First off, if you are like the golfer on the left, then you are a prime candidate for this article and approach. If you’re a happy golfer, then keep on doing what you’re doing.

Most of you have been playing golf for quite some time right? If so, then you have a basic understanding of golf swing fundamentals. I’m talking grip, posture, ball position, takeaway, top of golf swing and downswing. So if you’re like me you’ve hit hundreds, maybe even thousands of golf balls with no improvement.

What if instead of hitting more balls, you started to understand the proper “feel” of the golf swing? Really get into it. When you get this feel, now visualize yourself doing it over and over again. You can do this at work (be careful), at home. Anywhere. When you’re visualizing your swing, feel in your mind your body swinging the clubs. Internalize it.

I’m sure you’ve heard of visualization techniques. And how about the statement that golf is 90% mental? If you can start using this technique and really get into it, you’ll be amazed how much better you start hitting the golf ball. You will know what your body is supposed to do, and your brain will send the message of what to do. No “62-point” checklist, or 5 minute pre-shot routine before every shot.

They have done studies on this, and the people that visualize themselves doing the movement or activity correctly do as good or better than someone who physically practices.

It’s worth a shot. It’s only your time, not money.

So get back to me after you’ve applied this, and let me know if you can play better golf without practice.

The focus of your winter (off season) golf program should be technique, golf swing strength and flexibility. That combination will dramatically improve your driving distance and even consistency. From now on I want you to think of the golf season as your time to prepare your body for the “next season”, not just a time to put the golf clubs away and forget about golf.

Like all other athletes in EVERY other sport, they all train in the off-season, so why wouldn’t a golfer do the same? It’s common sense to get better, you’ve got to put some “off the course” time in to see the results on the course. Doesn’t that makes sense?

Here’s where a shameless plug comes in

I know you’re time is limited with family obligations, and the holidays, but what if I told you, you could do a simple, easy and fun golf training program “in your home” with just a couple of pieces of very inexpensive exercise equipment in just a couple of minutes a day? Would you be interested? I think you would!

Click on the BIG image below to find out about my INSTANTLY downloadable golf training ebook that has simple golf exercises, easy golf stretches and programs you can do in the comfort of your own home.

I was really trying too hard with my arms, creating not only tension which slows clubhead speed, but making my upper body more dominant during the initial part of the downswing. This caused a whole host of issues with my swing, that resulted in the above mentioned toe shots, a lack of hip rotation and clearing through impact, a raising up out of my spine angle at impact, and a slight flip of the hands causing an early release through the ball.

With all that being said, I am now initiating my downswing with an emphasis on lower body weight shift/rotation and more importantly PASSIVE arms. I feel like my arms are now along for the ride, as opposed to them dominating my golf swing. This will take me some time to ingrain, but with my commitment to practice, I know I will get this, and have already seen some positive results on the practice range.

So when you are making your golf swing transition, and you want the proper sequence coming down, think passive arms, and a lower body shift/rotation. I think it will help you.

This no backswing approach is one that’s been used as a golf drill by golf instruction professionals for years, so it’s kind of comical this is the new craze in golf swing improvement.

It has a lot of merits to consider. The short backswing makes your transition and sequence of motion in the downswing much easier. It enhances solid ball contact which maximizes distance; so what you think you might lose from backswing coil, you gain in ball/clubface contact.

Unfortunately the negative is the golf swing requires a take-away. This no backswing golf swing removes that, so you might have a difficult time carrying over from the drill to can actual swing from address.

This may or may not be an issue, but I think doing the No Backswing Golf Swing is worth a shot. Who knows…you may dramatically improve your golf swing consistency and mechanics.

I am always on the lookout for golf swing trainers that will help golfers add more power and distance, and this one “fits the bill” completely!

It is now part of my power training routine, and I can already feel a difference in my flexibility and power.

It’s ONLY a fraction of the cost of a weighted club, and it’s the most portable of all of them!

Most amateur golfers have not been educated on what a square clubface feels like throughout your their golf swing. Without the feeling, it is impossible to consistently hit your ball with a square face. You will continue to be frustrated at your outcome, and not know how to fix it.

It’s awesome to learn about your clubface, so you can manage it better on the golf course. I have come across a fantastic resource, in fact, the biggest resource on just clubface I have ever seen!

