If like me you've spent numerous hours watching YouTube swing tips from professionals and find nothing quite fits you... here are 3 things I've found have helped transform my golfing from a 28 handicap to 18.
I'm by no means saying it will help your game... I find with golf YouTubers, they all forget to remind you of the fact; everyone's body works differently! But somehow despite all knowing this, we get drawn in, seeking for a glimmer of hope that will transform us average golfers into the next Bryson or Tiger!
So it's obvious I'm no swing coach, I'm just an average weekend golfer who can no longer watch YouTube golf tutorials as it sends my game backwards, safe to say I've put myself on ban from online tutorials... The classic "let me try this" or the "eureka" you think you've found after watching some YouTubers tell you "Do this to get an extra 45 yards on your drive".
Am I saying stop watching golf tutorials? Absolutely not. Anyone watching this will understand just how addictively frustrating this game can be.
This video is just some an insight to some of the things Ive picked up from a mixture of golf lessons and endless hours on YouTube.
Everyone's been there, stood over the ball, frozen, overthinking... how do I hinge? have I taken the club back enough? This is going to be bad but I'm doing it anyway.... I think it's fair to say the less swing thoughts you have when stood over the golf ball the easier your golfing will become. The more confident you will feel and hopefully the fewer shots you will take.
The three things I work on and pay attention are simple enough to remember and allow all other thoughts to disappear and allow me to take my shot.
1. Push pull technique.... For the right handed golfer, simply put: Whilst holding the club once your happy with your grip, try to get the feeling that your left hand is pushing the butt end of the club towards the ground, simultaneously feel as if your right fingers are pulling the club up. I do this to kick start my takeaway as my arms and body turn (with the aim of having the back of my right shoulder point towards my target) .... This for me results in keeping my lead hand / wrist staying flag (not bowed or cupped), creates the idea of "width" and helps me hinge the club (irons), along with keeping that lead arm straight (as you are pushing the butt end of the club away during the entire backswing).
2. Timing and Rhythm.... I think the key ingredient to a good swing is timing and Rhythm. Ive found the second I accidently allow my body, arms and hands to lose their connected rhythm it all goes pear shaped. To me, taking a slower back swing, with an ever so slight pause, before "whipping" that club back round and though the ball, allows my body and hips to work in sync with the shoulders, hands and arms. I got this idea from watching the professionals. So many of them have a really cool carlm and collected back swing before EXPLOADING back round to hit the ball. As soon as I started trying to adobt that same "feeling" I instantly increased my swing speed, but it also gave me a greater feeling of confidence. I wasn't rushing to get my takeaway right. The ever so slight pause at the top (which feels like your there for ages) is the trigger to the rest of my body that we are changing directions and it's time for all parts to move together.
3. Relax.... having started playing golf 2 years ago, I always thought the stiffer I was, the tighter I strangled the club shaft, the better my shot would be.... I couldn't have been more wrong. During one of my lessons my coach said try to loosen your hands to the point where you are bare holding onto the club - well enough to ensure it moves in the directions you want it to. This was an absolute game changer. When stood over the ball I tell myself "loose" hands and immediately the only thing I'm focusing on is barely holding the club. This for me allows the club to do what it's designed to do, swing freely through whatever stands in its way.
Again I can't stress enough, IM NO GOLF COACH. I'm just your average Weekender golfer who has found a few things that I work on everytime I'm at the driving range and it's what helps me get around the course fairly comfortablely without having those moments of "am I even holding the club the right way up".
I hope you enjoy the video, and if any of the tips work for you even better.
Let me know in the comments what you find works for you.
Your likes and Subscribes would be greatly appreciated!
