How To Build A Consistent Golf Swing
By Paul Wilson
Over the past 17 years of teaching golf, I would say the most
common thing that I hear golfers say is that they want to become
more consistent. You’re probably shaking your head right now in
agreement. The thing I find funny is that people who say this
are never serious about it. I say this because as soon as the
latest and greatest club or ball comes out claiming to get
another 10 or 15 yards they go buy it.
As soon as they get on a launch monitor they try to rip it as
hard as they can. And when they go play or practice they swing
out of their shoes. If you truly want to become a consistent
golfer you have to get serious. Below are a few things that will
help you gain the consistency you are after:
1. Slow Down Your Golf Swing
You’ve seen the pros on TV hit a golf ball. When they hit shots
they make it look effortless. So why is it that when you go to
play, you try to hit every shot as hard as you can?
The next
time you go to play, try to swing at half speed. You may have to
take an extra club on certain shots but swinging slower will
make you hit the ball straighter because the harder you hit the
more you amplify the sidespin on the ball. If you are off even a
little with a fast swing your ball will be gone. If you put a
little less into it and you don’t hit the ball quite perfectly you
will still be able to find you ball thus saving you shots.
Plus,
confidence breeds distance. If you keep hitting fairways and
greens you will gain confidence. As you gain confidence, you
will gain distance. So, slow down and you will become more
consistent.
2. Practice Regularly
How do you expect to get better at golf if you never practice? I
know you’re busy. Everyone’s busy but those who are serious
about becoming better golfers make time to practice.
One of
things I promote, is to do practice swings at home in the
basement or backyard while working on the proper positions. I
know what you’re going to say. You’re going to say that you have
a great practice swing but when you go to hit a ball it’s
totally different. Well first off, you don’t have a great
practice swing. It’s probably okay but it’s not great. If it
were great you would have the knowledge to use this very same
swing to hit the ball.
The reason your practice swing changes
when you hit a ball is because you are thinking about hitting
the ball. The more you try to hit the worse you will become (see
#1 above). What you should be doing is learning the proper
positions and repeating them over and over again (in practice
swings) until you know no other way to swing. These positions
must be precise and must be repeated exactly the same way each
time you swing. So learn the proper swing positions.
To do this, set up a
practice station in or at your home and get serious about how
you are supposed to be moving your body. Forget hitting golf
balls for a while and just do practice swings. Once you master the movements the ball will
just get in the way.
3. Practice ONLY One Method
There are many teachers out there who all see the golf swing
differently. These teachers have all studied the game for a long
time and probably know a lot more about it than you. So try to
find a teacher that you like and religiously follow this
person’s instruction. This will help you to master the positions
and develop a consistent golf swing because you will stop trying
all those different tips and tricks that have done nothing to
help you become a consistent golfer.
4. Get Your Clubs Fitted
Equipment is very important to playing consistent golf. If you
are using equipment that is not fitted to your body, you will
have to make compensations to your swing to hit perfect shots.
Some days you will make these compensations perfectly and other
days you won’t. For the sake of a few dollars, have your clubs
checked. If you do, you can rule out using the wrong equipment
as the cause of your inconsistency.
5. Use the Same Brand of Golf Balls Each Time You Play
Okay quit looking for balls when you play. I know you just saved
yourself $3-4 dollars but using a ball that has been in a pond
for a year is not going to do your game any good. Also, not all
golf balls are made the same. If one day you play one brand and
the next day you play another how are you going to become
consistent? There is a lot of feel in golf especially around the
greens. If you are always using a different ball how can you
possibly develop a consistent feel.
6. Develop a Routine
This last point is vital to playing great golf. You must have a
routine. From the moment you leave work or home you should
almost be able to put your game on autopilot because you have
done the exact same routine each time. Your routine should
encompass your arrival to the course, your practice, your
approaching the first tee, your set up routine and
visualization, attitude on the course etc. There are many
different areas in the game of golf. Try to develop a consistent
routine in each of these areas then you will be able to get
yourself into a comfort zone when you go to play.
It’s finally time for you to get serious about this game. This
means you have to forget distance. This will come with
consistency. Hopefully, you can incorporate some of these ideas
into your golf game. If you do, you finally gain the consistency
that you are after.
Paul Wilson
Creator - Swing Machine Golf
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