The Golf Grip
A proper grip will reduce your
tendency to slice. A good grip will
keep the clubhead square at
impact and keep the shaft from
turning in your hands. Pictured is
the popular overlap grip, also
known as the Vardon grip.
Try for a relaxed and comfortable
feel. A tight grip will hinder your
rhythm and release. The V.s
formed by the index finger and
thumbs on both hands point
between the chin and right
shoulder.
Turning hands counterclockwise
on the shaft (weak grip),
promotes a left-to-right flight of
the ball (slice). Turning hands
clockwise (strong grip) promotes
a right-to-left flight of the ball
(hook).
Purpose
1. To develop a simple, comfortable and effective grip. Your grip is the
foundation of your golf swing. Make sure your grip is comfortable. It is
important to develop a neutral grip that requires no compensations during
the swing. The orthodox position with the V.s of both hands (formed by
the forefinger and the thumb) pointing between the chin and right
shoulder is a good place to start. Very few good players have grips with
the V.s pointing very far from this position. If you want a little stronger
grip move the left hand over to the right a little.
2. To learn how variations of the grip affect ball flight. Experiment with slight
variations of your grip. Observe how the changes affect the flight of the
ball. A weak grip encourages a slice or fade. A strong grip encourages a
hook or a draw. The V.s formed by the index finger and thumbs on both
hands should point between the chin and right shoulder.
3. To develop the best possible grip for you. Every golfer swings and grips
the club differently. Over 90 percent of golfers use the Vardon or
overlapping grip. Players with smaller hands sometimes find the
interlocking grip, with the little finger of the right hand interlocked with
the index finger of the left hand, works best for them. Players with smaller
should use a baseball type grip.
Do.s and Don.ts
Don.t grip the club too tightly. A tight grip inhibits a smooth swing and followthough. Also, keep the grips on your clubs in good condition. Worn grips force
you to hold the club too tightly. Replace the grips on your clubs as they get worn
and smooth. When first learning the grip, keep a club around the house and
practice gripping and regripping the club a few minutes each day. Remember to
keep fingers secure and arms relaxed.
Golf Stance
A square setup will
encourage a square impact.
A square stance means the
feet are parallel to the target
line. Imagine railroad tracks.
Your feet are touching one
rail and the ball is on the
other rail.
A closed stance will
encourage an inside-tooutside swing path, causing
a draw. An open stance may
encourage an outside-toinside swing path by giving
your arms and shoulders
more freedom.
Position the ball a couple of
inches inside the left heel for
most shots. A consistent
position helps develop a
repeatable swing. Playing
the ball too far forward in
your stance tends to open
the shoulders encouraging
an outside-to-inside swing,
often causing a slice.
Purpose
1. To reduce the problems caused by a poor setup. Many swing faults
occur from an improper setup. This can cause unnecessary
adjustments during the swing. Taking care to position the ball, feet,
hips and shoulders properly ensures building a good swing foundation.
Testing has shown golfers with open stances show no more tendency to
slice than golfers with closed stances. The open stance may give the
golfers a little more opportunity to slice, because it allows a little more
freedom in the downswing and follow-though. The square stance is
used by most successful golfers. Beginners should start with a square
stance. As you advance, you can experiment with the advantages of
other stances. Avoid extreme stances. Experiment to find the stance
that works best for you. Take care to set up consistently on all normal
shots.
2. To start with a proven ball position. Moving a golf ball even two inches
forward or back in your stance can make a great deal of difference in
shot consistency. Start with the ball a couple of inches inside the left
heel. After you master this consistent ball position, you can experiment
with other ball positions. However, a ball too far to the front of your
stance will increase the chances of a slice by encouraging an outsideto-inside swing. A ball too far back in the stance will make it difficult to
get the clubface closed by impact and may cause a push or a push
slice.
3. To achieve the goal of hitting the ball at the bottom of the swing arc.
Your drives should be hit slightly on the upswing, iron shots are struck
slightly on the downswing. Fairway woods are hit at the bottom of the
swing arc.
Do.s and Don.ts
Be sure to check the location of the ball with clubs aligned on the ground.
Step away to check that you are positioning the ball properly. Ask someone to
double-check your positioning. It is hard, without alignment tape or clubs, to
visually gauge the proper placement of the ball.
Golf Alignment
Use your clubs as alignment aids when
you practice. Lay one club on the ground
parallel to the target line. Lay another
from toe to toe to indicate the direction
of your stance. Now, lay another club
perpendicular to the target line .
extending from the ball back toward your
feet. This will indicate the ball position.
Examine your alignment and ball
position.
Hold a club across your shoulders and
check alignment toward the target.
Repeat for the hips and thighs. In a
square stance the shoulders, hips and
thighs should be aligned parallel to the
target!
Purpose
1. To develop a way to spot check alignment problems. Make sure your
shoulders are properly aligned. Your shoulders are the most important
element because your swing path will follow the alignment of your
shoulders at impact. Subtle compensations can creep into your swing if
you are not properly aligned. Without help even the best golfers can have
trouble recognizing this. You must constantly check your alignment to be
consistent. Poor alignment is a major problem for golfers who slice. Align
the clubface squarely then align your body.
Check the position of the ball by using alignment clubs also. Most golfers
think they play the ball further back than they really do.
2. To start your practice sessions properly aligned. Don.t assume you
are lined up correctly. Remember practice makes permanent, so make
sure you are starting off positioned correctly. Learn the square stance first.
