| The more golf instruction sessions I do and | | | | With the driver, make sure the heels are the |
| the more golf tips I write, the more I'm | | | | same width apart as the shoulders. With the |
| convinced that a solid set-up is a critical | | | | wedge, the feet should be close together. |
| fundamental. Without a good one no one, | | | | Somewhere in between lies the ideal stance |
| including the greatest golfer in the world, | | | | for every other club in the bag. Trial and |
| can play the game well. That's why I key on | | | | error will tell you what feels most |
| the set-up in introductory golf lessons. If | | | | comfortable, but it's imperative you find a |
| you want to get the most from your swing, you | | | | stance the fits each club.Ball position |
| need a good and settled set-up.The discussion | | | | influences the clubhead's path at impact. |
| that follows will help you build a good | | | | That in turn determines initial shot |
| set-up. While many of the tips in this | | | | direction. Many golfers vary ball position, |
| article are reminders of advice you've | | | | depending on the club used. They move the |
| probably heard previously, they will help you | | | | ball back from just inside the left heel |
| achieve consistency and accuracy in your | | | | (right-handers) to the middle of the stance |
| swing, which is what we all want. | | | | as the clubs get shorter. Others, like Jack |
| Establishing a good set-up can help your golf | | | | Nicklaus and Greg Norman, maintain constant |
| handicap greatly.GripA sound set-up starts | | | | ball position, just inside the left heel, for |
| with a solid grip. The way the hands are | | | | every club. Again, it's a matter of comfort |
| placed on the club determines a swing's shape | | | | and personal choice. While varying the ball |
| and the clubface's direction at impact. That | | | | is more popular, I usually advise those |
| in turn dictates the direction of the ball. | | | | attending my golf instruction sessions, to |
| Use whichever grip (baseball, overlapping, or | | | | try both. Use whichever approach feels most |
| interlocking) feels the most comfortable yet | | | | comfortable and provides the best results.Aim |
| allows you to make solid contact with the | | | | and AlignmentGood golfers constantly monitor |
| ball, as I tell those who take my golf | | | | their aim and alignment. The clubface must be |
| lessons. But, like everything else in golf, | | | | aimed at the target and the body must be |
| it must be right for you.How do you know when | | | | aligned with the clubface-known as perfect |
| you have the right grip? Your grip is ideally | | | | parallel alignment. Start by standing behind |
| suited to you when the tips of the fingers on | | | | the ball and visualizing the shot. With a |
| the left hand (right-handers) just touch the | | | | clear picture of the shot in mind, step to |
| fleshy pad of the palm. If they don't, try | | | | the ball. Pick out an immediate target, such |
| another grip or check the position of your | | | | as a leaf or divot mark, a club length or so |
| hand. Either or both maybe the problem. It's | | | | in front of the ball along the target line. |
| the "trigger" position formed by the thumb | | | | Aim the clubface over that point. Once you |
| and the forefinger of the right hand, | | | | establish a square clubface, build your |
| however, that's really critical. Make sure | | | | stance around it. Square your feet, hips, and |
| you can "squeeze the trigger" with your grip. | | | | shoulders to the clubface position. Check |
| If you can't, there's something wrong. Also, | | | | your alignment by laying a club down on the |
| when it comes to the overall grip, apply just | | | | ground parallel to the target line in |
| enough pressure to provide a secure hold on | | | | practice, something I have beginning students |
| the club while feeling the club's weight in | | | | do in my golf lessons all the time. Your |
| your hands.PosturePosture is also critical to | | | | stance should be parallel to the |
| a solid set-up. The body angles created at | | | | club.Triggering the SwingOnce in their set-up |
| address in your posture have an impact on the | | | | some players use a small movement to trigger |
| shape and quality of your swing. Keeping your | | | | their swings in motion. A "swing trigger" |
| balance throughout is crucial to hitting good | | | | encourages a smooth takeaway and helps |
| shots and a direct result of good posture. | | | | prevent jerky movements that could harm the |
| Good balance stems from perfect weight | | | | swing. Swing triggers are different for each |
| distribution at address, essential to | | | | player. Gary Player kicks in his right knee. |
| creating a solid base for your swing. To | | | | Arnold Palmer gives the club one final, |
| achieve good posture, stand up straight with | | | | aggressive waggle. Jack Nicklaus turns his |
| your arms and club extended, then bend over | | | | head to the right slightly-Nick Faldo does |
| from the waist while you lower the club. Once | | | | the same. Try each of these swing triggers. |
| the club touches the ground, flex your knees | | | | If they don't work, try developing one of |
| slightly. That's good posture. Watch Ernie | | | | your own. It can make all the difference in |
| Els next time a tournament is on TV. He has | | | | the quality of your swing.Copyright (c) 2006 |
| nearly perfect posture despite having less | | | | Jack MoorehouseJack Moorehouse is the author |
| than an ideal build for a golfer, as I've | | | | of the best-selling book "How To Break 80 And |
| mentioned in my golf tips.Stance and Ball | | | | Shoot Like The Pros." He is NOT a golf pro, |
| PositionYour stance's width-the distance the | | | | rather a working man that has helped |
| feet are apart at address-is determined by | | | | thousands of golfers from all seven |
| the club used. A major component in a | | | | continents lower their handicap immediately. |
| consistent set-up, the stance gets narrower | | | | He has a free weekly newsletter with the |
| as the clubs get higher. Widen the stance for | | | | latest golf tips, golf lessons and golf |
| a driver, and narrow the stance for a wedge. | | | | instruction. |