Back To Basics Golf Insturction

BACK TOBASICS

GRIPHSTANCEHPOSTURECHIPSHPUTTSHBUNKERS

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Your most important lesson...The ultimate step-by-step guide to building a sound, repeatable golf game

Many golfers say that the most important lesson they ever take is the first one. The lesson

where a PGA professional shows you how to hold the club, stand to the ball, make a swing and with a bit of luck hit the shot. These basics of golf are so important, but how often after that initial lesson do we ever think about them? In most cases the answer is never!

Whether you are an absolute beginner, part-time player or avid fanatic a sound knowledge of the basics of golf is crucial if you want to improve. That’s why

we’ve devised this ‘Back to Basics’ booklet.

It covers all the essential elements of the game from tee to green that you need to understand if you are to play to your potential and enjoy your golf more.

The good news is that the basic techniques for all the different shots in golf don’t vary that much – yes there are crucial differences, but in most cases the grip, stance and posture are the same or very similar.

Remember, the basics really don’t just apply to beginners. Even the greatest players in the world are constantly checking

those fundamentals to make sure their swing is sound.

Now’s the perfect time to refine your swing and sharpen up your short-game skills before the new golfing season starts. So what are you waiting for? Take this guide to the driving range or out on the course to help you with your practice and get ‘Back to Basics’. Good luck!

Carly Cummins Instruction Editor

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Your most important lesson... Contents

Meet The Pros

BACK TO BASICS

4 GRIP Get this key part of the game right and the rest is easy (ish)!

10 STANCEStand and deliver! Make sure you set up correctly.

12 BALL POSITIONWhere to place the ball in your stance for each club.

14 POSTUREGet into an athletic address position, ready to hit the shot.

16 AIMZoom in on your target to hit more accurate shots.

18 SWINGThe fundamental moves from the takeaway to the finish.

22 IMPACTUnderstanding where the club should be at the moment it strikes the ball.

24 ROUGH RECOVERYHow to get out of those tricky lies in deep grass.

26 PUTTING GRIPA step-by-step guide to forming the putter grip correctly.

28 HOLE MORE PUTTSThe correct stance and the correct stroke to roll the ball into the hole.

32 GREEN READINGMake frustrating three-putts a thing of the past by learning to read greens better.

34 BEAT BUNKERSThe basics you need to splash the ball out of a greenside trap.

38 CHIP IT CLOSERHow to chip the ball onto the green with consistency.

42 FAIRWAY BUNKERThe keys to playing those tricky long bunker shots from the fairway.

46 PITCH PRACTICESee the killer drills that will help you knock approach shots near the pin.

The head pro at John O’Gaunt golf club is a specialist in video swing analysis. He talks you through all those long game fundamentals.

A top coach based at the Drivetime Golf Centre in Warrington. Adrian uses his knowledge to explain the skills needed for all greenside shots.

At Cornelia Golf Club, a Nick Faldo championship-designed course in Belek, Turkey. 0099 242 710 16 00, www.corneliaresort.com

Lee Scarbrow Adrian Fryer Shot on location

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The GripOVerLApA great golf swing starts with the perfect grip. Learn how to hold the club correctly by following these seven easy steps...

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Start by holding the club so that the face is perfectly square. The lines on the clubface should be pointing straight up.

Next press your left thumb in towards your left index finger so that they are touching. There should be no gap between them.

Place your left hand, left palm down, on top of the grip so that the V formed between the thumb and the hand is pointing at your right armpit.

Curl your fingers around leaving a two finger-sized gap above your little finger of the left hand on the grip. Any more and you’re gripping too low, any less too high.

Introduce the right hand by placing the lifeline of the right hand against the back of the left thumb with your palm facing the target.

Curl the fingers of your right hand around the grip, resting your first knuckle of the little finger next to the second knuckle of your index finger of the left hand.

The right thumb and index finger should press through the club at one another.

1. START SQUARE

2. THUMB IN

3. CHECK ‘V’

4. SMALL GAP

5. ADD RIGHT

6. OVERLAP

7. UNITE THE HANDS

BACK TO BASICS grIp

back to basics Today’s Golfer 5


PRESSURECHECKPOINTS

6 Today’s Golfer back to basics

You should be able to hold

the club in your index finger and thumb of the

right hand.


