Set Up for Success: Pre-Swing Fundamentals

By Ed Oldham
Golf Instruction
Rockies Golf Daily

Have you ever had a day when you set up over the golf ball and it just didn't feel right? You were uncomfortable over the ball, felt like you had never played golf before or the ball was not going where you wanted it to go?

Chances are, something was wrong with one of your pre-swing fundamentals. Pay close attention to your pre-swing fundamentals. Many golf swing errors can be traced back to a poor grip or an improper set up position.

Grip

It would be hard to say that just one fundamental is the most important in golf, but if I had to pick one, I would choose the grip. First, the grip controls the clubface and the clubface has a direct effect on where your golf ball goes. Second, your grip is your connection to the golf club and done properly, the grip will transmit the proper feel that you need to move the club in an efficient and repeating manner.

There are three grip options to choose from: the 10-finger grip (sometimes known as the baseball grip), the interlock grip, and the overlap (Vardon) grip. The 10-finger grip is used mostly by beginner or novice players, although not exclusively as Art Wall and Bob Rosburg used this grip with success. The 10-finger grip will aid the release motion for those golfers who have yet to develop this part of the swing. All ten fingers are placed on the club with the little finger resting against the index finger of the left hand.

The interlock grip's main feature is the intertwining of the little finger of the right hand with the index finger of the left hand. Commonly known as a grip for people with small hands, the interlock grip is used by players such as Tom Kite and Jack Nicklaus. The tendency for players who use the interlock grip is to get the club too much in the palm of the right hand.

The grip that is used by most good players and the grip that I recommend is the overlap or Vardon grip. With the overlap grip, the little finger of the right hand lays in the valley between the index and middle finger of the left hand.

To grip the club correctly, begin by placing the shaft under the heel pad in the left hand and then angle the shaft so that it intersects the forefingers top joint. If done correctly, the club can be lifted and supported with the index finger alone. This will ensure that the club is toward the fingers. Most golfers place the club too much in the palm, which inhibits wrist flexion and feel for the club. Once you have the shaft under the heel pad, wrap the other three fingers around the shaft. Keep the inside edge of the left thumb touching the side of the palm and put the thumb on the club. The left thumb should be on the right side of the centerline of the shaft, at about the 1:30 position. The "V" formed by your thumb and index finger should point between the right ear and right shoulder.

The position of the right hand will vary slightly depending on which grip option you choose. Regardless of your grip choice, it is critical that the club is placed in the fingers and not toward the palm. Place the club in the middle joint of the middle two fingers of your right hand. Next, take the "lifeline" of your right hand and cover up you left thumb, then wrap your thumb and first finger around the shaft. The "V" should point toward your chin. Some players will separate the first and middle fingers of the right hand creating a "trigger" finger.

When changing your grip, repetition is the key. Set an old club near a chair where you watch television or next to your desk at work. Practice your new grip for a few minutes a day to help you become more comfortable.

Set Up

To build a sound, repeatable golf swing, you must have a good set up position. The set up position is an athletic position similar to many other athletic positions. Picture a quarterback under center, ready to take the snap, or a tennis player preparing to return a serve. The common characteristics of these positions and the set up position in golf would include bending forward from the hips, the knees slightly bent, and the weight distributed evenly throughout the feet for good balance. A common error is to have the knees bent too much, which sets the upper body too upright, moving the club too much around the body too soon.

The right hand is below the left hand on the club (right-handed golfers), so the right shoulder should be below the left shoulder about the same amount. The arms should hang naturally below the shoulders in a comfortable, relaxed position. The hands and arms should be in front of the body, not too far forward or back. The head should be similar to the spine, not angled left or right.

Don't forget alignment. The feet, knees, hips, shoulders, and eyes should be parallel to your target line. Keep in mind the image of railroad tracks when setting up to the ball. The ball and target line are on the outside track and you are standing on the inside track, parallel to your target line.

Practice your set up in front of a mirror. From a "down-the-line" position, you should be able to draw a line from behind your right arm, intersecting your knees and the balls of your feet. Practice an athletic, well-balanced position and you will be one step closer to playing great golf.