The Natural Swing: The Starting Form

This is the second in a series of articles on theourselves as if we were making a straight shot. Since
Natural Swing. The first article provided golf tips onwe're planning on hitting the ball straight, there's no
the fundamental principles of the swing. In this articlereason to align ourselves other than left (right for
we look at the starting form for the swing, providingleft-handers) to the line of flight. The left foot is in a
a brief golf lesson on the set up.slightly different position to the target, however. It is
Golf instruction sessions say that a flawless startingset at least 25 degrees open to the target, if not
form offers the best opportunity of swingingmore. The degree of openness varies depending on
properly. It sets the swing's tone, promotes feelingsthe golfer's flexibility. The key here is balance.
of simplicity, freedom, and balance, and ensures aIn addition, you place the left foot slightly outside the
positive result-if we get it right. If we don't get itleft shoulder, so that you will be able to finish with
right, we'll feel cramped and inhibited, and we'llyour weight on your left foot. Balance is again the
probably hit a less than perfect shot, like a slice, a pullkey. Most golfers roll toward the outside of the left
hook, or something worse. The set up in any golffoot when finishing the swing, which fosters a slight
swing is totally under our control-one of the fewimbalance in the finish. But with the natural swing you
things in the game that is.move forward, so you want to finish flat on the left
The goal of the starting form of the natural swing isfoot, with your weight evenly distributed across the
the same as any other golf swing. The starting formwhole foot.
should set you up to make an aggressive move whileAlignment: Ideally, we want to square up to the
remaining in balance. Ideally, it should be an athletic,target. But everybody is different. And we're not
graceful move, with purpose and direction. In theideally built. So everyone's perfect alignment for
natural swing, the starting form focuses on things likehitting the ball straight is slightly different- an
target awareness, grip, stance, alignment, and ballimportant factor in the natural swing. Thus, we must
location relative to the body.find our own correct alignment position, one that
Target Awareness: Target awareness is critical toneeds to be square for the swing. For the most part,
the natural swing. Golf with the natural swing is not athough, being square means being slightly left of the
reaction game, in which we respond to a thrown ball.target. This is the only natural square position, even if
It's a location game, in which we react to a target.it is not mathematically precise. Use the practice
The idea is to plant the image of that target firmly inrange to find your perfect square position and have
mind. Having a clear image of the target, spurs youa friend provide feedback in your efforts.
on. It gives you purpose, direction, and intent. InBall position: Ball position in the natural swing flows
addition, it takes your mind off the ball and puts itlogically from the way we set up in the starting
where it should be-on the target. Target awarenessposition. We place the ball just ahead of the middle
fixes in your mind key factors like distance,of stance for a standard five-iron shot. The ball
trajectory, curvature, and direction. The more vividlyshould then be just back of the inside of the left
we see the target, the more intensely we'll react toheel. The width of the stance will vary depending on
it. And the more successful we'll be at hitting it.the length of the club. The longer the club, the wider
Grip: The natural grip is no different than we'd use tothe stance. Move the right foot only as we set up,
do many tasks, one that sets us up correctly towardcloser or further away from the left foot depending
our target, if we've kept our focus on the target.on the club we have in our hands. Thus, the position
We form the natural grip so that the palms areof the left foot relative to the ball is always the
opposed, as in prayer, palm to palm. This grip allowssame, ensuring a constant ball position.
us to make a simple, natural motion, withoutThe difference between the starting form of the
compensatory moves or extra gestures, and withoutnormal swing and that of the natural swing are
contorting our hands.subtle, but significant. In essence there are three key
The natural grip is not much different from youradjustments:
normal grip, except for the left hand. In the natural(1) the placement of the left foot open, for balance
grip the club runs diagonally across the palms of yourand direction;
left hand (right-hand for left-handers). Position the last(2) alignment to the target, which will be slightly
three fingers of the left hand around the club's buttdifferent for everyone while remaining square to the
end with your forefinger pushing against the thumb.target;
This position generates a sensation of control and(3) the constant position of the ball relative to the
power in the left hand. The right hand fits over theleft foot.
left. The little finger fits in and over the index andWhat's more, you need to evaluate your starting
forefinger of the left hand. The right-hand grip isform each time you step up to the ball. The key to
mostly in the fingers. The correct grip pressuresetting up properly with any swing, as I advocate in
happens naturally when you assume the correctmy golf lessons and golf tips, is to do it using the
form. The relationship between the hands should notsame routine time and time again. Do that and you'll
change during the swing.be well on your way to lowering your golf handicap.
The Stance: The key to the natural stance is aligning