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Hitting a Golf Ball Like a Pro
Do you want to learn how to hit a ball in its standard way? If yes, then clear your doubts because famous golfers started as beginners too, and it is not compulsory for you to be physically big, or very tall to do a good job of driving a Golf ball to a couple of hundred yards ahead of you.
Studying the basics of hitting a ball in the golf sport here is a good approach, to begin with, then it will take some practice of the lessons learned to get coordinated. These would in due course improve your swings and your entire game in general.
Follow these steps to start your golfing journey:
Stage 1: Set your Swings
Swinging in golf sport simply means the actions taken by players to hit the ball in the sport of golf. Swings involve some technicalities plus the simultaneous movement of the whole body. These technicalities are further broken into smaller units, which are:
A. Hold the Club with a Strong Grip
To hold the club, curve your hand just around the top end of your club. Then, place your dominant hand just below the top hand, curved firmly around the club. But, try not to place the club in the middle of your palm. Instead, keep control of the club in between your palm and fingers.
- Anchor the club loosely and still in control. Stay free from tension but make sure you are hardly and thoroughly bracing the club to be in control.
- For the top hand, your index finger should be placed in connection with the club and with pressure. And also the bottom pinky fingers should be held in connection with the club and with pressure.
B. Standing with your feet on Shoulder-Width Apart
When standing on your feet to swing, always dispense your weight on each of your feet to gain balance then your body weight should be placed on the ball of your feet. Allow your front feet to be somewhat close to the target and place your back feet to be perpendicular to the target.
- Place the golf ball in the center of your front and back legs. But, place the ball distant from your feet so that your arms can hang down comfortably straight.
- If you have to stretch to hit the ball, you are too far away. And if you have to imprison your arms close to your body before getting the ball, then you are too close. Take note!
C. Positioning your Hips about 35 Degrees Forward
It is easy to move your arms when you bend over forward from the hips. You can take a good look at the hands of the clock moving from 12 o’clock to 3 o’clock giving 90 degrees. Now, bending at about 35 degrees forward, your back should be around the 5 to 6 minutes mark on the clock to get the right angle for a perfect movement.
- You can first gauge the forward bend of your hip by looking at the mirror before going to the golf course for real practice.
- Bending your hips forward at the right angle gives power to your swings and allows you to rotate your hips at swings without problems or pains after playing.
D. Stand your Body in Parallel with the Golf Ball
Your shoulders, hips, knees, feet, the ball, and the target should all simultaneously be in parallel position for a standard perfect ball swing. Standing on train tracks is a defective example of being parallel. The feet should be on a rail while the ball should be at another rail. This allows a good rotation and perfect hit.
Stage 2: Performing the Basic Swing
This is the second stage to be taken after the first stage has been understood and practiced. This section has to deal with putting your weight back while rotating the hips, and the front shoulder should be tilted downwards at backswings, leading to rotating the front hip with a downswing.
A. Putting Weight Back While Rotating the Hips
Before making a backswing, gradually put your weight to your back foot. Then, slightly raise the arms backward before rotating the body. Afterward, rotate shoulders, arms, and hips in a harmonious motion.
- Extend your arms fully into a backswing while rotating. When your club reaches shoulder level, bend your wrist to hinge level and raise your club higher. This gives room for a powerful swing.
- Fully raise the club above your head with a backswing to shoot a hardball and make a mid-distance shot.
B. Downwardly Tilt the Front Shoulders at Back Swings
While tilting, insert your front shoulder into your chin, while keeping your eyes on the ball, and maintain bending your hips. Your front shoulders should be slightly turned down, instead of rotating at a level plane.
- When beginning to move, Transit your backswing into a downswing. Make or feel like your front shoulder is moving towards the ground. If it is not, make it right.
Stage 3: Making Adjustment for Different Shots
Controlling the amount of force used in balling is a necessary skill. The amount of force applied to the ball needs to be proportional to the distance of the target. Therefore if more power is needed, shift weight backward on backswings. Inversely, a full swing is not needed if only trying to tap the ball into the hole.
Selecting the Right Golf Clubs
- Use wood club for long shots: This type is used to shoot a long distance of about 250 yards upwards because it is the greatest in generating distance shots.
- Use iron club for mid-range shots: the iron club is heavier than the wood club, yet, it is the best to choose when putting a ball in a green that is less than 200 yards ahead.
- Hybrid club: the hybrid club is a mix of iron and hybrid clubs. This breed of clubs is produced for use in replacement of iron and hybrids and is easier for beginners to use.
- Use a wedge club when aiming high: wedge is a type of club specifically designed to lift the ball above ground level to the target point. Common types of wedges include lob wedge, sand wedge, gap wedge.
- Putter club for short distances: Putter club is an essential instrument to use when the golf ball is close to the green. It helps you land the ball into the hole very easily.
Hitting a golf ball has to do with setting up your swings, performing a basic swing, making adjustments for different shots, and choosing the right club for a perfect ball movement. If you are right-handed, comfortably play your game with your right-handed club. Similarly, enjoy your game with your left-handed club, if, you are left-handed to gain balance and hit the ball into the hole.