjusted
If your body is out of alignment, your golf swing will be too. Because of this, it’s essential to visit your chiropractor before you start to work on your golf swing. If you have pain or discomfort, contact your chiropractor before you start working on your golf swing. They’ll be able to help you resolve pain and enjoy a more comfortable swing.
Enjoy a Better Golf Game This Year
Golf is a relaxing, challenging, enjoyable sport, but it’s tough to enjoy if your technique (or your alignment) is off! Fortunately, these are both things you can fix pretty easily. These simple tips will help you improve your golf swing this year and play a better game. As far as your adjustment goes – we’re here to help. Contact our office today to schedule your adjustment!