Trevor Ng
Golf is a sport that requires a lot of practice and patience. Swinging a golf club might seem difficult at first, but you can sharpen your skills with a little knowledge and practice. The first step to every good golf swing is a proper grip. While there are many hand placements to choose from, a neutral grip is the best place to start for a beginner. You should avoid holding the club too tightly, as this may cause the rest of your muscles to tense up. Next, you need to shift your weight to the balls of your feet, which will make it easier to shift your weight forward and backward during your swing. Then, you can start to swing the club back and down, following through with the swing.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Equipment | FlingStick and a standard golf ball |
| Rules | Fewer rules than golf; count shots from tee to hole |
| Scoring | The fewer the FlingShots, the better the score |
| Distance | Over 100 yards within 5 minutes of using your FlingStick; over 200 yards with practice, strength and skill |
| Pace of play | Faster than traditional golf, especially for beginners |
| Techniques | Baseball grip, Scoop Shot, lacrosse-style, underhand, putting |
| Courses | Can be played on any golf course |
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What You'll Learn
How to hold the golf club
Holding a golf club correctly is pivotal to a successful game. The grip you choose should be the one that feels most comfortable to you, allowing you to hit the ball straight and maximise your distance.
Firstly, place the club in your non-dominant hand, with the grip of the club across the inside of your fingers, where the first knuckles and palm meet. The butt of the club should extend just past the base joint of your little finger. Curl your bottom three fingers around the grip, with your thumb flat across the club. Roll your thumb towards the opposite side of the grip and curl your forefinger around. You should feel every part of the underside of your bottom three fingers making contact with the grip.
Now, add your dominant hand. With the club pointing at twelve o'clock on an imaginary clock, curl your fingers over the grip. The little finger of your dominant hand can either interlock with your non-dominant hand, or rest on top of the notch between the pointer and middle finger. The thumb of your dominant hand should fall under the pad of the non-dominant hand, with the pointer finger leaving a little space between it and the middle finger.
It is important to note that you should not grip the club too tightly. The tension in your hands should be similar to holding a tube of toothpaste without squeezing any out. You can also try the ''hold the club like a bird'' method, where your grip is loose just before you start your backswing.
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Stance and posture
The width of your stance is key. Generally, your feet should be placed shoulder-width apart. However, for longer clubs, such as drivers or woods, you should widen your stance. For shorter clubs, like wedges or short irons, bring your stance in by an inch or two. You don't need a wide stance for chipping or pitching.
The distance you stand from the ball is dictated by the length of the club. The longer the club, the further you stand from the ball. It is important not to hunch over and reach out for the ball; your arms should hang down naturally.
Your weight should be balanced on the balls of your feet, not too much on the toes or heels. For most shots, your weight should be distributed evenly, 50/50 from front to back, and side to side. Some players have slightly more weight on their lead leg for irons, but 50/50 is a good target.
Your spine is the central column of your swing. The position and angle of your spine greatly influence the swing, especially at impact. When viewed from behind, your spine angle should be bent over at approximately 35-40 degrees. This allows room for your shoulders to rotate down, in and around, helping you to take the club away on the proper plane.
To achieve a good posture, stand tall with your shoulders pulled back and chest out, tilt forward at the hips while maintaining a flat lower back, and flex your knees slightly. Hold the club in front of your belly button with straight arms and legs.
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Weight distribution
When using a driver, the weight distribution is generally 50/50, with some golfers recommending shifting a little weight to the trail side on the backswing and then shifting back onto the lead on the downswing. This can be done by moving your head or hips towards your trail foot on your backswing. However, it is important to keep your head steady when hitting the ball.
With irons, hybrids, and fairway woods, shift most of the weight onto the trail side and then lean it all back into the lead side, rotating around the lead side. This will help you swing more aggressively and boost your clubhead speed.
For pitch and chip shots, it is recommended to start with about 75% of your weight on the lead foot. This will help control swaying, which is the rotation killer.
Additionally, the weight distribution in your swing will depend on the club you are using. For example, if you are using a heavier club, you may need to pace out your swing differently.
Understanding the weight shift in your swing will help you keep your balance and control your movements, ultimately improving your ball-striking ability.
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Swinging motion
To swing a golf club, you need to start with a good grip. There are many hand placements to choose from, but a neutral grip is the best place to start for a beginner. To set your hands correctly, take your lead hand (left hand for right-handed golfers, right hand for lefties) and 'crunch' the lower knuckles to create a pocket for the club to rest in. Then, lay the grip in the crook and wrap the rest of your hand on top of the club. You should be able to lift the club and move it side to side with just this hand. Always grip the club with your fingers, not the palms of your hands.
Next, add your trail hand. Crunch your fingers to create another pocket and wrap them around the club. Avoid holding the club too tightly, as this may cause the rest of your muscles to tense. Your grip should feel comfortable and natural, matching your body type and the natural movement of your swing.
Now, step back from the club and check that it is pointing at your target or the hole. Bend your knees slightly and adopt a solid athletic stance, with your weight on the balls of your feet. This will make it easier to shift your weight during the swing. Keep your heels slightly off the ground and start with an even weight distribution.
Finally, ignite the motion with your feet. Push yourself away from the target and rotate back into your back heel. As you practice this push and turn motion, your arms will respond and create a natural backswing. Once you've formed your backswing, it's time to add the club. Make small swings and try to clip the grass as you swing at an even pace.
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Tempo and speed
Golf instructors generally caution against the notion of swinging as hard as you can, as it can lead to faulty mechanics and injuries. Instead, the focus should be on achieving a smooth, balanced tempo, which allows for better transition and maximises clubhead speed through impact.
To increase swing speed effectively, it is important to build solid fundamentals, including grip, setup, body rotation, power, and timing. One way to improve body rotation is by lengthening your backswing and focusing on rotating your hips and shoulders, which will increase clubhead speed. Additionally, you can try exercises with resistance bands to strengthen specific swing positions and improve your ability to harness power.
Another technique to increase swing speed is to swing light objects, such as an alignment shaft or a flipped golf club, as it teaches your body to move faster, which can then be transferred to swinging heavier objects. Medicine ball throws and wall throws with a medicine ball can also help develop vertical power and increase swing speed.
Consistency in your practice routine is vital to seeing improvements in swing speed. Whether it's hitting balls, speed training, or working on your technique, regular practice will help you maintain and build upon your swing speed.
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Frequently asked questions
You should stand with one foot ahead of the ball, with your feet slightly wider than shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees slightly and shift your weight to the balls of your feet.
Avoid holding the club too tightly. Try a neutral grip, where you crunch the lower knuckles of your lead hand (left hand for right-handed golfers, right hand for lefties) to create a pocket for the club to rest in. Wrap the rest of your hand on top of the club, then add your trail hand.
The key to turning on your golf swing is in your feet. Push yourself away from the target with your left foot. As you practice this push and turn motion, your arms will naturally respond and create a backswing.
Tempo is important. Swing with smooth acceleration, starting smooth and building speed.
