Golf Swing Instruction
Get an A for AccelerationHere is some valuable golf swing instruction for hitting a golf ball at less than full speed.Hitting a golf ball hard is comparatively easy. Just stand over it and give it a rip. However, many golfers struggle with golf shots where the goal is to hit the ball at less than full speed, particularly when the ball is relatively close to the green, on the fairway, or in the sand. It’s almost better for some golfers to be farther away, where they can take a full swing with a wedge, than it is to chop at the ball from 45 yards out. If you’re one of those golfers, there’s no need to even look at your golf swing to guess what the likely culprit is – you’re probably decelerating through the ball. Most golfers try to reduce their distance by bringing the club back as they normally would, then slowing down right before contact. The result is a shot that both feels and looks awkward, and usually makes poor contact with predictably disappointing results. Don’t fall into that trap. Remember that accelerating through the ball is the best way to get the ball where you want it to go. How do you do that for a 45-yard shot? Easy. Take a shorter backswing.
Improve Golf SwingInstead of bringing your pitching wedge back as you usually would, stop it at your hips, or at your shoulders for slightly longer shots. Then take your normal swing, accelerating through the ball and following through to the same height.The results should be impressive. Because you’re not decelerating, the ball should get airborne and fly as it usually would – but the shorter backswing naturally reduces the force behind it, so it won’t go as far.
Improve Sand ShotsThe same thing goes for sand shots. If you’re in a bunker close to the green, and you’re worried about the ball flying out of your trap and right into another on the other side, the worst thing you can do is decelerate through the ball. Take the golf club back hip high or knee high, and hit your usual shot thereafter.This takes some practice to get used to, so spend some time at the range working on it. Pick targets 30, 50, and 75 yards away, and try hitting your wedges to those distances by varying the length of your backswing. You’ll soon find these golf shots are a lot less intimidating on the course.
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