All great golfers have one move they consider the key to their swings. Jack Nicklaus, a great ball striker turns his head slightly to the right just before starting his takeaway. That move triggers his swing, enabling him to strike the ball powerfully. If you research the issue, as I once had a student taking golf lessons do, you’ll find the same is true for Greg Norman, Gary Player, Sam Snead, and even the great Arnold Palmer. They all have a swing secret that keys their swings.

Ben Hogan had a swing secret as well. If you asked tour opponents about it, they would have said it was his cupped left wrist-a move Hogan once highlighted in Life Magazine. And for years that was thought to be his secret. But while that move was critical to Hogan’s swing, it was only part of why he’s one of the best ball strikers ever. The other part was his right knee-the correct functioning of which enabled him to hit the ball with power and precision.

Hogan’s Cupped Wrist

Hogan explained in the Life Magazine article that his “secret” was cupping his left wrist at the top of his swing, so that his wrist joint was slightly bent inward at the top of his swing. Hogan was truthful when he emphasized the cupping of his wrist. But, as he was later to reveal to a friend, it was only part of the story. The other part was the correct functioning of his right knee. The wrist was cupped because that was the only position it could assume based on the right knee’s position.

Hogan braced his right knee before and after the takeaway, allowing it to be made with perfect balance. He maintained this position from address all the way to the top of the backswing. This move, in turn, allowed him to set the club at the top of the backswing and control the transition from backswing to downswing while maintaining balance. The right knee might sway from right to left but it would never straighten completely. When he wanted to hit the ball harder, he “ran” his right knee toward the ball.

Running His Knee At the Ball

What did Hogan mean when he said he ran his right knee at the ball? On the downswing, Hogan’s first move was to push the knee inward toward the ball. This move resulted in the lateral shifting and opening of his left hip. His only thought at the time, said Hogan, was on the right knee dropping in at the ball, which he referred to as “running at the ball.” The harder hit wanted to hit the ball, the faster he ran his knee at the ball.

By running his right knee, Hogan could generate terrific speed in his lower body. His right knee, as he later explained, moved so emphatically to the left on full shots, the knee would sometimes appear to overtake his left knee on the follow through. However, the speed was adjustable. By running his knee at different speeds, Hogan was able to control the amount of force he expended through impact.

Hogan’s secret move, however, was only a prelude to the real issue: the delivery of the club back to the ball. That was really the main objective as far as Hogan was concerned. Why? Because it provided the balance and control he needed to achieve the type of ball flight he desired. And balance and control were a big part of why he won 63 pro tournaments and 9 majors, including the Masters twice.

The secret to Hogan’s powerful swing, then, was the correct functioning of the right leg, with emphasis on maintaining the proper angle of the right knee on the back and forward swings. When combined with a slight cupping of his left wrist, this move produced optimum balance and control, and allowed him to apply as much power and speed to the ball as he wished.

Most golfers on learning Hogan’s secret will probably try imitating it. But they’re not him, so chances are good that even if they succeed in copying the move, they won’t have the same success that he had. So what’s the point of this golf tip?

The point is that all good golfers have a swing key. But the swing key is different for each golfer, as I tell players taking golf lessons from me. What works for Hogan or Nicklaus, might not work for you. If you’re serious about playing better golf and lowering your golf handicap, you’ll work on discovering what your swing key is. And that only comes through playing and practicing.

By: Jack Moorehouse

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Even the guys who play golf for a living and get the best golf instruction in the world still struggle to improve their golf swing and they practice each and every day. When your golf swing is off and you’re playing golf badly it isn’t a lot of fun, but you can change it if you apply yourself. Golf is a difficult game to master and most golfers just don’t have the time it takes to practice, practice, and practice to significantly improve it.

Golf requires tough mental fitness as well as physical fitness and this is often overlooked. Keep the good positive energy flowing and don’t give in to any negative thoughts. On the golf course focus or concentrate totally on your swing and you’ll get the best score. Don’t let unrelated thoughts slip in. Say to yourself ‘be here now’ to stay focused. As you swing, visualize exactly where you want the ball to land.

At the end of a proper golf swing, the weight should have shifted almost entirely to the left foot, with the body fully turned to the left and the hands should be above the left shoulder with the club hanging down over the back. The most important thing about the golf swing is the angle, not the strength that’s applied to it. That is only one of many swing secrets. Ask your club golf pro to evaluate your posture and biomechanics while you’re swinging.

Swing slowly and steadily using good rhythm. And make sure not to grip the golf club too tightly.

