How to Swing a Golf Club: 6 Things to Remember

How to Swing a Golf Club: 6 Things to Remember

By Bradley Turner, Keiser University College of Golf Director of Online Golf Instruction – MBA, PGA

Why do you play golf? Have you ever thought to answer that question? There are no wrong answers to why you play because there is so much to love about the game. If you are one of the many competitive golfers out there who enjoy testing their ability on the golf course, you will appreciate the important aspects of the game that can lower your golf score. In this article, I am focused on six important things to remember about your golf swing and mental game that can profoundly influence your playing performance.

6 Things to Remember

1. Pre-Swing Fundamentals

Have you trained yourself in the pre-swing fundamentals? This refers to your consistent grip, ball position, aim, and alignment.  This does take some discipline on the practice range, but it is easily controlled by the player.  The best players in the world continually monitor these important fundamentals, and so should the competitive amateur player.

2. Visualize then Commit

Can you commit before each shot? Before executing a golf shot, first, visualize and or feel the desired ball flight. The next stage is to commit to the desired ball flight fully. For example, on the first tee, you should be able to describe to your playing partners the desired start line and curve of the golf ball. If you are hitting an approach shot to the green, you should be able to verbalize the yardage and landing spot on the green. Visualizing and committing to a shot is not everything…but it is a great start to performing to your potential.

3. Commit and then Trust

Do you trust your golf swing? Once you have committed to a golf shot, you must trust your golf swing through the impact zone by eliminating any concern of a potentially negative outcome. We all have struggled with “getting over the water” or “don’t hit it left out of bounds,” and the subconscious mind reacts to those thoughts and images. Trusting your golf swing takes work and discipline before you can make your best golf swing in pressure situations.

4. Positive Self-Talk

Are you a good coach to yourself? Most golfers could be better coaches for their golf games. Have you ever reflected on the thoughts that go through your mind while playing golf? What do you say to yourself? Now imagine the person inside your head as your caddy on the links. Do you like your caddy? Is the caddy supportive and encouraging? Does your caddy help you think through the shot and help you get commitment? Positive self-talk is one of the essential attributes of high-performing athletes in any sport. The ability to be a positive “caddy” to yourself is only a decision away. Golf is too challenging to talk poorly to yourself. It is normal to get upset at poor shots and call yourself an idiot now and again. But be careful with getting down on yourself and replace negative self-talk with positive self-talk. You are always taking yourself to the golf course, so you might as well bring a positive you to make the round enjoyable.

5. Relax and Breathe

Can you control your emotions under pressure? When you are under some pressure, and the nervous energy begins to build, a great tool to calm yourself is to use diaphragmatic breathing techniques. These techniques have been around for hundreds of years and are used by athletes, performers, and business professionals. Proper breathing can help reduce the anxiety of a free throw in basketball, a speech at the business convention, or a short putt on the last hole. A few deep breaths can help you execute a golf shot to your potential.

6. The Rhythm of Your Golf Swing

In music, rhythm is the arrangement of the notes of a melody, usually laid out into regular groups of beats. Even if you hit the notes on the music sheet correctly but fail to stay in the rhythm or beat of the song, you don’t have anything good to listen to! Another way of thinking about rhythm is the cadence of a poem or limerick. Just saying the words accurately does not bring a poem or limerick to life. Saying the words in the proper rhythm or cadence is important. In the golf swing, good positioning but poor rhythm creates inconsistent ball striking. Ultimately, the best players in the world will have varying tempos to their golf swing, but they all have an excellent rhythm to produce powerful and well-timed golf shots. And with good rhythm, golfers of all skill levels will improve the timing in their golf swing and begin to play to their potential. Good golf swing rhythm improves the repetitiveness of your golf swing, which breeds predictable results.

Everyone can get better at this crazy game. However, it takes some effort to get your game to a level that meets your expectations. The first step is to set an achievable goal, such as reaching a milestone like breaking 90 or lowering the handicap to a single digit. The second step is to learn about golf through the guidance of a qualified golf coach. A great coach will lead you on your journey to golf improvement. And the last and most important step is to carve out time to practice, practice, and practice. You cannot improve a motor skill by reading how to do it…you must spend plenty of time playing and practicing. Fundamentals can be learned from a good golf coach. Skill will be fine-tuned by the player.

How Repetitive is Your Golf Swing?

Good rhythm is the heartbeat of a consistent and repetitive golf swing. When a golfer maintains a smooth and well-paced rhythm throughout their swing, it promotes a sense of balance and coordination, leading to more consistent ball striking. Rhythm helps synchronize the various components of the swing, from the backswing to the downswing and follow-through, creating a seamless motion. This consistency allows the golfer to repeat their swing mechanics, resulting in improved accuracy and distance control. In essence, cultivating good rhythm becomes a foundational element in achieving a reliable and repeatable golf swing

Want more tips?

If you want to take your game to the next level, contact our team at Keiser University’s College of Golf & Sport Management today. With our dedication and experience, together, we can elevate your game to new heights. Give us a call today at 888-344-4964.