OC Golf Course

Want to hit a solid golf shot time after time? Here are 29 ways to help you hit the ball long and straight!

• Relax - There's no need to worry about where the shot is going. Stay relaxed and just swing freely.
• Stay Balanced - Not falling over or falling back during the swing is very crucial to be able to hit the ball solidly time after time. Check your balance at address and make sure the pressure is on the balls of your feet.
• Tempo - Swinging smoothly will allow you to hit straighter shots. Some pros even listen to music when they go to the range to practice their tempo.
• Compress that Ball - The golf ball flies because the ball is compressed between the club face and the ground. When you hear people say hit down on the ball, this is what they mean. Don't scoop!
• Be Well Rested - Having the energy and strength to stay balance during the whole swing is key. Don't assume that you can hit the ball solidly if you're out partying the night before.
• Don't Over Swing - Most people think they can hit the ball farther by making their back swing longer. What ends up happening is that they over swing and end up not hitting the ball in the sweet spot of the club.
• Swing With Confidence - Find your target and go. Don't second guess. One of the worst things you can do is be tentative and decelerate through the ball.
• Stop worrying About All the Distractions - Leave your cell phone in the parking lot and stop thinking about what others are thinking while you swing! Lose those thoughts and the only thing everyone will think about is how you hit that wonderful golf shot.
• Grip Lightly - Doing this allows your wrist to hinge on the backswing and your forearms to rotate and release the club on the follow through.
• Have an Athletic Posture - There is no excuse for not having a good setup because you can check your posture anywhere there is a mirror!
• Address the Ball With The Correct Distance Away - Even if you have a perfectly repeatable swing, how can you hit a good golf shot if you are sometimes farther away from the ball and sometimes closer?
• Rotate Your Arms and Release the Club - Practice forcing a rotation of your forearms in your swings. Once you get used to it, you will hit the ball more solidly.
• Don't Sway on your Backswing - Rotate around your back foot because it is much easier for your club to be in the same position at impact than if you sway and have to sway back with your legs.
• Focus on Your Target - Focus on the task at hand. No distractions!
• Stay Positive - Don't get frustrated if you hit a bad golf shot which will just lead to more bad shots.
• Swing Through the Ball - Don't just try to hit the ball, swing through it!
• Don't Try to Control the Club In Your Golf Swing - Let your body and arms swing the golf club naturally, the swing happens so fast that it is impossible to control.
• Stay on Plane - Staying on plane will help bring the club back to the correct position at impact much easier than if you do something else!
• Have a Full Finish - Follow through to create the acceleration you need at impact!
• Practice - Nothing beats practice. No one ever hits solid golf shots in their first try at swinging the club.
• Tee the Ball Up a Little Bit - It's much less intimidating when the golf ball is a little teed up so try it!
• Stay Behind the Ball - Many people lean forward on their backswing and sit back on their follow through. You will never be able to hit solid shots this way.
• Shorten the Backswing - If you can't hit the ball with a full swing solidly, try shorten the backswing!  Once you get the hang of it, slowly lengthen your swing.
• Grip it in The Fingers - If you don't release the club, it's hard to hit it straight. If you grip it in the palm instead of the fingers, it's hard to release the club.
• Play More Often - Just like practice, there's nothing like hitting the real golf ball!
• Stretch to Gain Overall Flexibility - Most of the swing faults that people experience is due to the lack of flexibility. Stretch stretch stretch!
• Watch More Golf - Seeing good shots can sometimes help your own swing. It also gets you thinking about your own game more often. Tell your family that you aren't watching too much TV!
• Turn Back and Through - Much of the power comes from the rotational torque that your turn provides. Turning through also allows you to swing through the ball much easier.
• Stop Reading and Just Go Hit The Damn Ball -Alright?