Your grip controls the angle of the clubface at impact, which determines a shot's direction, or curvature. (Charles Sonnenblick/Eclipse Sportswire)

Improve your fundamentals, improve your golf game

By Les Miller,
Contributor

It's important to understand that a good golf swing starts with good fundamentals at address; the proper grip, posture and alignment lead to well-hit golf shots.

Good players constantly work on these fundamentals in order to play at a high skill level. The following information will help all golfers improve in this area:

Golf swing fundamentals: Grip

Your grip controls the angle of the clubface at impact, which determines a shot's direction, or curvature. For example, if the ball tends to slice (curve to the right), the clubface is open upon impact.

This is likely caused because your grip is too weak (your hands are rotated too far to the left on the grip). If your ball tends to hook (curve to the left), the clubface is closed upon impact, probably because your grip is too strong (your hands are rotated too far to the right on the grip). The proper grip allows you to square the club face upon impact with the ball.

Generally speaking, if your ball is slicing to the right you should turn your hands to the right on the grip. Conversely, if your ball is hooking to the left, you should turn your hands to the left on the grip. Golfers' should establish a grip that works best for them, one that minimizes a shot's curvature and maximizes consistent results.

Golf swing fundamentals: Posture

Good posture encompasses the stance, spine angle and distance from the ball at address.

Stance, at the address position: For full shots with woods, long and middle irons, your feet should be as far apart as the outside of your shoulders. For short irons, chips and pitches, you should move your feet closer together. The shorter the shot, the closer together your feet should be.

Spine Angle: This relates to the forward bend of the upper body toward the ball. Bend from the hips (as if you were about to sit down in a chair) sticking out your butt and pushing out your chest. Slightly flex your knees to place the club head behind the ball. Your weight should be centered over the ball.

The key to a good golf swing is to maintain this spine angle throughout the swing.

Distance from the ball at address: Most golfers reach out too far for the ball or are too close to the ball at address. Let the arms hang down from the shoulders (a good rule of thumb is to have your hands directly under your chin at the address position). This helps set up and maintain good posture throughout the swing.

Golf swing fundamentals: Alignment

Alignment begins with setting a target line. Start by setting the club face behind the ball so the face is square to the target. From here, place the feet, shoulders and hips parallel to the target, creating a target line.

An example would be the two rails of a railroad track, the outer track is the target line and the inside track is the body line. The lines (tracks) both need to be lined up to the target for consistent ball striking.

Remember the proper grip, posture and alignment set-up are the foundation of a good golf swing.

April 23, 2009

Les Miller was a longtime Golf Writers of America member who covered golf instruction for several newspapers and golf publications. His many years of experience as a golf professional, director of product development and tour relations for several major golf companies gave him a unique background and ability to help golfers increase their enjoyment of the game.