Understanding your swing flaws is the first step towards improving your golf game. In this guide, Paul Wilson, the creator of the Body Swing and director of Paul Wilson’s Golf School, provides insights into identifying these flaws and knowing how to fix them. If you can determine where your ball is going and how far off line it is, you’re on your way to improving your swing.
Importance of Alignment in Golf
According to Wilson, alignment is the most crucial lesson in golf. Being perfectly aligned helps you discern whether you’re hitting the ball on or off-line. Achieving a consistent and powerful swing is the ultimate goal, and proper alignment is a critical part of this.
Example: The Over-the-Top Shot
Imagine a player aiming for the out-of-bounds area, overcompensating by coming way over the top, and then hitting the ball down the middle. This flawed swing could be identified and corrected if the player knew they were hitting poorly. Alignment can help with this understanding.
Correcting Your Alignment: The Stick Technique
A useful tool for working on your alignment is an alignment stick. This tool should be used every time you practice to ensure that you can recognize when you’re hitting well and making mistakes. Here’s how to use it:
- Place your golf club on the ground, aiming it at the target.
- Check to make sure it’s on target.
- Put the stick parallel to the club.
- Pick up your club and hit some shots.
If you don’t have an alignment stick, another golf club can suffice until you get one.
Identifying Swing Errors and Their Fixes
Pull, Pull Hook, or Pull Slice
If your shots are consistently showing a pull, pull hook, or pull slice pattern, this indicates that you’re hitting the ball primarily with your arms. The fix for this involves powering your swing with your body instead.
Push or Push Fade
If your shots are showing a push or push fade, this could indicate that you’re driving your hips and legs too hard, causing the face of the club to open. In this case, slowing down a bit can help correct this flaw.
Ball Spin
The spin on your ball is influenced by your wrists. A hooked shot can indicate overactive wrists, while a sliced shot can suggest that the face of your club is being held open. Loosening up your wrists can correct this.
In conclusion, by practicing with proper alignment, identifying the flaws in your swing, and knowing how to correct them, you can dramatically improve your golf game. Head over to bodyswing.com for more tips from Paul Wilson and a step-by-step guide on building a powerful, effortless, pain-free golf swing.