| It is nearly impossible to hit a good golf shot and | | | | happen your muscles contract and become |
| have your optimal swing speed if your balance is | | | | shorter. Using that picture it is easy to see that |
| not maintained throughout the golf swing. All Top | | | | without manipulating the club, the ball will be hit |
| 100 teachers like Butch Harmon and Rick Smith | | | | higher or more towards the equator of the ball. |
| would agree. It sounds pretty simple, just keep | | | | This will result in a thin shot or even a worm |
| your balance. However, with a lot of tension in | | | | burner. Most people manipulate the club to try to |
| your grip, arms and shoulders, it is very difficult to | | | | get back down to the ball correctly. When in |
| make a good golf swing and maintain your | | | | balance, your goal is to take a divot that starts |
| balance during your swing. | | | | just on the target side of the ball with all irons |
| Golfers hear all the time that you do not have to | | | | Once in your finish position, hold this position for a |
| swing the golf club hard in order to hit a long | | | | count of three seconds. Most golfers are so out |
| drive. The example of Ernie Els swing is used | | | | of balance that they have a hard time not falling |
| often when trying to illustrate this theory. Ernie | | | | over. As you continue to make swings, slow |
| has talked on many occasions that he depends on | | | | down until you are able to stay in balance for that |
| his timing to create his power with an efficient | | | | count of three. Again, your weight should be in |
| swing as opposed to plain brut force. You can | | | | balance with your weight positioned underneath |
| learn a lot about the golf swing by watching good | | | | your shoe strings of your target side foot. |
| players like Ernie Els and watching how they stay | | | | As you are at the practice facility, start with your |
| in balance. | | | | wedge and take a few three quarter swings. You |
| You can first find your balance at address through | | | | need to ask yourself three questions. Before you |
| the feelings in your feet. First understand that | | | | swing, ask yourself "Am I in balance?" This will be |
| balance works two ways in your feet. As you set | | | | checked through your feet. Second, after your |
| up to the golf ball, first find your balance in your | | | | swing, again ask yourself "Am I in balance?" This |
| feet by feeling more weight on your toes and | | | | will be monitored by checking your posture after |
| then your heels until you are centered. Once your | | | | counting to the number three. Finally, ask yourself |
| have found your balance from back to front, do | | | | if during your swing you had tension in your |
| the same going from left and right. | | | | shoulders, arms and hands. If the answers are |
| Now make your golf swing. During your golf | | | | yes, yes and no then you are on your way to |
| swing, you should not tighten muscles in your | | | | shooting better scores. |
| shoulders, arms and hands. When this does | | | | |