It’s never too late to learn to play golf like a pro. Whether you are just starting out, or want to improve your swing, we’ve got you covered.
Here are the 3 basic steps of how to swing a golf club – give this post a read through, then get out there and try it out!
Step #1: The Posture
The perfect swing starts with the stance. A lot of beginners don’t bother with trying to perfect their stance before they swing, which is a huge mistake. If you don’t work on your posture at the outset, you won’t be satisfied with your progress. To really improve the distance of your shot, you have to start by improving the way you stand.
Here is a quick step-by-step for setting up your posture:
First, start with your feet. Your stance should be just a little wider than your shoulders, to give you the best stability. If you have good quality golf shoes, you shouldn’t have to worry about slipping – so don’t be afraid to spread those feet apart to a comfortable width. Your front foot should be placed just in front of the ball, so that the club sits comfortably in the middle of your body.
Once your feet are positioned, you will want to bend your knees into an athletic stance. You don’t want to be squatting down, but you don’t want your knees to be locked either – find a comfortable point that gives you a springy range of motion. It’s important that you are bending at the knees and not at the hips when you swing.
Step #2: The Grip
If you feel good about your initial stance, you can move on to the grip. There are a few different types of grips people use – feel free to test them all out and settle on what you are most comfortable with.
One of the most common grips, and the one most recommended for beginners, is the baseball grip. Like the name suggests, with this grip you will hold your club a little like you might hold a baseball bat. Hold your club or driver upright (pointing upwards), and grip it with your left hand below your right. The index finger of your right hand should be touching, but not overlapping, the pinky finger of your left hand.
If you want to try out a slightly more advanced grip, you can give the overlapping grip a shot. In this case, you will hold your hands the same way on the club, but let your left pinky rest over your right index finger. The overlapping grip lets your hands get closer together on the handle, and can give you a more precise, accurate shot with a little practice.
Feel like you have the hang of those two? The most intricate grip, which a lot of the pros use, is called the interlocking grip. In this grip, your left index finger and right pinky will actually interlock so that they form an X shape on the club. Using this grip can give you a ton of stability and precision, but be careful – if your hands slip on the club, you could risk hurting those interlocked fingers.
If you are a beginner, we definitely recommend starting out with the classic baseball grip, and working your way up to more advanced styles.
Most players, including beginners, opt to wear a glove when they play golf, which is worn on the top hand (the left hand for right-handed golfers). Golf gloves can add much needed extra grip, which are particularly helpful if your hand is sweaty or the grip on the club starts to wear.
Step #3: The Swing
Your feet are placed, knees bent in a nice athletic stance, and you have a secure grip on the club – now it’s time for the fun part! There are four stages to your swing: the backswing, the downswing, the impact and the follow through.
Start your backswing by shifting your weight to your rear foot. Keep your knees in that loose athletic stance and cleanly lift the club backwards, getting ready to swing it back down.
The downswing begins in your shoulders and finishes in your wrist. As you swing the club down, keep your arms extended from your core – but without locking your elbows. It should finish with a clean wrist snap, driving the club all the way through the ball.
There should be no break in motion from the downswing to the impact to the follow through – it is all one clean swing. It is important to swing through the ball, not at it. If you swing to hit the ball, you may end up slicing too hard. Your eyes should follow the ball all the way through your swing.
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Final Thoughts
With the right gear and enough practice, anyone can perfect their golf swing. Remember, it all starts with the perfect stance and a good grip. Now that you have a basic idea of how to get started, grab your driver and start practicing!
