Golf Swing

Paul Buntrage asked:


Golf Swing: 3 Ways to Develop more Power

How can you improve the power of your golf swing? This is a question that all of us want an answer to. Most golfers go to great lengths to get that extra yard off the tee. But how many people actually know that golf swing power is the result of these three specific factors?

* The first and probably most evident of the three is ’swing mechanics’. Everybody is aware of how important the mechanics of a swing are when it comes to driving the ball. If you are over the top with your swing or come inside too much, you’ll see that dreaded slice or snap hook. Your drives will be inevitably be too short, too low, too high, left, right, or a combination of these if you are putting bad swings on the ball.

To improve your game, it is essential for a golfer to work on the mechanics of the swing at every possible opportunity. The golf swing is a highly complex, mechanically movement, that requires constant work to keep it highly efficient and in check. Professionals realise the importance and have swing coaches that work with them on a consistent basis.

Amateurs throughout the world pack driving ranges, week in and week out, pounding balls without any improvement. This, I feel, is a result of one of two things: a lack of instruction, or low levels of golf strength. A lack of instruction leads to the development and ingraining of improper swing mechanics. This only results in slices, hooks, topping the ball, and hitting it fat on the course. And we all know that those types of swings lead to frustration and bad rounds of golf. I would suggest to almost anyone: find a good instructor and take lessons on a consistent basis. This can only help your game in the long run. But if private lessons sound too expensive for ‘just a past-time’ then consider video tutorials and books in the very least. Swing mechanics are a fundamental in improving your power.

* The second of the three factors is what we term golf strength. It is probably the least recognized of the three, but for many is the ‘key’ to longer drives; yet the category is given the least amount of attention, especially by amateurs. Golf strength is defined as how well your body is conditioned to swing a golf club with maximum power (ie. it is a measure of fitness). Although probably the least understood of the three, golf strength maybe the most needed by golfers in general.

Strength, in terms of golf, is not about how much you can bench press or how much your biceps bulge! Golf strength and weight room strength, are very different. If you do not quite understand the difference, ask yourself one question: How many bodybuilders do you see on Tour?!!

It comes down to this idea: the mechanics of a golf swing require specific levels of flexibility, balance, stability, strength, endurance, and power to perform it efficiently. If your body does not have these required capacities, then the result will be obvious a less than optimal swing.

Essentially, your body supports your swing. I am sure that all of us would choose to build a house on a stone foundation rather than a sand foundation, wouldn’t we? Yet I will say that many amateurs make a different choice when it comes to their golf swing.

Regardless of how much time you work on your swing mechanics, if your body does not have the ‘golf strength’ to support the swing, you are limiting your potential. I have seen it numerous times, people practicing at the range who struggle, not because of trying to get better, but because their bodies are limiting what they can do with their swing. Quite often I see people with limited flexibility, poor balance capabilities, and low levels of strength and power. The bottom line is that your mechanics will not get better until you fix the body that swings the club!

Up to this point we have discussed the two most important ideas when it comes to power on the golf course. A review of the topics tells us that they are optimal swing mechanics and the proper levels of ‘golf strength’. One without the other is going to leave you short when it comes to potential in your game.

* The third most important factor to improve the power of your golf swing is: equipment. Yes, equipment. It does make a real difference to how far you drive the ball. The equipment manufacturers have let this fact be known to everyone, and I bet we all have gone to the pro shop probably more than twice to pick up a new driver that claims to give us that elusive 20 yards. It should be remembered however that, that extra distance might not be down the middle of the fairway; it will give you an extra 20 yards alright… but it could be left, could be right, or it could be down the centre of the fairway. That all depends on points one and two of this article. Equipment and technological advances have definitely lengthened the distance of our drives. But without better swing mechanics and your body in better golf shape, new technology will not help your game. A bad swing will produce a bad result, regardless of what type of ‘new’ driver you may have just purchased.

