Sunday, April 23, 2006

Golf Tips - Proper Setup

So you already know how to achieve the proper , , and learned that rap lyrics hold the . All of this doesn't mean Jack if you can't set up to the ball correctly. According to Jack, "If your setup at address is sound, there's a good chance you'll hit a reasonably good shot, even if you make a so-so swing. If you set up poorly, you'll hit a bad shot even if you make a perfect swing. Pay attention to the pre-swing fundamentals!"

Truer words were never spoken. You just can't overemphasize the importance of proper setup positions as the foundation for a solid and repeatable golf swing.

So just what is the proper setup? There are just so many elements to it that it just can't be conveyed in words. I think that the best way to achieve the proper setup positions is to understand the main elements by viewing pictures of the correct positions. Once you understand them, you should try to attain them in your setup. Next, you need to check your setup positions, ideally from a knowledgeable person, or from a mirror.

Brady Riggs, a Class A PGA Professional, has collected setup positions and swing sequences of some of the best players in the world. His Redgoat Swing Fundamentals Galleries are a must visit for a visual understanding of the proper setup. Brady's website alone has improved my game tremendously. I've been so impressed with his work, both on his website and as Senior Instruction Editor for Golf Tips Magazine, that I've even inquired about taking private lessons with him. According to his website, "Brady loves students that are stubborn, argumentative, challenging, and demanding...Oh, and by the way, learning the game should be fun, and often times funny." I've never met him, but I just know that he's my kind of guy.

P.S. It appears that Brady has recently required a password to access his photo galleries. Try emailing him for the password. Believe me, it's worth it! In the meantime, be sure to check out the as seen through the "Eye of the Tiger"!

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

So true, as a fitness professional that works with mostly golfers, I always incorporate exercises that enhance good posture. Sometimes it's hard to get knuckleheaded golfers to understand the importance of posture, as they want to focus on power exercises that they think will help them hit the ball farther so they can be like Tiger when they grow up.
Working the muscles of the upper back and rotator cuff will help maintain posture throught the whole round.
It's a tough battle with the desk jockeys hunched over their steering wheels on the way in to work, hunched over their keyboards all day and then on the rare occasion they go to the gym, they work on their "mirror muscles" (chest and biceps) and pull their shoulders forward even more!

A great drill to work on posture is a Hip Hinge Drill with a Club:
Start in an upright position with feet about shoulder width apart. Place shaft of club along spine. Flex your knees and "hinge" from your hips to assume your address position. Make sure your shaft does not leave the spine as you hinge and make sure you hinge from the hips. Keep the club in contact with the top of your fat butt and the top of your back. Do ten reps every day.

Anthony
www.GolfFitnessProducts.net