It is true that most PGA Tour players will tell you that the most important golf fundamental is the golf swing alignment. But I don’t know why, when it comes to most amateurs, they just look over the golf swing alignment. Maybe no one told them, but here it is. Now you no longer have that excuse because I am going to tell you about it.

Golf swing alignment is considered the main fundamental for each and every golf shot. Sure you can hit the golf ball far but what good is it if its 30 yards away from where it’s suppose to be? This is where your swing alignment comes into play. Even if you think that you have mastered every aspect of golf like grip, stance, and swing and you don’t see your score going down anymore. Ah ha! You have found your problem. Here are some simple things you can follow to overcome this hurdle and to see if your golf swing alignment is correct.

The first thing you want to do is setup your golf shot like you always do. Then place a tee right behind each of your heels then push both of the tees all the way in. Now that you have that setup, move away from your setup and place a club shaft over both of the tees so that you make a straight line. Once you have that, go behind your golf ball and look down your target line to see if it matches what you thought.

By doing this exercise you will know exactly where you are aligning your feet. If they align, then good job you were doing it the right way. If it doesn’t, then here is a way to fix this. You can move the tees so that the alignment is straight and then the next time you setup you will have to make sure that your tees are touching the back of your heels. Another way you can check to see if your golf swing alignment is correct is by assuming your address position. Then remove your left hand, if you’re a right-handed golfer, from your golf club and point to a spot that’s 10 yards to the left of your target. Keep track of where your fingers and arm is pointing and compare it with your hips and shoulders. If you’re aligned, then it should feel like they are creating a straight line. However, if you think that they are pointing to the left, then you will end up hitting a hook or a push and if you’re pointing to the right then you are going to hit a slice or a pull.

If you noticed that your golf swing alignment was off, then your new position will feel odd to you. You may feel like your pointing in the wrong direction, but trust me, your not. It will only take a mater of time for you to get used to your new position and you will see the difference in your score. In order to continue to improve your game you have to regularly check your alignment since it’s very easy to misalign yourself without knowing it. And now since you know how to check it, you have no excuse for not checking it. Your golf swing will improve dramatically and you will hit near your target, which will help you lower, your score. For more tips and steps to improve your golf swing and for free stuff please visit Sean Matthews’s blog.

By: Sean Matthews

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A great backswing requires practice and understanding the biomechanics of golf swing.

A good backswing starts with your hands, and then the arms and shoulders follow in one smooth motion.

Swing easily and smoothly. When you are ready, tee the ball up and swing away. Swing issues and technical moves should be worked out on the practice range.

Shorter backswings and the longer ones are both relative to the amount of shoulder rotation each golfer creates. John Daly can turn his shoulders back more than 90 degrees.

Shorter players will have a flatter swing with elbow closer to the side as they generate power from added hip turn and leg drive. Taller players will have a more vertical or upright swing, generating clubhead speed more from the width of arc; they will probably find a close-in elbow constricting.

Backswing Form

In order to learn how to get more extension and turn when initiating your backswing, I’m providing you with a few simple tips, here. The mistake that most players make is loosening up their grip too much, especially with the left hand (on right-handed players).

By all means, loosening your grip will definitely help your clubhead extend further behind your body, but remember that you must re-tighten the left hand. This causes a change in the alignment of your clubhead. The result is far less accuracy when hitting the ball.

It is best to always maintain a firm, yet light grip on the club. Varying your grip pressure during a swing is not recommended.

By far, the best way to increase the arc on your backswing is to turn your left shoulder further until it has reached a point over the right foot. This way you will always have a full turn, thus creating the fastest speed of swing that you can possibly generate, while still maintaining balance and grace.

The Top Of Your Swing

At the top of your backswing, always check the position of the club shaft in order to be sure that you are on the proper plane and accomplishing a full backswing. The club should be perfectly parallel to your target line, and the clubhead should literally be pointing at the target.

An easy way to determine the changes that are needed in your swing is to have a partner examine your moves. Better yet, have your partner videotape your swing. In this way, you can determine the changes that are needed so that your club will point directly towards the target and your swing will be on the correct plane.

If you are right-handed, then check to see if the club is pointing left of your target. If so, then the club is considered to be “laid off” which typically results in a slice. When the club is pointing right of your target then you have “crossed over” which may result in a hook.

With a little work and practice you can fine tune your backswing so that the clubhead will always be pointing directly towards the target.

A famous golfer once said that golf is a game for a lifetime. Work on it and you will have a wonderful lifetime of golf.



By: Verlyn Ross

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Fundamentals

Stance

A consistent position helps develop a consistent swing. A square stance will encourage a square impact. Keep feet perfectly parallel to the target line. If you imagine standing on a train track your feet are against one rail the ball is next to the other. Develop a comfortable standing position with your feet directly below your shoulders with your toes slightly outward facing.

Position the ball 2-3 inches inside the left heel for most shots. If it is too far forward you will be more likely to slice.

Moving one foot slightly forward will enable either fade (outside to inside) or draw (inside to outside). Experiment with the shot direction on how much you move your foot.

Dos and Donts

Do always check the position of the ball using your clubs aligned on the ground.

Do take your time to settle into your stance and get relaxed.

Do be consistent with your stance.

Grip

A good grip is the foundation of your golf swing, enabling greater control and reducing your tendency to slice. A good grip helps keep the club-head square at impact and stops the shaft from rotating in your hands.

The most popular grip used by professional golfers is the Vardon grip.

Place your little finger on the lower hand on the club (right hand for a right-handed player known as the trailing hand) and place it between the index and middle finger on the top hand (known as the lead hand). The thumb of the lead-hand should fit in the lifeline of the trailing hand (the V). Look to get a relaxed and comfortable feel, a tight grip will hinder your swing. The Vs formed by the index finger and thumbs on both hands point between the chin and right shoulder. Turning hands anti-clockwise on the club shaft produces a weak grip, promoting a left-to-right flight of the ball (slice). Turning hands clockwise produces a strong grip, promoting a right-to-left flight of the ball (hook).

Dos and Donts

Dont grip the club too tightly

Do keep the rubber grips on your club handles in good condition. Worn grips cause problems by forcing you to hold the club too tightly.

Do get a feel for the grip by practising frequently gripping and re-gripping the club regularly.

Alignment

When you are practising, make sure your use you clubs as alignment. Lay one club on the ground parallel to the target line and another from toe to toe indicating the direction of your stance. To indicate the ball position, lay another club at 90deg’s to the target line extending backward from the ball toward your feet. Now check it all. When you are happy with the alignment you can a club across your shoulders, hips and thighs to check everything is aligned parallel to the target!

Dos and Donts

Do check, check and check again, it will be invaluable to troubleshoot any problems.

Don’t leave the club between your feet longer than necessary but feel free to leave one club on the ground parallel to the target line during practice sessions.

Swing Path

To get a straight shot you require an inside to square i.e. hitting the ball squarely swing-path. An inside to outside swing-path encourages a hook, outside to inside swing-path a slice. Imagine a line extending through the ball to the target, your goal is a swing-path that starts on the inside striking the ball while moving slightly to the outside.

Also you can direct the ball with the club face – straight 90deg to the ball

Clubface open (>90deg) to ball encourages a slice or fade

Clubface closed (

By: Dave Furnevall

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