You can't seem to hit the ball correctly more that a few time per round. Yet you know you are capable if you just knew the right techniques you too could play better golf. You might even win a few skins. Discover the five keys to proper swing mechanics and you will soon be swinging like the pros.

No matter our handicap we still want to play better. That is something I've noticed about virtually every golfer I've ever encountered. The desire to play better has many of us on a lifelong mission to groove the perfect effortless golf swing.

The promise of a better golf swing is out there for all those who are willing to dedicate themselves to an improvement process. While the kind of time and effort that a touring pro may devote to his improvement process is generally not possible for most ordinary golfers, amateurs still need to dedicate some time for it.

The average golfer needs a more focused improvement program that will make the most efficient use of the little time they do have to devote. A little time focused on the your area of greatest need would return the greatest benefit for the time invested.

continued below...

This process would begin with education. There are many resources available for the golfer to learn about the many aspects of the golf swing. Golf magazines, websites galore, books (both hardback and eBook versions), videos and lessons just to outline a few of them. Absorb as much information as you can to help you understand the golf swing and to help you choose which version suits you the best.

Take that knowledge gleaned from your research to a driving range and focus your efforts on the five key swing components listed below. The work you do here will help you to work your knew knowledge into your golf swing routine.

1. Stance

Stance is the foundation of the golf swing. The feet should be about shoulder width apart. Knees slightly bent to just over the shoe strings with the back knee pinched inward. Bend forward from the hips until the arms hang straight down gripping the club directly below the chin. Spine tilted slightly away from the target.

Dooley's swing instruction recommendations

Take a lifetime of full swing lessons for less than the cost of one 30 minute session with a pro.

$67

2. Posture

Proper posture is not just something your mom bugged you about, it is vital to a consistent golf swing. You should check your posture regularly. It is impossible to have a good result from an incorrect beginning. Starting right will make the rest of the swing much easier to get right. Start with a flat back at address, bend from the waist allowing the butt to protrude, arms hanging freely from the shoulders and head in line with the spine. The spine becomes the center point of your golf swing which allows the body to rotate around the spine during the golf swing.

3. Backswing

Key words here are low, long and slow. Low means that you should keep the club head near the ground for the first twelve inches or so of the backswing. Long is a reminder to keep the width in your swing. There should be no bend in the forward arm during the swing so that the arc of the swing is the same as that established at address. Slow indicates there should be no rush during the backswing. The time for speed is in the downswing.

4. Tempo

Tempo, rhythm, timing are all used to describe the sequential movement of the various body parts in unison with one another during the swing. This is the artistic part of the golf swing as opposed to the mechanical. The golf swing needs to happen in sync. Further, the time from start to finish should remain fairly constant from shot to shot no matter the club used. It helps me to sing a song to myself as I am swinging that has the appropriate beat. You could try that too.

5. Balance

As in all other athletic endeavors balance is an important key to a successful swing. A smooth controlled swing helps to maintain the balance established during the stance and posture steps. The golfer should remain balanced from the start of the swing until well after the follow through. Some golfers hold their finish position until the ball hits the ground. You have to finish balanced to do that. Can you?

Dooley's swing instruction recommendations

Find your golf swing help here: Dooley's swing instruction recommendations

Wayne Hudler is an avid golfer of over 30 years and golf writer. He has been recognized as an expert by the leading online article directory.      

Dooley Duffer Golf is devoted to helping ordinary golfers (duffers) improve. Are you a duffer? Visit Dooley Duffer Golf where you will find an ever growing collection of improvement resources.

 www.DooleyDuffer.com

Contact Dooley: dooley@dooleyduffer.com

Copyright © 2009 Dooley Duffer Golf   All rights reserved