There’s a right way and a wrong way to do just about everything and that includes a golf swing. Do this the right way and you’ll be the champion of any course you play and watched and revered form the clubhouse. Do this the wrong way and you’ll get so frustrated you might even give the game up completely. Many of the experts that have won championships and the like advocate what they like to call the big swing but not for the reasons that most of us might think.

These pros tell us it’s okay to take the club back past parallel. But you’ll need to do it the right way. Remember, there are three bad ways to do this and only one right way according to the pros. Bad way number one is by loosening your grip on the club at the back of the back swing. This lets the club flop toward the ground. Here you’ll more than likely end up with the kind of loose shot that will adversely affect your handicap.

The next most common error is over bending the left elbow. This adds a hinge to the swing and a hinge rarely works out smoothly. The third mistake is what’s called a toe dance at the top of the swing. This is where you rise up on the toe of your left foot. Once you’re in that position, there’s really no safe way back.

According to those who know all there is to know about handicaps and how the game of golf should be played, there is only one method that works. This is with a big turn at the hips and shoulders. It’s okay to have a little turn in the left heel and it’s equally fine to have a bit of flex in the elbow as well. Of course its important to keep a firm hold on the club as well, especially with the last three fingers of your left hand. But the key is to turn your hips and shoulders so that at the apex of the back swing you back faces the target.

Some say that golf is more of a science than a game and when you look at all the factors that have been included in it, the serious golfer knows that’s just about right.