Two Pre-Swing Fundamentals

A few weeks ago I published a short treatise on the golf swing. The more I practice and play with the swing I described, the more I am convinced the principles described are the right ones, of many, for the purpose of hitting a straight ball.

In that document I said I assumed that your pre-swing fundamentals were sound. That is not a safe assumption, even for golfers who know what those fundamentals are. Golf is practical examination, not a written one

Golf is about how to do, not how to say.

There are two pre-swing fundamentals I have been emphasizing lately to great effect. Let me share them with you.

One is to hold the club lightly at address. Hold the club with the same pressure as you would apply when shaking the hand of a young child. Keep that same pressure as you take the club away. This keeps your body relaxed so clubhead speed can build up freely.

The second one is more of a mental aspect of the setup than a physical one.

I get into a posture in which I feel relaxed and neutral, that is, not posed, or poised, in any way.

Nothing is out of balance. I’m not reaching for the ball. I’m in a relaxed yet athletic posture that can move without a hitch into the flow of the golf swing.

You will notice that both of theses points have to do with relaxation. The more relaxed you are at the start of the swing, and can maintain that relaxation throughout the swing, the better you will hit the ball. Promise.