Many golfers who are left-handed prefer the right-handed golf swing. Now at the end of a backswing the hands are above the right shoulder with the golf club pointing more or less in the intended direction of the ball flight. When you swing, if you have a problem with your left knee buckling, imagine holding a soccer ball between your knees.

Make sure to use the basic ‘hitchhiker’ position when working on your back swing. One of the problems that most inexperienced golfers share is that they think much too much about their swing.

Most golfers don’t know that there are techniques that will greatly affect swing mechanics. You can get an edge by changing your approach. You can get rid of any annoying shoulder problems with some simple techniques. In order to prevent injury and improve swing speed and distance your body needs to be strong and flexible. Using some simple tips, techniques and stretches, you can increase your drives by up to 20 yards in a short period of time.

Keep in mind that with some golf swing trainers, you may still need some help from an expert. And most of all you don’t want to waste your money on a golf swing aid you don’t need or will never use. If you’re looking for a golf swing trainer to improve your stance they are easy to find.

There are swing aids that will act as driving range simulators too. And you can find golf trainers that will help you with your wrist and arm position. There are golf swing aids to help you with your swing alignment.

Before you buy any aid or trainer for your swing, check with an expert to get an idea of what problem you need to work on first; for example, back lift of golf swing, momentum of downward thrust or your stance. Whether you’re a seasoned golfer or just starting out, get just one trainer or aid and go to work on your natural, proper golf swing. Look for golf swing trainers at your local golf course too.

And need I mention that with plenty of practice, a super golf swing will be the end result. There are hundreds of free and simple golf tips to seek out in consumer and sports magazines, in books, ebooks, software and DVDs both, online and offline. And if you apply both mental and physical workouts, your reward will be super golf swing improvement.

It’s important to just try to relax and enjoy your game while you play. And when you play a round of golf, concentrate on your putting, improving your golf swing or something specific for that day. Always have a plan in mind.

By: Helen Hecker

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Slicing is one of the most common problems golfers face. There are a couple of reasons why you are slicing your ball. To learn how to cure your slice, you have to figure out what your problem is. The right grip, stance, and swing are needed to eliminate the slice.

First, start with your grip. You want a grip that is neither too strong or too weak. It’s the weak grip that causes a slice, because this results in an open club face. To fix your grip, position your hands so that your left hand (right hand if you are a lefty), faces the target. Your other hand should face the opposite way.

If you still slice after you adjust your grip, your golf stance may be your problem. Your feet should be shoulder width apart. Your shoulders should be in line with your target. Your right foot needs to point ahead while your left foot should point slightly to the left. At a driving range, practice hitting balls with the correct stance and grip to see if your slice improves. Make slight adjustments to your stance until you are confident that you have found the proper form.

The last way to cure your slice is to fix your swing. Start with your backswing. At the top of your backswing, the shaft should be over your shoulder. The position of your clubface can also create a slice. While you want the clubface open, it should be that way because of the movement of the torso and shoulders. You should not twist your hands or wrist to achieve this.

The backswing is more likely to cause a slice than a downswing, but you should check to see if you have a proper downswing. A good downswing starts with your hips. A follow through is essential.

Even after you figure out what is causing your slice, you’ll need practice to fix it. Don’t be tempted to fall back into what feels right–that’s what causes your slice. If you keep practicing with a proper grip, stance, and swing, you’ll find that the proper way will feel natural.

By: Matt Menden

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A golf slice can often be cured by some simple, basic corrections in
set-up.

For instance, while a golfer can occasionally compensate for a poor
swing, you cant play well with a poor grip. It is important, if you
want to fix your slice permanently, that you take the time to check
your grip using this simple drill:

Take a blade of grass and trap it between the fleshy pad on the
underside of your right thumb and the top of your left thumb. Now,
complete your grip and swing the club to the top of the backswing. If
the blade of grass has remained in position then your grip is secure and
firm, but if the grass has fallen out, this is a sign that your hands are
separating, which causes the club to move about at the top of the
backswing.

Having the clubface in the correct position at the top of your
backswing is fundamental to correcting a golf slice. Unfortunately,
thats not an easy position to check when the club is out of sight and
behind you. The way to check the clubface position is to look up and
check the direction in which the knuckles on your left hand are
pointing.

If they are well to the right, the clubface will be closed to the target
line, which in the downswing normally produces a right-to-left hook
flight. If your knuckles point to the right, the clubface will be open and
the result will be a sliced golf shot. If the knuckles point straight up to
the sky the clubface is square to the target line.

