While playing, practicing or taking a lesson, golf has it’s own language. A better player may understand this language while numerous beginners could be confused by “holding their thirty-three degree thorastic tilt”. I’ve written articles in the past regarding some common golf dialogue we speak during practice and play. This article is in relation to the lingo we articulate when getting prepared to make a swing. I’ve listed some common lesson lingo to help my students acquaint themselves with these terms. Understanding this lingo will simplify your preparation to making a swing.
Let’s start with the grip.
When I say You’re…
Grip “Position”… This is relative to positioning the hands clockwise to counter clockwise on the golf club.
“Strong” grip position… Whoa! This has nothing to do with your grip “pressure”. Too many knuckles are visible on the back of your left hand (Right handed players) while a strong right hand means the palm is looking at the sky instead of looking down your ball to target line. Also known as a closed clubface grip.
“Weak” grip position… Uh-Oh! This also has nothing to do with your grip “pressure”. No knuckles can be seen by the student in the left hand while a weak right hands palm is facing the ground. Also known as an opened club face grip which can lead to slices and fades.
“Neutral” grip position…Lovely! Usually 1½ – 2½ knuckles are visible in the left hand. Right hand palm is facing directly down the target line. Produces very little right or left spin on the ball creating a straighter ball flight.
Grip “Placement”… it’s where the hands are placed in a vertical location on the golf clubs shaft. For a full swing (power shot), the hands should be placed a ½” or one finger width from the butt end of the golf clubs grip.
Grip “Pressure”… Wow, look at those white knuckles! “Pressure” is in relation to how tight or loose your holding the club. Stay supple. Keep white knuckling your grip pressure and it sends tension all the way up through the wrist and into the forearms. Which is not good. What’s the proper pressure? Think of a full tube of toothpaste, squeeze down just enough to start a constant even flow. Not much is it? Students usually squeeze the hands to tight.
Next, let’s go to the set-up.
If you’re encouraged to …
“Address” the ball… (take your “set up”). It’s the position of the golfer and their club as they stand over the ball preparing to make a swing or take a shot.
Take your “Alignment”…Square Up. Line up your body to the intended target. The position at which the golfer addresses the ball in general should be parallel to the imaginary ball to target line. By drawing a straight line from the players heels parallel to the left of the target, the players heels, knees and hips should result in three parallel lines and is known as ‘parallel alignment’. The player can be too “closed” pointing to the right of the intended target or too “open” pointing to far left of the intended target. Like a set of railroad tracks, the ball to target line is the outside rail and the heels, knees and hips are the inside rail.
If I say…
How bout’ some “Posture”… straighten the lower spine. No hunching of the back with the chin buried in the chest. A feeling of sticking your butt out and the chin up. Also known as a universally athletic position. Think of a basketball player, shortstop, or a tennis player returning a serve.
Create some “Spine Angle” … from looking down the ball to target line the players spine is bent forward from the hips, not the waste. If there is too much angle in the spine then it’s considered “flat”, not enough angle and I’ll let you know it’s to “upright”.
“Tilt”… looking face on at my students, the tilt of the spine should be to their right while the left side is higher then the right. Don’t lean, just tilt the spine to the right. Remember “Spine Angle” which is observed down the line is not to be confused with “Spine Tilt” which is observed face on.
“Center” your hips… make sure your hips are centered between your feet. A line drawn vertically down from each hip should intersect equally in distance from each foot. Don’t confuse this with having your hips square.
“Connection”… feel the light “pressure” of your biceps against your chest.
“Knockem” … another sensation of having the “tension or pressure” on the insides of your thighs and/or feet. This gives the player a stable foundation during the swing. As an instructor I don’t like the term “tension” except when referring to the build up of torque during the swing. And “pressure” except when referring to how little the player has in the grip and being connected.
“Fan” the feet… by splaying the feet out 25-30 degrees, especially the left foot, this facilitates the golfer to release their hips all the way through to the finish allowing a full turn.
“Relax”… the hands, wrists, forearms, shoulders and upper back all need to feel like a wet noodle. Droop the shoulders, flop the chest, slump the upper back, drape the arms and by all means supple up the wrists and the forearms. Whatever it takes…relax.
“Forward Press”… move your hands left towards the target in front of the ball and the club head, not behind the two. The golfers hands should be just opposite the left inner thigh. Done correctly this permits the arms to be fully extended while influencing the left side of the body to be higher than the right. Which we call… that’s right, “Spine Tilt”.
“Bend” or “Straighten” your knees…exactly what it means. Bend or straighten your knees.
