Top tips for women who golf and want to golf
For those who want to learn it can be intimidating to know where to start, but with the right knowledge and support it's an extremely rewarding sport whether you're practicing on your own or playing a round with friends, not to mention being a good excuse to travel and get out in the summer sunshine!
As with everything, what we all need is a really good starting point, so here are my top tips for those looking to start as they mean to go on...
Expert advice
It probably sounds obvious but the best thing to do when you first start playing golf is to have lessons. A technical sport, which relies on nuance, it is important to get your technique right not just so that you become the best player that you can be but also to help avoid common injuries and strains. It's not just beginners who can benefit from training either – practice only makes perfect if you're practicing the right things, so even a seasoned pro can benefit from a little advice once in a while.
Get the right kit for you: golf is not the cheapest of sports, but while there is equipment that you need to get going you don't need absolutely everything all in one go. Seek advice on what suits you and test equipment where you can.
A little and often
Practicing a new skill can be tiring so a simple tool such as a chipping net in the back garden can be a surprisingly effective way of practicing when you have a spare half hour on a summer evening. You might be surprised at how quickly you improve and if you have friends and family around it can be fun and sociable as well without doing a full 18 holes.
Be strong
Having a strong grip will help to create a flatter swing path and a more powerful release of the club through impact. It is probably (although not exclusively accurate) that in the majority women have less upper body strength than men, but by developing a good strong grip you can compensate for that.
A firm stance
It's not just your grip that needs to be strong; it's the way you stand as well. A solid base creates good balance and supports high club head speed. Remember to flex your knees a little and don't let them roll inwards. Press them away from each other and it will allow you to shift your weight in the correct way rather than reducing your power as you pivot.
www.golfsupport.com
As with everything, what we all need is a really good starting point, so here are my top tips for those looking to start as they mean to go on...
Expert advice
It probably sounds obvious but the best thing to do when you first start playing golf is to have lessons. A technical sport, which relies on nuance, it is important to get your technique right not just so that you become the best player that you can be but also to help avoid common injuries and strains. It's not just beginners who can benefit from training either – practice only makes perfect if you're practicing the right things, so even a seasoned pro can benefit from a little advice once in a while.
Get the right kit for you: golf is not the cheapest of sports, but while there is equipment that you need to get going you don't need absolutely everything all in one go. Seek advice on what suits you and test equipment where you can.
A little and often
Practicing a new skill can be tiring so a simple tool such as a chipping net in the back garden can be a surprisingly effective way of practicing when you have a spare half hour on a summer evening. You might be surprised at how quickly you improve and if you have friends and family around it can be fun and sociable as well without doing a full 18 holes.
Be strong
Having a strong grip will help to create a flatter swing path and a more powerful release of the club through impact. It is probably (although not exclusively accurate) that in the majority women have less upper body strength than men, but by developing a good strong grip you can compensate for that.
A firm stance
It's not just your grip that needs to be strong; it's the way you stand as well. A solid base creates good balance and supports high club head speed. Remember to flex your knees a little and don't let them roll inwards. Press them away from each other and it will allow you to shift your weight in the correct way rather than reducing your power as you pivot.
www.golfsupport.com