Golf tip of the week: Stand closer to the ball
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Most golfers stand too far away from the ball at the address position. The hands and arms should hang down from the shoulders.
Stand closer to the ball and allow the hands and butt end of the club to be no further than three inches from the body. The closer the better. Standing too far away from the ball and reaching out will cause a low trajectory, cause a golfer to cast the club, come over the top and hit the ball on the toe of the club.
Allowing the hands to hang to the lowest point will aid in the cocking of the wrists, create more power with less effort, a higher ball flight and improve a golfer's balance.
The hands should stay away from the body during the backswing, but not until the club is in motion.
Jim Furyk is a good example of how the hands hang down and push away during the backswing. Furyk's takeaway is extreme, but note how his club moves closer to his body on the downswing, due to the left hip moving out of the way. The hands and club return to the ball in the same position they were at address.
Don't forget to enjoy this great game called golf.
Rick Musselman, a golf author and professional, owns Musselman's Golf and gives lessons in his high-tech golf swing simulator, at his golf studio and custom club shop in Williamsport.