Clubface Golf is a downloadable ebook (with over 50 videos) all pertaining to clubface control and golf swing improvment.

If you want to find out more, click the image below, you won’t regret it!

Below is a list of golf improvement approaches that you can use independently or in combination to learn how to play better golf:

Golf Instruction

The golf swing requires certain movements that are not very natural, so golf swing instruction should be at the top of your list, especially if you’re a beginning golfer. Learning the fundamentals of golf is something every golfer needs and struggles with even as you improve.

Golf instruction can be through private one-on-one golf lessons. Group lessons (which are less expensive). Online instruction is becoming more and more popular. Golf instruction books. And golf instruction DVDs is another great alternative, that is much less costlier than private lessons.

Golf-Specific Fitness

I’m making this number 2 on the list, but easily could be a tie with number one, as many golfers, especially senior golfers have physical limitations that will not enable them to apply what they learn in their golf lessons, making improvement nearly impossible.

I am a firm believer that you are only capable of what your body can do in golf. In simpler terms, your body is keeping you from a better game. How many times have you told yourself you need a bigger backswing? Come on…be honest! What you are indirectly telling yourself, is your body can’t make a bigger backswing, and I’m telling you the ONLY way to improve it is with golf-specific stretching exercises specific to your backswing.

If you’re looking for longer drives, you need to improve your core strength and flexibility. This is the engine to your golf swing. When I talk about fitness, I’m not talking about going to a gym, and spending 2 grueling hours a day. I’m talking about doing, easy, fun and effective exercises right in your home with minimal equipment.

All you need is an exercise ball, exercise tubing (w/handles) and hand weights. That’s your entire golf fitness “in-home” gym. For under $50 you can have your own golf fitness gym, and start seeing results quickly.

If you need guidance on your golf fitness program, take a look at my Effortless Golf Swing Training System.

Golf Swing Training Aids

Another great option that can be very effective for specific swing faults is a golf swing training aid. There is a lot of garbage out there, and a few good pieces. The goal of any training aid is to ultimately make your swing better, but more specifically to help you correct YOUR personal swing fault.

This swing fault may be any number of them, such as a slice, top, thin, chunk, hook, pop up or any other ugly mishit that we all hate. There is only ONE training aid I think so highly of that I offer it on my site. The hinged golf club is an absolute gem of a training aid.

This club gives you INSTANT feedback as to the mistake you’re making in your golf swing. Whether it be a jerky takeaway, or an off plane swing, the hinge will break to show you it’s incorrect. Whether your tempo is off, or your swing plane, this training aid will get you corrected making a near perfect golf swing in no time!

I’ll be back later today, to finish this post, so stay tuned!

Lets dig a little deeper. You have weaknesses in your golf swing, and most of the time you know what it is (ie. can’t make a full backswing, coming over the top, chicken wing on the follow through), but do you do golf practice drills to correct it?

This may be like a “no duh” statement, but it is a good reminder to go to your practice sessions for golf with an agenda specific to your swing faults. Focus on the drills that will help you improve them and then…and only then bang a few drivers:).

Sometimes it is better to just do that drill for the session and then get out of their. Let your brain and body mellow out after that. You don’t always have to spend 2 hours at the range, unless it’s catching a tournament without the wife knowing. LOL

I am a prime example of this. I usually drive the ball very far and fairly straight, so I typically have a wedge in my hand on most approach shots.

If this is the case, why do I shoot in the low 80′s and sometimes high 70′s, and not in the low 70′s?

Short game!

As I have mentioned many times before…my putting sucks! I easily lose 5-6 strokes every single round from putting. How about you? Do you make your putts? I’m talking about the realistic ones. The 3-4 footers.

I have even gone to the range and practiced my putting and STILL miss them on the course.

The bottom line in golf is getting the ball “in the hole!”

If you are having difficulty with your driving distance, then that really adds to the mix and can make for a long round of golf. This is definitely when you want to work on your body via golf fitness.

Either way…we keep going at it don’t we?

This “ticker” had recorded over 550 golf practice shots by the time I left the television viewing area. They said that is the equivalent to 2 entire tournaments in ONE DAY!

Wow!

Vijay is a golfing machine!

Don’t forget he uses the very popular golf training aid called the SPEED STIK everday as well!