I think the majority of golfers are aware of the advances that have occurred in golf equipment over the last 20 years. I mean, in the glorious ’80’s when we were still playing with woods that actually had wooden club heads! Imagine that for a moment, and now we are using drivers with space age faces that shoot the ball off of them at warp speed. In addition, we have to mention the advances in terms of golf balls. How manufacturers design golf balls today makes a difference in how far they travel. What a lot of people do not realize is that the USGA has set standards on how ‘hot’ driver faces can be and how ‘fast’ balls can come off the face of drivers. Most clubs are reaching this limit, and anything past these USGA rules becomes illegal to play (in the professional game only of course!).

There’s no doubt that custom made golf clubs can make a significant improvement to your swing power. But before you go off and spend a fortune, remember the saying: ‘a bad workman always blames his tools’. In other words, first improve the fundamentals of your swing mechanics and golfing fitness before you make any purchase.

So in summary, what does power really come down to?

It comes down to three simple ideas. Number one is improving your golf swing mechanics. Improved mechanics will improve your driving distance. Number two is improving your golf strength. By improving your body as it pertains to the golf swing you will improve your distance off the tee. Finally, equipment does make a difference, but only if you hit the ball correctly.

Best of luck with your game.



Mckenzie

mfbrown1 asked:

Brady Riggs shows you how to properly setup and use the legs in the golf swing. For more tips and free swing analysis software go to www.inpractis.com

Maximus

John Lynch asked:


The golfer with a clear understanding of the biomechanics of the golf swing will have a huge advantage over the golfer who doesn’t have a clue.

First, the definition of biomechanics - “The study of the action of external and internal forces on the living body, esp. on the skeletal system.”

Anyone who has played this great game of golf knows intimately the external and internal forces on the body when you swing a golf club.

I soon realized the complexities in not only understanding these external and internal forces in a sound golf swing, but also in the managing of these forces.

After much study and much play, I realized the secret to a sound golf swing is first you must understand how these forces work in the golf swing, then you must put these internal and external forces in alignment so they work in harmony.

This is key to developing a powerful golf swing you can repeat over and over again.

The biomechanics of golf swing operate along the laws of physics and anything we do that works against these laws will only further delay the learning process.

I hope this scientific discussion on the biomechanics of the golf swing helps you as much as it has helped me.

Jon Barrett of Golf Swing Eureka carried out a survey and asked golfers the question: Which part of the body contributes the most to club head speed?

The answer to this question was to make a profound impact on my understanding of the biomechanics of the golf swing. Most golf pros NEVER talk about this fact yet it is the determining factor in creating effortless power in the golf swing.

Only 20% got the answer right!

That’s only 1 in every 5 golfers!

And these golfers ranged from scratch golfer to high handicapper.

Curiously this figure relates to another golfing statistic - Do you know that only 20% of golfers have a handicap of less than 18?

I believe these same 20% of golfers understand this crucial biomechanical aspect of the golf swing.

Which part of your body do you think contributes the most to club head speed?

Is it:

- Shoulders

- Arms

- Hands

- Hips

- Legs

- Torso

- Wrists

The answer:

***THE HANDS CONTRIBUTE THE MOST TO CLUB HEAD SPEED!!!***

High handicap golfers usually “hold on” through the impact area causing a weak hit resulting in a slice or a push shot.

The reason High handicappers “hold on” through impact I believe is because they do NOT have a clear biomechanical understanding of what creates club head speed…

Let me make an illustration that will “hammer home” (excuse the pun) this biomechanical concept in the golf swing. Try to hammer a nail without breaking your wrist…just use your arms and body…keep your wrist rigid…not much power, huh?

Now hammer the nail by only breaking or releasing your wrist, no body, no arms…much more power huh? You are using biomechanical angular and centrifugal forces to create much power with very little effort…

Much like golf!

Have you ever seen that trick shot golfer on the golf channel? He can hit a golf ball 275 yards while kneeling on the ground. This totally blows the cover off the notion it is the lower body that contributes most to club head speed…don’t ya think?

Do you think all his power still comes from his lower body?

Effortless power comes from a full release of the hands through the impact area…have you ever watched pro golfer Sergio Garcia’s hand action through the golf ball? This is how a 150LB person can crush 300 yard drives…they have mastered this move.

By far the most important force in the biomechanics of the golf swing is a full hand release through the golf ball…

Once you learn a full release through the golf ball you will be on your way to great golf…

Hit ‘em Long and Straight!

