The baseball and golf swing actually have a lot in common. Many former baseball players take up golf and become very good golfers. They already have the basic movements, speed and now just have to build skill in clean contact and club face control!
Are you a former baseball player?
Or someone currently playing baseball that is also interested in the game of golf?
Did you know that you can use your motion in the baseball swing to produce a powerful, efficient golf swing that can get you playing some awesome golf?
One of my favorite instructors of all time, Mike Malaska, is a former baseball player himself turned professional and he provides many great tips on how to utilize elements of the baseball swing in your golf swing.
When I was growing up playing both sports, I would often hear how bad the baseball swing was for my golf swing. However, with some little adjustments the baseball swing can actually be a great thing for the golf swing.
I played both high school baseball and golf and was able to go back and forth between both sports and play both at a high level.
The game of golf doesn’t not need to be completely absent of different thant he baseball game.
Instead check out out the overview and 5 tips you can use to build that powerful, efficient and dare I say consistent golf swing that we all dream about!
How do you hit a golf ball with a baseball swing?
Many of the same elements in both swings can be utilized in your golf swing. These include: rhythm and timing, utilizing your hands for speed and power, controlling the club head and the bat, the weight transfer and hand eye coordination.
These commonalities carry over from baseball to golf.
The former or current baseball play is poised to play some great golf with the right mindset and approach to the game of golf.
Below, I will highlight the one common fault in baseball and then get into the 5 tips to help you play better golf. These include:
- Hit the ball to right center
- Use your hands in the golf swing
- Practice hitting shots to different parts of the field
- Utilize your athleticism
- Main swing thought: work the clubhead/barrell of the bat
- BONUS DRILL
One Common Fault in Baseball Players
I often see baseball players get very aggressive from the top of the backswing. Instead of remaining patient and allowing the club to work, they simply pull across the shot as if they were trying to the ball 40 feet foul down the left field line for the right handed hitter.
This causes the dreaded slice shot and leads to rounds of frustration and lack of distance. Instead follow some of the tips below to help you start playing quality golf!
Check it Out: What Causes A Slice in Golf? (Solution Included)
Baseball Golf Swing: Tip #1 Hit The Ball To Right Center
If you are someone that falls into the common swing fault discussed above, it is time we change our perspective of the game.
As you stand over the shot, imagine that you are standing at home plate in the batters box. 2nd base is your target and the foul lines are the edges of the fairway. The golf here is to hit the ball towards right center and have it curve or draw towards center field.
You see the golf swing needs to take place from the inside and allow yourself to hit/swing towards right center as if you were hitting a break pitch to the backside will be the key.
Just like in the baseball swing, if you get too far out in front of the swing, you will pull the ball and hit it poorly. Instead keep your head behind the ball and allow your power alley to be right center. You don’t want to “pull” the ball.
Baseball Golf Swing: Tip #2 Use Your Hands in the Golf Swing
Far too often, we hear the advice to take your hands out of the golf swing. This might be the single worst tip for any golfer, let alone former or current baseball players.
The best baseball players are gifted with any amazing set of hands. Let’s utilize those hands to control the club face and hit the shots that will allow us to shoot great scores.
Your hands ultimately control the club face. The angle of your right hand will control the club face. If you want the face to be more open, shift your right hand more towards right center.
If you want the club face more closed, shift it more towards left center. If you want to hit a higher shot, allow the right hand to be led more by the bottom or outside part of your hand. If you want to hit it lower, get your thumb pointed more towards the target or rotated down.
The game doesn’t have to be difficult, use your number one asset, your hands! Your golf swing will thank you!
Here is Mike Malaska talking about using the hands in the golf swing:
Baseball Golf Swing: Tip #3 Practice Hitting Shots to different parts of the Field
The golf swing takes training of your hands and your swing. One of the best ways to develop feel is to stand at home plate again in your mind. There you are standing in the batters box. Go ahead and try to hit to different parts of the field.
Can you hit one to right center with a slight draw? Can you hit one to left center with a slight fade? Can you pull one down the line? Can you hit one to right field?
Working on training your hands to hit these shots will give you better club head control and awareness. Remember, the key to shifting from baseball to golf is to use your hands that are developed already. They just need some additional golf training at this time.
Here is an excellent video of Mike Malaska working with some MLB players:
Baseball Golf Swing: Tip #4 Utilize Your Athleticism
Golf, just like baseball take rhythm and timing. The fortunate part for baseball players is that they have trained their rhythm and timing for years by hitting batting practice and taking many reps swinging a baseball bat.
The one advantage in golf is that the ball is sitting still. You don’t have to rush it and try to catch up with the fastball, but it does take quality rhythm and timing. Be athletic in your motion and allow your body to follow your arms and hands.
