Ever been on the driving-range and seen one ball after the other veer into the wilds of the blue? If your golf balls consistently go towards trees on the right side of your swing, you may be suffering from a “slice”. Perfection of your swing is a lot like chasing butterflies, sometimes. We are going to fix this problem together on golf swing doctor. It’s not brain surgery.
For starters, let’s talk grip. You wouldn’t grip your morning coffee as if it were a brick or a baby cat with such a tight grip, would you? Your grip shouldn’t be so firm that it makes you white-knuckle strong. Imagine shaking a person’s hands – without having to crack their knuckles. You want to do that. Check if you are using your left arm too much or too little on the club. Adjust it until you can hold it for as long as you like.
Have you imagined your swing like a giant circular motion? My friend, you’re probably wondering, “What does geometry have anything to do with the game of golf?” It’s a problem if you feel your swing more like an awkward, ellipse. You want a continuous, smooth arc. Imagine an old vinyl disc spinning smoothly. Your club path should have the same rhythm.
Posture. Pilates? Who needs it when you can prepare for a perfect shot with ease? Keep your knees slightly bowed and your back naturally angled. You want your body to look like that of a gazelle, a gazelle walking on a savannah. Not a hunched-over bear coming out of hibernation. You should align your body with the target when addressing the football. As if you are on moving walkways at the airport, draw parallel lines from your toes and shoulders.
And the backswing. Flow. It’s all in the flow. You don’t want to rush. It’s not about brewing instant espresso. Start slowly, and lead with your shoulders. As if you are turning to say goodbye to an old friend. If you swing the club too fast, it will make your life difficult. It could cause that annoying, over-thetop swing.
When you are transitioning into the downswing think of it like a graceful dance. Watch your arms following your hips. Hip, followed by arms. Hip, and then arms. Recite it to yourself a few times. Focus even more on the movement than what’s above!
Position of the ball and your posture? You’re like the chef who has just finished a masterpiece. Put the golf ball in a position closer to your foot on the left, without waving it goodbye. This will optimize both the direction and flight of your golf ball. You can then aim more accurately. Stop being a hapless slicer. Get off the production line.
Confidence. Confidence. Remember that this game is as mental as it’s physical. Relax. Tiger Woods himself has probably had mornings when his swing wasn’t perfect. You can laugh about your Hollywood swings, even when you are laughing at yourself.
Practise diligently, my friend – even when it seems like you’re searching for gold where none exists. But most importantly, don’t stop swinging. The cure to a sliced is sometimes a healthy dose stubborn persistence. Now, let’s toast you to a straighter more magnificent drive. Wishing you a Happy Golfing experience!