Golf Fundamentals - The Address

“There is no such thing as natural touch. Touch is something you create by hitting millions of golf balls.” - Lee Trevino

The Address

The USGA says, “A player ‘has addressed the ball’ when he has grounded his club immediately in front of or immediately behind the ball, whether or not he has taken his stance.”

Other than the grip, the address, how you prepare to swing at the ball, is the only other

factor that can affect the outcome of your swing, without swinging at the ball.

“Contact” between the clubhead and ball is everything in golf. Not including the environment and your own ability, there are only three factors that affect contact: grip, address – how you set up to the ball, and swing. Grip and address are pre-swing factors that anyone can master. For most, the swing is an endless quest.

Give yourself the best possible opportunity to make good contact. Check your grip and develop good setup habits.

Setup

• Ball Position: Stand tall and relaxed, feet about shoulder width apart, the front

• slightly flared open. For short to mid irons, place the ball halfway between your

• feet. Move the ball forward of center toward the lead heel for longer irons and

• fairway woods, and inside the lead heel for the driver.

• Lay the club head flat on the ground; it will move you closer to the ball for the

• short clubs and further away from it for the longer ones.

• Bend a little at the waist until your arms hang comfortably down; your knees will

• naturally adjust.

• With a relaxed grip, turn your trail elbow just enough so it brings your upper arm

• closer to your body.

• Weight on your feet is normally evenly distributed. However, with mid to short

• irons, weight will be more on the lead foot. Weight distribution will be affected by

• the type of shot you wish to play, the lie of the land, and whether you are on the

• fairway or in the rough.

Setup to the Target

• If you want to keep your setup simple, set up to the target, not the ball.

• Pretend you are skipping a pebble across the water.

• Your upper body tilts back.

• Your lead shoulder gets higher and your trail shoulder lowers.

• Your knees and hips are slightly forward.

• The club shaft is also leaning forward.

Now you have the posture of a golfer; you are set up to make good contact with the ball.

Acknowledgment:

How to address the ball easily every time. Danny Maude YouTube.