Chapter 3. The First Half of a Golf Shot - Assuming the Correct Position

Introduction

In the making of every golf shot, there are two parts: First-Assuming the proper position to the ball-This means:

1. Proper placement of the club to the ball
2. Correct grip or correct hand positions on the club
3. Correct placement of feet
4. Proper position of body.

Once this starting position is established, the second part of the golf shot consists of the actual stroke, that is, the actual swing of the club.

To each of the above two parts, there are four distinct moves, and if these moves are followed in the step-by-step procedure in which they are going to be presented, there will be no difficulty in learning and acquiring a perfectly natural, efficient golf swing in very short order.

My good friend, Alton Brody, calls the above teaching method the "Double 4 Method," and I feel that his description aptly fits the case. It should give the reader the proper perspective of the golf shot-that there are two distinct sets of 4 moves each. The first 4 moves establish the proper starting position, the second 4 moves actually produce or execute the stroke or swing of the club.

Without further discussion let's learn the 8 moves that can create a perfect golf stroke.

The First 4 Steps of the Position

Step I-Place the club behind the ball, using the left hand only.

Golf clubs vary in length-from the 33-inch length of a putter shaft to the 43-inch length of the driver shaft. All clubs have handles on a graduated scale of lengths.

1. A) The first half of the Double 4 golf swing. Place the club to the ball, place feet in position, complete the grip and turn right heel out slightly
1. B) The correct hand position on the club

It is perfectly natural that the player should first place the club behind the ball, and from the placement of the club he will automatically know just where to stand, which is the second move.

However, before we explain Step 2, let me call your attention to the fact that there is a certain peculiarity in the construction of golf clubs. The face of the club, the part that meets the ball, is not parallel with the shaft. It is "hooked in," that is, it is angled so that it points off to the left a matter of two to five degrees. This exists in all properly designed clubs.

To those unfamiliar with this peculiarity, difficulties can be created at this very step.

However, understanding the hooked-in face construction of the golf club, the player can and will place the club properly to the ball.

The proper way to place a golf club to the ball is to tilt the handle of the club slightly in the direction of the shot. The shaft, in other words, is leaning or tilted slightly forward in the direction of the shot. Because of this forward tilt of the club handle the left hand will be directly over the ball and not over the club head.

Players who fail to understand this peculiarity of golf club construction place the club to the ball so that the shaft is perpendicular-that is, straight up and down, instead of being tilted or leaned forward slightly.

Obviously, only when the shaft is tilted forward slightly is the face of the club square with the line of the shot; and when the shaft is perpendicular, or straight up and down, the face of the club is aimed off to the left of the line of the shot.

In addition to this failure of incorrect aim, there is one other important reaction that arises from the way the club is placed to the ball, and that has to do with the way the left hand fits to the club. If there is any one thing that is important in a golf shot, it is the way in which the left hand works. As a matter of fact, it will be learned that the left hand action is the very crux of every golf shot. Actually, the left hand has a triple duty in a golf shot:

1. creating or determining the position of the club will be in during the swing
2. keeping the club in the desired position.
3. bringing the club into and through the ball.

Now, the proper position of the left hand on the club is as follows: the hand is more or less on top of the shaft. When it is in the proper position, three knuckles of the left hand are in clear view when the player looks down at his hand and the left thumb is at a point more or less behind the shaft.

All this happens naturally, if the shaft of the club is tilted forward slightly when it is placed to the ball.

By comparison, if the shaft is placed incorrectly, that is, straight up and down, then the left hand will automatically shift to a point in front of the handle instead of on top. Only one knuckle, instead of three, will be in view and the thumb will be right on top of the shaft. This is a weak position of the left hand. (See Illustration 2E).

Carried to extremes, the correct position, with the left hand on top, would tend to produce hook shots, whereas, the incorrect position, with the left hand too far in front, would tend to produce slice shots.

