Sports & Recreation
Golf Guide-4
As another golf season begins, I would be remiss if I did not devote an article to a part of a golfer’s game that is so crucial to the basic fundamentals of the swing. I am speaking of the set-up.
I know, I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating that all things in the golf swing start with set-up. It directly affects everything else that occurs in the swing. You simply cannot have a consistently good swing unless you have a sound set-up.
However, before you do anything else, the first item of business on your golf agenda is deciding where you want to go with your game. To what level of achievement do you aspire? Once this has been determined, you are ready to focus on specifics.
You may be one of those golfers who does not place self-improvement at the top of your priority list. You play the game for the game itself, not for how good you can play it. There is nothing wrong with this philosophy if that is your chosen path.
On the other hand, how much you can improve your game may be high on the priority list. If this is true, then without any doubt the building block with which you must start is the set-up.
You would be hard pressed to find a professional or good amateur who does not spend a considerable part of his or her practice time on the set-up. It is that important. The set-up is to the swing what the hammer is to the nail. There must be harmony in the way the two interact with each other if there is to be any degree of success reached. This fact is one of the big differences that separates the professional from the recreational golfer.
The recreational golfer’s set-up does not compliment his swing. Not until a golfer realizes — and accepts — this importance and the effect it has, can any significant improvement in the overall results become reality.
Things are going to go awry in your game. It happens to every golfer at some time or another. When this occurs, it seems as though the swing itself is the first item to take the blame.
This is not to say there may not be faults in the swing, but these will be difficult to correct unless the set-up is sound enough to allow the swing to efficiently function. Specifically, check the stance, posture, alignment, grip and ball position.
As you have observed, I have not discussed the ins and outs of the set-up. This is because I have done that in past articles, and I would also refer you to my booklet on the set-up for help.
My objective here has been to get you to realize and accept the important role that the set-up plays. When you do, you will have placed yourself in a position where you are ready to make some serious improvement.
I would add that this doesn’t automatically mean there aren’t any faults in your swing that need to be addressed, but first things first. As they say, you must learn to crawl before you can learn to walk.
So, the next time you are at the driving range, make it a point to spend a sufficient amount of your practice time working on the set-up. Believe me when I say it will make the time spent worthwhile.
If you are interested in improving your game, I can be contacted at (708) 425-8637.
Golf Guide-4
As another golf season begins, I would be remiss if I did not devote an article to a part of a golfer’s game that is so crucial to the basic fundamentals of the swing. I am speaking of the set-up.
I know, I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating that all things in the golf swing start with set-up. It directly affects everything else that occurs in the swing. You simply cannot have a consistently good swing unless you have a sound set-up.
However, before you do anything else, the first item of business on your golf agenda is deciding where you want to go with your game. To what level of achievement do you aspire? Once this has been determined, you are ready to focus on specifics.
You may be one of those golfers who does not place self-improvement at the top of your priority list. You play the game for the game itself, not for how good you can play it. There is nothing wrong with this philosophy if that is your chosen path.
On the other hand, how much you can improve your game may be high on the priority list. If this is true, then without any doubt the building block with which you must start is the set-up.
You would be hard pressed to find a professional or good amateur who does not spend a considerable part of his or her practice time on the set-up. It is that important. The set-up is to the swing what the hammer is to the nail. There must be harmony in the way the two interact with each other if there is to be any degree of success reached. This fact is one of the big differences that separates the professional from the recreational golfer.
The recreational golfer’s set-up does not compliment his swing. Not until a golfer realizes — and accepts — this importance and the effect it has, can any significant improvement in the overall results become reality.
Things are going to go awry in your game. It happens to every golfer at some time or another. When this occurs, it seems as though the swing itself is the first item to take the blame.
This is not to say there may not be faults in the swing, but these will be difficult to correct unless the set-up is sound enough to allow the swing to efficiently function. Specifically, check the stance, posture, alignment, grip and ball position.
As you have observed, I have not discussed the ins and outs of the set-up. This is because I have done that in past articles, and I would also refer you to my booklet on the set-up for help.
My objective here has been to get you to realize and accept the important role that the set-up plays. When you do, you will have placed yourself in a position where you are ready to make some serious improvement.
I would add that this doesn’t automatically mean there aren’t any faults in your swing that need to be addressed, but first things first. As they say, you must learn to crawl before you can learn to walk.
So, the next time you are at the driving range, make it a point to spend a sufficient amount of your practice time working on the set-up. Believe me when I say it will make the time spent worthwhile.
If you are interested in improving your game, I can be contacted at (708) 425-8637.
If you want to improve your game, Bob Gates may be contacted at (708) 425-8637.
About the Author:
Bob Gates is a golf instructor at
Stony Creek Golf Course and Driving Range
in Oak Lawn, Illinois.
Bob Gates is a golf instructor at
Stony Creek Golf Course and Driving Range
in Oak Lawn, Illinois.