Golfing Basics: Driving

One of the most important aspects of succeeding at golf is your drive. If you have a powerful and accurate drive, you won't have to be as concerned over a poor chipping or putting game. A good drive means there are less swings to get the ball to the hole. There are four concepts to keep in mind when practicing your golf drive. To make it simple, remember GASS:

Grip - The position and hold of your hands on the golf club

Alignment - Lining your feet and the club up properly with the golf ball

Stance - The position of your body while swinging at the ball

Swing- The balance, rhythm and power you use while contacting the ball and sending it (hopefully) towards the hole

According to professional golfers, a proper grip is firm but not too tight. Using your less dominant hand, grip the golf club, positioning it diagonally to this hand. For more control, make sure to keep a gap between your first two fingers. Link your two hands together, placing the thumb of your less dominant hand on top of the stronger hand. These guidelines will help you maintain control and increase the accuracy of your drive.

Proper alignment means your club is facing in the direction in which you are aiming and your feet are aligned with your club as you swing. If you don't pay attention to your alignment, you will find yourself chasing the ball in directions you never planned to go.

Your stance is vital to your golf drive. Keep your feet shoulder length apart and find a balance. Your golf stance will become a part of your personal game play so experiment with various ways of positioning your body. Sometimes an uncomfortable position is the best one for your golf swing. Your stance will also depend on what type of shot you are making. For example, you may need to change it if you are on an incline or the ball rests in the rough or other hazard area. Practice your stance in various situations until you find the best ones for you.

When you swing at the golf ball, maintain a natural rhythm and follow through. If you stop swinging the moment you make contact you will not only have a weaker, less accurate swing, but you will risk injury. Stay relaxed. Remember it takes a lot of practice to get your swing as powerful and accurate as it can be.

Perfecting your golf drive takes a lot of focus and practice. Just remember that by working with your grip, alignment, stance and swing your golf drive will improve and golfing will be a rewarding and fun experience.