Hacks, Lies And VideotapeA step-by-step guide to improving your swing, one frame at a time
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By Brady Riggs, with Mike Chwasky, Photography by Warren Keating
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Page 2 of 3
| Down-Target View |
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 Address: In the address position, there are several things to look for.
First, a line that’s drawn vertically down from the front of the
shoulders should run through the right index finger. This will ensure
the hands aren’t too close or too far away from the ball. Next, a line
drawn from the top of the head to the middle of the right hip should be
perpendicular to the clubshaft. Achieving this position ensures that
your spine angle is correct. This angle should be maintained throughout
the swing. While the shoulders can be slightly rounded at setup, the
small of the back should be flat.
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 Takeaway: The right half of the buttocks should remain against the line of the template while the right hip moves slightly to the inside. The clubhead should move directly up the diagonal template line, while the butt of the club remains pointed at the navel. The upper-left arm should remain connected to the body, while the left hand remains hidden behind the right. The key is to dominate the takeaway with the body, not the hands and arms. Developing this type of takeaway will help keep your swing smooth and synchronized. |
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 Halfway Back: The buttocks should still be against the line, while the right knee is moving away from its original position. The clubshaft is now more upright than at setup, as illustrated by its relationship to the line drawn to the ball along the original shaft line. This position helps create a shallow plane on the downswing, which almost all good players have. Also, notice that the right elbow is slightly higher than the left. This helps to create the proper downswing path and prevents the left wrist from cupping excessively. |
 At The Top: The buttocks should still be against the vertical line. The outside of the left arm is parallel to the shaft line at setup and the leading edge of the clubface is parallel to both the left arm and the shaft line. This creates a very neutral, top-of-the-backswing position, which is critical for straight shots. Other good indications of a neutral top position are the club being parallel to the club on the ground (used for alignment), the inside of the right forearm is parallel to the outside of the body, and the right elbow is slightly higher than the left. |
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 Delivery: The buttocks remain against the vertical line, while the knees have pulled back away from the line they started against. This ensures that the body remains away from the ball, giving the arms the proper space to move freely. The clubshaft is now parallel to the shaft line established at setup, which keeps the club attacking the ball at the proper angle and from the proper direction. The clubface should be square, hanging perpendicular to the ground while the upper body remains pitched at the same angle it started. |
 Impact: The buttocks are still against the line, yet have moved slightly left of where they were at address. The right knee remains behind the line it started against, giving the arms and club plenty of room to extend through impact, a huge source of power and consistency. The clubshaft is slightly more upright than it was at setup, the result of the shift of the body to the target and the slight increase in side bend at impact. A straight line is present between the clubshaft and the right forearm. |
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 Release: The lower body remains in its “lane” established at setup while the club goes by. This gives more room for the arms to extend and create power. The butt end of the club is still pointed at the navel, illustrating how the arms and the body work in sync during the swing. The leading edge of the clubface is square, perpendicular to the ground, and there’s still space between the hands and the body. This demonstrates the proper extension through the ball and a release of stored energy. |
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