Golf Swing HelpGolf Swing Help

The AddressThe Address

The FeetThe Feet

As we move through the address position section I want you to As we move through the address position section I want you to wrap your head around the idea that we are going to construct a wrap your head around the idea that we are going to construct a building.building. The building is four to six feet tall and not very wide. Of The building is four to six feet tall and not very wide. Of course I am referring to the human body.course I am referring to the human body. The first place you would The first place you would start is the foundation, so letstart is the foundation, so let’’s talk about the feet first.s talk about the feet first. LetLet’’s see s see how far apart they are supposed to be and exactly where we placehow far apart they are supposed to be and exactly where we placethe weight once we get the feet planted. the weight once we get the feet planted.

The feet have to support the upper body and once the golf club, The feet have to support the upper body and once the golf club, the arms, and the body get moving in the downswing there is a lothe arms, and the body get moving in the downswing there is a lot t of force that the foundation has to support.of force that the foundation has to support.

The FeetThe Feet

The feet have to be just slightly further apart than shoulder wiThe feet have to be just slightly further apart than shoulder width. This distance is far enough dth. This distance is far enough apart to maintain a solid base.apart to maintain a solid base.

1. Slightly More Than Shoulder Width1. Slightly More Than Shoulder Width

The FeetThe Feet

As the club begins to build up speed and the left hip makes the As the club begins to build up speed and the left hip makes the first move down the target line before it turns first move down the target line before it turns backward, the width of the stance will hold up just fine.backward, the width of the stance will hold up just fine. If you have a tendency to lose your balance, your If you have a tendency to lose your balance, your stance might be to narrow.stance might be to narrow.

Too NarrowToo Narrow

After impact the golf club swings back around your body and up tAfter impact the golf club swings back around your body and up towards your left shoulder.owards your left shoulder. As the golf club As the golf club comes to the end of the swing your weight has moved from the rigcomes to the end of the swing your weight has moved from the right side over to the left side. The width of your ht side over to the left side. The width of your feet will accommodate this move.feet will accommodate this move. Your weight needs to be evenly distributed between your toes andYour weight needs to be evenly distributed between your toes and heels.heels.

The KneesThe Knees

From the feet we are going to move up the building to From the feet we are going to move up the building to the knees.the knees. The knees have played a huge role in most The knees have played a huge role in most sportssports-- golf is no exception.golf is no exception. The knees are going to The knees are going to come into play in two different parts of the golf swing. come into play in two different parts of the golf swing.

The first part is the address position.The first part is the address position.

The KneesThe Knees

As you address the golf ball your knees will have a slight flex As you address the golf ball your knees will have a slight flex in them.in them.

2. Knees are Slightly Fixed2. Knees are Slightly Fixed

The KneesThe Knees

You are NOT going to You are NOT going to ““sitsit”” on your knees and they are NOT locked straight.on your knees and they are NOT locked straight.

For a long time instructors taught students to have the feeling For a long time instructors taught students to have the feeling you were you were ““sittingsitting”” on a bar stool. I on a bar stool. I always believed we should have been teaching people to feel as talways believed we should have been teaching people to feel as though you were hough you were ““leaningleaning””back on a stool.back on a stool. The last thing you would ever want to do is sit in golf.The last thing you would ever want to do is sit in golf. Sitting will cause the golf Sitting will cause the golf club to swing too level to the ground in the downswing, and you club to swing too level to the ground in the downswing, and you will have a tendency to hit the will have a tendency to hit the ground behind the golf ball.ground behind the golf ball.

Sitting Sitting StraightStraight

The KneesThe Knees

Before you start to Before you start to ““straightenstraighten”” your knees to a your knees to a ““lockedlocked”” position, which is just as position, which is just as wrong as sitting, let me give you a bit of advice.wrong as sitting, let me give you a bit of advice. The knee position is what I refer to The knee position is what I refer to as as ““slightlyslightly”” flexed.flexed. Because we are all different heights, I cannot give you an exactBecause we are all different heights, I cannot give you an exactdegree you should flex your kneesdegree you should flex your knees-- however; if you simply relax your knees, you however; if you simply relax your knees, you will find the correct amount of bend on your own.will find the correct amount of bend on your own.

