Golf Fundamentals

We hear so much about the “fundamentals” of the golf swing. Usually included in that conversation are the grip, posture, aim, alignment, ball position, and so on. And I would agree that these things are important. I teach them in virtually every lesson.

However, as a swing coach and lifelong student of the game, I might qualify that list just a bit.

It would be misleading to suggest these things are not fundamental to better golf, but perhaps they are more indirectly fundamental. In other words, they help us control the real fundamentals of ball striking:

THE CLUBFACE

THE SWING DIRECTION

THE ANGLE OF APPROACH

The relationships look something like this:

• The grip helps control the clubface.
• The posture helps control the angle of attack into the ball.
• The aim and ball position help control swing direction.

Does this mean a great setup guarantees a great swing? Of course not. But understanding what grip, posture, and alignment work best for your swing is an excellent starting point.

Take this example: I have found that many clubface problems can be corrected with a simple grip adjustment. Golfers often go searching through the swing looking for the cause of a slice or a hook. And certainly, the motion itself may be responsible. But there is also a good chance the player is simply not holding the club in a way that matches the motion they already have.

Wouldn’t it be easier to make a small grip correction than to begin dissecting the backswing, downswing, sequencing, body rotation, and club relationships? Of course it would. And it is usually the best place to start.

The same can be said for posture and alignment. Fat and thin shots can sometimes be traced to posture issues. Swing paths that travel too far from the inside or outside can occasionally be improved simply through ball position or aim adjustments.

In the end, the true fundamentals of golf are found at impact.

The setup fundamentals matter because they help produce better impact conditions. The key is discovering which fundamentals best fit your swing.

See your instructor and find out whether your fundamentals are helping your motion—or fighting against it—and then build from there.