The Basics: Grip, Posture, Alignment, Ball Position, and Aim.

The grip needs to feel comfortable and deliver a consistent club-head path squarely at impact. With the pad of the left hand firmly in place on top, the club feels in more control. Extending left thumb down shaft helps keep wrist firm and quiet.  Maintain FIRM pressure/connection of base of right hand with base of left thumb, but keep hands very soft-like you're holding a tiny bird. Not too tight! Also, NO TENSION IN FORE-ARMS. Of all the various 'tips' on this key issue-as your hands are the first and only connection to the clubhead-the most important criterion is to ensure a grip that enables you to swing freely and comfortably back and through the ball with a consistently square face at impact. HOW you achieve this objective is secondary, as obsessing over an uncomfortable grip usually leads to disaster (and lots of Bob Rotella books!). Currently, I try to have the 'V' of my left hand aiming towards rt. ear and rt. hand 'V' also pointing to rt. ear with the basic goal of slightly 'strong' hand position. Comfort and square-at bottom of swing arc-and clearance under shoulders to maximize swing speed are key.

Posture is equally important. Head and chin back and up-arms hanging loosely, relaxed directly down from shoulders. Look at target, then well-above target, to assist with slight 'tilt' to stay 'behind the ball'. (more on 'tilt' in 'Ball Position' section below). 

Ball Position : butt of club should be facing belt buckle, in front of sternum, with ball slightly forward-opposite left heel (driver) or slightly back (left armpit) in stance from 3-wood to wedge. Weight is evenly distributed, or 60% on back foot. To ensure 'staying behind the ball' throughout the swing, initiate this position with a slight 'tilt' of shoulders/waist which promotes higher ball flight and proper rotation (around firm right leg). Keeping your eyes, and thus head, still and looking at back of ball helps prevent swaying, or sliding forward. 

Alignment and aim are also critical to an effective swing; practice with toes aligned parallel left of target and club-head in path with a target line 6-18 inches in front and behind the ball! Now aiming properly, you're ready for a confident swing:

TEMPO & TIMING:   Explained quite thoroughly in the book, 'Tour Tempo', proper 3:1 ratio (approx. elapsed time of swing, 1.2 total seconds: .9 sec backswing & set club/.3 sec  from top to impact) will essentially lead every 'fundamentally sound' golfer achieve pro-like swings and results!! (chipping and putting is another matter!). Proper tempo allows for the moving, engaged body parts to 'synch up' for a well-timed swing sequence. It's 'Cause and Effect': As  examples from even the worlds best players reveal that swings not within this ratio 'causes' numerous and wide-ranging 'effects' or flaws including pulling/pushing, slicing/hooking, etc...as the club-head at impact position will not be square. 

Proper Take-Away/Back-swing Rotation of core is most critical; Check if club is 'square' (vs. closed) and facing target (vs. laid-off) to ensure consistency. Keep backswing 'short' by feeling thumbs pointing towards sky. Firm, straight left arm helps to keep 'width' (distance between hands and rt. shoulder) and quiet hand action . Maintain head and spine position back and thru swing-no lateral sway! Just focus on shoulder rotation, setting hands properly, and try 'visualizing' what Tiger looks like at the impact position! 

Let 'er go!

The down-swing is simply t he release of everything executed properly to the full back-swing. Avoid sliding, keep the head and spine steady and behind the ball; avoid attempts to 'steer' the ball by controlling arms and hands nearing and following impact.

 Of course: The goal is to have zero thoughts running through your head while playing; in-grain these thoughts like getting to Carnegie Hall: practice, practice, practice!! Then again, it's also well known that 'practice makes permanent' so make sure your hard work on the range is leading you down the correct path (pun intended)-combining effective practice with the helpful guidance of a professional coach or teacher! 

1. Early wrist cock simultaneous with full torso turn. Head and chin up and back; maintain good, straight posture throughout swing-maintaining 'spine angle'. Key visual : a rod drilled between the shoulders that rotates evenly on the backswing. (This helps to maintain 'width' and firm wrists, while helping to not focusi excessively on the hands).

Simultaneously, as the club is drawn back, maintain close connection of left upper arm with torse-Vijay practices this move by squeezing a head-cover under his armpit! RELAX: Take a few deep breaths as tension restricts and impedes a smooth, free-flowing motion. 

2. It's all about FEEL: 'feeling' clubhead pointing to sky with thumbs pointing skyward to complete short, yet solid backswing; point butt of club in line with target-line to stay 'on plane; Feel right hand under club while 'setting' club at top. SBB: STAY BEHIND BALL on downswing and thru impact. Finish high, facing target...well-balanced on firm left leg.    

3. Key Don'ts: Dropping clubhead, breaking wrists and lifting right shoulder at 'top': Maintaining 'Width" (space between hands and shoulder) during swing is paramount to consistency.

3b. To avoid those nasty hooks: As the 'ol saying goes: You can talk to a fade/slice, but a hook won't listen! Nicklaus had these tips: 1) Feel the Rt. Palm up thru impact/follow-thru, 2) Extend the club as far from left shoulder as possible thru impact zone-as opposed to 'early release' of hands. 3) Keep the butt of club extended and in-front of chest. Hitting into a 'firm left side' also helps eradicate hooking the ball, as does maintaining 'width' (as described above). 

4. Drop hands, arms into 'slot' position on down-swing; 'clear hips while rotating into hitting area. Avoid lateral body 'slide'; finishing with strong, upright left leg while rotating right hip towards target. 

4b. Putting Tip: Feel the pendulum motion with shoulders and hands forming the triangle; gentle rocking back and forth of shoulders with even tempo is the goal.  

Note : blading chips or chunking bunker shots are a result of failing to turn during backswing. Also, divots aiming left of target are due usually to ingrained habit of 'lifting' right shoulder and dropping clubhead at 'top'. Setting-up too close to the ball may also result in pulled shots (and noticeable divots pointing left of target).  

It's also imperative to accelerate thru the swing-as well as putts-to ensure a positive outcome. The dreaded 'de-cel' adversely affects players at all levels!  

Balance and Tempo

Proper ball position will help ensure solid contact. Ball position should be just inside the left heel. Hands, head and weight are behind the ball.

Think low and slow in the takeaway. Arms and shoulders stay "connected" for a one piece takeaway.

1. To build confidence with the long game. You need to ensure a low wide arc away from the ball while loading up for the downswing. Let the speed and loft of the clubhead get the ball into the air.
2. The ball should be positioned close to the left heel so it can be struck at the bottom of the swing arc. Your stance should be square to target with rear foot "turned out" a little extra to allow for a greater hip turn.