A tip you will find helpful when working on grooving your golf swing, is to experiment on the practice range with different tempo swings.

By JC Campbell - The search for the perfect swing is the holy grail for golfers all over the world as they strive to find an action that will permit them to play the game to a high standard. Grooving a golf swing that is repeatable and dependable can only be achieved through practice, and this will require time and patience. Trying to perfect a swing while playing in competition is never advisable as you cannot possibly give your full concentration to the areas that need attention. Professional golfers will work tirelessly on their swings, some even hiring teachers who will give advice on elements of the swing. For recreational golfers, perhaps securing the services of a club professional will help, but for most golfers, it is a case of trial and error on the practice range. What can you do to improve you swing?

The starting point for anyone who hopes to improve their game is to ensure that the fundamentals are in place. These include a good grip, proper stance, correct alignment and tempo of the swing. When the basics are in place, you will be in position to hit golf shots that are reasonably good. Your next step is to experiment with things that may improve your swing allowing you to hit the ball longer, straighter and with more spin. For example, ball position is something that can have a real impact on your swing as it often determines the angle at which you approach the ball and how this affects your arms and shoulders on the downswing. If you position the ball too far toward your front foot, this can encourage an over-the-top pass at the ball, probably resulting in a pull or a slice. On the other hand, if you position the ball too far back in your stance, you may find you are blocking the ball to the right or hooking it wildly. Experiment with ball position and you will most likely find that placing the ball in the middle of your stance or just fractionally toward your front foot will reap dividends. On longer clubs like the driver, the ball will be further toward your front foot.

A tip you will find helpful when working on grooving your golf swing, is to experiment on the practice range with different tempo swings. Some recreational golfers swing very hard and fast in order to attempt to hit the ball further. You may be surprised to find that with a more leisurely, smooth swing, you will actually achieve greater distance. In reality, you want to hit the ball better, not harder. Fast swings tend to pull the arms into play too quickly and this often results in cutting across the ball, leading to a slice. The tempo of your swing is possibly the most crucial element you can work on as it will promote a repeatable swing you can rely on under pressure. In fact, you can groove such a swing in the garden at home without the need to hit golf balls. Find the tempo that works best for you, and make this part of your golf game.

Another element that impacts on your swing is how you stand to address the ball. This can make a real difference to the quality of your shots and determine how high or low your ball trajectory will be. It can also influence how you bring the club head to the ball. Are you possibly stretching for the ball at address? Or is your stance too upright causing you to slice? Again, take time on the practice range to experiment by hitting shots while taking a variety of address positions. A tall person will naturally stand more upright to the ball while a shorter person will reach more for the ball and have a flatter swing. On that subject, if you are serious about grooving a solid, repeatable golf swing, you would do well to make sure you are using golf clubs suited to your height. Badly fitted clubs will have you swinging on an arc that is unnatural and will inevitably result in hooking or slicing.

As is true for even the best of players, grooving a good golf swing is a matter of practice. You may find that there is a great deal of trial and error involved until you find a swing that suits you individually. Do not treat this as a chore, but enjoy those times you spend on the practice ground, realizing that it will result in a better golf swing that will in turn, allow you to derive greater enjoyment from the game and improve you score.

If you really want to see improvements in your game, start stretching on a regular basis.

D. Rutti - You may know that the size of your stomach predicts your chances of having a heart attack and that tight jeans look a lot better on a well toned derriere, but did you know that there is also a connection between your level of physical fitness and your golf swing? It's true! Something as simple as stretching on a regular basis can actually make you a better golfer.

A loose, limber body will always perform better in any type of physical sport...and that includes golf. It turns out that football players and gymnasts aren't the only ones who need to keep their bodies in shape to perform well. Golf may not require barreling down the field with a helmet on or balancing on a thin beam, but it does require the ability to move freely and twist and turn smoothly.

