The Proper Way To Swing A Golf Club

When you initiate the downswing, your body starts to uncoil itself (literally) and releases a surge of built up energy. Beginning with your hips turning, then the shoulders, and ultimately the arms and wrists, the entire movement is like a whip snapping. Before you make contact with the ball, the worst thing that can happen is allowing your hands and forearms to release, or turn over.

Similar to a shutting door, the clubface quickly moves from an open position to a closed position as it approaches impact. The releasing movement is then caused by your hands and forearms turning. If you do not have this release then the clubface remains open and the resulting shot is typically an unwanted slice.

During the precise moment of impact, your clubface should be pointing in the direction of the target line, yet on its way to closing, or at least pointing far left of the target line (right-handed golfers). Most players that demonstrate poor shots do not release the clubface in the manner as just described, which results in lack of distance and severely reduced accuracy of the intended target.

Pay Attention To Your Grip

To ensure that you release appropriately, pay attention to your grip.  It should be firm, yet light pressured throughout the entire swing.  Nothing causes a terrible shot more than having too much tension coming from the arms and hands.

Next, make an extra effort to swing with a decent tempo. Too many golfers, especially beginners, swing so hard and so fast that they leave the clubface open when impact occurs.

And finally, for right-handed golfers, make a concentrated effort to keep the backside of your left hand pointing down towards the target line during impact.

Making Impact Count

The last lesson here for making the best of your golf swing is to get the impact right. You should have the feeling that your forearm (right side for right-handed golfers) is turning over your left forearm when impact occurs.

You can practice this movement by swinging in slow motion. Simply swing the club up and throughout, and pay attention to the movement that your forearms are making. At this point, make the effort to turn the right forearm over the left one.

When impact arrives, totally freeze your entire body and then check out the position of your clubface. It will either be square, open, or closed. The goal is to ensure that it is square to your target line, which is exactly what you want.