| The 'Simple' Swing | | | | with the line across the feet, knees, hips, shoulders, |
| The basic golf swing is so simple that a child of eight | | | | and eyes parallel to your proposed shot. It sounds |
| can do it. Unfortunately, most adults can't! As with | | | | easy, but it isn't. Lining up can be an optical illusion. |
| other sports, the technique for the beginner should | | | | Many golfers repeatedly aim right and hit right, or |
| be simple and straightforward, and become | | | | compensate and pull left. |
| complicated only for players aiming for higher | | | | The easiest way of aiming is to choose a spot 18 |
| standards. | | | | inches ahead of the ball on line to the target and set |
| The difficulty with golf is not in the swing itself, but in | | | | the clubface to aim over this, with your feet parallel |
| the strike and in the precision required to make | | | | to the line from the ball to this spot. |
| accurate contact with the ball. Direction, too, has to | | | | The other common error is to open your shoulders, |
| be controlled because of the vast distances you | | | | that is to aim them left. This is caused by your right |
| have to cover. The swing is simple; keep it that way. | | | | hand pulling the shoulder forward, or by turning as |
| The problem for the beginner is that the ball is | | | | you look at the target or by having the ball too far |
| ridiculously small; the clubhead is not very big, either; | | | | left in the stance. This encourages you to cut across |
| the ball sits on the ground, and the ground gets in | | | | the ball with a slicing action. As a result, the shot |
| the way. | | | | curves away to the right. |
| With other sports, ball contact is a lot easier. In | | | | The shoulders are often more important than the |
| tennis, hockey, or squash, for example, you have a | | | | feet, so keep them square or fractionally closed. |
| larger weapon, which makes the task of striking the | | | | The ball position is linked to direction. With the ball |
| ball quite straightforward. You also have just one | | | | too far back, you may push it right. If it is too far |
| weapon in your hand the whole time and grow to | | | | forward, you are likely to start it to the left. |
| feel confident with it. | | | | The open stance is one in which the direction of the |
| But in golf you have to choose different clubs and | | | | clubface and stance diverge or open up to the |
| feel comfortable with each one immediately. A | | | | target. If used unintentionally, this leads to slicing. |
| further problem is that the stationary golf ball allows | | | | However, it does have its uses for playing cut shots |
| you too much time for thinking. It leaves you to | | | | and some short finesse shots. |
| analyse the swing and think too much of the body | | | | With the closed stance, the clubface is on target (or |
| movements. Compare the swing to hitting a tennis | | | | to the left), with the feet to the right. The swing |
| ball and see how easy that can be. Let the basic golf | | | | and clubface converge, encouraging hookspin, with |
| swing be simple. | | | | the ball flying to the left. This is used for bending the |
| Lining Up For Long Shots | | | | ball from right to left. |
| With most long shots, you need a square stance, | | | | |