Golf is a game that can be learned at any age and allows players to spend hours outdoors. If fairway outings are enticing to you, spend some time perfecting your swing first. Focus on the fundamentals using this brief guide.

Your Guide to Correct Golf Form

1. Learn the Correct Grip

Experiment with three grip types: 10-finger, overlap, and interlocking. The basic 10-finger grip is similar to a baseball grip and requires holding the club with your fingers instead of your palms. Favored by professionals, the overlap grip is similar to the 10-finger grip except the right pinky finger rests between the index and middle fingers on your left hand. The interlocking grip also starts with a 10-finger grip, except you place your right pinky finger between your left middle and index fingers, and your left index finger between your right ring and pinky fingers.

2. Bend Your Knees & Consider Foot Placement

Bend your knees and lean forward slightly from the hips, so your weight is mainly on the balls of your feet. Position your feet a little wider than shoulder width, keeping your front foot slightly in front of the ball. You should be able to hit the ball comfortably from your position instead of having to bend your elbows excessively or overextend your arms.

3. Keep Your Arms Relatively Straight On The Backswing

Ensure the clubhead stays low to the ground as you pull it back. Rotate your hands, arms, shoulders, torso, and legs simultaneously while keeping most of your weight on the inside of your back foot to avoid losing your balance. Continue drawing the club back—your front arm should be considerably straighter than your back arm. The farther back you sweep your club, the more speed you’ll build up to hit the ball. 

4. Always Follow Through

Move your weight from your back foot to your front foot as you prepare to hit the golf ball. Your front arm should be straight in the seconds before impact. Rotate your hips as you strike the ball to help it go farther—by this time, both arms should be completely extended. Keep moving your body and always follow through so the club is behind you after you send the ball flying. Focus on your form instead of how hard you hit the ball, as a fluid backswing, downswing, and follow-through will do the work for you. 

Perfect your golf form at The Virtues Golf Club in Nashport, OH. Located 40 miles east of Columbus, this championship course designed by Arthur Hills is number 65 on the list of top 100 U.S. public courses. Full-service indoor and outdoor venues are also on the premises for special occasions, including a 60,000 square foot clubhouse. Call (740) 763-1100 for inquiries or visit the website for tee times. Get more tips and the latest tournament news on Facebook.