The Swing

Mid and long range shots

Mid range and long range shots are the shots everyone wants to hit. Its invigorating when one strikes the golf ball and it flies hundreds of yards. Mid range shots are 100, 150, 180 yard shots. Long range shots are 200 yards and more, including the tee shots.

In order to accomplish these shots consistently and accurately, we’ll need to create a sort of muscle memory so we can repeat this full swing without thinking. Here your whole body moves in unison with the sole intention of striking the golf ball flush and in the same way every time.

With the right swing mechanics you will create momentum energy at the club head to be released at the moment of impact and thus sending the ball forward hundreds of yards. With a little practice you will be able to command the ball flight in different directions and with different flight paths and shapes.

In time you will become familiar with these shapes and you should strive to understand how they happened. They are all a direct result of the swing plane and the position of the club head at the moment of impact.

What follows is not intended to be a comprehensive nor comprehensive lesson on the golf swing; its intended use is as a reference guide. Though you should be able to understand the technique behind the swing, I strongly recommend you meet with a golf instructor learn the relation between different body positions and the way they feel during the golf swing.

Swing Mechanics

The golf swing is a fluid and rhythmic back and forth, coil and release motion that the player performs. It's like a dance where balance, transfer of weight and timing make a beautiful and effortless motion that generates tremendous power. In my opinion, the swing should exert little to no stress on the body or back. This dance starts with the legs and ends with the legs. and like a karate strike, if performed correctly, it harnesses power and when all the pieces land at the same time and releases all this power at the moment of impact.

The explanation below is an oversimplification of the swing through of a couple of snapshots in time. Focus on the five key elements used here: position of the head, shoulders, hands, hips and the weight over your feet. When these five elements work as one, they will allow your body to move rhythmically, effortlessly and in balance through the golf swing.

Videos

Jack Nicklaus (videos)

• Fundamentals
• Fade/Draw
• Bunker Shot
• Power

Bobby Jones (videos)*

• Setup and Backswing (5 mins)
• How to break 90 (9 mins)
• Bobby Jones Golf Lesson (10 mins)
• How Can I get rid of my Slice (9 mins)