Golf may not be the most strenuous sport in the world, but it’s certainly one of the hardest to master – not to mention one of the most expensive!
Something that many golfers struggle with is their swing, and there are several reasons why this might be the case. However, having the correct posture will dictate how the club swings around the body, helping you to turn correctly while ensuring maximum stability.
In this post, the team here at Clarkes’ Golf Centre explain what you can do to assess your performance, so you can shoot lower scores and save money by not booking lessons.
Easy ways to assess your golf swing
· Record yourself
Thanks to modern-day technology, it’s never been easier to monitor your performance on the links. For example, you could use your smartphone to video your swing both down the line and face-on.
The main advantage of recording your swing down the line is that you’ll be able to see the plane of the backswing and where your clubface is pointing at the top of the backswing. Videoing your swing from face-on will allow you to see things that you can’t from down the line, such as head position and ball position.
Above all, recording your swing will show you what you need to improve, and as result, you’ll be able to plan more effective practice sessions to bring your scores down.
· Use golf apps
There are countless apps and free software available to download – making it super simple for you to analyse your golf swing.
One of the best includes the V1 Golf App. This lets you record your swing, send the footage to instructors, and assess almost any type of swing free of charge. However, if you’d like to benefit from more advanced features and compare your swing with the pros, why not install the paid version from the App Store or Google Play?
What to look for when analysing your golf swing
Having the latest technology is one thing but – to give yourself the best chance to hit the ball – you need to concentrate on your set-up.
Some of the most important factors to assess include:
- Alignment – many golfers make the mistake of not checking their alignment.
Using alignment sticks or clubs for every practice session will make it easier for you to tell if you’re square to the target, closed or open.
It’s also important to make sure your feet, hips and shoulders are properly aligned with your target to ensure your shot goes in the right direction towards the hole.
- Posture – your stance is another important aspect of your set-up.
Ideally, your knees should be slightly bent and your bum sticking out just past your heels. Your back also needs to be nice and straight and your chin kept high, allowing your shoulders to rotate under on the backswing.
Watching the footage back on your phone will make it easy for you to see where you’re going wrong so you can make the necessary amendments to your posture.
- Grip – taking the time to study your grip and how you hold your club in your hands will really benefit your game.
When you watch your recorded video, see if your grip is strong and steady. The club should be perfectly balanced in your fingers, rather than your palms.
As tempting as it may be to grip the club tightly in your hands, try not to. If you notice any pressure in your forearms when holding your club, then this implies your grip is too tight.
- Ball position – whether you record your swing using the camera on your phone or via golf apps, you need to assess it from down the line and face-on.
Keep an eye out to see if the ball is in the right position for the golf club you’re using. For instance, your driver should be off the front of your lead foot whilst a fairway wood is best positioned towards the left of your chest. You could use the logo on your polo shirt as a guide.
When playing a short iron, try to line it up directly below the buttons on your shirt, in the centre of your stance.
Want to know more?
If you’d like expert advice on how to fix your swing mistakes, we’d highly recommend arranging a golf lesson with one of our professionals. They will draw on their extensive experience and use launch monitor technology to recommend which areas you need to work on.
Alternatively, if you’d prefer to keep your costs (and scores) low, it’s worth doing a self-analysis. Admittedly, you will need to be your own critic but, in the long run, it will help you to play better golf.
To find out more, get in touch with the team at Clarkes’ Golf Centre – either by calling 01744 419 914 or come and visit us in-store. We’re always on hand and will gladly assist you.