How to Swing a Golf Club at an X-Golf Simulator

Whether you’re a seasoned golfer fine-tuning your skills or a beginner taking your first swing, mastering the basics of a golf swing is key to improving your game. And where better to do it than at an X-Golf Simulator? With cutting-edge technology providing real-time feedback and data, you’ll learn more about your swing mechanics in one session than you might during a week at the range.

In this post, we’ll walk you through the core fundamentals of swinging a golf club—from building a solid grip to refining your pivot—preparing you for success, whether you’re practicing indoors or out on the course. Plus, you’ll see how the X-Golf Simulator’s advanced analytics and enjoyable, stress-free environment can help you elevate your game. Ready to unlock repeatable, controlled swings? Let’s start with the basics!

Grip

Your golf swing begins with the foundation of a good grip. Let’s break it down step by step to get you set up for success at the simulator—or out on the course. Don’t worry! You don’t need anything fancy to practice this. Follow these tips using any club you have.

Step 1: Angle Your Club

The first thing you’ll need to do is position the club correctly. Raise it to eye level using your trail hand (usually your right hand as a right-handed golfer). Here’s what to pay attention to:

• Hold the club at an approximate 45-degree angle. Imagine this as a midway point between a completely horizontal (0 degrees) and completely vertical (90 degrees) position.
• The club should run diagonally through your hand, starting at the padded base of your palm and exiting between the middle and index fingers. Think of this setup as creating a direct path for control and power.

This angle ensures a proper alignment in your hands—an essential step for precision when swinging.

Step 2: Position Your Lead Hand

Next, you’ll secure your lead hand on the club. As a right-handed golfer, this is your left hand. Here’s how:

• With the club still angled at 45 degrees, close your lead hand around it.
• Make sure the club is nestled securely under the pad of your palm, and your thumb lays snug and slightly shortened (not fully extended) along the top.

Take a moment to check this grip—your hand should feel secure but relaxed, not over-gripped or tense. This balance is critical to letting the club do its work during your swing.

Step 3: Set Your Trail Hand

Now it’s time to bring your trail hand into the mix. This hand (your right hand as a right-handed golfer) works to complement your lead hand and finalize the grip. Here’s how to do it:

• Position your trail hand slightly more toward the fingers than the palm. This improves flexibility and control.
• Wrap your trail hand over the thumb of your lead hand—your hands should feel like they’re working together.
• Decide on a grip style that feels most natural:
  • Overlap grip: Your pinky finger on the trail hand rests on top of the space between your index and middle fingers on the lead hand.
  • Interlock grip: Intertwine your pinky on the trail hand with your index finger on the lead hand. This provides even more connection and control.
  • Ten-finger grip: This baseball-style grip keeps all ten fingers on the club, which some beginners, younger golfers, or players with smaller hands may find more comfortable.

Experiment to find the grip that feels secure, and you’ll be ready for smooth, controlled swings—at the simulator or on the course. Steady hands, steady swings!

Setup Position

A proper setup before you swing is crucial—it’s what helps you stay balanced, look professional, and strike the ball cleanly. Luckily, getting into the right position isn’t overly complicated. Let’s break it down step by step:

Step 1: Find the Ready Position

Think of your setup as an athletic stance, like prepping to catch a ball or take off running. Follow these tips to get it just right:

• Feet and stance: Position your feet shoulder-width apart, with your toes flared slightly outward.
• Knee and hip bend: Add a slight bend at both the knees and hips. This creates a comfortable tilt while keeping your posture strong.
• Distance from the ball: As a checkpoint, let your fingertips hang naturally in front of you. They should lightly touch or just barely clear the edges of your kneecaps. This ensures you’re at the right distance from the ball while maintaining balance and control.

If you feel tense or hunched over while doing this, pause and reset. Proper alignment should feel natural and grounded, yet ready for action.

Step 2: Get the Weight Right

Weight distribution in your setup is small but mighty—it sets the base for a smooth backswing. Here’s how:

• Shift a little more weight onto your lead foot (the foot closer to the target). Aim for about a 60/40 distribution between your lead foot and trail foot to start.
• Tilt your upper body slightly back—but don’t lean! Picture your shirt buttons or zipper leaning just slightly away from the target.