2. A) The hooked face of the golf club. B) Club shaft in perpendicular position will produce weak left hand position. C) The correct position, with the shaft tilted slightly for ward to "square up" the face of the club to the line of the shot. D) Strong left hand position on the club. E) Weak left hand position on the club. F) Diagram shows respective angle of flight the various irons produce and corresponding distance.

So much for Step 1 of the position.

Step 2-Place feet in position.

The proper place to stand is in a position where the ball will be opposite the left heel. A line running from the ball to the inside part of the left heel will be at right angles to the line of the shot. The feet should be so placed that the toes of both feet are parallel to the line of the shot.

This position is to be assumed on all shots and with all clubs. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule and these will be indicated later; however, the basic rule is that the ball is always played opposite the left heel with all clubs (the position is not changed for each club).

The reason that the ball is played opposite the left foot is very clear. In order to raise the club to the top of the swing when making the stroke, the player should use the right side of his body. In order to accomplish this the weight must be on the right foot. When the player brings the club down into and through the ball, the player should use his left side, and in order to use the left side the weight must be on the left foot. Therefore, as the ball is being hit, the player will be balanced on his left foot. The swing, therefore, will be centered at that point, opposite the left foot, and that is where the ball should be played with all clubs.

The feet should never be wider apart than the width of the shoulders. In other words, always use a narrow, rather than a wide, stance because with the narrower stance it is easier to shift the weight to the right foot for the upswing and reshift it to the left foot for the downswing.

Step 3-Complete the grip by bringing the right hand to the club.

Up to this point the right arm has been inactive and hanging naturally by the right side.

Step 3 brings the right hand to the club. As the club is opposite the left foot and the right hand comes to the club at a point lower on the club than the left, it will be found that in order to bring the right hand to the club comfortably it will be necessary to relax the right knee slightly.

When the right hand comes to the club it assumes a position on the club which is directly opposite the position of the left hand. Whereas the left hand is definitely on top of the club handle, the right hand assumes a position more or less underneath the club. So the left hand takes care of the top of the handle, while the right hand takes care of the bottom part of the club.

Too many players make the mistake of placing both hands on top of the club. With both hands working from the same position on top of the club, they produce a one-handed effect; whereas golf is definitely a two-handed, two-fisted game.

The correct position of the hands is to have them directly opposed to each other. In that way both sides of the club are under control and the club rests in a natural pull and push action, which is the only type of action that creates the desired effect of leverage on the club. It is this pull and push action of the hands that produces proper club-head feel control, and this can only be done when the hands take opposite positions on the club.

When placing the hands on the club be certain that there is no tenseness or tight grip. Any sense of holding or gripping the club should be confined to the front part of each hand-to the first two fingers and thumb.

The little finger of the right hand should never touch the club. We all know that the little finger is the shortest finger. If this digit were placed on the club, the latter would be locked in an immovable, tight position because of the shortness of the little finger. Furthermore, it happens that tension or tightness on the little finger immobilizes the arm. There is a long muscle that runs from the little finger to a point past the elbow, consequently any tension on the little finger causes this muscle to tighten up the entire arm.

Golfers learn by experience not to use the little finger of the right hand, but actually keep it clear of the club to float freely in the air. They do this in the same manner that a person picking up a glass or a cup would do when they raise it to their lips or their mouth. This same sense of not using the little finger of the left hand should be cultivated in golf; it will permit the hands to fit closely together on the club. The thumb of the left hand fits naturally into the hollow of the right hand palm, and in a perfectly natural way the overlapping grip is created. (Illustration IB) Incidentally, this is the most widely used, most efficient and most desirable grip.

Notice that the bottom part of the V formation, created by the thumb and upper part of the forefinger on both hands, points directly toward the right shoulder. The placement of the hands on the club can be readily checked by seeing exactly where the thumbs contact the club. If the handle of the club was perfectly square, the inside part of the left thumb would contact the club at the top, side, right-hand corner of the supposed square, and the inside part of the right thumb would rest on the middle of the top flat side of this supposed square handle.

