WILLIAM J.(BILL) MOORE

The golf swing is the one thing that is variable in the shot.

The set-up, including the stance, posture and grip are all established prior to the execution of the swing.

The grip is the single connection between the body and the club and is probably the most important aspect of the set-up. We have all heard a lot of different explanations about placing the club grip across the pads of the fingers and palm of the left hand, but the single explanation that I find most useful is "place the palms together as though you were slapping them". This puts the left hand in a neutral position and then allows the grip to be placed across the pads of the left palm and fingers. The right hand is then placed on the grip below the left with the "V" formed by the thumb and forefinger pointed at the right ear.

The position of the forearms and the inside of the elbows is a key to helping get the grip in the correct position. Turn the inside of the left elbow until it points up. Turn the inside of the right elbow until it points to the left. This rotation of the arms makes the positioning of the hands much easier.

The old usage of the terms "strong" and "weak" grips are just not true - the neutral grip is the truly strong grip.

Posture: is the position of the body at address.

The knees are slightly flexed with the weight evenly distributed on both feet. The back is fairly straight and the "rear end" is stuck out as though you were setting on a high stool. The arms are allowed to hang down in a natural position they do not reach out or brush the body. The right shoulder is lower than the left as the ball position inside the left heel requires this adjustment. The rotation around the axis of the spine is facilitated by good posture. This rotation is paramount as this method of weight transfer tends to encourage a "slide" rather than the necessary rotation.

The stance is the second most important feature of the set-up. It starts with the placement of the feet at least as wide apart as the shoulders. The best way to determine this is to cut a stick the measured width of the shoulders and then place it on the ground between the heels. The right foot should be perpendicular to the line of flight and the left toe turned out at about 10 degrees. The ball is positioned about 1" inside the left heel, this my seem to be to far to the left at first but is required to execute the strong drive to the left side. It also permits the face of the club to square at impact. The hips and shoulders must "aim" a little to the right of the intended line of flight - just turn the "belt buckle" until it is pointing behind the ball.

THE SWING :

The down swing begins with the return to the ground of the left heel and the start of the rotation of the stomach to the left of the target. This is a strong move to the left side and the weight transfer and the "slide" back to the left happens rather fast and furious. The arms are swung on plane inside-out and the hand rotate with the right coming over the top of the left. This helps impart the "hook" spin that is needed to produce the draw. THIS "HOOK" SPIN IS A COUNTER CLOCKWISE ROTATION OF THE BALL CAUSED BY THE INSIDE OUT PATH OF THE CLUB AS IT CONTACTS THE BALL IN A GLANCING MANNER.

The head is permitted to swing freely and rotates very quickly to a position that is looking at the target. This looking at the target and "posing" at the finish, as though the TV cameras were on you, is a good indicator that the swing has been properly executed. The old saying of "keep your head down" is one of the worst things that students have ever been told - this restricts the turn and causes the body to be so constricted that a fluid athletic move can not be made. This is not to encourage a loose and sloppy swing but to let the body make the necessary moves for the athletic swing.

IRONS DISTANCE CHART

VARIABLE STANCES