| There are 6 basic steps in the golf swing that | | | | The back swing is step 4 of the golf swing. It is |
| each golfershould be aware prior to each golf | | | | also knownas the take away. This will be the |
| shot. Step number 1 isbody alignment relative to | | | | start of the meat andpotatoes of the golf swing. |
| the target. Start by standing 2to 3 yards behind | | | | You want to rhythmically takethe golf club back |
| the golf ball, with your body and the ballforming a | | | | on the same plane of the straight linethat your |
| straight line to the target. Pick out a guidingtarget | | | | ground targets make. Make sure to keep your |
| directly behind and directly in front of the golfball | | | | backelbow close to your ribs. The front elbow |
| that is in the line your body and the golf make | | | | should be straightduring the back swing. Your |
| towardthe target. These targets could be | | | | eyes should remain on the backof the golf ball, |
| anything on the groundinches in front and behind | | | | where you want to strike it with the golfclub face. |
| the golf ball like leaves, grass,a broken tee, | | | | The back swing should inherently bring your |
| whatever. Focus on these ground targets thatfall | | | | chininto your front shoulder. The hips will stay |
| on the line you picked out to the target as | | | | quite andtilted a small amount forward. The front |
| youapproach the golf ball. | | | | knee should alsoturn inward. At the height of the |
| Step number 2 of golf swing involves club face | | | | back swing, you shouldallow your wrists to break |
| alignment. Wealready have our body aligned from | | | | slightly to get ready for thenext step of the golf |
| the previous step. Nowlet's get our club face | | | | swing. |
| aligned. Set the golf club facebehind the golf ball, | | | | The down swing involves bringing the club down |
| aligning the middle of the golf clubsface with the | | | | toward theball. You will uncoil your wrists and start |
| targets you picked out on the ground directlyin | | | | shifting yourweight toward your front foot. With |
| front and behind the golf ball. Gripping the golf | | | | gravity helping, yourdown swing is where you can |
| clubswith a tension-free grip will allow you to be | | | | generate force and speed. Nevertake the club |
| relaxedthrough out the duration of the golf swing. | | | | face off of your target line. This defines theswing |
| Line your feetup about shoulder width apart on a | | | | plane. The club face should strike the back of |
| line parallel to the linemade by your golf ball and | | | | theball first, then continue on through the arc of |
| the ground targets directly infront and behind the | | | | the swing. |
| golf ball. As Tiger Woods hasmentioned, you | | | | This will result in the club taking a divot out of |
| should have your knees slightly bent in anathletic | | | | theground, just past where the golf ball initially |
| stance. In order to allow your hips to | | | | was sitting. |
| rotatewithout restriction, the front foot should | | | | Continue the swing on past the second target |
| open a littletoward the target. | | | | you picked outjust in front of the golf ball. |
| Tilt your torso slightly towards the ball while | | | | The finish will generate a bit more distance if |
| keeping yourback straight. The arms should now | | | | doneproperly. Follow through the golf swing with a |
| hang freely in front ofthe body to grip the club. | | | | high followthrough of the golf club. Your rotation |
| The shoulders should be parallelwith the ground | | | | of the hips shouldhave turned them directly |
| targets and the toes, and your head shouldbe | | | | toward your target. Since yourweight will shift, it |
| tilted downward with your eyes on the ball. | | | | should now be squarely on your frontleg. You |
| Thesemotions described are known as the set-up, | | | | should now be seeing your golf ball soaring |
| or addressing theball. | | | | towardyour target in a nice arcing trajectory. |