Get connected for more accuracy and distance with this golf tip.

A connected golf swing is a golf swing that is synchronized so that the whole body is used to hit the golf ball and is where the upper body – the hands, arms, shoulders and hips – all move together as one unit throughout the whole swing.

In performing a golf swing, many golfers will just use the hands and the arms to power the golf club through the golf ball. This is not an efficient use of the body to create power and consistency for a golf swing as the majority of the body remains passive when the hands and arms dominate. An efficient swing is one with good rotation which means that the kinetic chain of the swing will be in the correct sequence. The kinetic chain is measured on impact with the ball. Firstly, the hips arrive at the ball, then the shoulders, then the hands and finally the club head. This sequence is the optimum sequence for generating power as the whole of the right hand side (for right handed golfers, left hand side for left handed golfers) attacks the ball at the same time – the club head, the right hand, hip, knee, elbow and shoulder. Also this sequence means that the club face can rotate correctly around the body to point directly at the target on contact with the ball.

Some golfers may have issues with driving the lower body into the golf ball because of age, injury, inflexibility or strength but this does not mean that the swing cannot still be connected. Good connection of the upper body still helps with distance and accuracy.

To connect the upper body means swinging the hands, arms and upper torso together as one unit instead of separately. Imagine the golf swing as a clock face. Practice swinging by taking the club to halfway back or so that the hands point to 9 o’clock in the swing – approximately waist height. Then swing through to the same point after the ball – 3 o’clock. In doing so, use the mid section and shoulders to power the movement and keep the arms straight. With each practice, swing a little higher to chest height – 10 o’clock to 2 o’clock – and finally shoulder height – 11 o’clock to 1 o’clock. During all of these swings, make sure not to hinge the wrists. This will encourage a turn with the shoulders rather than with the arms. This should feel quite tight and very 'wooden'. Find the point where it is not possible to go any further back (9, 10 or 11 o’clock) then practice stopping at this point as this is your ‘connection limit’. Keep on swinging to this point and start to hinge the wrists at the end of the swing. Be careful not to let the arms swing back any further when hinging the wrists.

Checkpoints at the end of the backswing are:

1. Identify a connection limit (9, 10 or 11 O'clock) and only swing as far as this limit.

2. The hands should be directly opposite the centre of the chest and no higher at your connection limit.

3. The front arm (left for right hander’s and right for left hander’s) should be as straight as possible (depending on flexibility a small bend is perfectly acceptable).

Using this connection exercise creates consistency and accuracy to bring golf scores down.