After one of the warmest April on record, we are now moving into May, the queen of seasons. It’s arguably the best time to enjoy golf. The weather is neither too cold nor too hot, and the fairways are filled with lush green grass. Many well-maintained golf courses have green speeds exceeding 3. Even from mid-June, the weather becomes hotter and the rainy season begins. This means the season to enjoy golf in pleasant weather and conditions is not long. To make the most of this golf season, a solid foundation is crucial.
The importance of basic training cannot be overstated. No matter how many times you practice, it’s never too much. Your foundation should be well established to not easily crumble crumble even on days when you aren’t in your best condition. Recently, we’ve heard many amateur golfers talk about the yips. The yips refer to a situation where the muscles stiffen due to increased anxiety, preventing you from performing movements you normally do well. Even professional players fear the yips because they can take the joy out of golf. It can be stressful every time you swing.
To prevent the yips, we’d like to share some simple tips that you can check and practice at the driving range.
The first is the address. When addressing the ball before a swing, you must ensure that the left arm is the reference point as shown in Picture ①. When looking from the side, it is incorrect when your right arm protrudes more than your left arm, showing your left wrist. If your right arm protrudes more than your reference left arm, you will start your swing using your arms only without the shoulder rotation.
The second is the backswing top. The shape of your wrist is important, especially as shown in Picture ②. For the backswing top, you should keep in mind to use the back of your left hand as the reference point. The back of your left hand should face the sky at a 45-degree angle as shown in the picture, but many amateur golfers have it facing forward. If the back of your left-hand faces forward, it may lead to a slice. This is because the incorrect wrist position causes the clubhead to open at the backswing top. This is why you should check whether the back of your left hand is facing the sky at an angle for a backswing top.
The third is the impact. As shown in Picture ③, what you need to check for the impact is whether the upper body angle at the address is maintained until impact. If you can’t maintain the upper body angle during the address, you are bound to make the mistake of failing to hit the ball accurately. The last point to check is the finish.
During the finish, your left hip should be fully rotated, as shown in Picture ④. Your hip should be fully rotated to maintain balance and swing using your entire body, not just your arms.
If you remember and practice these four points accurately, you can improve both your accuracy and distance.