Do You Have A One Plane Or Two Plane Swing

•The Four Key Factors In Your Swing
When I mention the word basics in my golf lessons, players start thinking about things like grip, posture, ball position, alignment, and so on. That’s only natural. Golf pros talk so much about these subjects in golf instruction sessions that players assume they’re the focus when the discussion comes round to the basics of a golf shot. But there are four other basics—plane, centering, radius, and face—that key good ball striking. Players must master the four factors to cut their golf...

•The Proper Takeaway And Backswing
When it comes to the swing, my golf instruction hinges on a simple idea: The swing is a chain reaction. What occurs at the start of the swing influences what happens at the end. If you execute the takeaway and backswing properly, you’ll hit the ball with accuracy and power. If you don’t, you’ll hit the ball off-line and with little power. A proper takeaway is critical to a good swing. Like the catalyst in a chain reaction, the takeaway starts everything in motion, as I stress in my golf...

•The Proper Swing Sequence
Some people who listen to my golf lessons think the swing is all about moving the right body parts. But knowing which parts to move isn’t enough. You also need to know what sequence to move them in, when, and how quickly. Building rhythm, timing, and tempo into your swing is a prerequisite to hitting good golf shots time and time again. Helping players develop swing consistency is a priority in my golf instruction. I work diligently with them, to help them learn both the components of a good...

•Building A Repeatable Swing Like Tiger Woods
Tiger Woods hits his irons straighter and more accurately than most pros. By swinging the club exactly the same way, he’s able to repeat his golf swing again and again and again. The more he repeats his swing, the more often he generates predictable results. For Tiger, predictable results mean more tournament wins and higher earnings. For the rest of us, it means better scores and lower golf handicaps. Building a repeatable swing is ultimately the goal of all golf instruction. The secret to...

•Fix Your Finish To Improve Your Golf Handicap
How you finish often reveals what’s happening during your swing In fact, I often key on a player’s finish in my golf lessons to determine exactly how to help he or she can improve their game. You can do the same for yourself—if you know what to look for. Below I describe four of the more common finishes I see when giving golf lessons, possible causes of the finish, and ideas on how to eliminate, the swing faults that cause them. High Finish The high finish position is among the most common....

•How To Choose The Right Shaft Flex For Your Golf Clubs
All low handicappers and golfers who are serious about shooting the lowest scores possible consider flex in their clubs. It makes the science of hitting the ball so much easier, which translates to more enjoyment on the course. Now, when I say flex, I am referring to the ability of a golf shaft to bend as forces are applied to it during the golf swing. Just go ahead and “waggle” your club a little and see how much the shaft bends and you will get an idea of what “flex” is. There are five...

•Improving The Mental Picture Of Your Swing
Visualization techniques help improve your game. All good players do it, whether consciously or unconsciously. PGA pros, for example, visualize every shot they take. It’s the key to their success. I also encourage it in my individual golf instruction sessions. Below are a couple of visualization techniques that I’ve written about in my golf tips. To improve your scores quickly, try developing a good mental picture of your swing. Too many recreational golfers have a poor mental picture of...

•Keys To Improving Distance From The Tee
Players taking my golf lessons often confuse length off the tee with muscle power. They’re not the same. While you may never drive the ball as far as John Daly, quite possibly the Tour’s longest driver, you can generate additional power off the tee—and improve your golf handicap —by developing a sounder technique. Here are 7 keys to a great drive: • Widen your stance for stability • Point your left toe slightly toward target (for right-handers) • Hover the clubhead above the ball • Don’t...

•Five Steps For Improving Bunker Technique
Although hitting from a bunker is straightforward once you learn the basics of stance and posture, the thought of hitting into a greenside sand trap unsettles many golfers. Improving your technique reduces the fear of bunker play and builds self-confidence in your shot-making capabilities. Assuming the texture of the sand is similar, and the ball is not plugged, the technique for hitting out of a greenside bunker remains the same for shots up to 30 yards (27m). The key to making this shot, as...

•Golf Swing Thoughts Help Develop Consistency
Swing thoughts on the practice range are an unquestioned strategy. They simplify a complex situation. They speed the learning process. And they help develop trust in your swing. How about during a match? Do swing thoughts help there? What are the best swing thoughts to have? While instructors differ on which are the best swing thoughts during a match, they all agree on one thing: Thoughts like “Keep your elbow tucked in,” Finish with your belt buckle facing the target,” or “Keep your head...