OK, let’s set the record straight. Nobody has a perfect golf swing. Watch a golf tournament on TV, and you will see a wide variety of swings that each of the pros have decided works best for them. All of them have had instruction some time in their lives, but they all settle on the basics – Grip, Aim and Setup.

The most important way to make your swing more powerful and accurate is to work on making it consistent. If you absolutely know how your swing will work every time, you will plan your shot much better.

Golfers complicate their swing by thinking too much about it. Do your best to get a good, smooth rhythm to your swing. A forward swing is improved when you take your time going back to set up the motion. If it’s too fast, your club and your body will be out of synch and the shot will not be successful. You’ll know right away when it’s too fast – you just won’t feel in synch.

The object is to create speed on the downswing (toward the ball) rather than the backswing. A good backswing starts with the arms. As you bring your club back, your left shoulder and hips should turn naturally to allow weight to transfer to the right side. As your club continues to the peak, your shoulders should continue to turn with the swing.

The object of the downswing is to return the club head to the ball with maximum speed, but keeping it in control at the same time. Don’t swing too hard – this can cause your ball to go anyplace but where you intended it to go.

To finish the golf swing, it needs to be high, not left. It may feel more natural to go to the left, but your club head needs to stay square to the ball, and after impact to create good flight.

Again, the golf swing can become more of a mental action than a physical one. Even the pros feel the pressure of perfecting their swing. The most important thing to remember is that your swing should feel natural, not manufactured. No two golfers have the same swing, so just remember the basics!