| The game of golf is truly an individual sport. The | | | | straight on the ball and your left shoulder from hitting |
| basics are the same for everyone; however, due to | | | | your chin. This exercise will "train" your body, and |
| the differences in people’s body types no two | | | | your muscles will "remember" the correct position |
| people will ever have the same golf swing. Each | | | | you need to be in to perform the movement |
| person will have to adapt their bodies to perform a | | | | correctly. Think about any sports athlete, they train |
| proper golf swing in their own way. Taking the time | | | | and train to place their bodies in the correct stance |
| to develop your own method of playing golf will | | | | and position to properly execute the movements |
| greatly improve your enjoyment and success at the | | | | necessary to be successful in their particular sport. |
| game. Practicing the basic fundamentals of the game | | | | You are doing the same thing by "training" your body |
| until they are ingrained in your muscles will lead to | | | | to keep your head straight and position itself so that |
| confidence on the course, and that confidence will | | | | you can successfully execute a proper golf swing. |
| lead to success and enjoyment of the game. | | | | Another basic step that can work greatly towards |
| One of the most basic steps that you can put into | | | | improving your golf swing is to relax. I know it is |
| action and see an immediate improvement to your | | | | easier said then done, especially when you are |
| golf swing is to keep your head still and look straight | | | | getting ready to put all your power into drive with an |
| at the ball. The position of your head should be | | | | audience of either your co-workers, or better still |
| straight in line with your spine, and your nose should | | | | your friends who will not let you forget it if you |
| be raised up a bit so that when you start to swing, | | | | mess up. However, relaxing your muscles will help you |
| your left shoulder fits under your chin. Many players | | | | to maintain the proper balance that is important to a |
| tuck their heads into their chests to try and keep | | | | great golf swing. Regardless of the golf clubs you |
| their heads still and look straight down at the golf ball. | | | | use, your balance is the primary foundation of your |
| Unfortunately, they cannot perform a proper golf | | | | golf swing, and the way to achieve good balance is |
| swing while in this position. | | | | to practice. A good way to practice improving your |
| If you are one of the many that are having difficulty | | | | balance is to assume the address position with your |
| keeping your head straight and an eye on the ball try | | | | club, relax your body and try holding it there for |
| the following. The next time you approach the ball, | | | | about 30 seconds. Does it feel like you have more |
| assume the correct stance with your feet and knees | | | | weight on one foot or the other? Is one part of |
| in position but keep your head and back straight, | | | | your body more tense then another? |
| bend forward slightly at the waist and look straight | | | | Keeping your head straight and maintaining good |
| at the ball. If you try and take a swing in this | | | | balance are just two basic parts of a great golf |
| position, your left shoulder will most likely hit your | | | | swing. The exercises given above are just two ways |
| chin. While keeping your eyes on the ball, raise your | | | | that you can start training now to improve your golf |
| head slowly until your left shoulder does not hit your | | | | swing. You can work on either one separately, or |
| chin. Make sure that your head does not move from | | | | combine them together into one exercise. Improving |
| side to side by keeping your eyes fixed on the ball. | | | | your golf swing begins and ends with you. Training |
| Slowly go through the backswing and downswing | | | | the muscles of your body to properly perform |
| portions of your golf swing. Do not hit the ball and do | | | | specific movements takes time and practice. The |
| the follow through. Practice this portion of your golf | | | | effort spent improving your golf swing will pay off on |
| swing focusing on keeping your head straight and | | | | the course. Through exercise and practice, you will be |
| eyes on the ball. | | | | able to slip into the proper address position and |
| Practice this exercise in your backyard for about 25 | | | | perform an effortless, powerful golf swing and feel |
| times in a row and then take a break and relax a bit, | | | | just as if you were sliding your hand into a warm |
| then start again. Make minor corrections to your head | | | | soft glove. |
| and body position as needed to keep your eyes | | | | |