David Leadbetter's Full-Swing Basics

7 Steps To Jump-Start Your Game For Spring

With Ron Kaspriske

Photos By Stephen Szurlej

March 2009

When I give a 30-minute corporate clinic, I'm usually speaking to hundreds of people of varying abilities. I just don't have time to delve deeply into my whole approach to the golf swing, plus the audience typically doesn't have a lot of time to play or practice -- so my rule is to communicate simple "basics" a player of any level can grasp. I emphasize seven basics. If you follow them, you'll be prepared for your best season ever.

TIP+VIDEO: The Pre-Shot Routine

1. GRIP IN THE FINGERS

One of the biggest faults in the game is that golfers grip the club too much in the palm of the left hand, so much so that they wear a hole in the heel pad of the glove. Placing the club more toward the fingers (above) helps eliminate tension in the swing, allows the wrists to cock naturally, and ultimately helps cure innumerable swings flaws. To ensure the proper left-hand position, where the club lies diagonally across the fingers, it's a lot easier to take hold of the club when it's off the ground in front of you (left).

TIP+: See A Video On This Lesson

2. Build a firm base

Build a solid posture at address to engage and stabilize your core muscles -- the area around your belt buckle. This enables you to maintain good balance throughout and encourages you to swing the club on a repetitive track. Position a short iron with the shaft angled toward you (left). Then put your right hand on top of the grip and your left hand on top of your right and push the club into the ground with your forearms. You should feel solid from the ground up as your core muscles tighten.