Golf Swing Basics – Addressing The Ball
The first step of this golf swing basics improvement program is devoted entirely to the set-up. This is because all of the routines and practice exercises we’ll be covering are based on the assumption that you possess a thorough understanding of golf swing basics and the basic fundamentals of the game.
Only once you have a solid and consistent address position can you begin to develop your game in all of the key areas. The vast majority of swing faults originate from flaws at address so it is vital that you understand the importance of developing a solid foundation = your swing.
Mastering Golf Swing Basics – Your First Week
Your first week is key to mastering golf swing basics; the way you approach the first week will affect the way you approach the entire plan and will subsequently affect your rate of improvement over the next few months. Spend as much time as you possibly can working on all aspects of your set-up so that you can maximize the effectiveness of the exercises and perfect golf swing tips we’re going to cover.
Structured Practice
The first week of the golf swing basics plan will enable you to develop the fundamentals required to form the foundation of a solid and repetitive swing.
Starting with forming the correct grip, you will go on to develop an athletic posture and good alignment and you will learn the correct width of stance and ball position for each club. The week’s practice will culminate in a recommended pre-shot routine that will enable you to link all of the elements of your set-up into one continuous motion.
It is vital that you continue to practice, refine and rehearse your pre-shot routine throughout the duration of the golf swing basics plan. Your ultimate goal is to groove your preparation to such an extent that you are able subconsciously to settle into the correct address position each and every time you take a shot for maximum efficiency and effectiveness. A good address position also gives you the mental confidence that comes from good balance and being confident with the golf swing basics.
Personalized Practice
In addition to the daily practice routines and exercises, you will also be able to target weaknesses in other areas of your game.
The First Week’s Priorities For Mastering The Golf Swing Basics
- Monday – Building a neutral grip
- Tuesday – Posture
- Wednesday – Stance and ball position
- Thursday – Alignment
- Friday – The address routine
- Weekend – Putting all the golf swing basics together
The Golf Swing Basics Goal For Week 1
Your goal for this week is to make sure that your set-up and pre-shot routine become both second nature and one continuous flowing motion rather than a series of linked positions. Although you should focus on the address routine in the first week of mastering the golf swing basics, ideally you should make time every week to remind yourself of the correct sequence of movements. Most swing flaws can be traced back to an anomaly at address; therefore, the more errors you can eliminate at the set-up stage, and the more familiar you get with the golf swing basics, the better your game will be in the long run.
Golf Swing Basics Day 1 – Building A Neutral Grip
The way in which you hold the club determines how good a player you can become. Unless you have had regular lessons from a PGA qualified instructor, it is likely that your grip will contain flaws. If this is the case, it is almost certain that you will make compensations for an incorrect grip in your swing, and this will lead to stroke inconsistency. A good grip does not in itself guarantee a good swing, but it does maximize your chances of squaring the clubface at impact to deliver a powerful strike to the ball. If your grip is unorthodox, holding the club correctly will initially feel awkward and uncomfortable and may result in poor play as your confidence and timing suffer until your body acclimatizes to the changes. However, with this part of the golf swing basics exercises, it is vital that you adhere to the changes and practice forming your new grip as often as possible.
Assignments
Take your clubs to a specialist club-fitter and check the loft and lie angles.
Play a full round of golf and make a note of the key statistics and compare your current performance levels with the performance-analysis table.
Practice Exercises
Download my free report for a list of practice exercises
Golf Swing Basics Day 2 – Perfect Your Posture
Golf swing basics - good posture
A good posture is important for golf because the angles that you create in your lower spine and your legs will determine not only the shape and plane of your swing but also your ability to coil your shoulders correctly and generate power.
One of the key things to remember about your posture is that you should keep your spine as straight as possible, so that your upper body has a fixed point around which it can rotate back and through. You will struggle to coil powerfully if your spine is curved and your shoulders are slumped. The purpose of the golf posture is to create a position from which you can make an athletic swing at the ball.
Assignment
Check your set-up and posture in front of a mirror and compare it with that of a top player of a similar build, using a golf magazine or an instruction book for reference.
Practice Exercises
Download my free report for a list of practice exercises
Golf Swing Basics Day 3 – Stance And Ball Position
Many amateurs make the mistake of keeping the same width of stance and ball position for every shot, regardless of whether they are hitting a driver or a pitching wedge. Understand that you need a wider stance to support the increased swing speed when hitting a driver or fairway wood and that you need to play the ball further forward in your stance to deliver a shallower attack into the ball. At the same time, your stance should be fairly narrow when hitting shorter irons and the ball should be played in the middle of the feet to encourage a steeper attack.
Assignment
Purchase a dozen golf balls – ask the pro or retailer to recommend a particular type/brand that is suitable for your game. Stick with the same construction type throughout this golf swing basics plan.
Practice Exercises
Download my free report for a list of practice exercises
Golf Swing Basics Day 4 – Understanding The Concept Of Good Alignment
Good alignment is one of the most important keys to success in golf, yet many amateur golfers ignore it completely and then wonder why their shots fail to find the target. It stands to reason that unless you take care in setting the clubface and your body to the target correctly, you will struggle to hit the ball where you want it to go. Understand that aiming the clubface is the first and most important part of your pre-shot golf swing basics routine. You can then use the clubface as a reference point around which you can position your feet and body correctly. Remember also that while the clubface aims at your intended target, the rest of your body aims square to that line, but not at it. This is known as parallel alignment.
Assignments
Hit 50 balls at the driving range going through the full address routine before each and every shot.
Watch a DVD of a golf tournament and see how the top professionals adhere to their pre-shot routine, even under the severest pressure.
Practice Exercises
Download my free report for a list of practice exercises
Golf Swing Basics Day 5 – Develop Your Address Routine
It is important to develop an address routine so that you maximize your chances of standing to the ball correctly each and every time. Consistent preparation allows you to hit every shot from the same position, which is vital for ball-striking consistency and fault analysis. Enhance and develop your address routine using the points covered so that you can address the ball in the same way each time.
Golf Swing Basics Day 6 And 7 (Weekend) – Develop An Entire Pre-Shot Routine
Now you know what a good address position looks and feels like, you can turn this position into part of an overall pre-shot routine to develop consistency. Make the address routine one free-flowing motion. From visualizing your shot to starting your swing, the movements involved should be seamless.
Assignments
Play a round, keeping stats on key areas.
Hit 40 balls at the driving range going through a full pre-shot routine before every shot.
Practice Exercises
Download my free report for a list of practice exercises
Sign Up For My Free Golf Swing Basics Guide
To take your golf swing training to the next level, sign up for my free instruction guide Secrets To A Better Golf Swing. This includes some very effective golf swing tips used by many top golfers to improve golf swing and reduce their handicap, plus some simple golf swing basics exercises you can practice to improve your address, stance, grip etc.
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