Hand Action

 Finalize the grip by bringing the right hand to the club

 Turn the right heel slightly outward

To make the swing:

 Make the forward press

 Make the reverse press

 Raise the club to the top of the swing

 Bring the club down into and through the ball

Hand Action

These steps will hopefully have outlined the importance of a definite method of establishing a uniform position from which to take your golf shot. An established procedure for shifting your weight so that the body can be utilized as a means for motivating the club on the upswing as well as the downswing and follow through can prove to be critical, as we have discussed. While a clear understanding has hopefully been reached on the combination of body action and weight shift, it is now time to turn our attention to another matter.

As we previously discussed, the three key elements of any good game of golf are footwork, body action and hand action. We have spent some significant time discussing in detail the importance of body action and weight shift. The hands; however, play an equally important role in not only placing the club in the correct position but also in maintaining it throughout the entirety of the swing.

Prior to this it was necessary to discuss the importance of body position for only when a player has established his body for the motivating control of the swing is he free to execute the proper positional control over the club with his hands.

Unfortunately, the positioning of the hands has led to the downfall of what could have many great golfers. Many of the erroneous ideas which persist among novice golfers serve only as a detriment.

Let us examine a few:

Perhaps one of the most common ideas is the thought that one should hold the club tightly in the back of the left hand. The idea behind this is that it will not allow the club to move away. In reality; however, this is quite contrary.

In other cases, golfers may attempt to exercise no wrist action on the backswing until they have achieved an above the waist position. When we examine this, it really fails to make any sense. How would it be possible to play a short shot off the edge of the green if this were the case?

As we examined in a prior section, when you assume the correct position to make the shot you will find yourself first balanced on your left foot. While you are in this position it will be difficult to take the club to the top of the swing until you actually shift your weight to the right foot. Through practice, this shift in weight will become a natural one-two movement. It is this forward press and subsequent reverse press that forms the basis of all good golf swings.

In a likewise natural manner, from the end of the reverse press your hands must now go to work. Much like the way you would prepare if you were about to throw something, it is necessary to raise the club to the top of the swing in a free, full and controlled motion.

When movement begins on the right side of the body it is quite natural to contract the right arms, as we discovered in a previous section. Consequently an immediate upward, pickup action of the club occurs. While the club is actually picked up using the right hand, there is simultaneously an automatic resistance on the left hand.

This counteracts the pickup action of the right hand. This combined action of the hands results in the club immediately being flipped and rather cocked into the position for the shot. It is this pickup action on the part of the right hand and the simultaneous downward thrust on the part of the left hand which produces the very powerful one-two action all correct golf shots must maintain.

A natural pull and push action which continues up through the backswing is acquired. Due to the pickup action on the part of the right hand arm cocking the right arm, the leverage action is actually reversible. Thus, a powerful thrust can be applied on the downswing and follow through.

At the same time, the arm is placed into an extended position from which it can naturally produce a pull action on the downswing from the thrust of the left hand and arm in this cocking position of the club. In reality, it is this pull with the left and thrust with the right on the downswing that creates a powerful swing.