Posts tagged "Posture"

Pre-Swing Fundamentals Reduce Golf Handicaps

Vijay Singh works harder than anyone on the Tour. He spends hours and hours every day working on his game, practicing every facet of it—from putting to chipping to driving—so that he can be the best he can be. In fact, his practice sessions are legendary among the world’s best players. Needless to say, his determination has paid off. He’s earned millions and millions of dollars in prize money.

While you’d probably like to spend more time practicing and playing golf, you can’t always do it. You have too many responsibilities. But hitting balls at the range or taking golf lessons from a pro isn’t the only way to cut strokes from your golf handicap. You can also do it by working on key pre-swing fundamentals—fundamentals that many a weekend player overlooks. By ingraining them, you’ll trim strokes from your golf handicap without ever picking up a club.

Below are six pre-swing fundamentals that help you cut strokes from your scores without going to the driving range:

1. Acquire The Right Mind Set

Having the right mind-set before swinging the club is crucial. It’s even more crucial when driving. Hitting a good opening shot gets you started on the right foot. So work on having a positive attitude before hitting the ball. Don’t think, “Don’t hit it in the water.” Think, “I’m going to hit it right down the middle.” That way, you’ll create positive images of successful shots in your mind. That develops self-confidence.

2. Perfect Your Grip

Many golfers—especially beginners—overlook the importance of having the right grip. These players don’t fully understand how the grip affects your swing. Since your hands are the only part of your body touching the club, how you grip it is critical. It determines clubface position. If your grip is incorrect, your clubface will mirror it and be either open or shut. The perfect grip has both hands rotated 45 degrees to the right for right-handed golfers.

3. Develop Good Posture

Posture is another pre-swing fundamental weekend golfers overlook. Golf is an athletic activity. You must be in the optimum starting position to be able to “explode” when you need to. If you’re slouched over or too straight at address, you can’t generate the kind of swing discussed in golf lessons and golf tips. In short, good posture lets you make a good pivot. Use a full-length mirror to examine your posture. Make sure you’re in the right position at address.

4. Apply Proper Grip Pressure

Work on holding the club with the right grip pressure. If you grip the club too hard, you’ll “strangle it,” preventing you from swinging fluidly. If you hold the club too loosely, you’ll lose it during your swing. You must apply the right grip pressure to strike the ball well. Good swings come from good, free-flowing pressure, not death grips. More importantly, applying the right grip pressure produces the right tempo during your swing.

5. Align Your Body Properly

If you’ve ever shot a gun, you know there’s no point in pulling the trigger if you don’t aim the gun properly. The same thing is true in golf. If you don’t aim yourself properly, you won’t hit your target. When your bodylines cross, your chances of making a free flowing swing greatly diminish. That means anything can happen. Work on aligning your body to the target line and let your swing flow. Good alignment produces a good swing path.

6. Find The Right Ball Position

All good swings start with the club descending into the ball—even when you hit driver off the tee. But playing the ball too far back or too far forward in your stance when driving throws your swing off. You’ll pop the ball up, dribble it off the tee, or hit some other type of ugly, embarrassing shot. Good ball position results in good contact. Lay a club down so the toe is against the heel of your front foot. The shaft will stick out two inches from your heel. That’s where your want to position the ball on a drive.

These six pre-swing fundamentals are as critical as any swing fundamentals you work on in golf instruction sessions or read about in technical articles offering golf tips. They are timeless. Work on them in your home or at the office as often as you can and make then an integral part of your pre-shot routine. Ingraining them will impact your golf handicap more than your think.

Jack Moorehouse
http://www.articlesbase.com/golf-articles/preswing-fundamentals-reduce-golf-handicaps-1018719.html

The Study Of A Bad Golf Swing To Acquiring A Proper Golf Swing

The most important thing that a golfer should acquire is a proper golf swing that is near perfect. It should be the endless effort of both veterans of the game and the novice to get a better swing at the next eighteen holes. The number of books on golf and the instructional videos available could confuse a beginner and no matter how many times or how many books you read or the DVDs you watch, they will be of no avail if the basics of the game, that remain the same for every golfer, is not properly understood and assimilated thoroughly.

The Set-Up

One of the things that makes a golf swing go off tangent is not the swing in itself but the set-up of the golfer. When we say set-up, we could refer to the golfer’s club, his accessories and clothes etc. It is the opinion of some golfers that a good set-up can offset a bad swing, which, of course, is patently incorrect. It does not matter if you have designer clubs, accessories and swank clothes or just off-the-rack clubs. It is the proper golf swing that is ultimately going to win you the game.

