I cannot stress enough the importance of a correct set-up position. Whether I am looking at a tour player or a beginner golfer’s swing, the first thing I will look at is your set-up.  Many problems result from a poor set-up, and incredibly, few players ever look to this as a possible source of error.

The proper set-up is the foundation of the golf swing.  If you have problems getting into an athletic position, your swing mechanics will immediately break down and create much inconsistency.  Once you can develop an understanding of the proper set-up, you can now practice and visualize it in front of a mirror.  Without continual practice, it is extremely easy to move out of a good position, and quickly develop bad habits.

Throughout my years of teaching,  I have seen this key element frequently overlooked and forgotten.  Many students have been corrected on their set-up at one time or another, but many have a difficult time adhering to the appropriate position.  The reason for this is partly because the position can sometimes be uncomfortable and add some strain on the muscles of the lower back.  In reality, through proper practice, this position is the healthiest for your back and can help prevent back problems in the future.

I will now describe and demonstrate the proper set-up position, which I hope you will practice and help you become a better golfer. 

5 Steps in Achieving the Perfect Set-Up

1. Stand tall with your chest out, feet should be shoulder width apart.  Based on a right-handed golfer.  Your left foot should be flared roughly 25-30 degrees toward the target and your right foot should be straight (square).

2. Learn to tilt your body from the hip sockets feeling your backside protrude up and out.  (This means keeping the back straight, not hunched over when you tilt).  I stress that you must tilt from the hip sockets, as if you were to bow to someone. 

3. From the correct tilt forward position, allow the arms to hang relaxed under your shoulders, not resting on your chest or reaching out.  The arms should hang clear of the body so they can swing freely, independent of the body.

4. Allow your knees to flex and bend slightly.  Feel a slight bounce to achieve a solid balanced position.

5. Lastly, pinch your right knee in toward the target feeling the weight on the inside of the right foot.  This will help quiet and stabilize the lower body during the backswing.

Here are 2 Drills to Help Perfect the Proper Tilt of the Spine

1. If you are having difficulty in achieving this tilt forward from the hips? Simply take a club, and with one hand at each end, place the club horizontally across the top of your legs.  Now tilt forward, exerting backward pressure on the club so that you seat is pushed back and out.

2. A different way of achieving the proper tilt is to, take a club and hold it vertically down middle of your back with one hand at each end of the club.  Tilt forward from your hip joints keeping the shaft against the back of your head and your seat as you tilt.

In closing the proper set-up and posture position are vital and without getting too descriptive with my teaching methodology.  My beliefs are as follows:

1. The posture position sets up the backswing.
2. The backswing position sets up the downswing.
3. The downswing position sets up the follow-through. 

 Without achieving step 1, then step 2 and 3 are irrelevant !