Move Over... Then Hit It

Shifting your weight in harmony with the direction of your swing is essential for maintaining rhythm and creating maximum power.

A smart address

A pre-shot routine is designed to prepare both your body and your mind to make your best swing. This is something you have to work on when you practise. Thinking clearly about the shot you intend to play - specifically the details of your alignment - is part and parcel of that process.

On the range, I generally place a couple of clubs on the ground to keep my alignment in good order. The club between my feet works as a T-Square and helps me to monitor the ball position. With the mid- to short irons (here I am using a 6-iron), I like the ball to be towards the middle of my stance, moving it slightly further forward for the longer irons and woods.

But not too far forward. There's not much deviation. And remember, the ball position relative to your stance is not measured from your toes (which are turned out) but from the inside of the heels.

Pre-empt your move

Rehearsing the first move away from the ball (or even swinging the club all the way to the top) helps me to get a good sense of the feelings that I want to achieve with my real swing. I find that moving the club back a couple of times also helps to keep the muscles in my hands and arms - and upper body generally - relaxed, which is particularly important in terms of establishing a good rhythm.

Whether you are a scratch player or a novice to the game, a positive waggle of the club head should feature in your pre-shot routine. Once you are nicely set up to the shot, rehearse your move away with a full waggle, keeping the hands and wrists supple and relaxed. Do this as you take a last look at your target.

At the same.time, try to sense that your weight is preparing to move across to your right side. I am aware of a slight 'bump' across to my right side as I waggle the club. This helps to guarantee that my weight does move away from the target when it's finally time to go.