When I get a golf club in my hand, I get that feeling of wanting to knock the cover off the ball.  It feels good to put all of my strength into hitting the ball.  Just hitting the ball as hard as I can does not mean that I play good golf though.  If you just need to relieve a little stress, then swinging with all your strength may accomplish your goals.  However, if you want to play golf well, then you are going to have to hold back on the power a little.  One of the most frequent mistakes is to swing the golf club too hard.  A hard swing shows that you have power, but accuracy is the name of the game in golf. 

When you have it, you have it.  The world is yours.  When you don’t have it…then you think that you would be better off placing the ball in the hole with your hand rather than using your putter. 

For some of us golfers, this is something that happens to us more often that we would like.  You know what I am talking about.  Shots that throw you off balance or aren’t as simple as instruction videos or professionals make them look.  Here are some great ways to overcome the awkward shots.   

When you have an awkward shot to make, think about how you can swing, keep your balance, and keep from moving your head.  Then imagine the line your club travels along.  

Prior to setting up your shot, consider where the club head needs to travel for the greatest distance in a straight line.  Keep in mind that the ball makes contact with the club head for several inches.  After you make a few practice swings, you will be able to see what relationship your feet will have with the line and then you can determine your stance. 

It is important to keep from swaying when you are about the hit the ball.  Just before you swing, see if there is any problem keeping your balance.  If there is, you need to keep shifting until you find a comfortable position where there is no tension in your swing.  Freedom in your muscles and mind is what you are looking for so that you will be able to swing smoothly.  If you are fidgety when you address the ball, you are not going to be able to focus on the ball.  Be sure you keep your feet still. 

Ensure that you can see the ball from the beginning to end of your swing.  Even if it is a difficult shot, do not lose focus on the ball.  This will help you hit the ball cleanly and solidly. 

If you keep your eye on the ball, then your swing will be free from faults and the ball will be hit correctly.  If you can keep your head still for the entire swing until the club head meets the ball, your swing will definitely improve.  Then if you have an awkward shot, you will be able to hit it with confidence and assurance. Bad or difficult weather can make any shot more difficult.  When the wind is blowing, it is important to keep your feet closer together.  It is natural to think that you just need to hit the ball harder, but the wind makes it even more important to hit the ball correctly. 

This phrase is often repeated in nearly every sport – keep your eye on the ball.  It applies to golf too!  If you do not watch the ball, then the chance that you will hit it is very slim!   Keep your eyes focused on one part of the ball.  Don’t watch your club as you swing. 

The golf professionals do have something that they agree on.  If you do not keep your balance during the entire swing, it is not possible to have a good stroke.  It sounds simple to keep your balance, doesn’t it?  Unfortunately, it is impossible to have good balance when you are so tense that you are “white knuckling” the club, your entire body is stiff, and you are trying to hit the ball too hard.  When you are just starting to play golf, you are frequently warned to not hit the ball too hard.  Energy that is focused will make the ball go much further than a hard swing that does not make contact with the ball at the club’s center.  When you are well balanced, you are more free to hit the ball correctly.  Keep your head still, with your eyes focused on the ball.  The more still your head is, the better you will be able to see the ball.  This helps to create the foundation for you to keep your balance.  Any movement or distraction that hinders your balance will make it impossible to focus on the ball.  It is imperative that you keep your head perfectly still and do not move it during your swing.