This article and video touches on one of my favorite subjects in golf. You the beginner golfer looking to get into the game and getting them to take a full swing immediately. In my experience, new golfers will always remember and get hooked on the game by a solidly struck golf shot! Golfers rarely remember the 5 foot putt they make but they do remember when the golf ball rockets up into the air! Of course the short game is important and a HUGE part of the game but the full swing is FUN!!!! What do you think?

I always try and seek out the best swing advice from some of the top golf instructors in the world so my students can get better faster and this one comes from Craig Harmon (Butch’s older brother) and one of the greatest golf instructors on the planet. He is a mentor to me and always keeps the game so simple. As Craig always says,” the golf swing happens in a clap of the hand.” I asked Craig what is the best way to teach a beginner golfer the full swing. The Harmon brothers love to keep the game simple just as their Dad Claude had taught.  This is what he said…..

Take your driver and flip it upside down so you are holding the club near the head on the shaft. This is an excellent way to practice getting comfortable with the grip. The shaft should lay through the fingers of your lead hand. Take your trail hand and let it slide down the shaft and into your lead hand. Let’s go ahead and tilt forward from the hips and bounce on your knees. The less tension the better through your wrists, hands and arms. Point the butt end of the shaft to the ground to where the ball would be sitting on the ground or on a tee.

This is where your motion begins. You will start swinging the club back and forth. You should swing the shaft back over the rear shoulder and then through to the forward shoulder. Keep doing this until you finish on balance. You will find yourself making a circular motion with the golf club. Most likely, you will also hear a swoosh of the shaft creating swing speed. Swing speed is crucial to hitting the ball the desired distance to play the game. You will find yourself creating a golf swing motion immediately!! Now, this is fun!!!

Now, go ahead and flip the club right side up gripping the club on the handle in the same manner. The top hand will grip the club in the fingers with your heel pad sitting on top of the club.  Let the trail hand slide up the grip to meet your lead hand and begin making the same motion where you always finish on balance. Hold your finish! This type of motion is also terrific for the player struggling with their games. This motion will simplify the golf swing for you. Creating a motion that happens in a clap of the hand!

The short game is extremely important to becoming a competent golfer. Smashing the driver is always a lot of fun but if you want to improve your game start closer to the hole and work your way back. Since solid contact is our number one objective, hitting the ball straight and far we need to make contact in the middle of the club face each time. Or at least close to the bulls eye. Begin with a pitching wedge, sand wedge or 9 iron.

Why do I like to begin newer golfers with the short game swing. Grip, tension, balance and feeling how the club swings around your body. You will experience less tension in the short game because distance is taken out of the equation. You can focus on making the correct grip.  The short game is usually played with a swing below the waist. The club traveling on a clock from 9 o’clock to three o’clock. In the video below, you will see how the golf club needs to swing. Never hitting or trying to help the ball into the air.

Use the club and brush the grass to the side of the golf ball. Do not restrict any motion of your body. You will see in the video how the weight moves slightly to the front foot because of the club swinging forward the weight will move forward. We are always seeking balance and allowing the club to swing with out adding anything extra will give any player the best opportunity to make solid impact allowing the ball to travel the correct distance. The less tension the better. You should be able to softly hold the club in the fingers of your hands.

This motion and result will build confidence in any player especially the beginner golfer. Continuously getting the ball in the air and flying in the direction of the target is so important. You will have more fun and lower your scores.