Here are some golf swing tips that will help you develop a more repeatable, more powerful swing. While there is no single perfect golf swing, there are certain positions that all good golfers achieve. The less time you have to practice, the more important it becomes to incorporate these checkpoints into your own swing.
Let's break the golf swing down into various key positions and then look at checkpoints at each position. To follow along, it helps to have a full length mirror behind you - looking down the ball-to-target line:
THE TAKEAWAY
A good, one-piece takeaway sets the club off along the right path into the backswing. To start the takeaway, think about pushing your left shoulder underneath your chin until your hands are roughly hip height. There is no wrist break at this point.
If you turn to look in the mirror, the club head should cover your hands (i.e. you shouldn't be able to see your hands in the mirror becasue they are directly behind the club head). The leading edge of the club should also be the same angle as your spine.
HALFWAY BACK
From a good takeaway position, the wrists begin to break. A good feeling is to point your thumbs up and slightly behind your right shoulder. When your arms are parallel to the ground, your hands should be directly in the centre of your chest as you look at them in the mirror.
The angle of the club shaft should point the butt end of the club directly at the ball-to-target line. If the club shaft is very steep (i.e. putting up vertically) the butt end of the club will point at the floor well inside the ball-to-target line. If the club shaft is very flat, the butt end of the club will point several feet beyond the ball-to-target line.
TOP OF BACKSWING
From the half way back position, continue to turn the shoulders until the club reaches somewhere between 1 O'clock and 3 O'clock. A 3 O'clock position means that the club will be parallel to the ground.
The position of the right hand should be similar to a waiter carrying a tray of drinks above his or her right shoulder. The left thumb should feel as though it points directly at your target over your shoulder. If you were to let go of the club in the top position, it should fall on to the back of your right shoulder.
TRANSITION
From the top position, the first movement into the down swing should be a 'bump' of the hips. This is a lateral movement of the hips rather than a rotation. The shoulders and arms then follow.
A lot of golfers would benefit from getting the club on a more inside-to-outside swing path on the way down. To encourage this, really feel as though you are pulling your right elbow down into your right hip pocket.
As the club shaft reaches a horizontal position, the butt end should point right down the ball-to-target line. Ideally at this position, the wrists should still be fully hinged (known as lag).