In fact, grip faults can often be the main reason for slicing in golf, and
the problem with grip faults is that they can get into your game
without you really being aware of them. To prevent this slow decline
in technique perform the following check:

Grip the club and make sure that you can see around two and a half
knuckles on your left hand. Then take a pen and draw a small dot on
your golf glove on the last knuckle showing. To ensure your grip is
correct on every shot, all you have to do is to look down at your glove
after taking up your grip. If you cant see the dot then your grip has
probably become too weak. Likewise if you can see a knuckle beyond
the mark, then your grip is probably becoming too strong.

Many players have a golf slice by allowing their left side to slide too far to the left in the
downswing, making it difficult to square up the clubface correctly at
impact. This can be a difficult habit to correct but there is a mental
drill that could help you keep those hips from sliding.

When you address the golf ball, imagine you are next to an open door
with your left side positioned against the wall. When you swing the
club back down to the ball, imagine the wall stopping your legs from
sliding to the left, while your arms and hands remain free to swing the
clubhead on through the open door. This will prevent your legs from
sliding to the left. It will also encourage you to adopt the correct
active hand action in your downswing.

By: Dave Powell

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Do you feel thatthe main obstacle in improving your golf game is the slice? If so, you’re not alone! Many recreational golfers feel that if they could just hit their drives straight, the rest of their game would be so much easier. Actually, this is true! Long par 4′s and par 5′s can be a nightmare to a golfer who slices the ball, because once they slice the tee shot, they find that they are playing catch-up the rest of the hole.

Today, I want to share with you some tips on how to fix a golf slice. You can use these tips to bolster your game, and start losing that slice immediately!

Tip 1: Balance is KEY — A middle infielder waits on the pitch by keeping his knees bent, facing the plate and keeping his weight balanced evenly on both feet, so that he can quickly react to the hit, and run to the left or the right.The golf swing requires the same balance.Bend your knees, face the ball, and don’t start off the shot by leaning in any direction. You’ve probably seen many “once-a-year” golfers making this mistake. They start the swing off with their weight way off balance. Doing this dooms the swing before you begin. Keeping yourself balanced is crucial, as is keeping the knees bent and being properly set.

Tip 2: WATCH the Left Arm — One trick many experienced golfers use requires only a watch and your golf club. Take a watch and put it on upside down, where the face of the watch is on the underside of your wrist instead of the top of your wrist. Now, watch that left arm while you slowly swing. If your watch is facing the ground during your backswing, than you’re opening up your clubface. Throughout your swing, make sure you can see the face of your watch. If you can, than you’re properly rotating your wrist, closing the face of the club, and dramatically lessening the chances of hitting a slice.

Tip 3: Proper Grip — Proper Grip — The grip is not something many consider when they are troubleshooting their swing. But a bad grip can ruin a swing, no matter how good it looks. A good test to make sure you have the proper grip is to insert two golf tees between your thumb and the webbing of your hand while gripping the club. If the tees point toward the target, than your weak grip is a typical slicer’s mistake. Make sure both tees are pointing straight in front of you, which will show that you are gripping it properly.

By: Ryan Shade

About the Author:

In this writing I will discuss The Grip, which is Step 1 of my seven step checklist for the golf swing. After years of reading, practicing and experimenting with different methods and techniques to prepare for the golf swing I have broken it down simply to seven steps that work for me. Since I am not a professional golf instructor and I don’t claim to be, I will only present proven ideas and methodology that work for me. Every golfer is different and what works for one does not always work for someone else. On the other hand there are basic principles and techniques that can be gainfully utilized by 95% of golfers and I strongly feel that the steps I am presenting here will work for a majority of those reading this article. I have taken over thirty years of experience and assimilation of the correct golf swing to present this information to you. The seven steps in my swing checklist are 1- The Grip, 2 – The Set Up, 3 – The Waggle, 4 – The Backswing, 5 – Tempo, 6 – The Downswing, & 7 – The Follow Thru. I placed Tempo in the middle beacuse it is an integral part of the entire swing from start to finish and will be elaborated on in a future writing.

As stated previously, when I first learned to play golf, it required a lot of experimenting and reading golf books and magazines in order to really get a feel for the correct golf swing for me. The grip is a very important and integral part of the golf swing. There are a number of different types of grip methods. There is the Vardon Grip ( named after the great Harry Vardon one of the premier golfers of the early 20th century ) The Baseball Grip, also appropriately named because the grip is similar to one you may use to hold a baseball bat, and my personal favorite, The Interlocking Grip, which incorporates the interlocking of the two hands together to form the grip. Note: Many of the instructional books, DVD’s and Videos will illustrate these grips if you would like to see them in a visual presentation. If you are sports oriented and have never read or viewed any instructional information about the grip then you may have a tendency to use and feel more comfortable with the baseball grip as I did initially.

