| Many recreational golfers, even those with golf | | | | a tight coil at the top of the swing. |
| handicaps that are fairly low, don't understand the | | | | Skilled golfers know that true power comes from |
| basics of a great golf swing. Before you can | | | | the upper body coiling over the resistance of the |
| perfect your golf swing, you must be able to | | | | lower body, and that depends on good footwork. |
| break down the simple golf swing into its | | | | Professionals keep their left heel planted on the |
| elemental parts. Swinging the golf club perfectly is | | | | back swing and push off of their right heel on the |
| the dream of every golfer. Let's examine a few | | | | downswing. (Reverse this if you are left-handed.) |
| elements of a great swing. | | | | Many golfers lift their left heel on the backswing |
| First there is balance. Balance is critical to a great | | | | and keep the right heel planted at impact. This is |
| swing. It should be one of the first things you | | | | the opposite of what you should be doing. Learn |
| learn when you take beginner golf instruction. | | | | the proper footwork and you'll be hitting longer, |
| Balance throughout the swing starts with a good | | | | more accurate shots. |
| set-up that has the following elements: | | | | The last element of a great and easy golf swing |
| - Head is behind the ball. | | | | we'll cover is a solid impact. For a solid impact, |
| - Back shoulder is slightly lower than the front. | | | | your back shoulder should be slightly lower than |
| - Both shoulders are aligned parallel, left of target. | | | | the front. Your front shoulder, arm, and hip should |
| - Hands are positioned just inside the front leg. | | | | create a straight line. Your hands in the same |
| - Knees are slightly flexed. | | | | position they were at address. Your front wrist is |
| - Feet are at slightly wider than shoulder width. | | | | flat and both hands are leading the club head into |
| That is a lot to think about. Expect to practice | | | | the ball. You've transferred weight from the right |
| this often until you develop the "muscle memory" | | | | to the left foot. |
| to have a good, natural golf swing. | | | | To sum up a great golf swing, it's a turn |
| A solid takeaway is another key to a great swing. | | | | backward then forward. The front knee acts as |
| Your arms should remain ahead of your chest. | | | | the hub of both the turns. |
| Your knees should be slightly flexed. Your front | | | | A great golf swing is simple but not easy. To |
| knee points towards the ball. Your hands and | | | | develop a natural, easy golf swing, takes |
| shoulders must be in sync. A good takeaway | | | | understanding the fundamentals of the swing and |
| produces the next element of a great golf swing, | | | | a lot of "perfect practice". |