Sports Then and Now

For any golfer, novice or pro, improving your swing is always on the agenda. The result of hitting that perfect drive is well worth the effort.

With these five tips, you’ll be above par to improve your swing in no time.

1. Choose the Right Grip

There are three basic grips golfers utilize to hold their club. The first, and the most common, is the overlapping grip. This is where you fit the pinkie of the trailing hand between the index and middle finger of the lead hand.

The next is the interlocking grip. This is when the hands are locked together, curling the pinky of the trailing hand around the index finger of the lead hand.

The ten-finger grip is more suitable for beginners, considered the most comfortable. This is when you lock the pinky of the trailer hand against the index finger of the lead hand.

2. Use Your Body’s Power

Power comes from the lower body, not the arms. If you like to control your club with your hands and wrists, you’re probably guilty of ignoring better power sources. You can learn to use your body for power by putting your club behind the ball and, without taking a backswing, see how far you can hit the ball in the air.

If the ball didn’t go very far, you need to work on tapping into your body’s power. This is something you can practice until you start seeing better results.

3. Practice Good Form

Practice makes perfect, right? Not if you practice incorrectly. When you practice, make sure to maintain the proper grip and the proper golf swing plane. If you make a mistake, go back and repeat the motions, making sure to implement the new change.

The longer you practice good habits, the more instilled they will become in your routine. Some recommend you motivate yourself with a reward when you practice good habits. Before you know it, you’ll see noticeable improvements.

4. Take Lessons

Golf lessons from a professional can be a great way to make improvements. Allow an experienced professional to teach you how to set and achieve goals to improve your golf game while avoiding common pitfalls new golfers often face.

Lessons are also a great way to learn more about:

• Putting
• Chipping
• Pitching
• Driving

5. Work on Your Balance

It may seem like a no-brainer, but balance contributes to your swing more than you realize. If you lean onto your toes or back onto your heals during a swing, your body will shift to compensate. This will only hurt your swing.

Keep as steady as possible throughout your swing. If you find your feet moving or your body shifting, take another swing while focusing on keeping your feet flat to the ground.

Work On Your Game

A bad shot can bring a lot of frustration on the green. Not only can it embarrass you, it often means digging through the rough looking for your lost ball.

Don’t let a bad shot bring you down. There are plenty of things you can do today to start improving your swing.