You are an aspiring golfer whose game needs some fine tuning. Welcome to the world of golf because golf is a difficult game to do well at. Maybe you can play the game okay, but just aren't performing the way you know you can. Is it an inconsistent swing that is the source of your problems? There are several easy steps toward golf swing improvement.

It won't be easy, but it can be done. It doesn't matter if you are a low, medium or high handicap player, the swing can be improved with a dedicated routine of practice. Use your routine to focus on your troublesome areas as well as zero in on the other core aspects of your golf swing.

You can arrange for Golf lessons from a golf professional, but before you take that route there are some simple things you can try on your own to refine your basic swing. Golf theory can be an important step along the way but it is important to have at least the correct swing basics before spending hard earned dollars on instruction.

A helpful way to think of improving your swing is to think of it as giving your swing the g-a-s, as in grip, alignment and stance. The first step toward golf swing improvement is taking a close look at your grip. How are you holding the club? For right handers, overlapping the pinky finger of your right hand over the index finger of your left is a good place to start. Grasp the shaft of the club lightly without tension. There is no need to hold the club tightly in your hands to put a good hit on the ball.

Many players who have difficulty striking the ball properly find their alignment is wrong. You should be aiming where you want the ball to go with your shoulders parallel to the intended line of flight. Many starting golfers use a "closed" stance with their body and shoulders aligned to the right (for right handers.) You can overcome this by simply shifting your body slightly to a more "open" position when you set up. This will help you avoid swinging "across" the ball - the primary source of the slice.

Golf swing improvement will occur naturally if you are properly aligned and have a proper athletic stance. Bend your knees a little, your spine angled forward but fairly straight, and your rear end in something of a sitting position. Don't be tense. You should be relaxed when you swing a golf club.

Now, before you swing, step back from your ball and take a practice swing. Take the club head back and up extending your arms and letting your wrists cock as the club is taken up.

Try to keep your head quite still and avoid "sliding" your body back as you take the club around and up. Taking the club back should be a rotational movement keeping your spine more or less in the same spot and angled in the same way while rotating your shoulders around your spine. If you let your shoulders naturally turn as you take the club up and back the club will end up parallel to the hoped-for line of flight. Once you reach the top you should pause for a split second and, throw the club out and back and down through the ball as you rotate your hips and upper body around your spine.

The golf swing can be very natural, and with some dedication toward improving your swing you can see an improvement in your scores in a matter of weeks. Get to a practice facility or driving range, warm up, then practice swinging using the proper grip, stance and alignment and you will definitely see golf swing improvement. Then once you have mastered the basics you can take your game to the next level.

Anton Brule is an avid golfer and student of the golf swing. He makes regular contributions to Internet Golf Review and The Weekend Golfer.