I teach my students to establish a “Template” as they prepare to setup to the ball. What I mean, is there are a few essentials to check just prior to approaching the ball. If you do this, you will eliminate many of the reasons your swing breaks down or is inconsistent.
1. Shaft in line with the front arm (not at your stomach) and keep it that way don’t let it change as you setup to the ball.
2. Elbows towards each other or close together (and keep them that way until you hit).
These (2) items are CRUCIAL TO BE CONSISTENT. This creates your “Radius”. You can not be sloppy with this or let it relax. You want to use this “Template” as a guide during your setup. Anyone that thinks great players have relaxed, loose elbows during the swing, have not looked closely. Some look loose but, just before they take the club back, they squeeze their elbows together to create this radius and tie into the upper body. This also makes the takeaway much easier because, with the elbows close together, the front shoulder pushes this “Template” back as one piece keeping the hands from taking over. If the elbows are relaxed, during the swing they will elongate and your radius will lengthen causing mishits. The elbows must tie in with the upper body to let the large muscles work together to control the swing.
Okay, now that we have our “Template”, maintain it as your use your “FEET” to finish the setup. Like this:
1. I have my template ready.
2. Pick my spot about a foot in front of the ball to align the club face to.
3. Walk up, and turn to face the ball watching that spot (not the target).
4. Now, use you feet to establish the correct distance to the ball with the “Template” as your guide. DO NOT REACH OUT OR BEND TO THE BALL or you will DISCONNECT THE WHOLE THING!
5. SIT DOWN TO THE SHOT while maintaining your “Template”
6. Use your front shoulder to push the “Template” back (takeaway)
7. Use your hips to start and unwind the (downswing) from ground up all the way to the finish. Keep turning!.
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