Golf Swing Instructions for Beginners

Beginner golfers learning the game of golf should focus their efforts on the most critical elements of the golf swing, namely the golf grip, setup and full swing fundamentals. Here are swing basics and tips that reinforce these fundamentals. Note: these golf swing tips are for right handed golfers.

The Grip

1.For most golfers, the recommended golf grip for the swing is the Vardon Overlap grip where the little finger of the right hand (trailing hand) is placed in the crease of the forefinger and middle finger of the left hand (leading hand).

2. The left hand thumb should fit in the lifeline of the right hand.

3. The finished golf swing grip should lie in fingers and not the palms.

4.Grip pressure determines amount of wrist hinge and release - on a scale of 1 to 10 where 10 is "tight" and 1 is "loose," strive for a "5 to 6."

5. "Neutral" grip is recommended for majority of golf swing shots and results in "square" club face at impact. Using a neutral grip, the "V" formed by thumb and index finger of each hand should point between right shoulder and chin.

Golf Swing Posture & Stance

1. Body weight in middle of feet.

2. Tilt from hips approximately 30 degrees to achieve proper spine angle.

3. Knees slightly flexed.

4. Keep back straight. Visualize an "axis line" down spine. Rotate around this axis line throughout the swing.

5. Arms hang freely.

6. Chin up and off chest.

7. Stance: shoulder-width for mid-irons; slightly wider for longer irons and woods; slightly narrower for shorter irons and wedges.

Full Golf Swing Fundamentals

Backswing

· Assume address position

· Rotate club, body and arms back along your swing plane while shifting your body weight to the inside of your right leg.

· As hands approach waist, wrists should hinge.

· At the top of the back swing, check that left arm is straight, 80% of body weight is on inside of right leg and right knee is flexed.

· Check that your shoulders are turned 90° and hips are turned 30 to 45°

Downswing

· First movement of downswing is weight shift to the left, then hips, arms and shoulders unwind to impact.

· At impact, club is released by unhinging wrists and delivering club head square through ball - keep head behind ball at impact.

· AS body turns to target through swing impact, arms and clubs extend down the target line.

· At finish position, belt buckle faces target; club is wrapped around shoulder; 90% of weight is on left leg with right foot upright on toes.