Golf Tips

How to Grip a Golf Club

Point the V's (angle between thumb and pointer finger) of both hands over your right (left for lefties) shoulder.
Hold the club in your fingers, not your palms.
Don't choke the club. Your grip should be firm but relaxed.
A stronger (tighter) grip will promote pulls or hooks.
A weaker (looser) grip will promote pushes or slices.

Align the clubface with the target first. Then set your body up for the shot.
Let your arms hang down naturally about four inches away from your body.
Keep your head and chin up and eyes on the ball.
Feet should be square, about shoulder width apart.
Position the ball back in your stance for short irons and progressively move it forward for longer irons and woods, with the foremost ball position being even with your front instep for the driver.
Your knees should be slightly flexed and stable and should not become locked at anytime during your swing.
Keep your weight on your back foot, enough so that you should be able to lift your front foot without loosing your balance.

Begin the takeaway with your shoulders, keeping your front arm extended, while bringing the club back low and slow.
Allow your shoulders to coil first, then your hips.
Keep your weight on the inside of your back foot when at the top of the swing.
Don't go past parallel at the top of the backswing.
Begin the downswing by transfering your weight to your front foot.
Rotate your hips, don't slide them forward.
Let gravity pull your hands down, while your back elbow leads toward the target.
Accelerate through the shot, uncocking your wrists at impact.
Follow all the way through the shot until your chest is facing the target.

Set yourself up to hit the club you are most comfortable with for your approach shots. COURSE MANAGEMENT!
Shorten your swing for more accuracy and control.
Hit down on the ball. The club's loft will get the ball in the air.
Attempt to land the ball below the hole. This will make putting much easier.

Practice putting from 4 feet to build confidence.
Practice lag putts in steadily increasing distances, spending enough time at each distance to feel confident with your stroke and speed.
Read the green and pick a target. Don't second guess yourself once you address the ball.
Keep the putter's face square at all times.
Swing the putter back and through on a straight line.

Stand tall, with your feet closer together and slightly open.
Play the ball back in your stance.
Open the clubface slightly.
Swing with your shoulders and arms, keeping your wrists firm.
Don't give up on the swing or attempt to lift the ball. Let the club do the work.
Follow through on the target line.

Dig in with your toes to promote hitting the below the ball. The object is to hit the sand first.
Play the ball towards the front of your stance, keeping your weight slightly more on your front foot than on the back.
Open the clubface slightly and aim a little left (right for lefties) of the hole.
Take a 3/4 swing and swing all the way through the ball. Control your distance by adjusting the tempo of the swing.
Keep your front arm extended through the swing.
Don't give up on the shot.