How to Build the Perfect Golf Swing

According to Michael Breed, author of "The Picture-Perfect Golf Swing" and host of "The Golf Fix" television show on The Golf Channel, most golf instructors agree that the perfect golf swing is a myth. The golf swing is slightly different for every person and varies by your height, weight, body shape and flexibility. Building a great golf swing takes time, effort and persistence. However, there are some basic fundamental principles that can help you craft the "perfect golf swing" for your game.

Things You'll Need

  • Golf club
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Instructions

    • 1

      Build your pre-shot routine. If you ever watch a professional golfer on television, he will go through the same routine before every shot. Some golfers stand behind the ball and visualize where they want to hit it. Others line up next to the ball and take two practice swings. Whatever your routine is, make sure you do the same thing every time. This will help you get into a rhythm before you set up.

    • 2

      Get into a proper setup position. As you set up to the ball, position yourself comfortably with your feet shoulder width apart with the ball in the center of your stance. For longer irons and woods, widen your stance by a few inches and position the ball more toward your front foot and for shorter clubs like wedges, narrow your stance by a few inches and position the ball more toward your back foot. Ensure your weight is distributed equally and bend your knees slightly. Bend forward at the waist to address the ball so your body is in a comfortable position. Set a club across your feet, thighs and shoulders and ensure the club points directly at your target in all three of these positions.

    • 3

      Start your takeaway. A common mistake many golfers make is taking the club away abruptly with their hands and arms. Professional golfers start their takeaway by turning their body. Do this by turning your shoulders, hips and arms in unison. Keep your left arm straight if you are right handed throughout the backswing, and vice versa. As the club reaches waist height, you should feel your wrists start to naturally hinge as the club turns toward the sky. Continue to turn until you feel as if your back is facing the target.

    • 4

      Begin your downswing. The backswing is mostly an upper body turn, but in the backswing you use your hips and legs more. Start the backswing by shifting your weight from your right to your left leg and turning your hips and shoulders back down the target line. Keep your head down and focus on turning back through the ball with your body.

    • 5

      Follow through toward your target. If you notice professional golfers, who come as close to the "perfect swing" as anyone, they finish the swing by following through in a balanced position. Copy this move by turning with your body and swinging down your target line toward your intended target. As the club swings down and through, your belt buckle and chest should face the target and your weight should be mostly on your left leg in a balanced, comfortable position.