ADAM SCOTT: TIPS FROM TEE-TO-GREEN

TIPS FROM TEE-TO-GREEN

The former World No.1 is one of the best ball strikers on the planet. Learn his secrets here.

IF YOU START AND FINISH WELL, IMPACT TAKES CARE OF ITSELF.

Agreat swing starts from getting the fundamentals right – grip, alignment and posture. All are easily controllable. Because there’s no movement involved, anyone can get them right. If you’re out of position at address, you’ll struggle to make the swing or hit the shot you want. But if you find your fundamentals and you can control them before you take the club away, you give yourself the best chance to make a good swing. When it comes to the swing itself, I like to focus on two thoughts. The first is to make a good takeaway that sets the club on the neutral plane. After this, all I think about is getting to a good finish position. Do this and impact takes care of itself.

Focus on alignment and comfortable posture

Alignment is so important. I always practise with an alignment stick along my toe-line. I need that guide to get my knees, hips, shoulders and eyes pointing where I want them to point – square to the target. There are many variations of good posture, but I like to get my back fairly straight and my butt sticking out comfortably. I check that constantly.

Forget about your at-the-top position

Many amateur golfers get obsessed with the top of the backswing position. Personally, I don’t give it a second thought. If I’ve controlled my backswing by moving my shoulders, chest, arms, hands and club as a single unit, I’ll automatically make a full shoulder turn and find the correct plane. A “onepiece” takeaway is the secret to on-plane swings.

Stay connected with your takeaway move

Generally speaking, my takeaway key has always centered around one thought – keeping my arms connected to my body in the backswing. Because I’m long and lean, my arms can get away from my body if I’m not careful. When that happens, the path and plane of my swing changes with almost every shot. That’s no way to be consistent.

Hit your finish position and clear your mind

Too many golfers overthink the downswing. Once I’ve moved the club away from the ball on the backswing, my main focus is to get to a full and balanced finish like you see left. I’m not swinging to hit the ball. This helps reduce any anxiety I may be feeling about where the shot is headed. It always gives me a simple and achievable positive thought to focus on.