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THESE LINES ARE PARALLEL TO EACH OTHER! NEVER AIM YOUR BODY AT THE TARGET! What is
object of golf? To get ball in hole with fewest strokes as possible! To aid in alignment it is imperative that you utilize a procedure called an "Intermediate Target". The intermediate target is something between ball and target. It could be a piece of discolored grass, an edge of a divot, a broken tee, etc. It should be within your peripheral vision, so that you don't have to lift your head.
MOVING THE CLUB
Because we play golf on an Inclined Plane this dictates that club MUST move on an arc. That means club head is only on base on Plane Line approximately 2 inches during swing! It also means that club always moves in 3 dimensions. The Backstroke dimension is backward, upward, and inward all simultaneously and On Plane. The keyword for Backstroke is "BACK". The hands and arms control backward and upward movement of club. Therefore, if you did not make a shoulder turn clubhead WOULD NOT move inside baseline. The shoulder turn moves club inward, NOT back and up. So if player just turned their shoulders, without any hand or arm movement, then club would be inside but not back and up. These two movements MUST work together to achieve proper sequence. The trailing forearm moves club on Plane by "tracing" Plane. The bending, and folding of trailing elbow also raises and lowers club and cocks and uncocks target side wrist. Never raise arms and club by lifting from shoulders sockets!
The Downstroke dimension is downward, outward, and forward. Once player has reached full extension (follow-through) then club moves again upward, inward, and backward. This completes 3 dimensional swing.
LENGTH OF ARC
What does this term mean? Simply put, length of arc means how far back YOU can take club. Some players may be able to take their hands high above their heads in backswing while others can only get their hands to shoulder height, or less. It doesn't matter! However far you can take club and still maintain structure is end of YOUR swing! You can increase your length of arc by increasing your range of motion. (see your local physical therapist for exercises to increase your range of motion).
LET'S GET STARTED
Before every shot you play there must be a sequential order of events. First of course we have to find our golf ball. Once ball is located we then must examine type of lie we have, distance to target, shot shape desired, wind conditions (if any), how we're feeling that particular day, whether to play aggressively or conservatively or somewhere in between (this depends on our style), and finally choosing correct club for type of shot. We can't call this a "pre-shot routine" because there is nothing routine about a golf shot! There are always factors to be decided and these factors constantly change. So we would encourage you to use phrase "PRE-SHOT". Pre-shot may or may not include a dress rehearsal of swing, a practice swing. During practice swing you're getting a feel for mechanics involved in hitting shot and visualizing ball flight.
ADDRESS AND SET-UP
Once we have gone through our pre-shot we now start initial mechanical and mental programming procedures. Approach ball from behind and follow this order for success. Verify these six Impact Alignments.
Clubface to Target Line Grip to Clubface Hands to Ball Plane Angle Pressure Points Position of Trailing Forearm Balance, Grip, and Plane Line MUST be verified before EVERY shot!
Now we're ready to start backstroke.
BACKSTROKE
Once address is completed we can start backstroke. As discussed earlier, this involves two separate movements. These movements are controlled from waist up. The lower body should be moved by upper body if player is flexible enough, if not, then allow it to move freely in both directions.
The hands and arms … vertical plane The shoulders … horizontal or inclined plane At this point we would like to remind you that Address and Impact are NOT THE SAME! The only thing that has not changed is ball position.
You may use any backstroke procedure you choose and there are basically three to choose from.
A one piece takeaway…Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods A two piece takeaway…Ernie Els, David Duval, Karrie Webb, Anika Sorenstam A three piece takeaway…Raymond Floyd, Nancy Lopez Choose anyone you wish that feels comfortable and natural. What initiates backstroke? Ask ten different instructors and you will get ten different answers. Some player's feel it starts with turning shoulders, some feel it may be hips, and still others think and feel it's hands. We believe it is a combination of hands, trailing forearm, AND shoulder turn that start backstroke. Earlier we talked about role of hands, arms, and shoulders during backstroke. They absolutely must work together and synchronous if club is to stay on plane!
As club starts back clubhead must point at base of plane line until clubshaft reaches parallel to plane line and horizontal to ground. As club starts upward then butt of club must point at an extension of base of plane until it reaches top of swing. If you can't get clubshaft to parallel, then butt of club Must point to base of plane line. If you are one of few that can get shaft to parallel, then it should be parallel to base of plane line.
The hip sequence (how hips move) for full swing shots is always same. They Turn, Slide, Turn. A great majority of players think hips slide in backstroke (shifting weight). While this certainly is an option it eliminates creating any rotating force of body. A better procedure would be one described above and is option that majority of world's best players use.
One of 17 Teaching Professionals worldwide to hold the designation of "Doctorate Golf Stroke Engineering".
Director of Instructor Training & Education for The Golfing Machine
