Thursday, January 17, 2008

Golf Swing Teaching Aids - Do You Need Them?

There are so many golf swing training aids available today and so much hype that you might buy one after the other and still not find one that improves your golf swing. The first thing you need to do is figure out what aspect of your golf swing needs attention. It is vital that you understand what your weaknesses with your swing are and concentrate on finding a solution for that particular problem. Then, and only then, should you consider searching for a golf teaching aid that will address the swing fault that you have identified.

The best thing you can do to start with is make sure you have the fundamental elements correct that are necessary for a good golf swing. You need to make sure that you have the right grip to start with. Next, the address position and your body posture have to be in alignment to the target. Your balances at set up and throughout the swing, as well as your weight transfer have to be correct or you will never achieve a good golf swing. And finally, you have to maintain a perfect tempo and plane to achieve the right impact position for hitting the ball with distance, accuracy and consistency.

So how do you know which of the above elements you are doing wrong? Well, if you can afford it, get a golf instructor to analyze your golf swing and identify your fault; although, from my experience, having someone tell you what you are doing wrong, then showing you what to do to correct it, did not work for me. But at least you will know what your fault is and therefore make a more informed buying decision of a golf teaching aid. Another possibility for identifying your swing fault is to video tape yourself. By watching a replay, especially in slow motion, you should be able to spot your swing fault; if not, maybe a golfing buddy that is more experienced than you can watch the video and tell you where you are going wrong.

After identifying your fault you will then know what type of golf teaching aid you need to correct it. I have found on the internet that the teaching aids are conveniently categorized into the following swing aids: full swing aids, swing plane aids, swing tempo aids, swing alignment aids, balance aids, grip aids, impact position aids, fitness training aids, and weight transfer aids. Some of these aids overlap in different categories - in other words, one type of swing aid might correct two or three different problems.

So, if you know you have a golf fault and you have identified which area of your needs attention, then you are in a position to choose the right golf swing teaching aid. Search the internet for reviews for particular teaching aids or look for testimonies from known golf professionals or golf instructors. So, do you need them? Well, if you find the right teaching aid for you and it improves your game - then yes!

Mick Euan Tait is the webmaster of http://golf-online-tips.com/swing where you can find more golf swing tips and resources. Also, check out http://golf-online-videos.com/golf-swing for free golf swing videos and http://golf-online-tips.com/blog/golf for various golf reviews.
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