How to Hit a Golf Ball

Hitting a golf ball is easy, but hitting the ball where you want it to go takes a lot of practice. It all starts with proper positioning and the right swing. Here are a few steps to improve your game on the putting green.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Golf Bags
• Golf Practice Equipment
• Golf Clubs
• Golf Shoes
• Golf Balls
• Golf Gloves

1. Stand behind the ball and pick a mark just ahead of the ball in the line of your target.

2. Grip the club properly (see Related eHow) and take a practice swing.

3. With both feet together, stand facing the ball.

4. Stand about three-quarters of an arm's length away from the ball.

5. Take a tiny step forward (toward your target) with your left foot, and take a normal step backward with your right foot. The distance between your feet should be about the width of your shoulders.

6. Place your hands in front of the ball, in a position known as the forward press.

7. Pull the club straight back from the golf ball to the top of the backswing. The club should be parallel to the ground.

8. Swing the golf club back down along the same path, without pausing at the top.

9. Keep your head down and strike the ball. Allow the club to follow through until it hits your back.

10. Watch the ball travel toward the pin.

Tips & Warnings

• Grip the club lightly during the golf swing.
• Practice on the driving range by hitting a bucket of balls before playing a round of golf.
• Practice swinging the club back slowly and smoothly; do the same for the downswing.
• Replace all divots.
• Remember that a golf swing has the same motion and trajectory as a pendulum swing.
• Swinging the club too hard and too fast may cause back pain.
• Make sure nobody is standing close to you when you swing a golf club.

Who Can Help:

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[Swingthoughts]

on 12/11/2007 I have been taught to hit most shots from the center of my stance and move the ball towards my front leg for longer clubs. If I place my driver tee straight out from my left ankle, how can I possibly put my hands in front of the ball? They will be passing my left hip at adress. Any thoughts? Thanks

[VJ-Singlemalt]

on 11/13/2007 The only way to hit a golf ball is with a "fluid" swing. It is a swing where the club head does the work. It is a swing that is simple. It is a swing that anyone can learn in 60 seconds. It is GOLF FLUID! Check it out. It's FREE!
www.golffluid.com
Best regards,
VJ Singlemalt
CEO
Sports Fluid, Inc.

on 8/8/2006 Everyone can argue mechanics because there are no right answers. Everyone is different. Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, and Moe Norman were all great ball strikers with strikingly different techniques.

Any golf swing is great that can be replicated consistently and has at least the effort of a 90 year old lady applied correctly.

The hardest ideas that I have conveying to my students are why a golf ball flies and how to use their energy efficiently.

All golf balls go up because of backspin. Backspin is optimized only with a downward blow. Yet instinctively everyone wants to "hit" the back of the ball either level or upward. Why do you think that you have to beg for a one iron anymore?

And when are the masses ever going to accept scientific proof that centrifugal force is far more powerful than any human could ever muster? I actually had a dream that I was allowed to use general anesthesia to numb people arms and hands. Beg, plead, show them the physics equations, and yet they still try to hit the ball with their puny little muscles. It's like trying to stop yourself from going forward in a car accident by putting your hands on the dashboard.

on 7/6/2006 I used to swing as hard as I could, which could throw you off balance. I soon learned that you just have to swing regular and the length and mass of the club will show in the distance.

on 6/30/2006 If you're slicing the ball, roll your wrists through very early in your swing.