It is estimated that over 90 percent of the golfing population routinely slice the golf ball. Unfortunately, there is not one specific fix to magically hit the golf ball straight. The golf swing functions with a cause and effect relationship. If you create an extra move in the swing, there must be a compensation somewhere to make up for that extra movement.   Proper fundamentals create solid golf shots. Compensations in the swing are a temporary band aid for a swing fault.

You may have noticed how easily PGA Tour professionals swing a golf club. While the swing appears effortless, they are generating an enormous amount of club head speed. They maximize their ability by maintaining their balance and swinging the golf club with the proper tempo. Balance in the golf swing is essential to consistent golf shots.

One of the first things I learned about the golf swing was the importance of the correct set up and initial start of the backswing.  So many mistakes in these two areas lead to compensations throughout the swing, rather than proper fundamentals.  If you can get the club back and set at the top of your swing correctly, it makes it much easier to make solid contact with the ball.

The golf swing requires the arms and body working cohesively together to hit a solid golf shot.  Many players create extra movements such as an incorrect release or bending the left arm through impact.  To correct these swing faults try using the “Towel Drill.”  If you have taken a golf lesson over the years, there is a good chance you have participated in this drill.  It is a great practice aid to help you learn the correct sequence of your arms and body working together in the swing.

Professional and low handicap players know the importance of swinging a golf club in a circle around a fixed point in their swing, which is their spine angle.  Many amateurs make the mistake of sliding the back leg and hip throughout the swing.  This creates an unwanted lateral movement that leads to poorly stuck golf shots.  The following tips are designed for a right handed golfer to eliminate the unwanted sliding movement in the golf swing.  Left handed players need to reverse the instructions.