Preswing

PRE-SWING (SETUP)

1. GRIP:

Target Hand: (squares club face)
     Lower hand ½ inch from butt of grip (under cap line)
     Put hand on the way it hangs naturally
     Hold club in fingers starting at ring finger on a diagonal to trigger finger
     Thumb slightly touching to the rear of the grip.
     Thumb sits fractionally to the side (rear) of the center on the handle.
     Four fingers on the grip with approximately two knuckles showing
     Pressure points - last three fingers

Rear Hand: (power release)

     Club held more in the fingers with the palm facing the target.
     The club should sit along the base of the 2 middle fingers (slightly diagonal).
     Three fingers on the club.
     Pressure points - index finger and thumb (trigger position)
     Grip pressure should be firm, but not overkill. On a scale of 1-10, pressure should be about a 5.

2. ALIGNMENT:

Parallel Line (club drill)
     First club - outside of ball line
     Second club - feet, knees, hips and maybe shoulders parallel of target line
     Direction of the clubhead must travel on a path toward the target and the face must be square.
     Square = clubface when it is positioned at right angles to the target.
     Line drawn across the heels Is parallel to the target line.

3. STANCE:

Varies in width per club sections. (Start with your feet together and with the ball opposite target foot)
     Irons - inside of heels as wide as hips (pockets)
     Woods & Irons (1,2,3) - inside of heels slightly wider than hips
     Distribution of weight - varies depending on the club
     Irons - weight even (50/50)
     Woods & Irons (1,2,3) - slight weight to rear side (40/60)

4. POSTURE:

Key to balance

     Three body angles and two arm hand angles
     Head on the same angle of your spine
     Weight between balls of feet and heels
     Balls of feet, knees, hips and shoulders on same line - short shots able to wiggle toes;
     longer shots able to tap heels on ground
     Knees slightly flexed (able to see toes)

Posture Drill

     Stand erect with knees locked straight and club pointing at sky
     Position hips outward; allow derriere to protrude (spine straight but tilted)
     Position weight between heels and balls of feet
     Slight flex of knees able to see toes
     Drop arms freely (no tension), two arm hang angles (club and arms), hands under
     shoulders (4 to 7 fingers). About one hand-span between the top of the grip and
     your thighs, you are standing the correct distance from the ball.
     Head up not on chest

5. BALL POSITION:

Most important key to ball flight consistency
     Irons in middle or slightly to target side of feet
     Woods - off target heel
or
     Irons (9, Wedge) - Center of spine
     Irons (3-8) - move ball slightly toward target side ½ inch per club
     Woods, 1 or 2 irons - inside shoulder joint
or
     Constant Ball Position Method:
     (Target foot constant and rear foot changes)

     The ball is played progressively back as the club lengths shorten
     Variable is the rear foot
     Bigger swings require wider base for better balance
     The rear foot is spread further from the target