How to Practice Basic Golf Mechanics

The driving range isn’t just a place to work on the distance of your drive.  It’s the perfect place to practice other skills essential to improving your golf game.  For example, the driving range is ideal for devoting regular time to practice basic golf mechanics.  By solidifying these skills, you’ll be in an excellent position to enhance your abilities with putting, driving, and even bunker-recovery techniques.

What are basic golf mechanics?

If golf skills were outlined in a pyramid shape, the bottom foundation of the triangle would be basic golf mechanics.  These skills start before you swing the club–from ball placement to posture and alignment.  Your goal with this practice is to develop control over the ball and club so that your swing delivers your ball towards your target.  

What is a good routine to practice basic golf mechanics?

1. Set up a video camera.  It’s easy to take a quick video of your swing by using your smartphone camera and a selfie stick on a stand.  Place the camera at about hip height and far enough to record your entire body.  By video recording your practice, you’ll be able to review it later to see if your body is doing what you intended, and you can check your progress with your trainer or coach.
2. Use a spare club or golf alignment training sticks to plot a line for your ideal swing towards the target.  This line will help you focus on the direction of your swing while looking at the ball and ground in front of you.  Click here to learn more about using golf alignment sticks.
3. Determine where you should place the ball (or align yourself around the tee.)  If you’re using a driver, the ball should be closer to your left heel (assuming you are right-handed.)  However, if you use a pitching wedge, the ball should be closer to the middle of your two feet.
4. Examine your body alignment.  After setting your feet, take a few moments to check the alignment of your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders.
5. Use multiple clubs.  Don’t just stick to a driver at the driving range.  Practice hitting the ball towards the target using various clubs.  During this practice, you’re focusing on learning how to use each club to move the ball in the right direction, not to achieve a hole in one.  Practice with clubs you know won’t get you the distance you need–it doesn’t matter!
6. Use foot spray to check your impact.  Spray foot spray on the club head.  When you hit the ball, examine the sprayed area.  The spray will leave an impression where the ball made contact with the head.  Your goal should be to hit the ball with the clubhead’s center.

For more advice about how to set golfing goals, contact our Eagle Point Golf Club Academy.

We encourage our members and guests at the Eagle Point Golf Club to take advantage of personalized tune-up sessions.  These mini-lessons are designed to help golfers warm up and fine-tune a handful of skills before hitting the greens.  During a session, we’ll introduce you to some easy warm-up exercises designed to achieve balance and alignment on the course.  

Next, one of our professional trainers will observe your swing in a few different scenarios.  We’ll pinpoint specific issues getting in the way of your game, such as aligning the perfect swing on the chipping green.  Next, we’ll introduce a few simple exercises for you to practice to perfect your short game.  By targeting just a few critical items, you’ll be headed to your game in no time with a manageable number of techniques to practice.

If you’re ready to take your game to the next level, call the Eagle Point Golf Club at 541-826-8225 to inquire about golf lessons.  We’re excited to see your game improve!