These thumb positions are most important. In the eventual movement of the club to the top of the swing there is a natural expansion of the hands and in the downswing there is a contraction of the hands, both of which put the real punch into the shots. During this expansion and contraction, it is upon the thumbs that the club rests, and it is with the thumbs that the player regulates and controls the club.

Too much emphasis cannot be placed on the importance of the hand positions on the club and upon the ultimate effect and influence that the thumbs have in good golf.

To emphasize this let me recall a distinction that is made between humans and monkeys-the distinction is that the humans have thumbs and the monkeys do not. Furthermore, if there is any doubt about their importance, just try this little test. Take a golf club in your hands and then deliberately take both thumbs off the club. It will be noticed that the club is hopelessly locked in the back of the hands and little or no control can be exerted over it. So learn to use your thumbs when you play golf. Don't play monkey golf, which is golf without any thumb control and thumb influence.

Step 4-Turn or flip the right heel out slightly.

In a normal foot position it is generally natural to stand with both toes turned out slightly. This fourth and final move is to flip or turn the right heel out slightly so that a pigeon-toed effect is created on the right foot. (See illustration where heavy lines indicate a normal foot position and dotted line shows where the right heel is turned.)

The purpose of this move is twofold: first, this outward flip of the right heel places the right foot in a much stronger position for the backswing, and also makes it easier to shift the weight to that foot. Secondly, when the backswing is made-that is, when the club is raised to the top of the swing with the right side, it will be found that because of this outward flip of the right heel, there is a greater freedom in the vicinity of the right hip and throughout the entire right side of the body. This makes it easier to raise the club naturally and to take it back on the inside.

This business of a pigeon-toed position is one that most athletes assume. It is particularly true of baseball and football players, who must at all times be alert and ready to balance themselves for almost any type of action.

The pigeon-toed effect gives a greater sense of balance on the feet and a sense of freedom throughout the body, particularly through the waist and hips; hence it is naturally adopted and acquired by all athletes.

Incidentally, the American Indians were noted for using this pigeon-toed position. By comparison, my friends on 42nd and Broadway are inclined to reverse their foot positions; they are likely to walk with both toes turned widely out, and this outward turn of the toes tenses, tightens and limits their leg and hip actions.

Therefore, if you want to be steady on your right foot and free and easy with the right side of your body, conclude your position for the shot by flipping the right heel out slightly. (A similar outward flip of the left heel will give the same steadiness on the left foot and the same freedom on the left side.)

Summary and Conclusion of the First Four Steps

Thus we have a sequence of moves in getting ready to play a golf shot:

Step 1. Place the club to the ball, using the left hand only.

Step 2. Place the feet in position.

Step 3. Complete the grip by relaxing the right knee.

Step 4-Turn or flip the right heel out slightly.

The above procedure will prove to be a perfectly natural and orderly sequence of moves whereby weight, body and hands are properly coordinated, in effect, automatically lined up so that everything is in proper relationship and perfect harmony. It must be and should be followed in getting ready for each and every shot from the drive to the putt-the more often it is repeated the sooner this entire sequence of four moves will become automatic, so that in short order the starting position will be created and established systematically.

Following this natural procedure, it will be possible to adjust oneself to the different length clubs and at the same time take care of the irregularities of the terrain upon which the player takes his stance.

I cannot leave this discussion without calling attention to a marked difference that is apparent between the manner in which good golfers assume their position compared to the way novices seem to do.

The good golfers all assume a sort of "sit-down" position, whereas all novices in golf act as though their club were too short and seem to bend forward from the waist as they prepare to make the shot.

This bending forward from the waist straightens the knees and really locks them tightly so that any sense of footwork or shifting of weight is impossible. From the sit-down position the good golfer assumes his knees are easy and relaxed so that footwork and weight-shifting can be done easily. As you do your first four steps, learn to get the sit-down effect rather than the straight locked knee effect.

So much for the first four steps. Let's proceed now with an explanation of the actual making of the shot, which will be done with the second four steps.

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