NOT FOUND: golf fundamentals.jpgFirst, what a great Masters, again! The Masters Tournament never fails to produce excitement, drama, emotion, and it helps motivate us to get out there and improve our games.
The first fundamental to look at is your grip. Since it is difficult to really explain in words how to do this, I recommend just going online or pick up a golf magazine so you can see what a good grip should look like. This is where you are connected to the golf club and you don't need to go explicitly by the book. Here are a couple of key points about the grip. You want the handle to be placed at the base of the fingers of the left hand and more in the fingers of the right hand. Your hands should also work together in the swing so make sure the left thumb is in the palm of the right hand. As long as your grip is comfortable and the hands are working as a unit, then you will be fine. Let's move to the second fundamental: AIM! The first step is to "aim the clubface, then set your stance." Too often players take aim from the side of the ball first and set their stance to the target, then set the clubhead behind the ball. You will be aiming to the right of your target. Start by standing behind the ball about ten feet and focus on your target. Then walk toward the ball with the club in your right hand, set the clubface behind the ball, put your left hand on the handle and get your grip set, then set your feet. Pick an intermediate target to help you with your aim. The next step is ball position. Ball position with your irons should start in the center of your stance. Once you address the ball, your arms should form a triangle that is centered in front of you. Look at your set-up position in front of a mirror and you can see the triangle.(The triangle is formed by your arms and your shoulder line.) If you move your hands forward or back of the ball you will change the shape of the triangle. Also, when you set the clubhead down, make sure it is soled flat on the ground. As you use a longer club, the ball position will be slightly more forward in the stance with the driver just inside the left heel. As you use longer clubs, your stance should be wider. Good posture is also an important fundamental. With the club soled flat on the ground, let your arms hang from your shoulders and grip the handle. Your upper body should be tilted forward slightly with some knee flex to help you feel balanced.
Once you have your aim, stance, and posture, it is important to swing the shaft of the club on the same "plane" that matches the set-up position of the shaft in the address position. This is again difficult to explain in words, so as long as you maintain your posture when you swing, you should make good contact with the ball. Use a mirror to watch your swing and pay close attention to what the shaft is doing. It should not fall over or go over you head at the top of your backswing.
Just try and remember the 3 P's: Good Posture equals The Correct Plane which equals The Correct Path back to the ball.
Swing faults can usually be traced back to the fundamentals in the set-up. Work on these basics to start the season and your summer will be more enjoyable. Remember, perfect practice makes permanent.