5 Simple Steps to a Better Golf Swing

5 Simple Steps to a Better Golf Swing

By Dr. T. J. Tomasi, Keiser University College of Golf Senior Faculty and Director of Research

Technology, such as launch monitors, has nudged golf instruction toward the technical side, but simplicity is still the key to a more consistent and efficient golf swing.  Here are five simple tips that everyone can benefit from.

1)  Make every swing a practice swing, allowing the golf ball to get in the way of the swinging club (no manipulation).  The golf ball is not going anywhere until you hit it, so don’t hit at it; swing the club to a full finish. The ball is on your swing arc, and the club head is sure to find it, so – “finish high and let it fly.”

2)  Make sure you complete your backswing, allowing your body to coil up like a spring. To do this, you must turn the upper part of your body against a resisting lower part – turning everything the same amount is easier but creates less coil. Correct coil for most in golf is a ratio (usually 2:1), meaning you must rotate your shoulders ~ twice as much as your hips. If you’re flexible, the numbers might be 90 degrees shoulders and 45 degrees hips; if you’re not flexible, try 80/40. The downswing should be a reflexive uncoiling, the passive but powerful result of what went before.

3)  Imagine you are swinging, say, a seven iron on every shot.  With the tempo of your seven iron, your shots will become more solid and consistent.

The manufacturer has already designed the clubs to hit the ball at different distances, and once you choose the club, you have solved half of the equation Good Golf = Good Distance + Good Direction.  The other half, i.e., direction, is solved when you aim the clubface. Think of it this way: you’ve solved the golf equation at address, so there is nothing more to do but relax and let the club swing.

4)  At address, always aim the clubface first and then align your body. Pick something in front of your ball on your target line and aim the clubface at it – it’s more accurate to aim at a target two feet away instead of 150 yards, so use an intermediate target for all shots except the conceded putt.

5)  Swing your hands back over your trail shoulder at the top of the swing and over your front shoulder on the follow-through.

Follow these five helpful hints and become a better ball striker.

If you’d like to study with Dr. Tomasi and other PGA Master Professionals, contact The College of Golf today.