The biggest challenge that a beginner golfer faces is the impossible task of driving the golf ball straight. In theory, it should be a simple task. But it’s very challenging. This article will tell you exactly how to hit golf ball straight.
There is no such thing as a perfectly straight shot in golf, but a nearly straight shot is the best you can ask for. After reading this article, you’ll be hitting straighter in no time.
Hitting on Center
If you ask yourself, How do I hit a golf ball straight?, then hitting on the center of the clubface is very important.
As a beginner, you rarely pay attention to where the ball hits the face because it seems secondary. But if you ask a lower handicapper or a professional, they can tell you exactly where they hit the ball.
- Importance of Spray Chalk
The key to knowing where you hit the ball lies in a small pressurized bottle of Spray Chalk. You spray it on your clubface, and it will show you the imprint the ball left upon contact.
- Know your shortcomings
Once you see where the ball is hitting on the face, you can notice how it slices. You either hit it on the toe or towards the heel. Knowing the fault is the first step in overcoming it.
- Practice makes perfect
To hit the ball on the sweet spot, practice diligently. Slowly adjust your posture and your swing angle to make the ball hit dead center. You don’t need to worry about speed and distance at this point. Just focus on hitting it on center.
The Right Driver
Secondly, the right driver is essential in driving a golf ball straight. A driver with a bigger sweet spot is recommended. The driver with a bigger sweet spot is more forgiving, and you don’t have to hit exactly on the center. You are safe with hitting it around the center too.
Modern technology will make it easier for you. New and improved golf drivers are constantly being released. So, you can easily find one suiting your taste.
Angle of Clubface
The angle with which you hit the golf ball plays a major role in its trajectory. There is a popular saying in the golf business “The face sends it, and the path bends it.” Simply meaning the angle of the face is the first factor that decides where the golf ball will start, and the path of the swing decides whether it will slice or go straight.
Both the clubface and the swing path need to be neutral for a straight golf shot. Let me tell you what a neutral face means and what an open and closed face can cause.
- Open Face
When the club is facing the sky on the down-swing, it’s called an open face. The open face will send the ball towards the right initially. But it will curve to the left mid-air.
- Closed Face
When the club is facing the ground on the down-swing, it’s called a closed face. This will send the ball initially towards the left. But it will curve to the right eventually.
- Neutral Face
When the clubface is facing straight ahead, it’s called a neutral face. The neutral face sends the ball straight.
Pay attention to the clubface on the down-swing to fix the angle.
The Right Swing Path
Face angle is critical in how to hit a golf ball straight every time. Consequently, the path of the swing is also essential. The path of a correct swing should be neutral. The path and face angle should match for a straighter shot.
To achieve a neutral path, the angle between the maximum stretch on the backswing and the golf ball should be 1800. Meaning the driver should come along your right shoulder (if you’re right-handed).
Some swing mistakes are listed below:
- Over the Plane
When the downswing comes over your shoulder, and the decline is very steep, it’s called over the plane swing. As a result, the ball goes left.
- Under the Plane
When the downswing comes below your shoulders and the decline is too shallow, it’s called under the plane swing. As a result, the ball goes right.
How to identify your swing path?
A helpful driving golf ball tip is to record your swings. You can set up a camera to follow your driver through the swing. You can slow down the footage and identify your mistakes and work toward fixing them.
If the clubhead is covering your hands on camera when the club is at 90o to your body, then you’re good to go!
Timing of the Pivot
The timing of the pivot is what will help you fix your swing path.
- Cause of Over the Plane Swing
If you start to pivot your upper body too quickly compared to your lower body, then the club swings over the plane.
- Cause of Under the Plane Swing
If you pivot your lower body too quickly, it results in a shot that’s too shallow.
The right timing for the pivot
To achieve the perfect swing,
- Firstly, delay the rotation of your upper body to make the swing shallow
- Secondly, thrust your hips forward more than the torso towards the target to ensure the swing stays neutral and doesn’t become too shallow.
Solid Stance
The secret in how to drive a golf ball straight is to pay attention to your stance.
Plant your feet firmly on the ground. You should be solidified entirely in your stance to give you maximum stability.
Your knees should be slightly bent to lower your center of gravity, giving the maximum swing strength.
Conclusion
Driving a golf ball straight is no easy feat; it’s something that troubles the most experienced golfers. Everyone has their trick to it. Some perfect their clubface angle, while others have the perfect pivot timing.
The more you mess around with the ball, the better understanding you’ll have of the game. You don’t need to hit a perfect shot every time. Learning is a slow process, and the more you experiment, the quicker you’ll find the trick that works best for you.
After following all these tips on how to hit golf ball straight, you will exponentially improve. A straight golf shot will become second nature to you in no time.
