Here again we offer  more suggestions for "a better golf swing". You can see additional posts by clicking on the Archive dates (upper right).  The purpose of this blog, as I've said before, is to pass along some solid swing ideas that should be helpful for those scoring in the high 80s and 90s in developing a better golf swing that results in longer drives and more of those in the fairway, more greens hit in regulation and more putts made. Let's take a look at more useful swing tips:

THE RIGHT PALM SHOULD FACE THE SKY AT THE TOP. Actually, because the left wrist will, and should, hinge a little, your right palm won't completely face straight up but it should feel like it. From this position, the normal roll of the hands in the downswing will bring the clubface squarely back to the ball and facing down the target line resulting in a solid hit.

DON'T LOOK UP TOO SOON. This is probably the oldest axiom in golf and the most frequently violated. Unlike almost every other swing basic, keeping your head down until the ball is gone requires no technique and no physical effort or movement. Nothing ruins more otherwise good swings than "peeking". Looking up too soon pulls your right shoulder into action too early and throws your downswing out of kilter with bad results. Focus your eyes and your mind on the ball at address and keep them there through out the swing. It will pay big dividends.

LAST 3 FINGERS OF THE LEFT HAND: For a good left hand/arm backswing, be sure at address that you grip firmly with these 3 fingers because they should actually guide the backswing to the top with just the right amount of hinge, or wrist cock, at the back of the left wrist. An extra benefit to  focusing on these 3 fingers is having your left hand in control aat the start of the downswing rather than the right hand which tends to spoil the shot.

SHORT CHIP SHOTS  AROUND THE GREEN:  To be able to get close with your chip shots from around the green is obviously a great stroke saver and therefore a skill you should have. It's not difficult. The key is to play the ball opposite your back foot with your weight mostly on your left or front foot.  Your hands must be relaxed and well forward of a slightly hooded clubface. Swing as if making a putt. Happily, this is a shot you can practice a lot at home on a carpet and it will certainly pay you to do so.

Now we look at more swing basics. These should be established as you take your stance before the swing itself actually begins:

RELAXED ARMS and GRIP. Holding the club with light pressure in your hands and forearms before the swing begins is very important and easy to do. Remembering to do this each time, and keeping the tension out once you start the backswing is a little harder. But since it doesn't involve learning any complicated technique or manipulation, you simply need to incorporate it into every practice session until it becomes automatic. You'll be rewarded with a longer, more flowing backswing and a more controlled transition at the top.

A STRAIGHT LEFT ARM. The importance of keeping your left arm straight during the backswing can't be overstated. For most players, bending the left arm naturally occurs when they try to make a longer backswing than their flexibility allows. The solution is to go back only as far as a straight left arm will permit, but, at that point, be sure that a normal wrist cock takes place. The left arm should not be ramrod stiff but rather just comfortably straight. Bending your arm to achieve a longer backswing is a guarantee of inconsistent shot-making.

HESITATE AT THE TOP:  There's a very common tendency even among top golfers to rush the change-over, or transition, from backswing to downswing. This is a critical point in the swing. Starting down too quickly with the hands upsets the nice timing a good swing needs to produce the intended result.  A good way to deal with this problem is to hesitate a heart-beat at the top of the backswing before starting down. This is not to be a full stop. Rather, it's the feeling of delaying your hands at the top just long enough so the lower body has a chance to make it's natural move to the left, which is the way it should happen.

PUTTING:  You can make a lot more putts if, after you've considered the line, break and distance and just before you start the putter back, you focus you eyes and your mind on the back of the ball, take the putter back slowly, and then watch the putter head hit the ball. This should assure that your head doesn't move until the ball is under way. Needless to say, looking up too soon usually results in a missed putt, just as it ruins so many shots.