Setup Stance and Takeaway are Critical (#3 Minor Changes to Improve Your Game)
This is the third in a Series of simple adjustments that you should explore to improve your game. Your swing thoughts need to be embedded deep in your brain so that you don’t hash them out every time you setup for your next shot. Own your unique setup for each of your clubs to create a consistent swing and consistent results.
Your setup and takeaway timing is extremely critical for the success of your swing. After you stand behind your ball and choose your target line, pick a point in the grass within 3 feet from your ball. From that point forward you can isolate yourself within your own CUBE like Wyndham Clark at the 2023 US Open . Learn to believe in the success of the shot that you are about to make. If you complete the perfect setup and proper swing with the right club you can only expect excellence.
Easier said than done. Clark did it, almost to perfection but it was good enough to beat the best in the golf world. You have made perfect shots to the perfect location so why can’t you do this every time? It just takes a little focus on what works best for your strength, flexibility and mental attitude.
The perfect setup stance: An athletic stance with a bend at your hips, a straight back & neck and a limited bend of your knees with the right spread of your feet (unique for each club). Right-handed golfers should add a clockwise rotation for your leading and trailing elbows to simplify shallowing your club in your backswing. It’s up to you to choose the pro who you want to emulate for the power that you want to generate.
The right grip for each club is a light grip which is nesting across the base of your fingers. This allows your driver and iron swings to release fully through impact. Your putter grip should be a preference for each golfer, but you can’t afford to be guiding your putt with your wrists and fingers. Swing your putter by using your spine to rotate your shoulders.
Don’t stretch out to reach your ball: In your athletic stance you are bending at your hips. Let you hand hang directly down to the grip on your club. If you stretch your arms out during your setup you will typically slice more shots off the end of your club face. Bryson DeChambeau sets up reaching his arms out for his ball to swing like a robot but he seems to be losing control of his shot direction .[Not a great example to follow.] Adjust your hip bend based on the length of your club and use your practice swing to build mental confidence that you will impact your ball correctly.
You have no excuse to mess-up your setup. Emulate the setup by Ernie Els and Adam Scott. Do it slowly and deliberately to find your comfort position before you make your practice swing and then move forward to your ball. Practice with GOLFSTR+ to get the feeling right for every swing with each of your clubs. Buy one today at www.GOLFSTR.com
