Gordon Jackson’s Golf Tip of the Day- June 30, 2010

HOW YOU CAN DETERMINE WHETHER YOU HAVE ESTABLISHED A SQUARE CLUBFACE ALIGNMENT AT THE COMPLETION OF YOUR SETUP ROUTINE


If you observe the position of the club shaft of tour players at the completion of their backswings you will notice that it typically points to or hovers directly over the tip end of their back shoulder. This indicates a square clubface alignment and an online swing path of the clubface at this point of the golf swing.

If the golfer then swings the golf club downward to the ball from this point without manipulating the clubface in the process the downswing will deliver a square clubface to the ball on a swing path that parallels the shoulder line and produce a straight golf shot.

When the club shaft points directly to or hovers directly over the tip end of the back shoulder at the completion of the backswing it indicates a square clubface as opposed to an open or closed clubface.

However, if club shaft points to the outside of the tip end of the back shoulder at the completion of the backswing it indicates an open clubface alignment. If it points to or hovers over a point to the inside of the tip end of the back shoulder it indicates a closed clubface.

The same proposition applies at the completion of the setup routine. You can actually determine whether you have established a square clubface alignment at the completion of your pre-swing routine. Here’s How:

First, center the sweet spot of your clubface as near to the back of your ball because this is the reference point of your ball position.

Next, keep your feet planted and steady your head. Also keep your shoulders and knees stabilized.

Then hinge your wrists naturally without cupping or arching them.

Keep your elbows steady and level without raising or lowering them.

Lastly, raise your forearms (and only your forearms) upward as far as they will go and then observe the direction your club shaft is pointing,.

If your club shaft is pointing directly to or hovering directly over the tip end of your back shoulder it will indicate you have established a square clubface alignment.

On the other hand, if the club shaft points to the outside of the tip end of the back shoulder it will indicate an open clubface alignment. If it points to or hovers above a point to the inside of the of the tip end of the back shoulder it will indicate a closed clubface alignment.