Last Updated on July 16, 2024 by Jo
Learning the Basics of a Good Golf Swing
Michelle Wei
Learning the basic golf swing lessons is the most important thing you can do if you want to enjoy golf to its fullest and improve your play.
If you can’t hit the ball effectively or don’t know how to swing a golf club correctly, you’ll be spending most the time in the rough, trap or possibly never even get off the tee!
There’s no need to go tearing your hair out over this one though. Learning the fundamental and proper mechanics of the golf swing are essential, but it shouldn’t be intimidating either.
We’ll be adding some great tips and golf instruction to help you “get in the swing of things”, so you’ll have a great time out on the course.
Before we begin, let me mention one of the most valuable golf tips there is, period. Without this you will NEVER hit a good golf shot. And if you by chance you do “luck-out”, that’s exactly what it will be – LUCK.
KEEP YOUR EYE ON THE BALL!
It sounds simple, but your shot is guaranteed to flub without it. Just about 100% of the time you raise your head too early, it will result in a bad shot. I know immediately if I’ve messed up and my result is always a bad one. Your head will come up naturally as you swing through the shot. You should be watching the impact of the ball!
Let’s start with some basics – The Golf Swing!
One of the best instructional lessons on the basic golf swing I’ve found comes from Gale Peterson, one of women’s golf best teachers.
She explains how to start progressively from a small to large swing in different “Stages“.
Building your swing from the ground up, and in steps that can be easily practiced and implemented.
5 Simple Steps to Build Your Golf Swing
A Golf Tip Video from Gale Peterson, one of Golf Digest Top 100 Golf Instructors
Gale is great; she explains clearly and simply – I recommend watching!
“Easily Build Your Golf Swing in 5 Simple Steps”
Developing a Good Swing – training lessons that will start you out on the right path to a successful swing. Don’t move on to the next stage until you are confident.
Stage 1
Small swing with a minimal amount of wrist cock, ending with a low finish.
Stage 2
Adding more power – take a wider stance with more “wrist cock”, ending with a low finish.
Stage 3
Following upon stage 2, add a larger swing with shoulder turn, still ending in a low finish.
Stage 4
At this point you will now add a little bigger swing with more wrist cock – with the follow-thru your right arm will swivel or fold over the left, and your wrists will “rehinge” on release.
Stage 5
All of the above, ending with a full turn or complete swing.
Practice – Practice – Practice
This is a must! You want to get out there and practice your swing on a somewhat consistent basis to keep it “tuned”. Just like anything else, the more you practice the better you’ll get.
We will be adding more basic golf swing lessons as we go, so keep tuned in.
It always starts with the simple fundamentals – keep your eye on the ball. I have swung my way right into roughs and traps more times than I care to recall, and every time it was due to raising my head up too early. Thanks for the great insight and much needed tips!
Hahaha – me too Matthew!
Bad shot for me every single time I raise my head and take my eye off the ball – I know it immediately!
Great article! I’ve always wanted to improve my golf swing but never saw the proper technique explained so clearly, and I just learned it in less than 10 min. Nicely written and easy to understand.
Do you guys have an article explaining ‘how to practice aiming in golf‘? I would love to find out more information about that.
Keep it up!
Hi Lenin!
Thanks – I think this is a great video lesson by Gale Peterson. And yes I agree; clear and simple instruction. There is absolutely no reason to make things more complicated than they need be. … and actually, the more you have going around in your head at any one time can certainly foul you up. Concentrating on one thing at a time I think works best too.
We will be putting out quite a few tips and instruction on all aspects of golf, including “hitting your target” so keep tuned – and it’s not as difficult as you may think to get that golf ball to go in the direction you want.
Hi.
Last year I decided to take up golf. I did quite a bit of research in to where and how I could play.
I have just started and am finding it quite enjoyable but sometimes difficult to get the hang of. I am going to use your tips on the swing – and eye on the ball!
– am I right in gathering that once this is mastered the rest comes a little easier?
Hi Elizabeth!
Right!
If you can’t watch the action thru the swing and take your eye off the ball, I can guarantee you you’ll have a poor shot. Keep your HEAD DOWN, and don’t be too anxious to see where it goes. When you swing properly, your head will come up “naturally” during the follow-thru.
There are many things to consider in performing a “good” swing; such as body rotation, swing plane and wrist action, but IMHO you must “keep your eye on the ball” first!
