An ideal way to start a game of golf is to start it with the proper golf swing. By doing so, you will get the ball to land in close proximity to the hole. Then it is a question of putting it.

Technically speaking, the golf swing is nothing but applied physics. The movement of the club during the swing produces a force on the clubface that is transferred to the ball at the moment of impact. This transferred kinetic energy is the energy that carries the ball during its flight. The more the energy, the more the distance travelled.

Professional golfers, with the exception of Tiger Woods, can usually achieve a club head velocity of nearly a hundred miles per hour (mph). Tiger Woods was once clocked at 125 mph.

Another component that is required for a proper golf swing is known as the lie angle. For the uninitiated, the lie angle is that angle between the centre line of the club shaft and the sole or bottom of the club. This is an important factor that has an affect on the accuracy of the shot. Another reason why the lie angle is important is that golfers come in many sizes and unless they have a club with a lie angle fitted to their physique, their shot is not going to be perfect. Most standard off-the-rack clubs have a lie angle of about 12 degrees. It is the belief of one scientist that a 7.5-degree would be optimal for most golfers. Professional golfers have lie angle fitted clubs that suits them.

There are four elements that you have to know to achieve the proper golf swing.

First, at the culmination of the back swing, you should have stretched as far back as possible with your pivoting torso directly above your right leg. This will extend the range of your downswing movement.

At the commencement of your downswing, turn your body quickly with the pressure on your right leg.

Then, use your hips, shoulders and wrists while driving down to complete a smooth club head rotation. This will increase the impact on the ball and consequently its velocity.

The golf swing mentioned in the above paragraphs does not apply to a situation where you are stuck in a sand trap. The sand is blocking your stroke and you have to overcome this resistance. You can accomplish this by striking the sand behind the ball. Use the club head to do it.

Either in the green or in a sand trap, a golfer must be able to adapt to the situation on hand, the surroundings and the weather. With strong winds it is impossible to hit the ball with a 7.5 or a 12-degree lie angle club. When you are facing the wind a club with a smaller lie angle is advisable and vice versa. If you deviate from these rules you could end up with either a hook or a slice and the ball will not travel far.

Executing a proper golf swing is not easy. If it was, then every Tom, dick and Harry will be hitting a hole in one. That is the reason why professional golf players practice more than right hours a day. They know that the weather plays a very significant part in the game of golf and that there are also factors beyond their control.

Now that you know the theoretical aspects of the sport, all you have to do is to apply it to your game by practicing. If you still have a hard time getting the proper golf swing, get some training aids to help you.