5 Easy Fixes to Improve Your Golf Swing Technique

Chicks dig the long ball, that's a fact! If you're like me, you're having trouble with drives that are not long and are often shanked into someone's backyard! These simple techniques might seem very basic, but often go overlooked. Let's discuss some factors that go into a good, straight, LOOOONG drive...

1. Weight Shift - Your swing starts with a basic shifting of weight. You have to imagine there is a line running directly up from the ball on the tee. Try to shift your front shoulder behind that imaginary line in your back swing, without shifting your hips. In other words, use your upper torso only. Now you're in a good position to begin your downswing. Again, imagine that line and as you follow through, shift your upper torso and back shoulder through the line. If this is executed correctly, in addition to a good weight shift, you will also have a good turn through the ball!

2. Square Clubface - It amazes me how often this easy correction remains a problem for some golfers. If you clubface is not in the direction you need it to be on your downswing, you will never hit a straight ball. Your arms and wrists have a tendency to shift or 'roll' in your backswing. Have someone watch and make sure that your clubface is square at the top of your backswing. If it isn't, you will have to straighten it during the downswing, creating numerous timing problems. You don't want this to happen. Having that square face before you start to come though the ball can make all the difference in the world.

3. Stabilize - Your front foot/knee has alot to do with your drive power, believe it or not. The reason is because it keeps your hips from turning too much. If you have your front leg stabilized on the ground during your follow through, your hips won't be able to turn or open too much, thus preventing an undesirable shot. Just concentrate on not colapsing that front knee, and you should produce more torque needed for that extra yardage!

4. Shoulder Turn - One of the keys to a long accurate shot is maximizing your shoulder turn, and minimizing your hip turn. Many novice golfers don't realize how important this is. One way to accomplish this is to concentrate on your left leg now and make sure that it doesn't slide to the right during your back swing. Your rear leg/knee needs to remain firm and flexed throughout the entire motion.

5. Hands - Hand release is the final point I'd like to stress. To check this, take a short back swing. When your club and hands are about waist high, look as though you are shaking hands with your thumb pointing up in the air. As you swing down into the follow through, make sure your hands are doing the same thing that they did on the back swing. Make certain that your thumb is still up. This technique ensures that you use your hands properly and that the release is true.

Golf is a very challenging game. But with proper technique and attention to detail, anyone can improve their game if they are willing to take the time to correct those "easy-to-fix'" mistakes