Although it felt more comfortable I wasn’t satisfied with the results. One day I was playing in a group with a considerably better player, probably a two to four handicap. I took note to some of his swing techniques and one of the things I noted was his golf grip. As we were waiting on one hole I asked him about it. He showed me how to do it and I have not changed my grip since. The steps I now use in setting my golf club grip are as follows: 1- I set or cradle the club in the creased part of the fingers of my left hand allowing the top of the club to protrude approximately 1″ to 1 1/2″ past the bottom part of the same hand which will actually be facing upward and toward your waist and belt area when you set the club to prepare to swing. Note: While gripping with the left hand make sure the clubface stays closed or close to perpindicular to your target line. Also for a fairly strong grip, which I would highly recommend, make sure the first two or even three knuckles of your left hand are positioned facing up so you can see them when looking down on your hand and club.

Then allow the thumb of the left hand to lay across the top of the grip on a slight angle to the right while keeping the thumb straight and on top of the club. Note: There are various ways to grip the club ( stronger and weaker grips ) to allow your swing to work the ball right or left but it is a more advanced technique should not be attempted until your game has progressed to a certain level. Next, set the club in the creased part of the fingers of the right hand and interlock the pinky of your right hand with the index finger of your left, thus the derivative of the name interlocking grip. The meaty part of the palm of your right hand, connected to the thumb, should be facing upward so you can also see it similar to the knuckles of the left. Note: You can experiment at the range with the adjustment of the strength of the grip that works best for you, (turn hands to right for a stronger grip and left for weaker ) Also, please note that the grip methodology noted above is for the right handed player and should be reversed for the left handed golfer. Another important thing to remember, which will also be addressed in Step 2 – The Set Up is – Do Not let your right shoulder come forward when taking the grip with the right hand. It should remain back and aligned with your left shoulder. It should also be slightly lower than your left since your right hand is set lower on the club when taking the grip.

A tip I would suggest to help with your alignment to the target is to pick an intermediate target, that is in close proximity in front of you, ( it could ba a leaf , dandelion ,or discoloration in the grass, etc. ) that is also in line with the golf ball and target line to the intended landing area in the fairway or on the green and use that spot to line up your shot. The Vardon Grip is similar to the interlocking grip except for the fact that the right pinky finger is cradled between the outside part of the left hand index and middle finger and does not interlock at all. The baseball grip is basically the same as if you were holding a bat in your hand and preparing to hit a baseball. It is probably the most comfortable, especially to the new golfer, but in my opinion the least effective of the grip selections available. The interlocking or Vardon grips may feel more uncomfortable at first but once you get used to them you will be much happier with the improvement they may promote in your game. This is the first part of my “Swing” checklist and an important one at that. When you are at the range or swinging in your yard take the time to work on your grip so it becomes second nature to you.

In closing, I would like to add one very important and so often overlooked part of the ENTIRE golf swing – “RELAX” – do not let tension creep into any part of your golf swing. The club should be cradled gently in your hands with about as much pressure as if you were holding a babies hand or a small bird in your hand ( an analogy I think used by Sam Snead, one of the all time golfing greats ) and use the old expression to “Let the club do the work”. You will be amazed at how swing speed and technique, together with a relaxed body and mind, produce so much greater results. Happy Golfing to All !

By: Mike D'auria

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Isn’t the slice one of the most maddening aspects of the game of golf?

How in the hell are we ever supposed to lower our scores if the ball is always rolling sideways across the fairway? There’s nothing more disheartening to really make solid contact, only to see that sudden, mid-air curve grab hold of your golf ball.

Obviously, since slicing the ball is so common, there are lots of aids and instruction on how to prevent it. There are special tees, and special clubs…instructional videos and books.

The list is large for sure. But each and every one of these methods is attempting to accomplish the same thing, which is change the spin that you put on the ball when you hit it. Vicious, sideways spin equals a slice…forward spin or ‘overspin’ equals a nice straight shot down the middle.

As we’ve discovered, there are many ways to try and accomplish this, all with varying degrees of success. The anti-slice technique I like to use is a nice short backswing, followed by a bottom hand wrist roll through impact.

