| Are you playing a round of slice golf? I bet you | | | | the ball and let the swing bring your head up. |
| wish you could play on the same course as your | | | | 2) Are your arms too loose? If so, it is unlikely |
| buddies, huh? Well, put down the revolver and | | | | that you will be able to keep a straight swing |
| step away from the clubhouse, there is help at | | | | plane and hit the ball squarely. Concentrate then, |
| hand. As a golfer myself for years now, my | | | | on keeping your left arm stiff, elbow locked (that |
| biggest problem has been that of slicing the ball, | | | | is if you are right handed, otherwise the opposite |
| leading to numerous bouts of both personal | | | | applies), so that you can have a straight swing |
| frustration and moments of hilarity for my golfing | | | | plane through the ball. If your arms are too loose |
| partners. Not ideal, one could say. | | | | and moving erratically all over the place, it is very |
| Until recently, I displayed a very sloppy and really | | | | doubtful that you will propel the ball in its intended |
| quite scary swing, trying anything to stop the slice | | | | direction, and you may probably not even lift it |
| scenario, but this had little effect on the overall | | | | off the deck. So, picture a smooth swing plane |
| trajectory of the unfriendly ball. My handicap | | | | and adjust your arms before you take the shot. |
| stayed 'off the scale' high no matter what I did, | | | | Try not to keep them too tense though, just |
| and I would have been better suited playing with | | | | firm, as if you have too much tension, you will |
| a falconry gauntlet rather than a golf glove, ruining | | | | actually have to put more effort in, and the |
| one glove after the next, in rapid succession. | | | | likelihood is that you will not have a rhythmical |
| After reluctantly trying a new method, which | | | | movement on the downswing. If this happens, a |
| involved a totally different approach, my game | | | | clean hit will be extremely lucky. |
| quickly changed, and pleasingly for the better. I | | | | 3) Do not forget to go mental. One of the most |
| just wish that I had tried it sooner. Here are 3 | | | | important aspects of golf is keeping your spirits |
| tips that have helped me through and should also | | | | up in the face of adversity. Having a positive |
| help you become a straight shooter: | | | | mental attitude is half the battle in winning the |
| 1) Try not to be a bobblehead. When addressing | | | | fight with that tiny pipsqueak, the golf ball. |
| the ball, it is important to keep your head still and | | | | Convincing yourself that you are THE BOSS and |
| eyes fixed on the ball. No need to worry, your | | | | in charge of IT, will work better for you. Learn to |
| head will come up of its own accord, as it will turn | | | | relax, think about the pointers for your swing, |
| naturally when you swing through with your golf | | | | concentrate, and smoothly sock it to the little, |
| club. If you take your eyes off the ball, by | | | | spherical menace. You can do it. Remember, this |
| moving your head prematurely, you will have little | | | | is how you get your kicks and why you are |
| chance of hitting the ball where you intend. How | | | | playing this wonderful game in the first place. For |
| can you hope to do so? So keep that focus on | | | | the warped enjoyment, right? |