GOLFING INSTRUCTION

1 Think posture and alignment

My back isn’t as straight as a textbook swinger like, say, Adam Scott but I’m certainly not slouched at address either. I like to be athletic and comfortable, without being too rigid. Not everyone is built the same so you have to find the posture that works best for you.

2 Get neutral in your takeaway

I work hard on moving the club away on a good plane and path, neither inside or outside the ideal line. That means quieter hands and more of a one-piece move for the first few feet. I turn my left shoulder under my chin to set the club in position, but also move my arms and hands away from my body to create width.

3 Keep it compact at the top

If I’m totally honest, I never really think about where the club is at the top of the backswing. I used to get a little bit across the line when I was younger and just starting out on Tour, but it’s definitely in a much better position now. That’s largely because of the more balanced takeway path I’ve been working on.

Starting down, hit against a wall

To achieve more stability and, in turn, deliver more power through the hitting area, I try to keep my left side firm with my left thigh staying solid. I like to feel like I’m hitting against a wall. This helps my bottom half stay square longer before turning towards the target. I splay my left foot slightly open to help my weight move onto my left side starting down.

Keep right palm down for better strikes

At impact I want the club doing as little as possible and the hands even less. If I have a thought, it’s keeping my right palm facing down through impact. That helps me squeeze the ball out properly. If the right hand gets underneath the handle, the ball is going right every time unless you make a compensatory move.

I don’t think about anything at set-up – except alignment, an area I need to monitor constantly. If your feet, hips and shoulders are square at address, your swing path is likely to be square, too.

The shaft of the golf club should be parallel to the target line when it is horizontal to the ground, with the toe of the clubhead pointing straight up in the air.

When I’m hitting an iron, I like my swing to be compact and just short of parallel at the top. With a fairway wood like this, the backswing will be a little longer.

People often advise a three-quarter swing for control, but I’m not a big fan of that idea. I have to hit it hard and go all the way through.

A fairway wood needs a level impact that brushes the grass. But with irons you need to take a divot, a thing I always check. If it’s too deep your swing’s too steep; No divot and you haven’t compressed the ball properly.