Spending too much time on set-up than on a game is a common mistake beginners tend to commit. Some golfers think that if they know all the technical names and terms of the game, they can just go about hitting the ball however they want. It may work for a film star in a film but it will not work for the average golfer and his bad swing.

But it is essential for you to keep in mind that when we talk about set-up we should mean the game and not the clubs, the accessories and the clothes of the golfer. It should pertain to the set-up of the golfer’s position, stance, balance etc. prior to the proper golf swing.

Bad Posture Can Destroy The Proper Golf Swing

If you are the kind of golfer that is not paying attention to the posture you adopt during a swing, then you should seriously think of chucking the game and taking up another. Golf is just not the game for you. You should know a good posture from a bad one and avoid the bad one. The key factor of a proper golf swing is the proper alignment of your head and your neck. This is the factor that is going to dictate the development of the force that will drive the ball and its flight. If you hunch over the ball, you will either hit it to the side or it will far short of the green than it should. It does not matter how hard you hit it.

Next comes balance. Not that it is in anyway inferior to posture. A good balance is required to deliver the required thrust to your swing. If you are unbalanced, you cannot hit the ball with the force that it should be struck with. If you have not perfected your stance, you will feel uneasy during play and the uneasiness will be obvious in your shot. Keep your footing on solid ground and keep it firm but not tensed up and heavy. Proper balance and posture can be cultivated by constant practice. It should become so ingrained into yourself that you should be taking up the correct position the moment you step up to tee off.

Chicken Wings

When we say chicken wings we do not mean the kind that we eat and relish. This variety can best be left at home or reserved for a victory dinner. It is the act of letting your arm and your wrist go limp when putting a ball that is known as a chicken wing. It is a bad habit and should be overcome by strict discipline and practice. If this limp action is allowed then your arm will fly up and all the power developed will get dissipated.

Golfers who do not pay the necessary attention to their swing tend to commit this so called chicken wings. Chopping or slicing will be the result of losing power and executing a chicken wing.

Learn the good aspects of the game and practice them to perfection. Learn the bad things about golf and strive to avoid them.

Ian Bell
http://www.articlesbase.com/golf-articles/the-study-of-a-bad-golf-swing-to-acquiring-a-proper-golf-swing-999720.html

Golf Swing Improvement – Super Tips That Work For Your Golf Swing Now

It’s important to remember, your golf swing is what drives your score; not your clubs or ball. Most golfers don’t know that eighty percent of the world’s golfers have a handicap of 18 or more. When you’re playing golf badly it isn’t a lot of fun.

Overall, you generally want to play golf with confidence. If you’ve hit with your golf driver perfectly once, you can do it every time; the subconscious mind knows the correct number and sequence of muscle contractions and nerve impulses needed, called muscle memory. Visualize where you would like the ball to land, as you swing.

As the body matures, the ability to rotate the upper torso is affected by age, and the hand action can also slow down requiring a slightly stronger grip. Make sure to use the proper technique. At the end of a swing, the weight has shifted almost entirely to the left foot, the body is fully turned to the left and the hands are above the left shoulder with the club hanging down over the players’ back.

Standing over the ball for too long a time and wondering whether you’re going to swing the club correctly can easily result in a skewed shot, or completely missing the ball. Use the muscles in your legs and trunk when you swing. Putting can become a nightmare and a condition called the ‘yips’ has affected not only amateurs but professionals as well; get expert advice and consider a golf swing aid.

Before you swing, make sure you’re relaxed; contract all your muscles tightly for a moment and then relax them. After the ball is hit, the follow-through stage consists of a continued rotation to the left. Ask your golf pro to evaluate your posture while swinging. Swing slowly and steadily using a nice rhythm. Use the basic ‘hitchhiker’ position when you’re working on your backswing.

It’s no secret; most of the professional players actively participate in workouts. You can get rid of shoulder problems with some simple techniques. Don’t underestimate the value of fitness when it comes to your golf swing and your overall golf game.

Keep in mind that with some golf swing aids, you may still need advice or help from an expert. Overall, investing in aids will greatly improve your golf swing and your golf game. There are aids that will help you with swing alignment.

Look for golf swing aids at your local golf course. You can find aids that will help you with your wrist and arm position. There are golf swing aids that act as driving range simulators.

Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just starting out, pick just one aid and go to work on your swing. Golf swing aids come in all shapes and sizes including apparel type accessories to correct alignment or a golf club add-on accessory to monitor your swing. Before buying any aid, check with an expert to get an idea of what problem you need to work on first; backlift, momentum of downward thrust or stance for example.

If you’re looking for an aid to improve your stance they’re not hard to find. In any case, stick to just one aid at a time; don’t load up on them.

When you play a round of golf, concentrate on improving your swing, putting or something specific that day; have a plan in mind. If you’ve hit with your golf driver perfectly once, you can do it every time. Now is the time to fix that golf swing forever.

Helen Hecker
http://www.articlesbase.com/golf-articles/golf-swing-improvement-super-tips-that-work-for-your-golf-swing-now-119355.html

Golf Pro Golf Product Shopping

Everybody needs to learn from somewhere how to play the game of golf. At any golf course in the world, you can find a professional golfer who is paid to provide tips on techniques and equipment. You can typically find him on the golf course or in the Pro Shop. The Golf Pro is the one person at the golf course who would truly be able to tell you about Golf Pro Golf Product shopping items would be a good pick for you.

When you enter the Pro Shop, you see a wide assortment of balls in one corner of the Pro Shop, with training aids, golf bags, gloves, balls, apparel and an enormous selection of golf clubs to choose from. You feel ready to start your Golf Pro Golf Product Shopping. The equipment is very exciting and you are itching to get started.

Some of these golf clubs can be purchased separately, and some are combined in sets to give a person a complete set of golf clubs with one purchase required. When making Golf Pro Golf Product shopping selections, you need to know the basics about the game of golf, and have a good idea of what you already own.

If you are new to golfing, you might not have anything, and are there to purchase something to hit the ball with. Any type of equipment, in your inexperienced eyes, would be a good choice for golfing equipment. Through the eyes of the Golf Pro, however, is a totally different view.

He wants you to schedule a few days of instruction with him so that he can get a good idea on what your form, posture, hitting strength and accuracy are before he makes a recommendation on what equipment you will need to buy. Only after this review your Golf Pro Golf Product shopping spree can begin.

After a few days of Golf Pro instruction, you feel very professional. You have listened very carefully to all of the tips, and learned some techniques on ball placement, golf course hole par values, and scorekeeping. You spent several hours on the driving range, letting the Golf Pro bask in your improvement on driving a golf ball 250 yards in most cases. You feel very ready to start your Golf Pro Golf Product shopping tour.

The Golf Pro sees that you are committed to learning the golf sport and thinks you might be a good player to add to a foursome that just lost a member. With practice, he also knows that it is quite possible to become good enough to enter the Spring Amateur Classic that is scheduled in about 7 months. To begin your Golf Pro Golf Product shopping tour, he takes measurements of your height and arm length.

The Golf Pro recommends a custom made golf club set that would give you every tool that you needed to play an occasional round of golf. The cost of this set is quite a bit lower than more professional grade models, but you understand why he did not recommend those. You simply are not ready for them, and would scuff them up quite badly when you played on the exquisitely landscaped course outside.

Kuersten Steizer
http://www.articlesbase.com/internet-articles/golf-pro-golf-product-shopping-132704.html

The Bad Golf Swing!

We all can’t be pros, but we can avoid making simple mistakes. If you have a bad golf swing, it may not be because you’re a bad golfer! Here are some simple things to keep in mind that may help you avoid a bad golf swing.

Don’t Underestimate The Set-up

The main ingredient in most bad golf swings is not the swing itself; it’s actually a lousy set-up. The address is considered by some golfers to be more important than the actual swing.

The biggest mistake golfers make with their set-ups is that they just don’t pay enough attention to them. This is the kiss of death! If you just run out there and start whacking at the ball, it doesn’t matter how good your swing technique is. Your poor set-up will ruin it for you.

The key is consistency. Your set-up should be EXACTLY THE SAME each time! You should painstakingly look at that set-up and get it spot-on perfect each time.

Some people love gazing at themselves in mirror, and others cringe when they see the bulges popping out here and there; for golfers, I recommend getting over your vanity or shame and checking out your set-up in the mirror. The important thing is that you find the set-up that’s most suitable for you and stick with it!

Bad Posture Is A Killer

Another easy thing that’s often overlooked is posture. Your back should be straight, chin up and eyes forward. You are guaranteed a bad golf swing if you are hunched over the ball, with your head to the ground.

