How to Swing a Golf Club Like a Master Golfer • On The Golf Green

Golf is undeniably a challenging sport to learn, and one of the fundamentals for every golfer is how to swing a golf club.

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How to Swing a Golf Club Like a Master Golfer

When you swing a golf club, there are way more things that you should focus on besides strength and speed.

Furthermore, it requires your utmost attention not only on how you hold the club but also on your body’s movement.

How to Swing a Golf Club

When you’re learning the sport, one of the first skills that you must learn is how to swing in golf.

It may seem like a no-brainer at first since it’s just a simple swing, right?

However, it’s more complicated than just holding your club and hitting the ball. It requires extreme control and consistency to create repeatable shots every time.

This can be challenging, especially if you have no one else to guide you while on the course.

In this section, you will learn the step-by-step guidelines on how to golf swing correctly. You can practice these steps every time you step on the course.

It will help you assess what you’re doing wrongly or awkwardly and correct them. In no time, this training will guarantee a gradual improvement in your swing.

So without further ado, here are the steps on how to swing in golf:

Step 1: Setup

The first step on how to golf swing guide is, to begin with, the setup. Again, every tiny movement of your body matters in your swing.

It includes the proper stance and posture during the setup. If you’re new to the concept, here are some guidelines for more precise visualization of the proper setup:

Place your feet apart, approximately with shoulder-width distance. Then, spread out your toes slightly.
Slightly bend your knees.
Bend at the hips and let your hands fall loosely down your legs.

Step 2: Gripping the Club

So for the grip, you have to consider the level of strength and type of grip that you will execute. These differences will determine your ball trajectory.

Also, off-the-rack clubs typically have a standard grip size, which may not fit accurately for you. If you have larger hands, you may need a club with a thicker grip.

So, getting a fitting would be the best route to ensure that you’re using the right grip size for you.

Let’s first visualize the basic process of gripping the club on how to swing in golf:

First, grip the golf handle with your dominant hand.
Then, place your trailing hand to support that grip.

3 Types of Grip Strength

Now, let’s tackle the three different grip strengths that you must keep in mind:

Neutral Grip

When doing a neutral grip, you have to make sure that your clubface is square to the ball’s position at address.
Place your dominant hand on the club handle. Make sure that only your index and middle finger’s knuckles are visible on your grip.
Then, place your non-dominant hand below your dominant hand, with the same finger position.

Strong Grip

Position your dominant hand on the club handle, followed by your non-dominant hand.
The finger knuckles visible for both hands are the index, middle, and ring finger.
A strong grip often results in either a draw or a hook and a close clubface upon hitting the ball.

Weak Grip

Unlike the strong grip, the weak grip must lean towards your non-dominant hand.
A weak grip often results in a left-to-right ball trajectory and an open clubface.

3 Types of Grip

Besides different grip strengths, there are also different types of grip. Often, it would depend on your personal preference on which suits the size of your hands.

Overlapping grip: This is the most commonly applied grip and suits golfers with large hands and long fingers. Your non-dominant hand’s pinky must overlap in-between your dominant hand’s index and middle finger.
Interlocking grip: This is best for golfers with small hands and short fingers. Here, your non-dominant hand’s pinky must interlock in-between your dominant hand’s index and middle finger.
Ten finger grip: Also called the baseball grip, this is similar to how you hold a baseball bat without linking your hands together. It is best for golfers who find flexing their fingers challenging.

Step 3: Top of the Backswing

The best tip on how to golf swing when it comes to doing the backswing is to keep in mind to make a big circle.

During your backswing, your arms and hand must reach above your trail shoulder. Your hips must be slightly rotating back, and you must exert your weight on your trailing foot.

Then, as you execute your full swing, your clubhead must make a circle up to your top left shoulder.

Step 4: Your Finish Position

Your goal on how to swing in golf is to end your finishing position like this:

The chest must be facing the ball.
Club’s position must be at the back and above your trail shoulder, with the clubhead behind your head.
Knees must be sticking together.
The lead foot must be up, and only your toe must touch the ground.

Addressing Common Swing Problems

Even the best golfer cannot consistently repeat the same perfect swings over and over again. It’s normal to lose your swing from time to time when playing golf.

However, you can still avoid the common swing problem by practicing your swings. But it’s not just mindlessly hitting the ball off the course.

What will pay off over time is training and mastering your drills.

If you feel there’s something wrong with your swing, here are some examples and tips on addressing common swing problems.

Correcting a Slice

Keep your knees in a flexed position while doing the backswing.
Make sure that it’s not leaning backward or straighten it.

