An easy way to improve your ball striking, according to Gary Player

Player’s ball-striking advice

The golf swing might be complicated, but the ultimate goal is simple: square up the clubface at the moment of impact. Everything you do during the backswing and downswing influences the way the clubface reacts at that moment, but having a square clubface at impact is the main goal.

The most efficient way to reach that goal is by focusing on the big muscles during your swing. Sure, you’ll use many small muscles as well, but the big muscles are easier to control and therefore should be your focus.

“You’ve got to do something to make it easy,” Player says. “You take your [lead] hip, and from there you just rotate it.”

Your hands are your body’s closest connection to the club, but they should not be your focus during the swing. Instead, think about keeping them quiet and focus on using your bid muscles to do the work.

“The hands come in automatically,” Player says. “The weakest part of your body are your hands. So why hit the ball with the weakest part of your body?”

Focus on quieting your hands and instead let your core be the engine of your swing. If you do that, you’ll be amazed at how much more consistent your ball striking becomes.

Zephyr Melton

Golf.com Editor

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with the Texas Golf Association, Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and women’s golf. He can be reached at zephyr_melton@golf.com.