The second roll the knees play in the swing is when the golf cluThe second roll the knees play in the swing is when the golf club is in motion.b is in motion. As As the golf club swings back, the single most important thing for ythe golf club swings back, the single most important thing for you to remember is ou to remember is the RIGHT knee never ever moves from the original position.the RIGHT knee never ever moves from the original position. If you think of the two If you think of the two knee caps as head lights shining in front of you as you drive alknee caps as head lights shining in front of you as you drive along a road, you ong a road, you might make some twists and turns but the headlights are always imight make some twists and turns but the headlights are always in front of you.n front of you. As As you start the backswing the right knee does not slide, bend or syou start the backswing the right knee does not slide, bend or straighten outtraighten out-- it it stays very quiet and solid during the entire backswing.stays very quiet and solid during the entire backswing.

Both knees must remain flexed during the entire backswing and unBoth knees must remain flexed during the entire backswing and until impact.til impact.

The HipsThe Hips

If your chin is in the correct position, and your spine is long If your chin is in the correct position, and your spine is long (don't worry we'll talk about these (don't worry we'll talk about these shortly), and your knees are flexed the correct amount, the golfshortly), and your knees are flexed the correct amount, the golf club will not sole correctly on club will not sole correctly on the ground until you tilt or bend over from the hips. You do NOTthe ground until you tilt or bend over from the hips. You do NOT want to bend at the waist.want to bend at the waist. You You ALWAYS want to bend from the hips. The difference is if you bendALWAYS want to bend from the hips. The difference is if you bend at the waist your spine will at the waist your spine will

bend (not good).bend (not good).If you bend at the hips you can maintain the spine angle and solIf you bend at the hips you can maintain the spine angle and sole the club on the ground e the club on the ground correctly.correctly.

33. Bend at the Hips. Bend at the Hips

The HipsThe Hips

If you do not bend at the hips, you will not be able to sole theIf you do not bend at the hips, you will not be able to sole the golf club correctly. golf club correctly.

When you bend over from the hips you have to make sure you do noWhen you bend over from the hips you have to make sure you do not straighten out or lock t straighten out or lock your knees.your knees. When you bend at the hips you have to pay close attention to makWhen you bend at the hips you have to pay close attention to making sure you do ing sure you do not bend at the bottom of the spine.not bend at the bottom of the spine.

Not Tilted Not Tilted TiltedTilted Too MuchToo Much

The HipsThe Hips

The hips play another role not related to their positionThe hips play another role not related to their positionYour hips must be parallel to the line of the ball flight at addYour hips must be parallel to the line of the ball flight at address.ress.

4. Parallel4. Parallel to the Line of the Ball Flightto the Line of the Ball Flight

The HipsThe Hips

If your hips are open at address you will have a tendency to opeIf your hips are open at address you will have a tendency to open the hips too soon in the downswing.n the hips too soon in the downswing. The clubface will be open at The clubface will be open at impact and the golf ball will start right.impact and the golf ball will start right. If your hips are closed at address the golf club will swing too If your hips are closed at address the golf club will swing too much from the inside in the much from the inside in the downswing and the golf ball will either start right or you will downswing and the golf ball will either start right or you will struggle with a quick hook left.struggle with a quick hook left.

Open Open ClosedClosed

At address the hips are parallel to the ball flight line. As theAt address the hips are parallel to the ball flight line. As the golf club swings back down from the top, the first move from thgolf club swings back down from the top, the first move from the top is for e top is for the left hip to move an inch or two parallel to the target line the left hip to move an inch or two parallel to the target line and then the left hip should begin to turn backwards out of the and then the left hip should begin to turn backwards out of the way so the way so the golf club can swing back to the inside after impact.golf club can swing back to the inside after impact.

When you arrive at the finish of the golf swing your belt and shWhen you arrive at the finish of the golf swing your belt and shoulders should be level to the ground.oulders should be level to the ground. Your belt buckle will aim at the Your belt buckle will aim at the intended target and your hips are level to the ground.intended target and your hips are level to the ground.

The ShouldersThe Shoulders

The shoulders play three major roles in the golf swing.The shoulders play three major roles in the golf swing. The first two roles are static and the The first two roles are static and the third is a moving role.third is a moving role. In the address position the shoulders compliment the spine angleIn the address position the shoulders compliment the spine angle..If the shoulders are opened up and back at address the spine angIf the shoulders are opened up and back at address the spine angle will be in the correct le will be in the correct position as long as the chin is up.position as long as the chin is up.

5. S5. Shoulders Backhoulders Back

The ShouldersThe Shoulders

If the shoulders are rounded the spine will be bent over too mucIf the shoulders are rounded the spine will be bent over too much.h.

