- Simple Golf Swing Mechanics to HIt Straight - John Hoskison
A well-timed golf swing with good mechanics is essential if a golfer wants to hit consistent straight shots. However, in an effort to improve ball striking many golfers become too technical and suffer from paralysis through analysis. Follow these simple golf swing tips to make the golf swing more natural, which will improve timing, rhythm, and result in straighter longer golf shots.
Simple Golf Swing Technique for a Natural Takeaway
The golf swing is a chain reaction of moves which starts with the takeaway. Move the club away from the ball with a mechanical, stilted, move and it becomes increasingly difficult to swing the club with rhythm and timing.
The club must be moved away from the ball in a one piece takeaway where the hands, arms and shoulders sweep the club naturally away from the ball. To achieve a more natural simple swing, at address the golfer should make sure they do not become stationary. This leads to tension which will wreck a golf swing. Even though it is subtle movement, all good swingers of the club are constantly moving in the address position, and only the split second before the swing starts do they stop moving.
- To make the golf swing takeaway more natural do not become too static in the stance.
Swing Mechanics to Hit the Golf Ball Straight
If the club has been moved away from the ball correctly with good takeaway technique, and the golfer keeps turning the shoulders, the club should naturally swing onto the correct swing plane. To accomplish this the pace of the swing is all important, allow the swing to speed up too much and the backswing will become out of control, but a swing that is too slow will not allow the club to swing naturally.
Imagine holding a wet towel instead of a golf club. Picture the speed someone would have to swing the towel to let it reach the top of the backswing. Too fast and the towel would wrap itself round the golfers neck, too slow and it would never have enough momentum to swing to the top.
- The overall speed of the golf swing is essential if a golfer is trying for a more natural, simple, golf swing that hits the ball long and straight.
Swing to a Finish for a Simple Golf Swing at Impact
Most golfers who are trying too hard to hit perfect golf shots hit at the ball rather than letting the ball get in the way of the swing at impact. This causes many faults including excess hand action, dipping, head movement and hitting off the back foot. Topping the ball, fat shots, shanks and general poor striking are a result of hitting at the ball.
To avoid these shots, and to hit the ball longer and straighter, a golfer must let the swing do the work. This can be achieved by making sure they complete the swing when the body turns to a full finish. In a good finish position, where the club has swung through impact naturally, the golfer must finish with the belt buckle pointing towards the target with the right foot turned into the natural finish position.
Three Swing Thoughts to Make the Golf Swing Simple
- Do not become too static in the golf stance – keep moving.
- Swing back at a natural speed - do not snatch the club back.
- Swing smoothly to a full finish.
See also: Importance of Head Position in the Golf Swing or How to Stop Topping the Ball
John Hoskison - John has been a class 'A' member of the British PGA for thirty years and is an ex member of the European PGA Tour.