The focus should be on the arms and hands and allow the body to support the swinging of the arms. Too many baseball players start to worry about where their left shoulder is, or where their hips are.
Instead remain focused on the hands and arms and allow your athleticism to take over. Trust me, your body will support your arms as they try to hit the ball. I have never seen anyone swing without the body reacting to the golf swing.
Baseball Golf Swing: Tip #5 Main Swing Thought: Work the Club head/Barrel
The key as you make the transfer is to swing the clubhead or the barrel of the bat. Don’t stand over the ball and think about any of the following that many golfers seem to get caught up in:
- Where should my left shoulder go?
- How open should my hips be?
- Am I swinging the club too far back?
- Does my head move back or stay centered?
Too many golfers stand over their shots and think about swing thoughts instead of reacting to the target. Baseball players are blessed and have develop great hand eye coordination and the ability to control the club face.
Think of the club face as the barrel of your bat and allow the directing of the momentum to take place. Simple direct the club head through the shot and allow your hands to take over.
Think about standing at home plate and hitting the shot in the direction you need it to go.
BONUS DRILL: Increase your swing speed through overspeed training
Many baseball players already have some great speed. The key is to have your distance be the number one strength. We know from studying the analytics in golf that the longer you can hit a ball, the better chance you have of scoring low.
Some basic logic will tell us that if we hit a driver 300 yards and have a 100 yard shot instead of a 150 yard shot, we will hit our approach shot closer to the pin. The next logic is that the we have a higher percentage chance to make a putt from 15 feet over a 30 footer.
The main takeaway: hit the ball further!
And we have a great training system to help you gain more speed and distance!
- Check out SuperSpeed Overspeed Training Protocols
- Train every other day for 10-15 minutes.
- See a 4-6% increase in swing speed as early as the first training protocol.
The number one thing that has helped me gain significant distance is the SuperSpeed Training System. This overspeed based system where you train every other day for about 10-15 minutes with different swing sticks can help you increase your swing speed by 5-8% which can be 20-30 yards. Who wouldn’t want an extra 20-30 yards.
Plus it helps improve your mechanics.
SuperSpeed Golf – Use Discount Code Golfjourney365 for some savings!
The analytics are pretty clear on the importance of speed in the game of golf. Would you rather hit your approach shot from 130 yards of 160 yards? The answer is pretty simple!
We know that over the course of time, we will hit shots from 130 yards much closer than from 160 yards, whether we are an average amateur golfer, a scratch golfer, or a PGA Tour member!
The key is having shorter approach shots, so we can hit the ball closer to the hole and then make more putts! Speed is king in the game of golf! Make sure you check out SuperSpeed Golf!
My Secret To Golf Improvement
Let’s face it, in order to get really good at golf, we must practice frequently. About three years ago, I made the leap and invested in a golf simulator build for my garage.
I went with a SkyTrak Launch Monitor and the TGC software and can now play over 100,000 courses including Augusta, Pebble Beach, Bethpage Black, Whistling Straits. St. Andrews and many other of the top 100 courses in the world.
This golf simulator setup, which is more affordable that you might imagine, has been a game changer. I can now play golf everyday of the year regardless of rain, snow, cold weather or time of day.
I can practice or play rounds of golf. I can stand in the 11th fairway at Augusta and with the auto-rewind feature I am able to practice my approach shots from various differences.
It is worth checking out through Rain or Shine Golf as they offer some incredible packages along with financing offers that are difficult to beat.
Some direct links to Rain or Shine Golf for pricing and financing:
Take Action – What You Can Do Today to Get Better
What does this mean for you? I believe in the following recipe to get better:
1 – Improve your motion in the golf swing by identifying a golf instructor. Here are some options:
Here is a list of golf instructors that we have reviewed:
2 – Train to swing faster and improve your swing speed. Here are some options:
Looking to gain more Speed and Distance in your swing. Two Options:
3 – Understand course strategy and work to break through your next barrier. Here is a series on breaking through:
We have provided guides on how to break 100, 90, 80 and 70. Check out more below, if interested.
4 – Practice Frequently
Did you know that I build a golf simulator in my garage and have played over 500 rounds of golf on my SkyTrak system? It has been a game changer and one worth checking out. Here are some of my other posts on golf simulators frequently asked questions:
- Is a Golf Simulator Worth It?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator?
- What is the Best Golf Simulator?
- Golf Simulator Accessories?
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for under $7000
- Top 11 Reasons to Buy a SkyTrak
- How to Build a Golf Simulator for Under $1000
- Why Build A Golf Simulator?
- What Space is Needed?
- Can A Golf Simulator Improve My Game?
- How Much Does A Golf Simulator Cost?
- Don’t Forget to Check out our 15 best golf swings of all time.