What a great place to come and check out the newest and best, and get tips and news too!
I used to be in a league and was a member for one year. That year I brought my handicap down to a 21. I know that’s probably high to you, but it came down from a 35 the year before! I also have very low end equipment and believe that until you have a decent, consistent swing, the equipment doesn’t matter much. Do you agree?
Are you kidding Robin, that’s an excellent improvement in your score! A 14 stroke difference – bravo!
I would agree with your comment about low-end equipment only in regard to deciding if it’s a sport you want to continue with or not.
No need to buy higher-end or what appears to be expensive golf clubs if you’re not going to play! … but if you are, I believe a better set, especially ones that are fitted just for you will help you quite a bit.
Me and my wife have been thinking of trying to learn to golf since there is a golf course on the other side of town. We need a break from taking care of our young kids (hard work) and thought it would be good for us.
I’ve been wondering whether it’s hard to learn how to golf. Well, after reading your post, it sure helps me to forget my worries about it. Now, at least I got a good idea on where & how to start golfing. Like you said, practice, practice, practice, cause practice makes perfect. That’s what I believe in. Thanks for your awesome post.
It’s not as hard as you think Chris. Just work on the basics as shown, and you can open up a whole new world of fun, good exercise, and something you’ll enjoy your whole life.
It’s a great way to relieve stress from your busy life too. Bringing up children is the most important job in the world and it’s good for you to take a break and be good to yourself.
You can start practicing right in your own backyard!
Just let me know if you ever need any help!
Hi,
I have been joining a few friends at the driving range lately and this is going to help me a ton. Not the difference of option of two or three friends. I saw in this video that she had a club with an extended pole or something. I was wondering what is the purpose of this?
That’s what they call an alignment pole. What that does is to help you see and correct your swing plane – it is a visual guide. Watch the video again, although she doesn’t go into that aspect in great detail you will see it in action. I’ll be focusing on forming the proper swing plane in a separate post.
If keeping “on plane”, the end of the pole should be pointing at your ball half way thru your backswing, and again on the downswing. You will find this video very helpful for the time being.
What a great site and for the girls as well. I’ve always wanted to play golf but never knew where to start and here it is. The first stages show me exactly what I have to learn and I think this is why so many people, not just women, shy away from going onto the golf course for the first time. They feel anxious that they may look foolish and worried that they will be a nuisance to other more experienced players.
Taking it one step at a time and following your excellent advice will be a boon to us newbies. Well done and I hope many will take up the challenge with your help. Ches
It’s never too late to start Ches! … and I’m glad you’re taking an interest in it.
Never pay attention to what other people may think; do it because YOU want to. Do it for the joy of it – and the fresh air and sunshine will do you a lot of good, never mind the exercise you will get.
Just take it one step at a time and don’t get discouraged if you can’t hit the ball like the pros; there are more people out there just like you than you think.
… and have fun!
I’m a golf fanatic and a huge fan of the site! Gale really knows what she is talking about and has been a great instructor for many years. Now to fix my back swing haha.
I will be stopping in to this site every now and then to read articles, keep producing good content! Thank You!
Hi Graham!
The Golf Swing
Yeah, the #1 thing you’ve got to learn – back to basics!
One thing I forgot to mention too, is to not try to “kill” the ball and swing too hard. Without fail, every time I try that I am guaranteed a bad shot. You might get more distance out of the shot, but a consistently great shot comes from the mechanics of the proper golf swing, and NOT speed.
Gale Peterson is an awesome teacher, and her credentials prove that out!
Thanks for visiting, and be sure to check back soon. I’ll be adding a lot of product reviews as well.
Hi!
I have had an interest in golf for some time but I don’t quite have an idea on how to do it.
Based on how you explain the basics of golf swing lessons, some one like me will definitely get the skills following your lessons. I’m new at this! Your explanation is very easy to follow. The 5 steps given is very clear and easy to remember.
Fine article – I like it!
– Keep up the good work.
Thanks so much for your comment!
Golf looks too difficult for some, but it really is not that hard to get the basics down. Once you do that, you can play golf happily even into old age! My Father played well into his late 90’s and is one of the reasons he stayed healthy for so long – exercise!
Gale Peterson does a great job of explaining the basic golf swing; all you need is a little practice!
Have fun with it!