There are a few key golf swing fundamentals that you need to be conscious of when you approach the ball. These simple steps entail taking your time, forgetting about your last shot once it is done and trying to develop muscle memory and a repetitive golf swing. Lets take a look at the list:
Proper Grip-You’re going to place the club with the head on the ground in front of you and the handle in your open left hand. (This is assuming you are a right handed. If you are a lefty, just switch the steps). You now want to close your last three fingers around the handle of the club. Your pointer finger will still be open at this point and your thumb should be running down, parallel with the handle.
Your hand now should resemble what it would look like if you were making a ‘pistol’ with your hand, with you pointer finger remaining open as the ‘dock’ for your other hand.
You are going to bring your right hand in and lock your pinky into the groove between your open ring finger and your closed middle finger. You are then going to lock your pointer finger around your pinky and the handle of the club, making your hands connected at that point. Both of your fingers are interlocked and gripping the club handle.
The next three fingers wrap around the club handle, with your thumb mimicking the other one in how it runs down the handle of the club. Your hands have almost become one, which will serve to ensure a firm grip. The grip will feel normal over time. Make sure to not grip too hard.
Alignment- Always line your body up based off of the 6 Iron. When hitting the ball with you 6 Iron, the club should be directly even with the center of your body, as if it were splitting you right down the middle. Your legs should be equally distanced from the club. This will serve as your ‘jump off point’ for any other club you use. The ‘bigger’ the club, the more you are going to move back on the ball.
So with a 3 Iron, I will be standing another foot or so behind the ball. This is because as the club gets ‘bigger’, it’s realigning where my swing will be bringing the head down. You need to make sure you are driving the head of the the club squarely through the ball. When using your Driver, the ball will be closer to your lead foot.
When using your Sand Wedge or 9 Iron, the ball will be closest to your right foot as you move up on the ball. Always base how you stand with your 6 iron and note where the club head hits during your practice swing. Depending on your size and stance, you may have to make minor adjustments in terms of your body position in relation to the ball. If the head comes down 2 inches behind the ball, move your body up.
Swing- The swing is broken down into a few key parts. The first is your approach. You ideally want to take one good practice swing, then step up and duplicate it on the ball. Once you are in the right stance, and aligned properly, take a few steps back from the ball and begin your practice swing.
On the back swing, make sure to take your time. You want to sweep the ground going back and going forward. If you feel yourself lift the club right up instead of sweeping back, start over. You want to slowly bring the club head back while keeping your lead arm as straight as possible. There will be a slight break as you reach the farthest point, but keep it straight until then.
On the follow through, make sure to swing smoothly and evenly. Swinging harder will more then likely cause you to slice the ball. You would be amazed at how far you can drive the ball simply by producing a nice even swing with average power. Again, you want to sweep the ground as you bring the club forward and make solid contact with the ball.
The last part is being aware of your body as the swing concludes. You won’t help your shot by yanking your head up and seeing where the ball goes off of the club. What you will do is end up jerking your arm and pushing the ball. Keep your head down! Focus on a nice smooth swing and forget about how far it is going. It will get there, so long as you let it.
Closing- The golf swing fundamentals of proper grip, alignment and swing are not all you need to start your quest of being a consistent golfer. I say consistent because that is what golf swing fundamentals are meant to do; make you a consistent golfer. Over time you will feel more comfortable bringing the club head through quicker and minor adjustments that suit you.
A book that really helped me was The Simple Golf Swing. I got this book because it was inexpensive and I had heard good things. I was curious as to how my approach measured up. I found that I had the basics down, but there were some things at the next level that were cleared up for me after reading the book. Further, it took some of the principles I knew and approached them from a different angle.
I fully endorse The Simple Golf Swing. I think that you can take my tips and combine them with what you learn in the book to really become a complete golfer. I have read a lot of golf books that have either told me nothing new or have been talking about skills from the perspective of a professional. The Simple Golf Swing allows you to take what you know and are comfortable with and grow it into an even more complete golf game.
There will be times where you feel like you are doing everything right and the ball is still slicing, hooking or a dozen other minor things that are enough to drive a person mad. It’s okay. Golf is a mental game and mastering yourself is the hardest part. You will develop muscle memory and the swings will become programmed into your head. Have fun, enjoy the game, focus on the golf swing fundamentals and know that if you can master consistency, you will master the game of golf. Good luck!