You might wonder, “Why focus on adding weight to my lead foot?” The answer lies in motion. Starting with slightly more weight on your lead foot gives your body a trigger to “unweight” and naturally shift pressure to your trail side as you make your backswing.

Control the Club Face

Once your setup is solid, controlling the club face becomes your next priority. On the X-Golf Simulator, this skill can make or break the accuracy of your shots because club face position has a huge impact on both the starting direction and curve of the ball (hello, dreaded slice).

Here’s a tee drill to help you develop a square, consistent club face throughout your swing, while leveraging the simulator’s real-time feedback.

Step 1: Use a Tee as a Visual Cue

This simple drill requires a golf tee and is easy to practice anywhere:

• Take a tee and stick it into the Velcro flap of your glove so that it sticks straight out.
• At setup, align the tee so it points toward the target. This starting alignment confirms your club face is square to the target line.

Step 2: Monitor Tee Position Through the Swing

As you take your swing, keep an eye on where the tee “points” relative to your body angles:

• Takeaway: The tee should tilt slightly downward, pointing toward where the ball would be on the ground.
• Backswing: At the top, the tee should face upward, toward the sky.
• Impact: As you return to the ball, the tee should realign to point directly at the target again.

Here’s where the X-Golf Simulator shines: Adjusting club face control can feel tricky on the course, but the high-tech cameras and sensors on the simulator let you instantly see how open or closed your club face was at impact. This feedback is especially helpful for gauging whether you’re consistently squaring up at impact or unintentionally leaving the face open (leading to slices) or closed (resulting in hooks).

Watch for These Common Club Face Issues

The simulator’s shot data makes it easy to diagnose and repair common mistakes:

If the club face is too open at impact (tee points at the sky): The simulator may show a rightward ball flight or a slice.

If the club face is too closed (tee points to the ground): Expect a leftward ball flight or hook on the screen.

Review your simulator stats, including shot direction and curve, to identify patterns in your swing and tweak accordingly. Over time, this tee drill combined with simulator feedback will reinforce better habits for keeping the club face square through impact.

Pivot

Now that we’ve covered the grip, setup position, and clubface control, let’s talk about one of the most fundamental aspects of your swing: the pivot. Mastering your pivot is essential for balance, rhythm, and proper weight transfer—a combination that’ll give you that smooth, controlled swing every golfer aims for.

What is the Pivot?

Your pivot represents the way you handle weight transfer and rotation during your swing—from your stance through follow-through. When executed correctly, a solid pivot leads to consistent ball strikes, smoother rhythm, and increased distance.

If you often find yourself stumbling, out on your toes, or shifting awkwardly during your swing, chances are your pivot needs some fine-tuning.

On the X-Golf screen, you can track shot metrics like carry distance and ball flight height, which often reflect the quality of your pivot.

Breaking Down the Pivot

Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Start a Little Left:
   As you begin your backswing, shift your weight slightly toward your lead side. This subtle movement helps set the stage for a controlled shift between your lead and trail sides.
2. The Bump and Turn:
   Early in your backswing, transition your weight to the trail side with a small “bump” of your hips. Remember, this isn’t a dramatic lunge—just a gentle shift to feel grounded on your trail side. From there, begin to rotate your upper body.
3. Weight Transfer in the Downswing:
   As you initiate the downswing, reverse the motion. Shift your weight back to your lead foot, moving through the ball with power and stability. The goal here is to finish with all your weight firmly on your front side.
4. The Finish:
   At the conclusion of your swing, your knees should lightly touch, signaling that your weight transfer is complete and your swing is balanced.

The pivot ties together all the elements we’ve discussed—setup, grip, and clubface control—into a fluid, powerful swing. With a strong pivot, you’ll minimize off-balance shots, maintain consistent ball contact, and feel in control of your rhythm. It’s the foundation that keeps everything connected, both in practice at the X-Golf Simulator and on the course.

Book Your Golf Lessons with Our PGA Instructor at X-Golf

Ready to take your golf skills to the next level? Whether you’re perfecting your pivot, learning the fundamentals, or just looking to enjoy some time on the green, X-Golf has you covered. Book a simulator bay today and experience over 52 world-class courses in a fun, high-tech environment, or schedule a lesson with one of our certified PGA instructors to fine-tune your game with expert guidance. Visit our Frisco location or swing by our Rockwall venue—both offer a welcoming atmosphere for golfers of all abilities. Your next great golf moment starts here!