The anatomy of a golf swing is such a complicated thing and yet, really, such a simple thing. We tend to make it much more difficult than it really is or should be. There are basically five components of a good golf swing. I will explain them for you and hopefully help you understand the basic components of a good golf swing and clear up some of the conflicting and often complicated messages you will see and hear in other places.

The five basic steps to a good golf swing are these:

1) Grip.

A player’s grip is probably the most hotly debated issue in the world of golf and golfers. There are many different grips, which the people that subscribe to them swear by. The truth of the matter is that you have to find the grip that works best for you. If you don’t feel comfortable with the shot you are making, then it probably isn’t the best shot for you to make. How you grip your club will have a huge impact on your shot and consequently on your game. It may take a while to find the grip that feels best for you but try several and see which one you respond to best. Golf is after all, about individuals.

2) Stance.

I recommend consulting a golf pro for advice on your stance, as this is a highly personal issue for all golfers. There is no right way to do this that works for everyone. A general guide for stance would be to stand with your feet shoulder width apart, have your weight distributed evenly between your wo feet, and bend at the waist. Other than that, the best advice I can give you is to consult a pro for advice and guidance.

3) Backswing.

Your backswing is what places your club into position to actually hit the ball. The most important thing to remember and consider when practicing your backswing is balance. If you are off balance at any point during your backswing your shot will be adversely affected.

4) Downswing.

The downswing consists of three major components: the shifting of your lower body, rotation of the upper body, and point of impact on the ball. All of these components work together in an almost seamless symmetry to create a beautiful or disastrous golf shot.

5) Follow-through.

This is probably the most often overlooked and important step of the golf swing. A wise man once told me to always swing through the ball rather than swinging at the ball. This one statement has helped my golf game more than almost any other comment I’ve received. This man by the way was a local golf pro and I highly recommend taking full advantage of the services they offer he wasn’t my golf pro, but he put the advice of my pro, into words that I could actually visualize. It clicked with me and has improved both my golf game and my golf score.

By Edward Charkow

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