To simplify…I make sure my backswing isn’t wrapping around my head in some huge, arcing motion. Consciously keep it shorter and you’ll have much better control of your clubs.

Then, just as I’m making contact with the ball, I roll my bottom hand over the top, so that the palm of the bottom hand is facing the ground.

You’ll have to mess around with the timing to get it right, but it will put overspin on the ball and will stop you from slicing the ball all over the golf course. Good Luck!

By: Richard Styles

About the Author:

The slice is probably the most common problem that all golfers encounter when playing. In fact, some golfers spend years in frustration trying to remedy slice. Usually, slice happens just when you think your tee shot is just fine. Suddenly, the ball starts to curve to the right and promptly misses the target.

There are many ways to cure slice. Let us start with developing a good grip. As you hold the club, your left hand and thumb should be along the shaft and is aligned toward your right eye. Your right hand should wrap over the left, with the palm resting securely over your left thumb. Your grip should not be too tight or too loose. Gripping the ball too tightly can cause the ball to hook. On the other hand, a weak grip will open the clubface and cause slice. Take the time to practice your grip. Make small adjustments and try new grips until you find one that works and that you are comfortable with.

Another important component in stopping slice is to develop and practice a good stance. You can achieve this by standing square to the ball with your feet spread as wide as your shoulders. Keep your right foot pointing straight ahead and your left foot pointing a little to the left. Make sure your elbows and shoulders are in a natural, relaxed and comfortable position. Remember that posture is very important. Try to avoid throwing your lead shoulder up in the air prior to hitting the ball. Ask your friends to watch you as you hit a drive to see if you have the so-called ‘uppity shoulder’.

Finally, by simply correcting your golf swing, your goal to stop slice is half done. Remember that a correct backswing involves the hands, arms, and shoulders in one fluid and smooth motion. Meanwhile, the right downswing involves turning the hips, keeping your eye on the ball and making sure that your head is behind the ball as you proceed to your follow-through.

These are just a few of the tips and techniques on how to stop golf slice. You can also try various drills to develop specific areas of your play. These drills strengthen and develop your golf skills for the better. Just keep in mind that you need to devote time and effort through constant practice in order to achieve your goal of stopping slice.

By: Tim Lee

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The golfing experience may seem like you have a lot of difficult swings to maneuver-which there are some-but that isn’t always the case. For the beginner you would need to know the basics of golfing before you can get that far. If you tend to slice the ball a lot, you can usually fix this by correcting your stance and posture.

There are a few easy things you can do to make sure your posture is right every time. Slightly bend your knees and tilt your body so that you are slightly bent over-but not too much so that you can’t swing. By keeping this posture throughout your swing, you will keep a straight line allowing for a great contact.

Your feet should also be shoulder width apart but your front foot facing away slightly from the other. This allows your body to rotate properly during your swing. Also having your weight toward the balls of your feet allows you to rotate on them and helps during your backswing. Typically how much weight you should put on each foot depends on the kind of stroke. For shorter distances your weight would be placed on your front foot, while for longer distance more weight would be placed in the back.

Another way that professionals can up their game is by buying a swing training club. This allows them to feel a pre-molded grip and get used to putting their hands in the same positions. Always practice your grip before you follow through with your swing to get the optimal result.

By: William A Mitchell

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The golf slice is a massive impediment to any golfer who wishes to be the best player that they can be. Because in every round with every club you are losing massive amounts of distance and you are only scratching the surface of how good you can be.

To put the problem in context, lets say that you are capable of hitting a 5 wood 200 yards if you hit a straight shot. If you slice with the same club, all things being equal, your ball will only travel around 180 yards.

But if you draw the ball, and all other conditions are equal, the ball will travel around 220 yards because of the topspin that you will impart on the ball which will result in serious yardage when your ball hits the ground.

So you can see from this example that if you can turn a slice into a draw, you will gain 40 yards with your 5 wood.

And this effect will translate into every club you hit in your bag. Could you play golf with those extra yards?

You bet you could.

To cure a slice you will need to first ascertain precisely what is causing your slice..is it an open clubface through impact? Is it a cutting across action as a result of an out to in swing? Is it because your backswing is too steep?

Or is it a combination of these things?

To cure a slice you will need to study some decent teaching sources either in books or DVDs. You could visit your local golf professional but the danger here is a placebo effect which has you back in your old groove after leaving your pro..without any real reference for you to ‘self correct’ with a thorough understanding of what your major fault is which causes you to slice.

By: Terry Gorry

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