TAKE 2 GOLF take2golf

1. TAKE2GOLFwww.take2golf.com Getting Started with the Basic Fundamentals Paula Slivinsky, PGA 914-772-8210

2. The Grip Types of grips: interlock, overlap and baseball Baseball Overlap Interlock

3. The Grip How to form the grip • How to form the grip • Begin the grip with the left hand. • Hold in the fingers, not in the palm. Step 1 • Make sure the left thumb and palm are more to the right side of the grip. The arrow pointing towards your right shoulder. Step 2 • With the right hand, place the club more in the fingers. • The red arrow below shows where your thumb and palm should be on the club. Step 3 Two knuckles Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

4. Stance and Ball Position Your ball position and stance will vary depending upon club selection and situation. For example, picture 1 demonstrates using a pitching wedge and picture 2, using a driver. A simple way to remember ball position. When using 6-9 PW,SW and hybrids, play the ball in the middle of your stance. When using 3, 5, 7 fairway woods adjust ball position slightly left of center. These ball positions are a general rule of thumb and may be slightly adjusted. Picture 1 Picture 2

5. PostureThe posture position you create at address will determine what you can or cannot do in the golf swing. Step 1: Take your grip as described on pages 2-4. Step 2: Spread your feet apart about shoulder width; knees straight but not locked or stiff. Step 3: Set the club behind the ball by tilting your upper body approximately 45 degrees or until the clubhead is on the ground. Your weight is now towards the balls of your feet. Step 4: Bend your knees slightly to support the upper body tilt. NOTE: Because of the different lengths of shafts your spine tilt may be more or less. The distance from the grip to the body is approx. 5 to 6 inches.

6. AlignmentHow your body and club align to the target Alignment is one of the most important fundamental elements of any golf swing. As you can see I have aligned my feet, hips, shoulders and forearms and eyes in a parallel line slightly left of the target. Make sure the clubface is square to the intended target. Drill: The picture to the right shows an easy and effective way of checking your own alignment.

7. Takeaway Step 1: Rotate the upper body against stable hips. Step 2: Maintain the triangle formed by your forearms, wrists and hands during the takeaway. Step 3: Keep the hands moving parallel to the target line during the initial stages of the backswing. Step 4: Notice I have created the letter “L”. When the “L” moves to the top of the backswing, most of the shoulder turn and weight shift will be completed. This is setting me up to achieve maximum power. Triangle 50% 50% The weight will be distributed 50% on both right and left foot.

8. Downswing Step 1: The downswing transition is created by simultaneously moving hips and the “L”. Step 2: At impact my wrist hinge has completely unhinged and hips are more to left foot. Step 3: The finish/follow-through has created another “L” or a mirror image of the backswing. Step 4: The follow-through will have approximately 90% of weight on the left side. The left leg is straight and the right knee points to the target. A good finish promotes good results. Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4

9. Putting Step 1: Place your thumbs in the center of the flat part of the grip. Then take your left pointer finger and extend down no more than three knuckles of your right hand. See pictures 1 and 2. Step 2: Position the ball in the middle of your stance. Step 3: Bind from the hips until eyes are directly over the ball. This will help create the pendulum motion. Step 4: The shoulders are parallel to the target line. Step 5: The putter travels back and through the target line. Step 6: The stroke is an even stroke back and through. No jerking motion.

10. ChippingMinimum air time, maximum ground time Step 1: Chipping is similar to putting. The shoulders and arms create the stroke. Step 2: Feet closer together, aim the clubface to the target. Step 3: Place the ball slightly right of center. Step 4: No wrists Step 5: When executing the shot the swing will travel back and through 7 o’clock to 5 o’clock. Reverse for the lefty. Sandwedge Pitching Wedge 9 Iron

11. PitchingMore air time, less roll Pitching is about planning your shot before you play it. You should determine where you plan to land the ball and how far it will roll. Always plan to play a pitch shot that is the easiest for you. That means you don’t have to aim at the hole on every shot. The club most preferred for pitching is a sandwedge. Step 1: Narrow your stance. Step 2: Stand closer to the ball. Step 3: Make a practice swing to feel the swing motion that fit the distance. Step 4: On the downswing you will straighten the wrists and hold. FREEZE!!!

12. Golf Etiquette 1. Don’t talk, move, or stand close to a player who is hitting. 2. Always play without delay and keep up with the group in front. 3. Don’t play until the group in front is out of the way. 4. Shout a warning if your ball may hit someone. Example: “FORE” 5. Let faster groups play through. 6. Repair divots and ball marks. Rake bunker to smooth out footprints. IMPORTANT: Leave the course in the condition in which you would like to find it.