Golf Swing Instruction and Tips for Beginners – Grip, Posture and Stance

Beginner golfers learning the game of golf should focus their efforts on the most critical elements of the golf swing, namely the golf grip, setup, and full swing fundamentals.  Here are golf swing basics and tips that reinforce these fundamentals.

Note: these golf swing tips are for right-handed golfers.

The Grip

1. For most golfers, the recommended golf grip for the golf swing is the Vardon Overlap grip where the little finger of the right hand (trailing hand) is placed in the crease of the forefinger and middle finger of the left hand (leading hand).
2. The left-hand thumb should fit in the lifeline of the right hand.
3. The finished golf swing grip should lie in the fingers and not the palms.
4. Grip pressure determines the amount of wrist hinge and release – on a scale of 1 to 10 where 10 is “tight” and 1 is “loose,” strive for a “5 to 6.”
5. A “Neutral” grip is recommended for the majority of golf swing shots and results in a “square” clubface at impact. Using a neutral grip, the “V” formed by the thumb and index finger of each hand should point between the right shoulder and chin.

Golf Swing Posture & Stance

1. Bodyweight in middle of feet.
2. Tilt from hips approximately 30 degrees to achieve proper spine angle.
3. Knees slightly flexed.
4. Keep back straight. Visualize an “axis line” down the spine. Rotate around this axis line throughout the golf swing.
5. Arms hang freely.
6. Chin up and off the chest.
7. Stance: shoulder-width for mid-irons; slightly wider for longer irons and woods; slightly narrower for shorter irons and wedges.

Full Golf Swing Fundamentals

Backswing

• Assume address position
• Rotate the club, body, and arms back along your golf swing plane while shifting your body weight to the inside of your right leg.
• As hands approach the waist, wrists should hinge.
• At the top of the backswing, check that the left arm is straight, 80% of body weight is on the inside of the right leg and the right knee is flexed.
• Check that your shoulders are turned 90° and hips are turned 30 to 45°

Downswing

• The first movement of the downswing is a weight shift to the left, then hips, arms, and shoulders unwind to impact.
• At impact, the club is released by unhinging wrists and delivering the club head square through the ball – keep the head behind the ball at impact.
• As the body turns to the target through golf swing impact, arms and clubs extend down the target line.
• At the finish position, the belt buckle faces the target; the club is wrapped around the shoulder; 90% of the weight is on the left leg with the right foot upright on the toes.

Different Types of Swings

There are a few different types of golf swings that you can use to improve your game. Here we will discuss the most popular swing types and how you can use them to your advantage.

The Simple Swing

This is probably the most common golf swing and is best for beginners. It involves holding the club with your left hand near the top of the grip and your right hand close to the butt end of the club.

Your arms should be parallel to each other, and you should move your hands forward and back along the club at the same time. This type of swing is easy to learn but can lack power and accuracy.

The Power Swing

Power hitters use a more powerful swing that involves bringing the club down faster towards the ground. To do this, you should shift your weight towards your front foot and keep your back foot stationary.

You should also keep your arms extended all the way down towards the ball, which will help generate plenty of power. This swing is harder to learn but provides greater accuracy and distance.

The Hybrid Swing

Hybrid swings are a combination of both power and simplicity, which makes them perfect for intermediate golfers who want an improved balance between power and control. To perform a hybrid swing, first, position yourself in a power stance with feet shoulder-width apart.

Next, loosely grip the club with both hands before extending it out in front of you while keeping your arms extended down towards the ground. Finally, lift your backswing elbow

The Iron

The iron swing is characterized by its simplicity and reliance on muscle power. The basic idea of the iron swing is to use your backswing to generate power from your muscles, and then use that power to hit the ball squarely.

To do this, you should start with your backswing in a wide stance and then pivot your hips around so that you’re facing the target. You should keep your arms relaxed and close to your body, and focus on keeping your head down throughout the entire swing.

Iron swings are good for beginners because they are easy to learn and don’t require a lot of precision or technique. However, if you want to improve your game, you should switch to a more advanced golf swing style.

The Driver

This is the most popular swing technique, and it’s based on hitting the ball high in the air. You should aim to keep your backswing short and compact and use a steep descent into your takeaway shot.

FAQs

1. What is the easiest swing?

Most people would agree that the iron swing is one of the easiest. But, believe it or not, it might work for some people, but it might not be the best for you. The best one for you will be comfortable and help you hit your target more often.

2. Should you pull or push in a swing?

Pushing in a golf swing will help you hit the ball further and straighter. You should try to keep your hips locked and your shoulders down as you swing.

3. How to hit a golf ball perfectly?

Get your grip right. Your grip is the foundation of your swing and you need to find the right one for you. Try different grips until you find the one that feels best.

4. Where is the real power source in a golf swing?

The real power in a golf swing comes from the hips and the shoulders. You can see this by looking at a video of a good golfer swinging. Notice how the body is moving effortlessly through the swing.