Golf Tips with Rick Ewing

Each week Rick Ewing, Director of Instruction at Old Warson Country Club offers tips on getting your game in shape. If you would like to have Rick give you a particular tip, email him at rickewing@pga.com.

Your grip plays an important role in the golf swing as it is the only body part connected to the golf club.  There is not an exact grip for everyone but there are a couple guidelines to follow when gripping the club that will allow you to achieve a better backswing position and allow you to control the club head through the impact zone. 

You want to feel like you are holding the club more in your fingers than the palms.  The base of your thumb should stay connected to your pointer finger on both hands (this will create a V shape).  When you put your hands on the club you should align these V's towards your right collarbone.

At address you want to start with 60-70 percent of your body weight on the inside of your lead foot.  This will ensure that you start on your lead foot, stay balanced equally at the top of the backswing and then return your weight to the lead foot on the forward swing.  If you don't feel like you are in an athletic position while addressing the ball then you need to adjust it so you feel like you could move in any direction quickly (this position is similar to a defensive stance in basketball). 

Your shoulders should start in a level position.  Do not try to elevate your lead shoulder in hopes that it will help you launch the ball because this will actually cause you to do just the opposite.  Consistent iron play will result from a descending blow on the ball and shoulder angle will play an important role. 

Everything done in the setup portion of the golf swing is designed to keep you in a balanced and level position throughout the swing and most importantly, ending up on your lead side as you swing around your lead foot.