John Lynch



Genesis

MIKE SELVON asked:


Anyone who is even a little bit familiar with the game of golf knows that perfecting its swing is one of the most important things that they can do to improve their game and lower their score. These days, with the popularity of this sport at an all time high all around the world, golf swing training is something that more people are seeking out.

One of the simplest approaches to golf swing improvement is to use a special golf training club. This type of club can help to increase the golf swing speed and the power behind the swing as well. If you really want to improve your golf swing, then you cannot really find a training device that is more specific or effective.

It has been proven over the course of many years that the best way to undertake golf swing training is to use a golf swing trainer. This is a club that is specially weighted. The additional weight of this golf trainer provides resistance and if you repeatedly practice your swing with this resistance, then you have the potential to quickly improve your overall swing.

The most apparent and direct result of using a golf training club correctly is an increase in driving distance that a golfer will notice almost immediately. This is because the golfer is training the muscles that he uses during a swing to work against the resistance of the weighted club, which provides an element of strength training. When the golfer picks up a standard club, his muscles will have been readied to hit the ball harder than ever before because of this strength training.

Training to improve the swing is primarily a function of repetition combined with muscle training. It is helpful to go through the complete range of motions for a standard swing, or an even bigger range of movement if possible, with as many repetitions as possible.

However, it is more important to make sure that you are also practicing the correct stance during this training. Using a golf training club, or any other type of golf training aid, without taking the time to learn how to use them correctly will only result in frustration and disappointment.

Practicing a swing that has poor form will not improve your game. If you are not sure whether or not you have proper form, then you should seek out the help of professional golf swing trainers.

Another way that you can benefit from golf swing training is in improving your backswing and your follow through. This is also accomplished with the help of a good quality golf swing trainer club and can result in a great deal more power at the point of impact on the ball. In addition to using a golf trainer club, it is also a good idea to do other stretching and strengthening exercises that will help support your entire frame and make you stronger overall and therefore a better golfer.



Jessie

Abhishek Agarwal asked:


Basic golf swing tips may simply be all you that you require to keep you from striking those heavy shots, hooks, or slices. For instance, merely shifting the ball location may set right that thin shot, which you tend to hit off the tee. Rather than getting dejected and vowing never again to turn up at a golf course, contemplate on a couple of tips regarding golf swing and strive at perfecting your golf swing.

Now tips on golf swing can be collected from a number of sources. A fine place to begin is with recent golf books or golf magazines. Here it is possible for you to come across golf swing tips from experts or teachers and instructors of professional golfers. Orders for magazines and books containing tips on golf swing can be placed online.

In case you are extremely earnest regarding getting a few vital tips regarding golf swing, and you possess the necessary money and the time at your disposal, think about registering for a few golf lessons or joining a golf clinic where a professional gives you expert advice.

In order to put you on the track of learning the appropriate golf swing tips, the following are some golf swing tips, which deal with the fundamentals of a golf swing.

1. Amongst the most vital tips on golf swing is to maintain a square clubface. Hitting the golf ball by means of a square clubface ensures that the ball goes straight and a long way. In order to maintain the clubface square, you require to keep a steady golf swing plane. Practice bringing the golf club right back and subsequently follow through on the very same swing plane.

2. Next, timing is of the essence in the case of your golf swing. Now you may wish to possess a steady swing speed all through the whole swing. In fact it does not help out with your golf swing if you tend to bring the golf club right back slowly and then speed up right through your swing.

3. Then, golf fitness is an essential factor for developing your golf swing. Doing some easy golf exercises can vastly enhance litheness and power.

4. The kind of golf grip that you have is a further factor in honing your golf swing. Ensure that you do not have a very rigid golf grip, or else it will hamper your golf swing action. A fine way of determining whether your golf grip remains very tight is if your arms and hands become sore after you have finished playing a game of golf.

5. In fact, the best tip on golf swing may not exactly be to your liking but it is nothing but practice, and more practice, that will assist you with your golf swing the most. The greater the time devoted to practicing, or being out there on the practice green or driving range, the greater the development you will find not just in the golf swing, but also in your total performance as well as scoring.



Isabel