I am sure there is no such thing as the perfect golf swing. You only have to look at Tiger Woods, if we all tried to duplicate his swing I would imagine there would be a lot of casualties ! Everybody has limits to their flexibility and should adjust their own swing to suit their own ability . However the mechanics of the swing can be broken down into the various parts and you can practice these elements to optimise your golf swing .
The Setup
The setup is a very important part in enabling you to hit a great golf shot. By getting the setup correct you will consistently come back to the impact point with power and control. If you currently suspect your set up may be giving you problems , the good news is that it is the simpelist part of your swing to put right . Your feet should be approximately shoulder width apart, this can alter depending on the length of the club you are using . But remember that a too wide stance will stop you from turning and too narrow will lead to loss of balance . At address remember to keep your back straight. It is vital that your spine is straight during your swing as this is your turning axle. Always bend from the hips when grounding your club behind the ball.
The Backswing
You need to keep your left arm straight (right handed players) throughout your backswing, but not rigid – you should never have any tension in your body as it can ruin your timing. Take the club back as far as you can comfortably turn , if you can only manage a half backswing that is not a problem . Take your time on your backswing, a slower tempo is generally far more effective.
The Downswing
It is very importantwith the downswing not to try and hit the ball as hard as you can . It should be a very smooth controlled action . A speedy downswing will always result in very poor shots. Also one common fault is to rely on your arms and wrists to impact the ball, you should always use your whole body, it will give you a lot more power and accuracy .
Impact
It is very important that you swing through the ball on impact do not swing at it. You will notice that good players alwaysallow their hands to lead the clubhead through impact, where as your average golfers allow the clubhead to pass their front arm ahead of impact.
Follow Through
Your swing does not end after you have struck the ball – it is crucial that you complete your swing . Do you know that over 80% of amateurs have very little follow through in their golf swing. It is such a overlooked part of the golf swing, just a little work on this will see great improvements .
So when you are on the practice range take a look at these different parts of your swing and see if you can make improvements. It is very helpful to have golf swing drills that you practice at the range, but you need to remember that when you take your swing onto the golf course it is not a good idea to have mechanical swing thoughts or swing thoughts that apply to just one element of your swing. Once you are on the course your only focus must be your target. Get a picture in your mind of the shot you are going to hit and have faith in your swing.
