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THREE STEPS TO THE GOLF SWING
Below are detailed instructions for an ideal swing. Improvement is assured, because instruction is based on the laws of science, and NOT on individual physiques.
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Step 1 - SET-UP
The following routine will set any golfer up in an ideal (address) position: Left handed golfers please translate appropriately.
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Hold the club using any convenient grip which permits the elbows to be close to one-another and the right shoulder to be in line with, or slightly behind, the left (when seen from along the target line) |
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Align yourself correctly by commencing the set-up with the feet together and perpendicular (1) to the target line. |
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Posture is created by bending forward from the hips as if bowing to the ball. Very tall golfers should round up their shoulders slightly, rather than bend their knees too much |
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The height of the hands, and the posture, are both correct if the butt end of the club points to the bottom of the pants' zip (2). Shorter golfers may hold the club slightly lower on the grip (a) to get into the correct position. |
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The upper arms must hang vertically below the shoulders (b) . |
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Keep the arms very close to one another (3),with straight, but not stiff, elbows. |
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When seen from along the target line, the right shoulder must be in line with or slightly behind the left, and both arms must be level with one another – neither sagging below the other. |
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The right shoulder should be slightly lower (4) that the left, and the right ear tilted very slightly towards the right shoulder. Relax both shoulders. |
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Keep your chin off your chest, but without making the neck tense. |
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Distance from the ball is measured as about five to six inches between the left wrist and the left thigh (c). |
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Set the feet apart an equal amount, left first then right, parallel to the target line, placing them so solidly on the ground, that you cannot fall if pushed. |
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The knees should be merely relaxed, not bent. |
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The correct ball-position is in the centre of the stance. The hands, ball-position and weight must all be centred between the feet. |
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The width of the stance should be the width of your shoulders. |
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When the feet have been placed apart, it is important for the hips to be directly above the feet, and the shoulders to be directly above the hips. |
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Step 2 - THE BACKSWING
At the start of the backswing, both arms should be as close together, and as straight as possible, but without any tension in the hands, arms or shoulders. |
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Move both arms (the arms triangle) as far away from the right side of the body as possible, by keeping both wrists and both elbows as straight and as close to one another as possible. The movement should feel like a straight line movement, in which the club moves from its address position in the direction of the golfer’s right foot. The backswing ends at about 10 o’clock – slightly longer for the longer clubs – with the arms continuing to remain as far from the body as possible. |
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There must be no twisting/turning of the forearms, and no intentional bend of the wrists (in any direction), especially during the ‘takeaway’ part of the backswing. In fact, if the ‘takeaway’ or first part of the backswing is correct, the arms will be straight, with a gap of perhaps 4-6” between the right arm and the right side of the body, and the clubhead no higher than 2’ from the ground. |
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There should be no extra/independent moves made by the body. No shoulder rotation, and no sideways sway. The upper body must also remain in posture throughout the backswing. |
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At the top of the backswing, the shoulders, especially the right, must be very relaxed, and far from the ears. |
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TIMING IN THE GOLF SWING IS EVERYTHING. Swing neither too fast nor too slow. |
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Step 3 - THE THROUGH SWING
The throughswing must be extremely simple.
It should be the result of a good backswing, with no thought except to slap the clubhead past the ball.
The upper body must remain in posture – neither lift nor drop – and the shoulders must try to remain facing the ground, not rotate open during the throughswing.
Keep the right heel planted for as long as possible in the downswing , until the momentum of the followthrough pulls it off the ground. Hold a balanced finish.
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