Golf Swing 101: Feel The Rhythm

Watch four touring pros hit golf balls on TV and you likely will see four variations of the swing. That’s because, though certain fundamentals are essential to hitting a golf ball correctly, the “perfect” swing is the one you personally feel most comfortable with.

So relax. No one becomes Tiger Woods in a day.

In the beginning, it’s all about having fun. Later (when we redefine fun as making birdies), our gurus will break down each component of the swing. But for now, think of the swing as one fluid, continuous motion.

If you’re swinging a club for the first time, don’t worry about going to a practice range and hitting balls just yet. Instead, grab a couple of clubs and head to your front yard (or back yard, if you’re worried about neighbors seeing you). Make sure you have plenty of room to swing the club. Stay clear of low-hanging branches, those newly planted geraniums and any other living object, human or otherwise.

Start with a high-numbered club, such as your 9-iron. These clubs make it easier to hit because of the natural loft provided by the angle of the clubhead, and because they are the shortest clubs in the bag.

Place your hands on the club, using one of the three grips outlined in our Getting Ready area. Stand with your heels shoulder-width apart, your knees flexed and your body bending slightly forward at the hips. Focus on a leaf on the ground or a particular blade of grass where the ball would be. Now you’re ready to swing.

Take the club back slowly to about waist level, getting a feel for the club’s weight and the momentum generated by the clubhead. Pause for a moment, then change the direction of the club, swinging forward, toward and through your point of focus. Allow the club to continue forward to waist level. This is your follow-through.

Repeat the motion, concentrating on how your body rotates or pivots naturally as you swing the club back and forth. Gradually increase the distance you bring the club back, until it is perpendicular with the ground.

Later, as your swing evolves, you might want to take an even longer backswing for distance and power. Swing with a lower-numbered iron, and then a metal wood, to experience a variety of clubs.

Your wrists, arms, shoulders, hips and knees all work together to make the swing complete. If you’ve ever swung a baseball or softball bat, you already have an idea of the motion involved. The way your weight shifts away from the target, then toward the target, plays an important role in the golf swing. Finish the swing in a relaxed, upright position.

When you’re ready, try out your swing at a nearby practice range. Go ahead and hit a few practice balls. Don’t worry about where the balls go. Develop a rhythm. But because it’s your first time, get a small bucket. Nobody wants blisters, and that’s our biggest tip of the day.