Golf Basics for Beginners: Aim, Stance and Grip
Have you ever held a club before? Andy and Piers from Me and My Golf start their four-week program with the basics: aiming, setting up, placing the ball, gripping the club, and then hitting your first thirty balls with a clear idea of what you’re aiming for.
To be continued
What the lesson shows
Our first goal is with the club: the a line perpendicular to the leading edge The head (the lower part of the face) should be pointing toward the target. The body then aligns itself along this line: feet, knees, hips, and shoulders. On iron 7, the feet are shoulder-width apart and the ball is a little to the front of the center Stance. The grip—which they consider the most important because it controls the clubface—is held with the player standing upright, the leading edge pointing toward the sky: the shaft runs from the middle of the index finger to the base of the left little finger, resting in the fingers rather than the palm. Two and a half knuckles of the left hand are visible; the right thumb covers the left thumb, and the “V” formed by the right hand points toward the right ear. To start, no interlock: a “baseball” grip.
Two common misconceptions are debunked. Swinging to the Right doesn't swing straight: the club traces an arc around the body. And you shouldn't to go under the ball To hit a high shot: strike the ball as the clubhead comes down; the loft will provide the height, and the ground is struck after the ball. Weekly practice plan: at least 30 balls, starting from a tee, checking your grip, alignment, and ball position before each shot, and brushing the ground with each practice swing.
The Exercise, Step by Step
- Position the clubhead behind the ball, with the leading edge perpendicular to the target line.
- Align your feet, knees, hips, and shoulders parallel to this line.
- Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, with the ball slightly in front of the center.
- Stand up, with the club in front of you and the leading edge pointing toward the sky. Place the shaft between your middle and index fingers at the base of your left little finger, and close your hand.
- Place your right hand with the palm facing the target, slide it across, and close your hand, with your right thumb over your left thumb.
- Take a few practice swings that just graze the ground.
- Hit at least 30 balls off a low tee, adjusting your grip before each shot.
Key Takeaways
Mistakes to Avoid
- Hold the club in the palm of your left hand.
- Placing your hands too far to the right or too far to the left on the club: hook or slice.
- Wanting to interlock your fingers from the very first day.
- Swing in a straight line to hit the ball straight.
- Try to go under the ball to lift it.
- Hitting one ball after another without checking your grip.
Driving Range Mode
Keep it in plain sight, on the rug.
- Parallel alignment with the face toward the target
- Stance and ball position before each shot
- Standing grip pre-shot routine, leading edge facing upward
- Practice swings that graze the ground, followed by at least 30 balls off the tee
Your Questions
Should you interlock your fingers when you're just starting out?
Not right away. Me and My Golf recommends starting with a “baseball” grip, without the interlock: in their experience, the interlock often leads to poor hand positioning at first.
Where should you place the ball when using a 7-iron?
Stand slightly ahead of the center of your stance, on the target side, with your feet shoulder-width apart. To achieve this, position your left foot slightly closer to your right foot than your right foot is.
Should you tee off at the beginning?
They recommend starting out with the tee set high—even very high if necessary—and then gradually lowering it until you're eventually hitting the ball off the ground.
Is it a big deal to touch the ground?
No, that's the point: the club strikes the ball on the downswing, then hits the ground right after. The loft makes the ball rise—there's no need to swing under it.
Learn More
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