The QATSPY Golfer’s Sports Page: Golf Swing Tips
By: Charles W. Boatright
ESPY APP- Taking the Proper Steps in the Golfer’s Setup
The avenue to a consistent golf swing starts with the golfer’s setup. In Section 12.0 of my book, The ESPY Golf Swing Coach, I discuss the Seven-Step Setup Regimen golf swing fundamentals. I specifically use the term Regimen because of the importance of how the golfer should go through their setup routine and golf swing sequence.
The second golf swing sequence in Section 12.0 is Subsection 12.2 entitled Ball Position. Of all the seven setup sequences, ball position is probably the most overlooked procedure in the setup regimen and golf swing sequence. I use the term ‘Step’ in the title, not only as a golf swing sequence, but also how the golfer should set their feet in relationship to the ball and what club they are using.
One of the contributing factors for slices and hooks, but particularly slices, is improper ball position used with the drivers, fairway woods, and long irons. The second is improper swing plane. I particularly have to make a conscious effort to properly set my feet in relation to the golf ball. If I rush through my setup, particularly on the tee box with the driver, I have the tendency of hitting a weak fades.
After hitting a weak fade, which wasn’t my intention, I mentally check the positioning of my feet. Usually, I have the ball set too far back in my stance with my driver. This doesn’t allow for the clubface to properly close and transfer the maximum amount of toque through impact. On impact, my driver’s clubface is slightly open at impact. This causes a horizontal spin to be imparted on the ball, resulting in a weak fade.
The Short and Weak Tee Shots That Can be Prevented
If you are like me, I want the maximum amount of distance in my tee shots along my intended target line. Instead of a 40-yards short and to the right of my target tee shot. And what makes these weak fades more frustrating is that these tee shots can be totally prevented just using golf swing fundamentals.
The root cause is that I don’t take the necessary time to set my feet properly, which is an important part of my golf swing fundamentals in Section 12 of my book. A great golf swing fundamental is to use my lead foot (my left foot, in my case) to take the important step in my setup and ball positioning.
I gauge my ball positioning by the left foot. This applies from my tee shot down to my chip and pitch shots. When stepping into my initial address position, I set my left foot, based on the diagram below. This placement runs from the outside of my left golf shoe (I’m right-handed) to the inside of my left golf shoe. This provides the easiest method to establish my stance and ball positioning.
ESPY APP- The Side Step Underarm Positioning
After setting my left foot and bringing my right foot next to my left foot, like in a normal standing position, I perform my side step routine, where I place each foot directly beneath my underarms to just outside my shoulders. This is for regular full golf shots. For abbreviated golf shots, the routine is the same, except my side step is abbreviated.
The right foot is the only side step that is performed from the feet being in a normal stance in the initial address for short chip or pitch shots to moving my right foot only to the underarm position. This provides for soft chip and pitch shots with a nice loft around the green. A great golf swing fundamental to remember around the green is finesse instead of power and speed.
ESPY APP- Athletic Position for Maximum Control and Prevention
After establishing my stance and ball positioning, I just have to get into an athletic position, like a shortstop in baseball. To get into the shortstop athletic position, I bend my knees toward my toes, followed by bending at the hips. Never bend at the waist, which is problematic for golfers.
I can’t stress this enough to bend at the hips and turn at the waist is a important golf swing sequence. This procedure will allow the golfer to avoid back and knee injuries and problems. The last thing the golfer wants to do is to bend at the waist. The golfer, over time of repetitively bending at the waist, will develop back problems in the form of herniated, bulging, and ruptured discs. No golfer wants to experience back issues.
The golfer wants to coil on a prorated rate from the shoulders down through the knees. I even have a slight lift in the outside part of my left heel at the top of my takeaway golf swing sequence. I want the sensation of my feet and knees acting like a corkscrew, tapping into the ground. This gives me the sensation that I have correctly coiled properly from the shoulders down to my feet.
Another preemptive measure that the golfer can take to prevent back issues, on and off the golf course, is to take a step forward or use a back leg extension shown above. Every time you bend over, follow one of these procedures. This is an important healthily habit that the golfer has to acquire over time.
The seven setup sequences in the set up, ball position is probably the most overlooked procedure in the setup regimen and golf swing sequence, for more information purchase your copy of The ESPY Golf Swing Coach from the links below, or visit your local bookstore:
My book can also be purchased at Edwin Watts Golf Store in Jackson, Mississippi. Phone No. 601-956-8784
820 East County Line Road, Ridgeland, MS 39157
My book can also be purchased on-line at:
Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Health and Fitness Program Golf Exercise for Power
This book is based on a self-coaching forum (ASPEN Pyramid) that provides the beginner and advanced single-digit handicap golfer with a safe, ergonomic classic golf swing for more power and control, without debilitating injuries that are common with some modern-day golf swings. As part of the ESPY Golf Swing Coach is a workout program designed especially for golfers and an effective diet program detailed below.
Please take advantage of my SR-925 Diet Program, where I lost 6 inches in my waist in 3- months (FREE of CHARGE) with the CASPER Workout Program, detailed in Section 20 of my book, great golf swing workout:
One component in my CASPER Workout Program that I follow is using a Medicine Ball to perform what I call Stocking the Shelves, illustrated below in the figure:
Please include an exercise routine in your weekly schedule.
ESPY APP Developing the golfer’s Rhythm w/o creating the golfer’s Blues
ESPY Golf Swing Coach- ESPY App Developing the golfer’s Rhythm w/o creating the golfer’s Blues
Also, learning The ESPY Golf Swing Coach process is an excellent way to develop Rhythm without experiencing the Blues in your golf game for confidence; learn how to take your baseball-style swing from the batter’s box to the tee box.
THE LOCKER ROOM a source for golf tips
Golfer’s Locker Room for learning and applying Simple Golf Swing Tips.
Please visit “The Locker Room” for an Index of all my golf articles to improve your golf game and life. Discover how you can take your baseball swing from the batter’s box to the tee box.
Learn How to take your baseball-style golf swing from the batter’s box to the tee box.
For Comments or questions please contact me at 1-888-514-1228 Mon – Fri from 9 am to 4 pm CT Zone.
A Recommendation for your Golf Game:
I would like to recommend an interesting radio program that I regularly listen to from my home state Arkansas on my I-Heart Radio app on KARN 102.9 FM station, out of Little Rock, AR. They air a golf show called Arkansas Fairways and Greens, at 7:00 AM CT each Saturday morning, hosted by Bob Steel, and co-hosted by Jay Fox and Charles Crowson. Bob occasionally as has his guess Alex Myers with Golf Digest and Ron Sirak with Golf Channel. I was interviewed on his show about my book, The ESPY Golf Swing Coach. This show is worth tuning into for golf news and information.
Jay Fox is an Administrator with Arkansas State Golf Association that discuss amateur golf and rules of the game.
Check out my full library of BLOGS @ www.espygolfapp.com/blog or purchase your copy of “The ESPY Golf Swing Coach” @ www.espygolfapp.com/store.
Facebook – The QATSPY Golf Approach
Twitter – @cwboatright
Google+ – ESPY Golf Swing Coach
YouTube – ESPY Golf Swing Coach
Once you learn WHY, you don’t forget HOW!
YouTube Videos:
https://youtu.be/ZGVNrIw_wlo (Cam & Cam-over elements)
https://youtu.be/K2FDHZ3AX9w (Figuring your proper swing plane)
https://youtu.be/TO82PMO6G8M (Developing muscle memory)
Two decisions that you can make for yourself and your kids are to get a copy of my book and place the book and a golf club into their hands. You will never look back, but only forward. You will not miss with this for yourself and/or your kids.