To improve the golf swing there are many factors that you have to consider.
The professionals and single handicappers that shoot consistently less than 80 all have a swing that can be reproduced time and time again and that is the key to improving your swing.
Here are some key pointers that Butch Harman (Tiger Woods' coach) talks about when offering instruction to improve the golf swing.
Pre-shot Routine It sounds funny but the pre-shot routine really is very important because if you don't address the ball in the same way for each and every shot then you're going to have a torrid time trying to create a swing that is consistent for all 18 holes.
A pre-shot routine is very important to improving your golf swing.
A great pre-shot routine is to stand behind the ball so that your body and the ball are in line with the target and visualize the shot that you want to hit.
Then, pick a twig, or a lead (anything will do) that is directly on the target line between your ball and the hole.
Use that to align the club face up behind the ball so that it is square on with the target.
Grip the club as you do normally, waggle the club, bend slightly at the waist and introduce some flexibility into the knees.
If you do the above every single time - you know that you'll always be square on with the target and you've got a great chance of improving your consistency.
Take the club back on the correct plane A lot of amateurs take the club back on the wrong plane.
The most common thing I see down the golf course is a plane that is too flat on take away.
This means that the golfer takes the club back on the inside of the target line, making it very difficult to compensate on the way through.
The ideal plane is slightly outside the target line on the way back, and slightly flat on the downswing.
If you watch Tiger Woods, you'll see that he does this brilliantly.
If there's a player to emulate then it should definitely be him! If you can swing on the correct plane, you'll definitely improve your golf swing.
Get into the Rhythm! Another common mistake I see, especially on the tee, is when golfers step up to the ball and try and really let rip with the club.
They tend to speed up their swing because they feel they need to generate extra club head speed.
Well, speeding up the backswing is not going to make any difference to the club head speed coming through the ball! In fact it's likely going to put you off balance or even make you swing out of synchronization.
If you want to see a player with incredible rhythm, take a look at Ernie Els - he's like a pendulum.
Good rhythm will improve your golf swing! Keep your head still! A lot of beginners are guilty for doing this, but when you swing the golf club you really need to keep your head still.
A lot of people will tell you to "keep your head down" but that's not always good advice because your head needs to be high enough for the shoulders to make a full and complete rotation.
So, keep your head high, but focused on the ball and don't lift your head up on the follow through, stay committed to the shot!