The Swing - Part 3

Various Swings (or Strokes)

The Drive – This is the first shot taken from every hole. Golfers are allowed to tee the ball up in order to create more power. Usually the driver or a long iron is used for this shot. The drive is sometimes referred to as a full swing.

The Approach – As opposed to the drive being the full swing, the approach is the 3/4 swing. This shot is used by golfers to get the ball closer to the hole or onto the green. Golfers will use fairways woods or irons for this medium to long distance shot. 

The Chip – This shot is used when the ball is close to the green. Golfers use short (or high lofted) irons to get the ball around hazards and close to the pin. These clubs allow the golfers to roll the ball close to the hole or create spin in order to position differently. 

The Putt – After reaching the green, golfers use a putter to perform this shot. The primary goal of this shot is to put the ball in the hole. The putter creates speed and precision so this can be accomplished. 

Common Swing Errors

Swing Speed – Some golfers to try swing the club too slowly or way too hard. This creates problems for their game. Swinging to slowly will lower the distance the ball travels and swinging too hard will greatly improve the chances of the ball hooking or slicing. The key is to find the perfect speed. 

Proper Stance – Not maintaining the proper stance over the ball will ruin the balls chances before the swing even starts. Make sure to keep your knees bent properly and not to raise your head until the follow through after the swing. Not following these guidelines will cause most golfers to “top” the ball or not hit it square.

Putting – A great deal of golfers have difficulty hitting their puts at the proper speed and direction. The most common reasons for this are the back swing and follow through. Make sure you do not pull your club back too far. This will create too much power or cause the face of the putter to move. When following through, think of a pendulum rotation with your arms and shoulders. This helps to ensure that the face of the putter stays straight throughout the swing.