Here are some golf swing tips that will help you develop a more repeatable, more powerful swing. While there is no single perfect golf swing, there are certain positions that all good golfers achieve. The less time you have to practice, the more important it becomes to incorporate these checkpoints into your own swing.

Let's break the golf swing down into various key positions and then look at checkpoints at each position. To follow along, it helps to have a full length mirror behind you - looking down the ball-to-target line:

THE TAKEAWAY

A good, one-piece takeaway sets the club off along the right path into the backswing. To start the takeaway, think about pushing your left shoulder underneath your chin until your hands are roughly hip height. There is no wrist break at this point.

If you turn to look in the mirror, the club head should cover your hands (i.e. you shouldn't be able to see your hands in the mirror becasue they are directly behind the club head). The leading edge of the club should also be the same angle as your spine.

HALFWAY BACK

From a good takeaway position, the wrists begin to break. A good feeling is to point your thumbs up and slightly behind your right shoulder. When your arms are parallel to the ground, your hands should be directly in the centre of your chest as you look at them in the mirror.

The angle of the club shaft should point the butt end of the club directly at the ball-to-target line. If the club shaft is very steep (i.e. putting up vertically) the butt end of the club will point at the floor well inside the ball-to-target line. If the club shaft is very flat, the butt end of the club will point several feet beyond the ball-to-target line.

TOP OF BACKSWING

From the half way back position, continue to turn the shoulders until the club reaches somewhere between 1 O'clock and 3 O'clock. A 3 O'clock position means that the club will be parallel to the ground.

The position of the right hand should be similar to a waiter carrying a tray of drinks above his or her right shoulder. The left thumb should feel as though it points directly at your target over your shoulder. If you were to let go of the club in the top position, it should fall on to the back of your right shoulder.

TRANSITION

From the top position, the first movement into the down swing should be a 'bump' of the hips. This is a lateral movement of the hips rather than a rotation. The shoulders and arms then follow.

A lot of golfers would benefit from getting the club on a more inside-to-outside swing path on the way down. To encourage this, really feel as though you are pulling your right elbow down into your right hip pocket.

As the club shaft reaches a horizontal position, the butt end should point right down the ball-to-target line. Ideally at this position, the wrists should still be fully hinged (known as lag).

IMPACT

As the wrists unhinge, they also rotate through the ball. At impact, the hips should be open (pointing left of the target), shoulders should square (at 90 degrees) to the ball-to-target line, the hands should be ahead of the ball, body weight should be predominantly on the left side and the right heel should be slightly raised. Most importantly, the club face should be square to the ball-to-target line.

Hitting against what we call a strong left side will help to generate additional power and control. At impact, try to get the left knee straight and the left leg firm (be careful not to sanp the knee back if you suffer from knee problems).

Your spine angle should be maintained throughout impact to avoid lifting out of the shot too early.

EXTENSION & ROTATION

Through impact, the arms should be extending towards the target. Don't let the elbows fold at this stage. The forearms and hands should also rotate through impact. A good checkpoint is to get the logo on your glove (left hand) pointing at the ground just after impact.

FOLLOW THROUGH

As the arms extend through to the target and you allow your body to rotate, your chest should finishing pointing at your target with the club over your left shoulder.