BACK TO BASICS grIp


T he left hand should be able to hold the club between your index finger and the base of your palm.



Baseball Grip T his grip will help slicers (golfers who struggle to release the clubhead) as it

allows the right hand to overtake

the left more easily.

ALTERNATIVEGRIPS TO TRY


BACK TO BASICS grIp


Interlocking Grip T his grip positions the left hand weaker on

the club, which is useful for golfers who hook the ball as it will help them keep the hands quieter through the

hitting area.


ATHLETICSTANCEYou need to build the perfect stance to ensure you are set up correctly for each different club at address

Great stability With the ideal stance you should feel balanced, poised and ready to fire.

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BACK TO BASICS STAnCe


It is really important that you start your set-up by standing perpendicular to your target line. That means standing with your feet absolutely together positioned directly opposite the golf ball.

Move your right foot away from the target in accordance to which club you are playing. For a short iron move it to just inside shoulder width, a mid-iron shoulder width and your woods just past shoulder width.

Move your left foot outwards towards the target depending on what club you are using - one golf ball width for your driver, two for a fairway wood and three golf ball widths for an iron.

Point your left foot out slightly towards the target. This allows the body to clear through the left leg while maintaining balance. If the left leg is too square it blocks your turn through the ball and restricts your balance.

Press your knees outwards slightly to help give you powerful thighs and more stability during the movement in your swing.

1. SQUARE ON 4. MOVE RIGHT

2. STEP LEFT

3. LEFT TOE OUT

5. PRESS THE KNEES OUTWARDS

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BALL POSITIONStart feet together then move them...

12 Today’s Golfer BACK TO BASICS

Wedges: Move the left foot four ball widths to the left and the right foot away to one ball’s width inside shoulder wide.

TRADING PLACES

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BACK TO BASICS Today’s Golfer 13

9-6 iron: Move the left foot three ball widths to the left and the right foot to just inside shoulder wide.5-3 iron: Move the left two ball

widths to the left and the right to shoulder width. Woods: Move your left foot a ball’s width to the left and the right just past shoulder width.

BACK TO BASICS GRIP

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perfectpostureLearn how to get into an athletic address position to hit the ball powerfully and consistently

Look for the

correct body

angles at address.

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Start by flexing your knees to engage your thigh muscles. This will stabilise your lower body.

1. FLEX THE KNEES

BACK TO BASICS pOSTure


Next, grip the golf club and hold it out at waist height so that the shaft of the club is parallel to the ground.

2. HOLD THE CLUB OUT

Lower the club to the ball maintaining the height in your shoulders to keep length in the spine for leverage and rotation.

3. LOWER THE CLUB

An easy way to check that you are balanced is to drop the club from your right shoulder through your knee without toppling over.

Your weight should be central on the balls of your feet. Rock forward and backwards in your shoes until you find the centred position.

5. CHECK YOUR BaLaNCE4. WEigHT DiSTRiBUTiON CHECK

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accurateaimingBe precise with your alignment and you’ll stand a greater chance of hitting the target

Common faults

● If you address the ball so that your body points beyond 90 degrees you’ll be aiming to the right.● If you address the ball so that your body points under 90 degrees you’ll be aiming to the left.

Stand behind

the ball and pick

a point to aim at.

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Build your stance around your square set-up by moving your feet apart. You should now be parallel to your target.

Find a mark on the ground no more than two feet in front of the ball on your target line as a guide to aim the clubface at the target.

Keeping the mark in your vision walk around beside the ball and with your feet together try to stand 90 degrees to your target line.

Stand behind the ball directly in line with your target and point your club at the target, using it to draw a line back to the ball.

4. CHECK FOR PARALLEL LINES

2. PICK A MARKER TO AIM AT

3. SET UP SQUARE TO THE TARGET

1. DRAW A LINE BACK TO THE BALL

BACK TO BASICS AIm


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With sound swing

mechanics you will

strike the ball

more consistently.