Correcting a Hook

If there are more than two knuckles visible on your grip, shift to a weak grip.
You must be aiming straight to the goal and not far too left or right.

Addressing Balls that Don’t Hit Squarely

Keep your head down.
Your eyes must follow the ball over the duration of your backswing.

Getting Out of the Rough

During setup, your weight must be leaning towards the left side.
Your shoulders must be level, and your swing must be at a steep angle on your left.
Execute a descending strike on your swing.

Getting Out of the Bunker

Do not open up your stance and your clubface excessively. Instead, execute your regular stance, with your clubface slightly open upon striking.
Your club must be a few inches behind the ball instead of directly hitting it,
Don’t try to get the ball out immediately. Instead, try striking on the sand first and then hit the ball.

Shanking

Your weight must be in your arches. Then, try to distance your club from the ball a little bit.
Make sure there is no tension in your hips and hands when you set up. Consequently, your right hip should smoothly twist in the backswing.

Putting

Pick a specific target line.
Your setup must be at least two feet behind the ball. Make sure to keep your eye on the target line while setting up.
When you take a stroke, the putter must be aligned to the target line.

What is the Swing Plane?

There is no question that each player of golf is unique in their own ways. We have different weights, heights, and overall body structure.

Furthermore, we also own various clubs with varying lengths of shaft and characteristics. Hence, it is vital to identify the best swing planes for us, which differs for everyone.

So what is a swing plane? It is the vertical angle that you make when you circle the club during your backswing.

In other words, this is the invisible arc where your swing travels. It will help to know your swing plane in order to assess the right swing for you.

There are essentially two types of swings: one-plane swing and two-plane swing. The first one is much easier since you can repeat the rotation.

However, the latter is much suitable for pros because of its fast swing speed and longer shot. Here are the differences between the two:

One-Plane Swing

Here, your body rotates away from the ball and then goes back through upon the impact.
Your arms and your shoulder will be the ones taking away the club.
Then, your hips proceed to distance itself from the ball.

It is relatively simple and easy to repeat compared to the two-plane swing.

Basically, you’re coordinating your shoulders, arms, and hands when executing your backswing. The body’s rotation during a one-plane swing is more comfortable and natural.

It’s because here’s no need for the upper body to turn along with the hip and leg motion. Once you master this, you can generate great draws.

Two-Plane Swing

Stand closer to the golf ball.
Swing upright and make sure that your left arm is aways from the swing along with the shoulders.
Your body must slide the club back on the swing plane to the golf ball.

Even though it’s more complex than a one-plane swing, pro players use this for a more accurate ball flight.

Here, you must put a lot of focus on the right timing in order to perfect the swing. Aside from accuracy, this approach also promotes faster swing speed and longer distance.

While one-plane is easier to execute, many golfers would argue that a two-plane swing is less restrictive on application.

How to Swing Golf Driver

A lot of golfers struggle in hitting the driver, even pro players. The driver is the club that will get you the most distance.

Unfortunately, because of the length of the shaft and the clubface’s low loft angle, it is a challenge to hit this club.

It is no secret that if you are able to swing the driver properly, most likely, your tee shots will land into a good golf score.

The proper takeaway using the driver club should be low and slow. Mastering the swing is the key to ace on the golf course.

Practice your swing to observe and fix issues you are encountering.

Here are some tips on how to swing a golf club.

Broaden Your Stance

Position your feet in a broad or wide stance, and place the ball off the inside of your left heel.

This position will ensure you have a solid base to swing the club with stability and power when you begin to intensify your clubhead speed.

It is the first recommendation you need to follow on how to swing a golf club. You can guarantee a high-optimum launch when you start with this.

Slightly Bend Your Spine

Both iron and driver require you to tilt your spine slightly. The only difference is the location of the ball you are about to hit.

When it comes to the driver club, the ball is placed on a tee. The ball’s placement should be forward to the low point of your swing, opposite your left armpit.

The aim of this position is to hit up the golf ball. Set up your body lines, including your shoulders, hips, knees, and feet.

It should be parallel to the target line so you can swing back straighter.

Make a Full Turn

To build an additional speed on the backswing, you must pivot your wrists and coil your upper body behind the ball.

It’s one of the amazing tips that can quickly transform your backswing dynamics. It only involves a simple raise of the left heel in the backswing.

If you suffer from a lack of flexibility with your body, keep thinking and analyzing ways to allow your body to turn more.

Because if you can rotate your shoulders and hips more when doing a backswing, there is more potential energy release.

