By Rob Duca
The road to a great golf swing begins long before you take back the club. First, there is the grip you take on the club, which is critical, and then there is your posture and position at address. Without all three elements in place, you have little chance of making solid contact.
Here are some tips to get you started on the right path before you make contact with the golf ball.
1. Set the Clubhead
Aim the face of your club behind the ball, toward your intended target. Make sure your aim is spot on. Getting your clubhead set-up position right before putting your feet in place allows you to eliminate inconsistencies in your set-up and swing.
2. Get a Grip
First, position your left palm so that it faces inwards. The grip should sit diagonally between your little finger and index finger. Place your palm on the side of the grip, and wrap your fingers around the grip. Finally, place your lead hand on top of the grip.
For your trailing hand, lift the club and lay it across the middle of your fingers. Wrap your fingers around the grip, covering your leading thumb with the lifeline of your palm. This position should cause a crease that runs towards your right shoulder.
(If you’re a left-handed golfer, simply reverse the instructions.)
There are three basic types of golf grips, and they include the 10-finger, overlapping and interlocking grips. Even though there’s no stipulated grip to use, it’s important to know how each one works.
The 10-finger grip involves placing every one of your fingers on the club. This grip is best suited for amateurs with small hands, since each finger will be touching the club.
The overlapping grip, also known as the “Vardon” grip, is one of the most popular among professionals. It involves positioning the pinky finger of your left hand and placing it directly in the ridge between your right hand’s index finger and middle finger. This grip allows for your hands to release more easily through impact.
Finally, the interlocking grip is the most classic and widely used. It usually starts with the 10-finger grip, and then you bring your hands closer together by interlocking the right hand’s pinky finger with the left’s index and middle finger.
The interlocking grip allows you to grip the club more tightly and limits the wrist’s movement when you swing.
3. Check Your Posture
The perfect posture begins with the distance from the golf ball. If you get too close, your arms will feel cramped, and you’ll be unable to swing properly. If you’re too far away, you’ll be reaching awkwardly to hit it. You want your arms to hang naturally down.
Try to create a symmetrical stance, with the ball front and center and a gap between your legs and the club. Place your legs shoulder-width apart as a starting position. Tilt forwards from the hip, making sure you stick your bottom out. You want your lower back to be flat rather than rounded.
Next, flex your knees slightly as the club lowers to touch the ground behind the ball. It’s important to feel comfortable. Increase the width of your stance with longer clubs. It’s difficult to pull off a proper golf stance using long clubs when your set-up position is narrow.
4. Maintain Ball Position
It’s best to always maintain the same ball position and adjust to a wide or narrow golf stance depending on the club, although some golfers change ball position with different clubs. For the best ball position, draw an imaginary line from your left pectoral muscle straight to the floor, which represents the low point of your swing. Playing the ball in this position allows for cleaner, more solid contact.