RoundedRounded

The ShouldersThe Shoulders

The second role the shoulders play is they must be parallel to yThe second role the shoulders play is they must be parallel to your intended line you want the our intended line you want the golf ball to travel on.golf ball to travel on. When you look down your toes, knees, hips and shoulders must be When you look down your toes, knees, hips and shoulders must be in line in line with each other.with each other. Parallel means they have to be on the same line going to the lefParallel means they have to be on the same line going to the left of where you t of where you want the golf ball to start.want the golf ball to start. If the shoulders are aiming to the right of the target the golf If the shoulders are aiming to the right of the target the golf club will club will start too much inside the correct path in the backswing.start too much inside the correct path in the backswing. If they are aiming to the left of the If they are aiming to the left of the target the golf club will start too much to the outside in the btarget the golf club will start too much to the outside in the backswing.ackswing. For the golf club to start For the golf club to start back on the correct path the shoulders must be parallel from theback on the correct path the shoulders must be parallel from the start.start.

The shoulders play yet another role in the backswing.The shoulders play yet another role in the backswing. As the As the clubheadclubhead, shaft, hands, arms and , shaft, hands, arms and (shoulders) start moving backwards, the right shoulder has to mo(shoulders) start moving backwards, the right shoulder has to move out of the way to give the ve out of the way to give the hands, arms and golf club a place to swing to at the top of the hands, arms and golf club a place to swing to at the top of the backswing.backswing. The right shoulder The right shoulder does not slide back.does not slide back. Instead Instead –– rotates around your body.rotates around your body.

The shoulders play a huge role in distance and direction.The shoulders play a huge role in distance and direction. The shoulders have to turn as much The shoulders have to turn as much as possible in the backswing.as possible in the backswing. Once your back is facing the target (this for the 30ish and undeOnce your back is facing the target (this for the 30ish and under r crowd) or as much of a turn as possible, you will be in positioncrowd) or as much of a turn as possible, you will be in position to swing the club down with to swing the club down with maximum club head speed.maximum club head speed.

The SpineThe Spine

The spine has taken on an all important part in the golf swing iThe spine has taken on an all important part in the golf swing in the past 10 n the past 10 years.years. Not many words were written about the spine and its role in the Not many words were written about the spine and its role in the golf swing golf swing until then.until then.If the spine stays long during the backswing, not rigid, you canIf the spine stays long during the backswing, not rigid, you can make a much bigger turn.make a much bigger turn.

6. Long Spi6. Long Spine During Backswingne During Backswing

The SpineThe Spine

If your spine is curved at address the shoulders will have a tenIf your spine is curved at address the shoulders will have a tendency to tilt and not turn.dency to tilt and not turn. In the In the downswing the shoulders will have a tendency to turn on top of tdownswing the shoulders will have a tendency to turn on top of the golf ball instead of moving he golf ball instead of moving under.under. If the shoulders can move under, the golf club will stay on the If the shoulders can move under, the golf club will stay on the path in the downswing path in the downswing (producing an inside to out swing).(producing an inside to out swing). As the golf club swings back the right shoulder has to turn to As the golf club swings back the right shoulder has to turn to allow the golf club to swing up, if the spine is too long the clallow the golf club to swing up, if the spine is too long the club will swing around too much and ub will swing around too much and

not up enough.not up enough.

Bent Over Bent Over Too LongToo Long

The SpineThe Spine

There is yet another role the spine plays in the golf swing.There is yet another role the spine plays in the golf swing. At the top of the backswing the spine At the top of the backswing the spine supports the upper body, the golf club, the arms and most importsupports the upper body, the golf club, the arms and most importantly the speed at which we antly the speed at which we swing the golf club.swing the golf club. If the spine maintains its length in the backswing, you will be If the spine maintains its length in the backswing, you will be able to swing able to swing the arms at a greater speed in the downswing.the arms at a greater speed in the downswing.

The golf club is at its maximum speed as it nears the golf ball The golf club is at its maximum speed as it nears the golf ball and the spine is supporting the and the spine is supporting the ““frame of the golf swingframe of the golf swing”” -- your upper body.your upper body. As the club head passes the impact zone the spine As the club head passes the impact zone the spine is at its most vulnerable position and from that point to the fiis at its most vulnerable position and from that point to the finish is when the spine is taking a nish is when the spine is taking a real beating (physically).real beating (physically).

Maintaining the correct spine angle will play a major role in clMaintaining the correct spine angle will play a major role in club head speed and, the direction ub head speed and, the direction the club actually swings (swing path).the club actually swings (swing path). The spine maintains the same angle from address to one The spine maintains the same angle from address to one foot past impact and it is critical that it starts from the corrfoot past impact and it is critical that it starts from the correct position.ect position.

