Addressing the address position

To begin building a consistent golf swing you must start at the beginning.

This sounds obvious but this simple fact is almost always overlooked. How you stand to the ball, the address position, is the beginning of the golf swing. The way you position the body and club prior to swinging is the determining factor as to how you will swing. The address position goes a long way in predetermining the good and bad things that will occur as you

move the club.

For instance, aim the body poorly and you will develop a compensatory motion in the swing, the more you compensate the less likely you are to be a consistent ball striker. Another example of a very common mistake made by beginning and experienced players alike is poor ball position. The ball played too far back in the stance will almost certainly result in the inability to strike the ball with a forward motion.

The ball should be struck with most of the weight on the front foot. Play the ball too far back in the stance and you will stay on the back foot to hit it.

Some myths about the address position:

The club and the left arm should be in a straight line.

This is a false statement. The shaft should be fairly straight from the ground up, not tilted towards or away from the target. (A subtle tilt towards the target with the short irons is acceptable).

You should move the ball increasingly farther back as the clubs get shorter.

Another false statement. This paints the picture of having the short irons back of center. No full shot with any club should be played behind the center of the stance.

Start improving your game by monitoring aim by placing clubs on the ground, one at the body line and another at the ball line: These clubs should be parallel to the target line. Leave the clubs on the ground as you hit balls.

To monitor ball position put another club across the club aiming the body to the target, this will give you an excellent reference point for ball position.

Terry Gingell is the Director of Instruction at Eagle Valley Golf. He's now taking registration for adult group lessons and year round junior program. A free clinic for women will be offered on March 30 at Eagle Valley driving range. For information please call Gingell, 887-7174.