The Golfer's Stretch
We are not saying you need to commit to complicated workout program and spend all your free time in the gym. You can actually get a tremendous benefit just from stretching your body in certain ways on a regular basis. The key here is "on a regular basis." Consistency is required to see any type of physical improvements, and that includes stretching to improve your game.

Many people do some minor stretches just before hitting the course, but this is actually not very effective. If you want to see some real improvements in your game and in the way you feel while out there hitting the ball, you need to do stretches that have proven to make a difference for golfers and perform them at least a few times a week.

There are some great programs which will show you simple stretches that can be done in the mornings before putting on your clothes for work or just before going to bed. They won't take you but a few minutes and are very easy to work into your daily life so they become a routine. Once they become a routine you will do them without thought and you will notice improvements in your game as well.

The Extra Mile
Doing stretches proven to make a difference for golfers will loosen up your body and change the way you move and twist while playing golf, but there are some extra incentives if you want to go the extra mile and do even more to improve your overall fitness.

If you incorporate a day or two of strength training into your life or start doing some type of cardio workouts along with your golfer's stretching, you will notice even greater differences in your life...that includes your golf swing, your love life, and even your career.

Yoga is also a great thing as it increases the mind-body connection and relaxes the entire body so you are more focused mentally. Again, this will help all aspects of your every daily life, but will translate into a better golf game as well.

This doesn't have to be intense and it doesn't have to consume all your free time. Golf is a much better way to pass the time, that is certain! Yet, those who really want to see improvements in their game will have to start stretching on a regular basis. If you decide to go a step beyond that you will only benefit all the more, but stretching is absolutely essential to the making of a great golfer.

Mike Pedersen's Golf Stretching DVD. I own it, use it, and highly recommend it. I liked it so much I became an affiliate! D. Rutti

• Simple in home golf exercises
• Easy golf stretches anyone can do
• No gym required
• Takes only minutes a day
• No sweat or strain involved - Go Get It!

New clubs won't make all of your issues magically decrease or disappear.

Most golfers are always on the lookout for ways to enhance and increase their enjoyment by improving their performance in the game. It can be tempting to lay the blame of poor performance on environmental issues, like having a bad day, not getting a good nights sleep, or lousy weather. Ultimately, in the game of golf, it really all comes back to you and your golf swing. Having a consistent golf swing will automatically increase your overall game. That’s the starting point.

While a golf swing is not a natural motion for the body, there are many things involved in getting it just right. The quest to improve your golf swing and decrease the number of problems that can occur, often leads to all kinds of unsolicited advice from fellow golfers on how to fix it. Of all of the methods available, the best way is to make sure that you remain in the moment. Being very present allows you to make a conscious effort to focus on every part of the swing, and taking into account what motions your are making as you execute it.

As time passes, you may find that you've sunken into a set of bad habits that decrease your performance, and may be so automatic that they're hard to break. Only by concentrating as you swing will allow these things come to light, and you’ll be conscious of what you're doing. You can also add a video camera which will give you an unbiased look at what’s going on with your swing.

Another issue that could have an effect on your swing might be external. Your clubs can help or hurt your game, especially if they aren't sized correctly for you. They can cause you to form compensation habits that decrease your overall performance. Of course, you don't want to use this explanation as an excuse to purchase new clubs with the idea that using new clubs will eliminate all of your problems. In addition to taking out your wallet, new clubs won't make all of your issues magically decrease or disappear. If you don't have the basics of a good golf swing prior to buying new clubs, that skill won't magically come out of the box as you unpack your new clubs. Any issues you have will remain.

An alternative method you can use to hone a better golf swing is mental: clear your mind of any thoughts you might have prior to making the shot. While, at times, this can prove difficult, it really is possible, and it will lower your stress and take the pressure off. If you worry about messing up the shot, you probably will. So, do some breathing exercises and calm yourself prior to stepping up to your shot. As you swing, get a clear visual in your mind of the shot going straight, high, and far. All of these simple techniques will help improve your swing.

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