If you are in the correct posture at address no changes are neceIf you are in the correct posture at address no changes are necessary.ssary.

If you are standing too tall at address, bending at the hips wilIf you are standing too tall at address, bending at the hips will solve this problem.l solve this problem. If you are If you are bent over too much at the top of the spine or your shoulders arebent over too much at the top of the spine or your shoulders are too curved, you will have to too curved, you will have to take a very serious look into changing your spine angle.take a very serious look into changing your spine angle. Opening your shoulders and lifting Opening your shoulders and lifting your chin will be a great place to start.your chin will be a great place to start.

The ChinThe Chin

After you address the golf ball there is a checkAfter you address the golf ball there is a check--list of things you need to go through to make sure you are readylist of things you need to go through to make sure you are ready to take off.to take off. I am not I am not going to tell you the position of the chin is the most importantgoing to tell you the position of the chin is the most important-- however, it ranks up there for sure.however, it ranks up there for sure. The chin controls what happens to The chin controls what happens to the shoulders in the backswing.the shoulders in the backswing.

If the chin is down in your chest at address, the shoulders willIf the chin is down in your chest at address, the shoulders will have a tendency to pop up in the backswing.have a tendency to pop up in the backswing. The right shoulder will The right shoulder will NOT turn out of the way to make room for the arms to swing arounNOT turn out of the way to make room for the arms to swing around.d. If you continue to leave your chin down in your chest you might If you continue to leave your chin down in your chest you might have some success with the shorter clubs, but the long clubs wilhave some success with the shorter clubs, but the long clubs will be very difficult to hit. You can get away with the arms swingl be very difficult to hit. You can get away with the arms swinging up ing up and down with the short clubs, you might not be so lucky with thand down with the short clubs, you might not be so lucky with the longer clubs.e longer clubs.

If you have a tendency to top your shots or hit thin, your chin If you have a tendency to top your shots or hit thin, your chin might be up too much.might be up too much.

Too Down Too Down Too UpToo Up

The ChinThe Chin

If the chin is down in your chest at address, the shoulders willIf the chin is down in your chest at address, the shoulders will have a tendency to pop up in the have a tendency to pop up in the backswing.backswing. The right shoulder will NOT turn out of the way to make room forThe right shoulder will NOT turn out of the way to make room for the arms to swing the arms to swing around.around. If you continue to leave your chin down in your chest you might If you continue to leave your chin down in your chest you might have some success have some success with the shorter clubs, but the long clubs will be very difficulwith the shorter clubs, but the long clubs will be very difficult to hit. You can get away with the t to hit. You can get away with the arms swinging up and down with the short clubs, you might not bearms swinging up and down with the short clubs, you might not be so lucky with the longer so lucky with the longer clubs.clubs.If you have a tendency to top your shots or hit thin, your chin If you have a tendency to top your shots or hit thin, your chin might be up too much.might be up too much.So now you want to know how much you should lift your chin up. ISo now you want to know how much you should lift your chin up. I have some advice that is not have some advice that is not the answer of all answers, but it is a wonderful starting point.the answer of all answers, but it is a wonderful starting point.Lift your chin up just enough to get your fist under your chin aLift your chin up just enough to get your fist under your chin and touch your throat.nd touch your throat.

7. Use Fist as a Guide 7. Use Fist as a Guide CorrectCorrect

Golf Swing HelpGolf Swing Help

When you start experimenting with this new position you will wanWhen you start experimenting with this new position you will want to start with a club you like to t to start with a club you like to hit.hit. You will know right away if the correction is going to help you You will know right away if the correction is going to help you or not.or not. Give it a chance.Give it a chance. If you If you top a lot of shots, you have lifted the chin up too much.top a lot of shots, you have lifted the chin up too much. The first few shots you might want to The first few shots you might want to start with half a fist so you can ease into it.start with half a fist so you can ease into it. Keep in mind it is an extension of your spine.Keep in mind it is an extension of your spine. You You might have to bend over at the hips another inch or two; this wimight have to bend over at the hips another inch or two; this will compliment the chin position.ll compliment the chin position.

To Get More Help With Your Golf Swing Visit:To Get More Help With Your Golf Swing Visit:

http://http://wherecanigetgolfswinghelp.blogspot.comwherecanigetgolfswinghelp.blogspot.com//