Maintain Your Arm Speed

Try to keep swinging your arms at a constant speed through the ball until the end of the downswing. If you continue your pace, most probably, you will create a good rhythm.

Usually, players who struggle with hitting the driver club feel awkward when addressing tee shots. Just keep in mind that you are making a golf swing.

How to Swing Golf Iron

There is a considerable difference between driver and iron. And, predicaments arise when you hit irons the same way you do with your drivers.

You can generate more power by using the shorter shaft of iron. Enhancing your iron play is vital in the quest for lower scores.

Below are four basic techniques on how to swing a golf club, which is specifically iron golf.

Proper Stance and Setup

All swings need to begin with an appropriate position. You can start by preparing your shoulders, hips, and feet and then shifting your chest back and through.

It is essential to maintain your posture throughout the swing. Always remember that a solid stance affects the effectiveness of an iron shot.

Take this as a key on how to swing a golf club effectively.

Make Adjustments on Your Backswing

You should apply the “2-8-12” rule to ensure a successful backswing. Pull your club straight back during the initial two inches of the swing.

Then, from that up to 8 inches, allow your club to move upward, but your wrist must not rotate.

Bring the shaft of your club parallel to the ground with the 8-inches markdown to the 12-inches mark. Make sure that you maintain your back shoulder in a lower position.

Finally, make the proper adjustment for your backswing. Additionally, your knee is also important to your swing since it will maintain your balance during the game.

Compress the Ball and Create a Divot

Most of the time, when you use iron or wedge clubs, you will scrape off a thin layer of turf where the ball is placed.

It’s because these clubs are built to hit the golf ball on a descending path. And, since the iron is constantly moving downward, it results in digging the turf slightly.

Here are some key elements you should also consider to make a good impact on your golf shots.

Prepare yourself for the proper hand positioning. Your hands should be placed accordingly to produce an impact.
Put your weight on your front leg. It is also necessary to create downward contact with the ball.
Keep your eyes on the ball. Among all tips on how to swing a golf club, this one is significant. By doing this, you can assure that your swing will contact the ball.
Stay committed with every shot you make. Clear all the negativities and fear before and during the game. Maintain your confidence and conviction.

Tips on How to Improve Your Swing

As a golf player, you should not only rely on your equipment but also in improving your skills and techniques. It all starts with a golf swing that moves with harmony and fluidity.

It is tough to maintain a consistent swing. If you are looking to enhance your golf game, you should work on your swings.

Start with Proper Balance

Every golfer aims for distance, accuracy, and precision on striking for a shot. If you don’t work on your balance, you cannot achieve your objectives and goals.

In any golf swing, you should prioritize and focus on your balance. It is the first step on how to swing a golf.

To create a solid foundation, your heels should be slightly wider than your shoulders.

When your stance is narrow, it will result in a loss of balance during your swing. Keep your knees somewhat flexed to allow the maintenance of your balance.

Appropriately Grip Your Club

Another vital golf swing basic is to assure that you are holding your clubs properly. You should not grip your clubs too firm because most probably, the club’s flow will be too rigid.

On the other hand, holding your grip too light can lead you to lose the club’s possession altogether.

Less Power Means More Impact

Most of the time, players thought that having more power and force can positively affect your gameplay.

Unfortunately, too much power can lead to stunted shots that will cause the ball to lose its direction. Moreover, this can cause you to miss the ball altogether.

Instead of exerting too much power and tension, stay relaxed and concentrate. Shift a bit of your power to your torso and hips.

Slow Down and Take Your Time

It is essential not to forget any crucial movements while doing your swing.

It is true that you need to move quickly, but you also need to ensure that there are no missing steps in performing golf.

When you are about to strike a ball, you must also take your time to observe your surroundings. You can also utilize this time to adjust your position and posture accordingly.

Always Stretch Before the Game

Be sure to stretch your body before playing to prepare your back, arms, and hips. You can also do exercise or workouts to enhance your flexibility and strength.

This way, you can also avoid injuries while playing.

Be Consistent

Any sport requires time, effort, and passion. It is also crucial in playing golf. Practice and training can surely help you improve your skills and abilities.

By practicing continuously, you can execute quality shots later on. It will surely take time to perfect the posture, position, and grip, but your training will be worth it.

Instead of comparing yourself to others, start focusing on yourself and how to develop the skills a pro player has.

You can make mistakes in the process but treat it as a lesson to internalize. Every small step is essential. It is the most powerful advice on how to swing a golf club.

Through your consistency, you can improve your skills rapidly.