Apr
02
Posted under
Techniques
To build a smooth powerful swing is within every body’s ability but you must first understand where the power is developed.The common problem that affects most golfers is trying to hit the ball to hard. The fundamental concept to a good swing is that you do not hit the ball but allow the ball to get in the way of your swing. Remember it is a golf swing not a golf hit.By concentrating on hitting the ball you will develop a stabbing motion that is not smooth or powerful.
Lets think of the parts of the swing ,there is a back swing ,a forward or down swing and the finish. Only three basic parts.Now how can we join them together in the most efficient therefore powerful way?
1.The back swing should start gently with the club head low to the ground, the hips and shoulders turning in harmony with the arms, this is a one piece movement although the hips will turn only about thirty degrees, the shoulders up to ninety degrees depending on your flexibility and your arms even further. Note the difference here, this is where the power is built. The hip/shoulder margin is often referred to as the ‘x’ factor because if you placed a shaft across your hips and another across your shoulders and you could look down upon yourself the two shafts would form an x. Restricting the hip turn builds the coil power, think of turning the top of a spring whilst holding the bottom and imagine the potential energy there, it is this energy that provides the power in your swing.
2.The down swing should follow naturally from the back swing, the trunk of your body turning and bringing your arms down on plane back to the impact position. The arms should stay close on the return, with your right elbow almost brushing your hip, this will prevent you from casting the club and hitting a slice. Keep the wrists cocked until the club shaft is parallel to the ground and then uncock them into impact. The timing of this can be checked by holding the club upside down and swinging, you should hear a swishing noise through the impact area and beyond.
3. The finish has to be balanced, weight on the left leg, chest facing the target, head held high and the club over the left shoulder almost laying across the neck. It can help considerably to study the pro’s finish position, my favourite being Ernie Els.Copy the finish position and work in reverse, if you know where you are going to end up it makes the journey there a lot clearer.
Practice these tips and you will build a smooth, powerful swing.
Mar
19
Posted under
Techniques
The idea of attending golf school sounds ideal. You get to spend a couple of years learning about a sport that you love, improving your game and working on completing an education which you hope will lead to a lucrative and satisfying career in the future.
But, wait a minute. Exactly what career might you obtain after graduating from golf school? After all, you love the thought that you might land a professional golf career out of the deal but you realize that the likelihood of that isn’t terrific. It could happen, but you don’t want to spend your money on an education that has only a small chance of getting you closer to your dream. Don’t worry; there are a number of other jobs that you can get after graduation from a golf college. These jobs are all related to the golf industry but will let you explore different interests as well, interests which may increase your likelihood of obtaining a job upon graduation.
For example, if you are interested in golf but are also interested in education, you could work on getting a job teaching golf. There are many different locations and settings in which golf instructors are needed. Many high schools have golf teams that need coaching. Resorts hire golf professionals to teach their skills to beginners who are just trying to enjoy a few days out on a luxurious golf course. Busy professionals pay to have private golf lessons for themselves or their young children. And golf schools also hire people to teach at their institutions. Teaching golf is one of the major careers that people graduating from a golf college enter. Those who get a jump start by working in some form of golf instruction during their college years are, of course, the ones who see the most success in making the transition from student to teacher.
Perhaps education isn’t your thing. You may be great at sales and marketing. If you have a penchant for sales or any aspect of marketing, you can get a job in the sales and marketing division of the golf industry. Golf schools offer courses that teach you the skills that you need to head large marketing divisions of major golf organizations. There are many different types of jobs related to this. For example, you could be a marketing copywriter for a golf publication. Alternatively, you could work as the head of sales for a company specializing in certain kind of golf clubs or golf attire. As long as you are willing to work at making the sale and letting people know what’s great about the product, you can do well in this area. Since you already love golf, you’re one step ahead of people who have marketing skills in other industries.
Maybe you have a more creative interest that you would like to indulge while making the most out of your golf education. There are many different ways that you could use golf school as a launching pad for combining golf with other creative endeavors. If you are interested in photography, you could start networking during your college years to meet people who will later employ you as a photographer at special golf events. Similarly, perhaps you are interested in alternative healing. Use your golf school time to get to know people working at golf resorts. Later, you may come back to these people to get hired on as an alternative healer or physical therapists specializing in massage or therapy for golf injuries. Golf school is just a stepping-stone to a number of interesting and lucrative careers. Deciding what type of golf career you will pursue after graduation is limitless.
