Golf Swing Tips That Will Improve Your Game

90% of golfers will not be able to compete with you if you can do 3 relatively simple things (ignore putting for now).

1. Stay out of trouble with your driver (don't try to smash the ball 300 yards down the center of the fairway).
2. Hit 70% of the greens when you're 150 yards out (in other words, learn to control your 7 iron and down).
3. Chip the ball within 20 ft of the pin, almost every time (regardless of what you may think, this is not that tough).

That's it. Today, let's talk about the driver.

Staying out of Trouble with your Driver

So what is it that causes problems with your driver? Is it a slice, a hook or total inconsistency? Well the good news is this, regardless of which problem you're trying to work out. There are a couple of simple techniques you can use in your game that will help. If you've battled a slice for 25 years then at least you are consistent, which gives you a starting point to make adjustments. Certainly, you can reduce a slice or hook, which will help you score better. Here are a couple of tips.

Swing Easy... Nothing can be better for your game than learning how to swing the club easier and more fluent. If you go to the range and concentrate on swinging easy, it will radically change your ability to position yourself for a good approach shot to the green. You will make more consistent impact with the ball and this will reduce the amount of side-spin you naturally place on the ball because the club head won't travel as fast or with as much force. Again, I know you've heard it before but I ask you to concentrate on this for 1 week.

Try closing or opening the club face slightly. To correct a slice, close the club face slightly and open the club face slightly to correct a hook. As long as your swing is consistent, this tiny modification will help square the face of the club to the ball at impact. Also, take note of how you are addressing the ball. Where is the ball in relation to your stance. For example, if the ball is in line with the inside of the thigh on your front leg and you're hitting the ball to the right, then move the ball up in your stance. Line up the ball with the inside of your front foot instead and see if this helps.

Switch to a low spin ball. Lower spin off of the tee means that the ball is going to go more straight regardless of how whether your ball moves right or left. I recommend the Titleist DT SoLo, Precept Laddie X or the Maxfli Noodle . You can find these balls at Amazon and they will play a large role in reducing the side spin that you naturally place on the ball.

If you are having problems controlling your driver, switch to a low-spin ball, and start swinging easy. When you are on the range, one thing you should be think about is swinging the club easy. Incorporate this into your game, you'll be pleased with the results.

Are you a recreational golfer that struggles with slices, extreme hooks, or mis-hits (shanks) when hitting from the tee box? This problem usually is caused when you don't release your hands through the ball correctly. By "releasing your hands through the ball", I am describing a technique of generating club head speed at the moment of impact without having to swing so hard that you come out of your shoes. This technique will also eliminate the problem of the club head meeting the ball out of square which creates the slice.

3 Benefits of This Technique

1. You'll learn an easy way of "getting your hands through the ball"
2. You'll be increasing the speed of the club head through the impact zone
3. You will ensure that the club head is square at impact (which will drastically reduce any slice that you may have)

What To Do

Step 1: Create the "X"

This means that on the follow through, you need to focus on making your forearms cross. This will ensure that your hands have released through the ball correctly. Here's an illustration of what I am talking about.

Notice the "X" that is created after impact and where the shaft of the club is pointed. Practice getting in this position. Practice creating that "X" after impact.

It will be easy to understand the alternative by paying attention to where the club is pointed, which will be explained in the next step.

Step 2: Finish at Third Base

Focus on pointing the club down the third base line on your follow through. In relation to where your feet are pointed in the picture, the club is pointed down the third base line. This is what we want.

Many golfers finish their swing with the club pointed straight up in the air, or even down the first base line in relation to their feet. Try that once and you'll feel the extreme "inside-out" movement that produces a slice. This is nothing more than a bad habit that can be easily broken. The Simple Golf Swing goes over this step in much more detail.

So, next time you're on the tee box, focus on just 2 things. Make the "X" and "finish at third". That's it. Swinging easy should already be grooved into your swing. Focus on these 2 tips, and you should be well on your way to a consistent golf swing. Staying out of trouble with your driver, is the first step to scoring better golf.