5 body position essential to a good golf swing - Be the smartest golfer you know

5 body positions essential to a good golf swing

There are 5 body positions essential to a good golf swing. Starting from the set up position to the finish position each position is important to understand and practice. I would estimate that less then 15% of golfers move through these steps properly. Typically when you give a student a golf ball and a club these positions seem to be impossible to achieve. Take away the clubs and all of a sudden proper body motion doesn’t seem to be so difficult. Practice each position in front of a mirror slowly. Once you can get into each position then start move from start to finish position increasing your speed slowly. After you can accomplish this slowly then start to increase your speed until you reach your maximum speed that you can move in balance, coordinate and athletically. It’s a good idea while looking into the mirror to say each step out load. Set up, shoulder back, hip forward then finish. These are essential body positions in an athletic, efficient golf swing.

The hardest step during the swing for most players keeping the shoulders quiet at the start of the downswing. What appears like shoulder motion starting the downswing is actually a reaction to the forward hip moving towards the target then rotating. The hips moving forward increases the spine angle away from the target and the hips starting to rotate drag the shoulders with them. Yes, you definite “slide” your hips toward the target first in the downswing.

The bad sliding of hips is in the back swing, the hips should not move laterally in the back swing. Some good players have a little, but very little lateral motion in the hips in the back swing for different compensating reasons. So lets go through each of these steps slowly in front of a mirror until you can perfect them.

Golf Book photos 9-25-02 154 — Start with your hands just above your knees, knees slightly flexed and back and neck straight

Golf Book photos 9-25-02 155 — Keeping your back and neck aligned raised your back and shoulders until your hands hang just outside your toes, vertically.

Golf Book photos 9-25-02 147 — Body is in balanced position, hands hanging just in front of toes spine aligned vertically. Next is to tilt your spine away from the target to your belly button is closer to the target than your sternum.

Golf Book photos 9-25-02 149 — This is position 1. Place your hands across your chest with your knees slightly flexed, spine tilted away from the target about 15 degrees. Make sure your weight is balanced.

Golf Book photos 9-25-02 150 — Keeping your hips as still as possible rotate your left shoulder away from the target, over your right knee with your sternum over your right knee. How for you turn is based on your flexibility.

Golf Book photos 9-25-02 151 — The first move from the top of the downswing is the left hip moving forward. The shoulders should resist motion while the hips move and start to unwind which will automatically start to rotate the shoulders.

Golf Book photos 9-25-02 153 — Continue to rotate the hips until your belly button is facing at or left of the target. Rotate your shoulder until your chest is facing at or past the target. Your sternum should be over your left foot, with your weight primarily on your left foot.

Practice these moves until you can do them fast, efficient and in balance. I have had students make this into a cardio training session going fine minute sessions practicing this drill in front of a mirror. Needless to say the students golf game improved immensely. Try this at home and see how much it helps you next time you hit balls.

Jim Hartnett, PGA

www.myhome4golf.com

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