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MoT YOUR GOLF swinGUse these fundamentals to get the club following the correct path around your body and you’ll hit longer, straighter shots

BACK TO BASICS SwIng

TURn OveR FOR8 sTeps TO a beTTeR swinG...



To complete the backswing make sure your left shoulder has travelled past your chin and not under, as this can cause a tilt.

The left hand, left shoulder and clubhead should form a perfect line parallel to your target line with the clubface vertical.

Hinge the left hand to set the club on plane. The butt of the club will be pointing at the ball if your club is set on the correct plane.

Start the swing by rotating the clubface away from the ball while moving the left shoulder across to create width as well as rotation.

4. LEFT SHOULDER PAST CHIN

2. HALFWAY BACK CHECK

3. LEFT HAND HINGES

1. SMOOTH TAKEAWAY


Finish with your knees tight together and your weight balanced on your left foot, holding a picture perfect pose.

The right knee and the clubhead should arrive together at the ball with the right knee working towards the left knee and the target.

Extend the right arm through to the target to mirror the halfway back checkpoint of your backswing.

Let your hands travel down towards your hips and not out towards the ball. This will help you attack the ball from an inside path.

8. KNEES TOGETHER

6. TIME KNEE AND CLUB INTO IMPACT

7. EXTEND THROUGH

5. HANDS START DOWNSWING

BACK TO BASICS SwIng



aceimpactCrunch the ball off the turf with irons and launch it up with woods

Let the hips clear to give the arms room to release.

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Impact is the moment of truth in golf and the most important point in the swing. While impact is not static it’s very important that we know where the club should be at the precise moment it strikes the ball. Where the clubface is arriving from and pointing at will determine where the ball flies.

Impact is not a position you stop in but merely a point that the club is travelling through.

1. The clubface is square to your target line.2. The shaft of the club is leaning forwards.3. The hips have cleared so that your belt buckle is facing the target.4. The right knee is level with the clubhead.5. The back of your left hand is slightly bowed and travelling towards the target.

RemembeR

Keys to the coRRect impact

BACK TO BASICS ImpACT


1

2 3

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roughrecoveryThe key to getting your round back on track after you’ve found a bad lie is to get your ball back in play with minimum pain!

Drive it out By using a club with plenty of loft you can power the ball back into play.

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BACK TO BASICS rOugh


Get down low to the grass and have a close look at how the ball is sitting in order to choose the club you need to get the ball back into play. Always err on the side of caution and take more loft rather than less. If in doubt just get it out.

The swing for this shot needs to be short, steep and exaggerated. Pick the club up vertically towards the sky by using plenty of wrist hinge quickly. This will avoid it getting snagged up in the grass in the takeaway.

Everything needs to be extreme in your set-up. Position the ball well back in your stance and lean the shaft forwards so that the hands sit ahead of the ball. Then widen your stance to anchor your body lower to the ground.

You often need more force to get out of the rough so grip down at the bottom of the handle and grip a little tighter. A firmer pressure will help you keep control of the club when it enters the long grass and prevent the club from turning over.

Drive down powerfully into the back of the ball on the same steep angle of attack. Keep your hands ahead of the club to help drill the ball out of the buried lie.

1. ASSESS LIE 4. STEEP SWING

2. BALL BACK

3. GRIP DOWN

5. POWER INTO IMPACT

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putting the gripFollow these pointers to hold the putter in a manner so that the hands stay quiet in the putting action

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Start by positioning the putter handle in the lifeline that runs below the thumb pad of the left hand.

The back of the left hand should face the target. Extend the index finger straight down the handle.

Introduce the right-hand side on to the putter handle so that it faces the target.

Wrap the fingers of the right hand around the handle and point the thumb straight down the top end of the grip.

Place the index finger of the left hand over the middle finger of the right hand to form the traditional reverse overlap putting grip.

1. IN LIFELINE

2. FACE TARGET

3. ADD RIGHT

4. WRAP FINGERS

5. OVERLAP

BACK TO BASICS puTTIng grIp


AlternAtive putting grips

1. This grip is good for golfers who have the yips as it reduces independent hand motion which interferes with the stroke and helps get the hands working together with the shoulders as one unit.

2. Positioning the left hand low and the right hand high offers more stability to the putting stroke and stops the left wrist collapsing, keeping the club square to the target.

