How to Hit the Golf Ball Correctly

Hitting a golf ball is not as simple as walking up to a golf ball and swinging the club; it takes a great deal of practice to be able to hit great golf shots time after time. Golf can be the most frustrating sport at times; however, hitting a great shot can still be for most golfers reason to come back the next time to improve on their score. Learning the basic shot setup is crucial to developing your golf game.

Instructions

  1. Directions

    • 1

      Grip the club. Place your left hand on the grip with your thumb pointing down the shaft, gripping the club with your fingers. Place your right hand lower down the grip, with the little finger of the right hand overlapping the index finger of the left hand, with the right palm over the top of the left thumb and right thumb pointing down the shaft.

    • 2

      Take your stance. Stand with your feet together about three quarters of an arms length away from the ball. Position your feet so that your front foot is located just ahead of the ball. The back foot should be positioned further back from the ball, so that your feet are a little more than shoulder length apart. The front foot is the foot located closest to the intended target, for example in the case of a right-handed player, the left foot.

    • 3

      Address the ball. Hold the club face at 90 degrees to the intended target, just behind the ball. The ball should be positioned in the center of the club face. Hold your hands slightly in front of the ball, so the club is addressing the ball at an angle.

    • 4

      Start the back swing. Take the club head in a line straight back from the ball until it is parallel to the ground at the top of the swing, with your shoulders perpendicular to the ground.

    • 5

      Complete the swing. Without a pause, keeping the motion fluid, shift your weight to the target side of the ball and bring the club back down the same path. Keep your head down throughout the motion. After striking the ball, allow the club to follow through until the club completes its swing with the club head finishing behind your back. At this stage, you should be facing the target.