Later, as the need arises, you can experiment with other stances.
3. To double check your target line. If you don.t accurately know your
target line, you cannot easily tell if you are making swing path errors.
Before each shot approach the ball from behind and pick your target line.
Then when taking your stance align yourself toward your target. Better
players align themselves much more consistently than poor players.
Hitting balls without aiming at a target is an invitation for swing problems.
Tape, clubs on the ground, or and "practice partners" are all good ways to
check alignment. Learn to identify the different between a poor shot and
an error in alignment.
Do.s and Don.ts
Don't leave the club between your feet longer than needed to check proper ball
position. Many good players leave one club on the ground parallel to the target
line whenever they hit practice balls. This "drill" is a good way to begin every
practice session.
Golf Swing Path
Inside to square
swingpath
An inside to square swingpath will
generally result in a straight shot.
An inside to outside swingpath
encoureages a hook. And, an
outside to inside swing path
produces a slice.
The target line is an imaginary
line extending through the ball to
the target. Your goal is a
swingpath that starts on the
inside striking the ball while
moving slightly to the outside.
Clubface to the ball
Clubface open to ball
encourages a slice or fade
Clubface closed to ball
encourages a hook
Purpose
1. To learn the effects of different swingpaths. An outside to inside
swingpath will cause a slice (or a shot pulled left if the clubface is closed).
An inside to square swingpath is desirable for straight shots and
consistency. An inside to outside swingpath will encourage a hook.
2. To recognize the type of swingpath you currently have. Knowing the
type of swingpath you currently have is the key to understanding your shots.
You need to recognize the type of shots that each swingpath produces to
effectively analyze your swing. Watch the shape of your shots (the way the
shots curve). Examine the depth and direction of your divots to further help
you understand your swingpath. Identify whether you swing from the inside to
outside or the outside to the inside.
3. To understand how clubface position and swingpath work together.
Your swingpath dictates the starting direction of the ball. The clubface position
(open, square, or closed to the target line) is the major influence on the flight
of the ball. Clubface position can make the ball slice (curve to the right), go
straight or hook (curve to the left.) Swingpath and clubface are closely
interrelated. Try some slow motion swings to see how the clubface position
can be affected by your grip and/or your swingpath.
Do.s and Don.ts
Do take some time and watch golfers practice. Stand behind them, at a safe
distance, and watch their swingpath, divot direction, and note the various types
of shots produced.
Pre-Shot Routine
Planning the shot
ahead, approach
from behind the ball.
Pick an intermediate
target. Aiming at
something new a
few feet away is
easier and more
accurate than
aiming at 200 yards
away.
Approach the ball
and take a stance
about a foot back
where you will make
your next shot. Take
a smooth practice
swing. Focus all
your attention on
your upcoming shot.
Take your final
stance and start
your backswing with
your personal swing
key. This is an
example of a typical
pre-shot routine.
Yours may differ. It
is important to
develop your own
routine.
Purpose
1. To develop your own standard pre-shot routine. Your routine doesn't
have to be exactly like the one shown but it should be consistent. It is
designed to make sure you have picked your intermediate target, decided
on your landing area, visualized the ball's flight, and you are fully
concentrating on your shot.
2. To increase your concentration. Your pre-shot routine should turn on your
own concentration. Up until that point you can be a laughing and joking, but
when you start your routine you shift into your concentration mode. If
someone or something disrupts your routine - Stop - back off and start your
routine.
3. To start your swing smoothly. The pre-shout routine concludes wiht you
activating your swing keys (thoughts) used to begin your swing. For example,
if the key your use to start the backswing is "low and slow", this will actually
be the final component of your routine. The more you practice this on the
range, the more it will become part of your routine.
Do.s and Don.ts
Practice your pre-shot routine on the range. It is difficult to learn on the course,
even during the practice rounds.
Putting Basics
Take your stance with
your eyes over the
ball. Your shoulders
and putter face should
be square to the target
line. The ball should be
positioned off your left
toe or instep.
Your stance should be
steady with your weight
favoring your left side.
Begin your stroke with a
low and slow takeaway.
Follow through down the
line toward your
intermediate target.
Accelerate your stroke
through the ball. Deceleration
is the major cause of missed
putts. A shortened backswing
will give you a more
accelerating stroke and followthrough.
Purpose
1. To develop repeatable and successful putting mechanics. The only
way to develop a successful putting stroke is through practice. The
following basic elements are critical:
•
•
•
•
Eyes over the ball
Straight back and straight through motion
Accelerating stroke
Steady stance with weight favoring left side
2. To understand the stroke and strategy of putting There is no specific
right way or wrong way to putt. Putting is the most individualized of all golf
strokes. However, there are certain characteristics which are common
among successful putters. Imitating these traits can give you a head start
toward developing your own successful putting stroke. The only way to
develop your own stroke and become a successful putter is to practice.
Putting accounts for over 40% of your strokes on the course. A significant
part of your practice time should be devoted to putting. Doing basic putting
drills will assure solid putting mechanics. After you develop solid putting
mechanics, you can make putting more fun by engaging in competitive
putting practice. Find a practice partner and compete in as many competitive
putting games and drills as possible. Organize a putting tournament. Enjoy
your practice and have fun. It is the fastest way to improve your score.
Do.s and Don.ts
The most effective time to practice putting is after your round. Also, during the
week, stop at the course after work and you will usually find the putting green
open and waiting for you. Weekly practice will help reduce tension which is a
major cause of putting problems.