ClAw grip

reverse hAnds

1 2

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puttingstanceAlthough body alignment doesn’t totally influence the stroke it’s easier to visualise the putt if you set up square

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To help you read putts correctly your eyes need to be directly over the target line. Check this by suspending the grip end of the putter beneath your eyes. The ball should be positioned below where the putterhead hangs in line with the shaft.

checkpoint

BACK TO BASICS puTTIng STAnCe


1. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, parallel to your aim line.2. Position the ball inside your left heel so the putt is struck with topspin.3. Bend forward from the hips, elbows tucked in.4. Position your eyes over the target line.

Set-Up keYS

1

2

3

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1. The length of the putting stroke should vary depending on the length of the putt.2. Allow the putterhead to swing straight back and through for short putts and on a slight arc for longer putts.3. Maintain a smooth tempo and rhythm to your stroke, avoiding any noticeable ‘hit’.4. Keep the lower body static so that the stroke happens from the arms and shoulders only.5. Keep the back of the left hand and putter face tracking through square to the target for as long as possible.

STROKE KEYS

BACK TO BASICS puTTIng STrOKe


5

2

3 Left leads Keep the hands passive by getting the back of the wrist to point to the hole.

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GREENREADINGLearn to prowl around the hole to gauge the slopes and judge the break on your putts accurately

Crouch down to help

you

see the slopes more

clearly.

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Pay particular attention to the slopes around the hole. This is where the ball is slowing and gravity will affect it the most.

Squat down low behind the ball to study the contours of the green and visualise the ball’s journey to the hole.

Next, walk down the length of your putt to the hole observing the size of the slopes from the side-on view. Try to identify any break points.

Analysis of the slopes should start as you walk up onto the green. Observe the surrounding terrain and look for the natural fall and slopes.

4. HOLE ANALYSIS

2. SQUAT DOWN

3. LOOK SIDE-ON

1. APPROACH ANALYSIS

BACK TO BASICS green reAdIng


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bunkerbasicsGreat bunker play is all about taking the right amount of sand with the right amount of force. Follow these steps to get it right...

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Shuffle your feet into the sand to ensure that the bottom of the swing arc happens lower than the ball, helping you strike the sand first.

Open your stance so that you’re aiming 10 feet left of the pin, flex your knees and position your feet just wider than your shoulders.

2. SHUFFLE FEEt IN

1. OpEN StaNcE

bunkerbasics

BACK TO BASICS BunKer


Strike the sand

before the ball for

greenside shots.



Strike the sand before the ball. Try to displace a footprint’s worth of sand (about two inches either side of the ball) onto the green.

Position the ball just forward of the centre of your stance, opposite your left pec, and keep the hands in line with the clubhead, not ahead.

Swing along the line of your feet, making an early wrist hinge to pick the club more upright towards the sky.

Open the clubface to point around two club-lengths right of the pin. This will add loft to the club, making it easier to splash the ball out.

6. Hit sand first

4. Ball forward

5. UprigHt swing

3. open clUBface


BACK TO BASICS BunKer

Keep your swing tempo smooth and make sure you finish with the club at shoulder height in order to maintain momentum to carry the ball out.

7. Sky high


consistentchipping

The secret to knocking your chip shots close every time is to use a simple yet repeatable technique

Keep your

glove badge

facing the

target for

wrist-free

chipping.

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Grip down to bring your body closer to the ball and lean the clubshaft forwards towards the left leg to position your hands ahead of the ball.

Aim your feet, knees and arms slightly left of the target but keep your shoulders square to the target.

Make sure your sternum (the centre of your chest) is positioned slightly ahead of the golf ball at address.

Use a narrow stance, with your feet about six inches apart, and your weight favouring the front foot 60-40%.

4. GRIP DOWN, HANDS AHEAD

2. OPEN YOUR FEET

3. CHEST SITS AHEAD

1. NARROW STANCE

BACK TO BASICS ChIppIng



CONSISTENTCHIPPING

1. T he stroke is a pendulum action where the upper body and club are moved by a mini turn back and through

2. T he hands should lead the clubhead into impact, assisted by a subtle turning motion from the hips and knees.



BACK TO BASICS ChIppIng

3. Keep the

backswing and

throughswing sim

ilar in

length with the

left

wrist remaining fo

rward

through impact.



