5 beginner questions...and good news

[Egoolps]

I'll start with the good news. My swing is completely different than it was when I golfed for my 2nd time ever last Saturday (the first time was almost a year before that). With that said, I went to the range today. I hit some beautiful shots...more than I've ever hit before. With that said, please answer these questions:

1) I'm trying to keep my left arm straight...as in almost hyperextended....for my entire swing. Is that wrong? Should there be a bend in my arm?

2) Should my hands be doing virtually nothing but "following" the rest of my body? When I hit some of my great shots, this is how it felt. However, don't the wrists/hands play some time of role other than follower?

3) I've read that your back should be toward your "target." How much of your back? Are we talking parallel? As in my back is almost completely turned?

4) Are you supposed to have the same swing mechanics for every swing (with the exception of chip shots, putting, and punching?)

5) Here's my thought process before my swing: What is wrong with it?

-Bend my knees a bit
-Arms relaxed
-Butt should be almost as if I'm sitting in a chair
-Keep left arm straight the entire time
-As the club is going up, I am turning my hips/back
-As I swing, I'm virtually letting my shoulders/hips do all of the work with the hands simply following

Anything would help. Thanks a ton.

[Guest]

Buy a dvd/youtube videos of golf swings. study there is everything from the very basic instructions to in detail 10000 different things to worry about.
I like jim McLean 8 step/ ben hogan videos.

Be wary of amature youtube know it all golfers giving instruction, they probably suck. Stick to conservative coaches/dvd's which are proven to work.

Almost every thing you said is wrong or a part of it is wrong. It's best to start now with good mechanics then have to tear your self down and rebuild your self later.

[clearwaterms]

I would start with a lesson program. Maybe consider a group lesson, it will teach you the fundimentals. And it will also give you an instructor that will give you some solid pro's / con's of what you are currently doing.

Just to give you an idea, I have a friend who never touched a club in his life, he took 10 lessons this spring and bought fitted clubs. And while I wouldn't say he is an 18 handicap, he plays better then I do, and all in just one summer.

[Dub]

Another vote for a few lessons.

Don't let the expense intimidate you. The cost of bad golf and lost balls will offset a $35 lesson.

Take a lesson and spend the afternoon afterwards on the range groving what you've been taught.

Keep going back to the range and groove it over a couple of weeks.

Take another lesson and repeat the cycle.

Take it to the course and test yourself.

[tjy355]

Here is the advice I offer beginners that ask my advice:

"Don't take advice from other hackers"

I'll add to that considering this forum:
"... ESPECIALLY anonymous internet hackers."



Bad habits become hard to change so now is the best time to see your PGA professional.

[Cruden bay]

You absolutely have to get a lesson. You can't see yourself so someone has to put eyes on you and then give you feedback. You might think your arms, legs, back are doing what someone told you, but they probably won't be. Get started right, with the basics, then you will be able to improve and build on a correct foundation. If you develop some wrong fundamentals, you might be able to compensate and get a reasonable result,ie: score, but you will be limited because of it. You might want to check out a site i found for various instructional golf lessons. crudenbayproducts.com Good luck