Most amateurs want to hit it farther. Power comes from a full extended swing/turn and balance. To achieve this, I try to get a perfect setup. Setup dictates how you take the club back, how much weight shift you achieve and on which plane the club travels. If we stand over the ball improperly we will dip, reverse pivot, fall backward and use our hands to direct the swing. Remember those good shots you’ve hit. You got the club in the right place and it did all the work. Let’s see if we can get this to happen more than a few times!
- Stand with you feet shoulder width apart.
- Bend at the waist, arms hang freely, chest up and proud.
- Ball never too far back, start in the middle for the short clubs but put it forward for the driver. I put the driver in line with my left/front foot. This gives you room to weight shift for power.
- Set the left/front side higher than the right/back side.
- Feel as if you are on an upslope. This will put 60% of your weight back or behind the ball! This is a powerful position.
Now as you swing try to keep your posture and weight shift through to your finish. This posture pre-sets you behind the shot so you can be aggressive and swing through to your finish. Remember, if you don’t finish to the front/left foot you have gotten out of balance and position. Let this setup help you find your balance and power!
Watch Sherri Turner if you want to see it fly! Check out Patty Sheehan, Sally Little and Myra Blackwelder- they can really move the ball. Look at their postures and balance. Also watch for future senior tour star Michele Wie who has perfect setup and balance. Once you get used to the proper setup you’ll have more fun with this game! Enjoy!
by Lori West
Lori West has won twice on The Legends Tour.
