I decided to begin this series of free online golf tips & instructions with the lessons and methods my grandfather taught. My grandfather was a Golf Professional for nearly 50 years and his career highlights include qualifying for two U.S. Opens and being invited to play in the British Open. Although golf instruction has come a long way since my grandfather's time, these golf lessons still provide very important fundamentals to be learned and remembered. Sometimes the best golf lessons come in the simplest form and are made easier to understand and execute. The following instructions have been taken from my grandfather's notes entitled, "Improve Your Golf". I am happy to share these with anyone wanting to learn how to play golf, or revisit the basic fundamentals of the game.
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Golf Tips Free Online For Better Golf
Golf Tips Free: Improve Your Golf - Introduction
Golf is a sport that is played for a lifetime. It is played in the countryside and sometimes they call it "cow pasture pool", but what other game can you be out in the fresh air and the sun enjoying the beauty of nature.
Golf is enjoyable, competitive and brings out the character in a human being. Anyone can learn to play golf with a little patience and practice.
Golfer's have more excuses than Carters has liver pills why they don't practice, so here is the easiest, most simplest formula to good golf and lower scores.
The basics of the golf swing i.e. grip, stance, ball position, distance you stand from the ball at address, setup at ball, swing (back & down) and follow through are the most important to understand and develop if you want a sound game and shoot a good game.
Golf Tips Free: Improve Your Golf - Grip
There are three grips; Vardon Over-lapping, Interlocking and the Finger Grip.
The Vardon Over-Lapping Grip is:
The left hand is the same for any grip, that is with the heel of the left hand is on top of the grip on the shaft with firm pressure on the little finger. This will help keep left arm firm. Right hand is gripped lightly with club laying in fingers and thumb favoring the left side with a "V" between thumb and first finger pointing towards the right ear. Both hands must work as one having more pressure and control with the left hand. A little waggle of the club back and forth will help develop feel before the swing.
The Interlocking Grip:
Is the same as the Over-Lapping Grip except you interlock your little finger of your right hand with the first finger of your left hand. This grip is good for short fingers.
The Finger Grip:
Is done with all your fingers wrapped around the grip with no over-lap or interlock. This grip is not recommended unless your have troubles with the Vardon and Interlocking Grips.
Note: The grip and waggle can always be practiced at home and this will help you keep a feel for gripping the club correctly.
Golf Tips Free: Improve Your Golf - Setup & Address At Ball For Proper Swing
Your setup at address will be an important part of starting your swing with proper stance, ball position and distance from the ball.
Stance: will vary with clubs as you move from short irons to long irons, but ball is consistently played inside your left heel (right heel if you're a lefty). What should happen with your stance is you should start with your feet approximately 12" apart with your 9-iron and gradually widen your stance with each club until you get to about a shoulder-width stance with your driver. Also, you need to have a slightly open stance with your shorter irons (7-p.w.) and a square stance with your long irons and woods (3-6 irons, fairway woods, driver). A slightly open stance is when you pull your left foot and side back just a bit from the ball to slightly turn the front of your body towards your target. A square stance is when you can draw a line across the tips of your feet and the line will lead straight to your target. After you are properly aligned at address with your feet, it is good to turn your left foot slightly pointed out. This will help stabilize your weight when you finish your swing.
Direction: for a shot is an important factor of your address to the ball. Your shoulders should be parallel to the line of flight you are swinging for. It is better to feel slightly aimed left of your target (body open to target) than aimed right of target (body closed to target).
Distance From The Ball: is key for consistency and is measured by standing straight up at address with your left arm hanging straight down in front of your left leg, fingers on left hand are cupped slightly and the butt of the grip of the club is laying across your index and middle fingers only. If it is into your ring finger, you are too close; if it is only up to your index finger, you are too far away from the ball. This pattern will place you at the proper distance from the ball every time and allow for you to make a more consistent swing. This method should be used with every club. Only with chipping and of course putting will you stand closer to the ball.
After checking your distance, remain with your body straight up, grip the club and bend over at the waist only until the club head is placed behind the ball. Then, slightly bend the knees keeping 70% of your weight support towards the front of your feet and toes. Finally, make sure your head is positioned just behind the ball with a slight tilt towards the right. This is where you head should be at impact for maximum control and distance.