Posture and balance are two things that a little practice can help. It may seem silly, but you should get yourself into good habits. If you practice keeping your back straight and chin up, you’ll get that perfect posture in your muscle memory and you won’t have to worry about it anymore. For more info see http://www.getgoodatgolf.com/swing/

The Dreaded Chicken Wing

Save the chicken wings for when the game is over! While a basket of chicken wings is a nice after-game snack (that you will work off exercising later, OF COURSE!), they are not recommended while you are taking a swing.

A “chicken wing” means that you are letting your arm and wrist go limp right at the most important part of the swing – when you hit the putter. When this happens, the golfer’s arm flies up in the air, and hence it is called a chicken wing. When you do this, you lose all the power in your swing.

To avoid the chicken wing, you must keep your grip tight and your arms extended. You may have a tendency to fold them up, and that’s a big no-no. You might also be doing this because you’re standing too close to the ball. If so, move back a little and see if it feels better.

Go Ahead And Swing It Through

You wind up your body like a tightly twisted coil and let it swing back, releasing all that stored up energy and pounding the ball with it… then, your body stops like a car screeching to a halt, the ball sputters a few feet and your friends say “Good shot,” and try to smile. You stopped too soon!

It may seem like the shot’s over, done and finished, so you can put that club down; but actually, it’s better to swing it on through. The golf swing is a natural motion and you should let it go to its natural stopping point. Swing through the ball instead of stopping short. This will give you more distance and keep you from wasting all that stored energy.

Not everybody can be Tiger Woods. In fact, only he can! But, no matter what your golf ability is, you can always have fun and enjoy yourself. A bad golf swing can ruin your whole day. Keep these things in mind when you’re out there playing, and you’ll be that much closer to golfing greatness!

Amanda Fain
http://www.articlesbase.com/golf-articles/the-bad-golf-swing-129082.html

EyeLine Golf Putting Pendulum

The Pendulum Putting Rod creates a connection between the putter and the pivot point of a great stroke the sternum. The Point3 is the first neighborhood safe practice ball that performs like a real golf ball. Which means you can practice anytime, anywhere. Thanks to its internal pressure, cross linked construction the Point3 fades, draws and spins– just like a real golf ball!– but its completely neighborhood safe and backyard friendly. Now you can practice every day in the park, on campus, at the beach or in the yard!    Using the Pendulum Putting Rod helps you with critical fundamentals  • A perfect one-piece connection between the shoulders arms, and hands.  • It helps you stay in perfect posture throughout the stroke. If you lift your head, the rod will fall from your chest.  • It gives you a consistent way to check your putter shaft angle at address. This creates consistent putter loft and distance control.  • It keeps your stroke on plane. If you take the putter back outside the line, the Pendulum Putting Rod will fall. If you have any questions about this product or would like to order by phone, please call us Toll Free at 888-733-8383. We look forward to hearing from you!

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Golf Pro Tips 002 – Putting Fundamentals

Putting Fundamentals – Fundamentals – features PGA Teaching Professional Mark Russo. From tee to green and those trouble shots in between, Mark provides 65 quick eye-catching and informative tips to keep the ball in play, save strokes and elevate every golfer’s game.

Keywords:
bbtv broadbandtv pro golf pod target center wedge tee swing ball bunker club triangle posture stroke putter straight align sink grip tips tip shoulder

Duration : 0:1:28

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LifeSpan Stretch Trainer

SHIPPING INCLUDED Flexibility stretching improves sports performance, reduces the chance of injury and improves posture. The Stretch Partner is used for golf stretching by PGA and LPGA coaches to improve swing motion range so that golfers can hit the ball further and by tennis and baseball coaches to improve lower back, glutes and hamstring flexibility. The Stretch Partner is also used by physical therapists, health clubs and chiropractors across the country. Features The Flexible for Life stretching video includes a step by step stretching program that covers all major muscle groups and a guide book that illustrates 18 stretches for all major muscle groups. The Flex-Smart™ pivoting system provides a greater range of movement to accomodate various body types and levels of flexibility (patent pending). Places the user in the proper body position for stretching. Uses gravity to stretch all major muscle groups. Solid steel frame designed to support users up to 300 pounds. Transport wheels for easy moving. Dimensions: 48″L x 37″W x 32″H Warranty: Frame: 5 Year Residential, 1 Year Commercial Parts: 5 Year Residential, 1 Year Commercial Upholstery and Bumpers: 90 Days Residential, 90 Days Commercial

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