| Mastery of golf's fundamentals is the first step | | | | in a haphazard manner. |
| toward better golf and consistent iron play. The | | | | The Swing Exercise. One of the best methods I |
| fundamentals form the framework and the | | | | have found of developing a smooth, consistent swing |
| foundation upon which the entire swing is | | | | is an exercise most golfers use when they warm up |
| constructed. | | | | before playing a round of golf. It is a simple little |
| Actually, building a swing is much like an architect | | | | maneuver designed to train a golfer to entrust his |
| building a house. If he builds it hurriedly - without a | | | | swing to his arms and body instead of his hands. |
| good set of plans - it becomes structurally weak and | | | | Begin by assuming the position of address, and make |
| the slightest of pressures could send it tumbling to | | | | certain that you are comfortable and relaxed. Then, |
| the ground. Such is the case in golf. | | | | with the upper part of your arms and elbows in close |
| Since you are the principal architect of your swing, | | | | to your chest, turn your body back so that the arms |
| how can you develop it so that it will consistently | | | | are about belt high. The left shoulder and left arm are |
| repeat itself, swing after swing, no matter what club | | | | highly instrumental in this turning movement, with |
| you may have in your hand? Here is how. | | | | both the shoulder and the arm forming a |
| Developing the Swing | | | | pushing-back type of action. |
| From the outset, every golfer should realize that | | | | Next, swing the arms forward until they are about |
| certain procedures must be followed if he is to | | | | belt high in front of you, making certain that the |
| develop a swing. | | | | lower part of the body - the left hip and left |
| There is a certain fundamental process, or sequence, | | | | leg-initiate the forward swing, as the arms are swung |
| involved in learning how to play golf, and it cannot be | | | | out toward an imaginary target. The right hand also |
| circumvented. | | | | turns over the left hand as the arms are swung |
| The Procedure. To the beginner, and even some | | | | forward. |
| advanced golfers, this fundamental process of | | | | Perform this swing back and forth for a few |
| learning how to play golf may seem a little involved, | | | | moments, letting your left knee and right elbow flex |
| but it actually is not, particularly if you develop your | | | | on the backswing and then your right knee and left |
| game in an orderly, sensible manner. The orderly | | | | elbow on the follow-through. You will soon get the |
| sequence would be this way: | | | | feeling that you are swinging with your legs and hips |
| 1. You learn to swing first by practicing the | | | | and that your body is swinging the club. This creates |
| fundamentals. | | | | the feeling of the one-piece swing that all of the |
| 2. Secondly, you learn to control the ball by practicing | | | | good players have and talk about. |
| intentional fades, hooks, high shots, and low shots. | | | | The average golfer, however, courts disaster if he |
| 3. Finally, incorporating the first two phases into your | | | | becomes too conscious of his hand action through |
| over-all game you learn how to score by playing as | | | | the ball. That is why this swing exercise is so |
| regularly as you can. | | | | important, because it will teach him every |
| Obviously, you cannot learn control and scoring | | | | fundamental movement in the swing without too |
| techniques before you master golf's fundamentals. | | | | much of a mental effort on his part. |
| Many have tried - and are still trying - but they | | | | If you will practice this swing - the right way - for |
| cannot hope to improve unless they overhaul their | | | | five or ten minutes a day for six months, you will be |
| swing completely because the swing habits they | | | | surprised at your progress in developing a |
| have formed are permanently ingrained within their | | | | fundamentally sound swing. |
| muscle structure. You will progress faster and will | | | | This will be the start of improving your entire game |
| become a more consistent player if you form the | | | | of golf. |
| correct habits of the swing than if you learn to play | | | | |