Early-Season Keys: Posture, Grip, Aim

The start of the season requires a return to swing basics.

An easy way to remember them is PGA -- Posture, grip, aim.

Posture is the most important. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart, and you need a good flex in your knees.

Look at any athlete -- baseball, basketball, football, whatever -- when they get ready to guard somebody or ready to receive a ball, their knees are bent so they can shift the weight either way. Golf is a sport, and you have to be an athlete and be able to shift your weight both ways.

Your knees should not lock up. A lot of times when people are slicing, that is what's happening. When your back knee locks up, you have nothing to push yourself through the swing. You need that weight shift, and that's facilitated by having a good flex in your knees.

Keep your knees apart. Also, keep your back straight and pivot forward from the hips -- your weight should be evenly distributed across your body all through the swing. Increase the swing (wrists, arms, shoulders) and decrease the motion of the rest of your body.

With your grip, remember to keep an equal amount of pressure in each hand.

For aim, pick a target on the course with each shot. It can be the flag, a tree - anything. Then draw a line back to the ball. On that line, pick something out which is a foot or two in front of the ball. Use that as your alignment spot.

Do this for every club from the driver to the putter. Pick that spot and try to hit over it. It's kind of like spot bowling, and it gives you the confidence to know you're on the right line.