FAIRWAYBUNKERThe secret to playing from fairway traps is not to get over ambitious with your club selection. Take sufficient loft to fly the ball over the lip and out


C lean connection

Strike the ball first

before contacting the

sand to ensure maximum

carry distance.

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FAIRWAYBUNKER

BACK TO BASICS fAIrwAy BunKer




Make your swing no longer than three-quarters the length of a full swing. With firmer forearms this should happen naturally.

Add tension to your forearms by tightening your grip. This will help reduce your wrist hinge and keep your backswing compact.

Choke down the grip to shorten the shaft, take a shorter swing and reduce the amount of sand you take, making this shot easier.

You don’t need to dig your feet into the sand for this shot, simply place them on top with a slight shuffle to stop them slipping.

4. CONTROLLED SWING

2. FIRMER FOREARMS

3. GRIP DOWN

1. PLANT YOUR FEET


BACK TO BASICS fAIrwAy BunKer

Use a sweeping motion to pick the ball off the top of the surface of the sand, only taking a minimal amount of sand after striking the ball.

5. PICK THE BALL

Transfer your weight

smoothly through to help

you contact the ball first

before striking the sand.


PERFECT PITCHINGDifferent distances can be achieved by regulating the amount of body turn, arm swing and making subtle adjustments to the set-up

Vary the length

of

your swing to al

ter

the distance th

e

ball travels.

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Lean the shaft of the club a touch towards the target so the hands sit slightly ahead of the ball to encourage a downward strike to get spin.

Aim your feet slightly to the left of the target (open) but keep your shoulders square to the target.

Position the ball in the centre of your stance, directly below your sternum (the centre of your chest).

Narrow your stance so that your feet aren’t quite shoulder-width apart and spread your weight 50/50 between the feet.

4. HANDS AHEAD

2. opEN your StANcE

3. cENtrAL BALL poSItIoN

1. SEt up For FEEL

BACK TO BASICS pITChIng




Allow your wrists to hinge so that they form an L-shape with the arms to set the club on the correct plane in the backswing.

The throughswing should be a mirror image of the backswing. Keep the length the same to ensure perfect distance control.

Swing the arms back, varying the length of your backswing depending on the distance of the shot - hip, chest or shoulder height.

Keep a smooth, even tempo throughout the swing, focusing on the body turn and arm swing working together as one unit.

8. CONSTANT TEMPO

6. L-SHAPE HINGE

7. MIRROR IMAGE

5. VARY BACKSWING LENGTH


BACK TO BASICS pITChIng

Strike down into impact to ensure a crisp connection.

9. HIT DOWN

Hit down into the base of the ball to make your pitch shots spin and stop.


BACK TO BASICS: YOUR CHECKLISTThe 10 most important things to remember from this booklet - tick each one as you master it...

BACK TO BASICS CHECKLIST


With the club in your lifelines, the Vs formed between your thumb and hand point at the opposite armpit.

Ensure your weight is evenly spread between both feet and centred on the balls of your feet at address.

The back of your left hand should face the target and you should be able to make a wrist-free stroke.

You are set up open to your target and are aiming to strike a point in the sand two inches behind the ball.

Your feet are planted on top of the sand and with firm forearms you swing shorter and pick the ball off the surface.

1. THE GRIP

3. BALANCE

5. PUTTING GRIP

7. BUNKER

9. FAIRWAY SAND

Move the ball position depending on the club - nearer the left foot for longer clubs and more central for short ones.

Pick a point to aim at ahead of the ball in line with your target. Build your stance parallel (at 90˚) to this target line.

The top of your back is flat so that your eye line is directly over the ball to help you picture the putt accurately.

You alter the length of your backswing using an L-shape swing to vary how far the ball travels.

A narrow stance with your weight favouring the forward foot and the centre of your chest slightly ahead of ball.

2. BALL POSITION

4. AIM

6. PUTTING STANCE

8. PITCHING

10. CHIPPING

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Back To Basics Golf Insturction

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