BUILDING CONSISTENCY THROUGH PROPER SETUP
By Chris Kasheta, Head Golf Professional at The International

We have all hit that perfect golf shot: a clutch 30-foot putt, a 300-yard drive down the middle of the fairway, or a bunker shot that pops out of the sand and cozies up to the hole…or better yet, falls in. For players who get out regularly, hitting these great shots is inevitable. For the amateur, stringing them together consistently throughout a single round is atypical.

There are several reasons why consistency is elusive to the amateur golfer. Lack of sustained mental focus, incorrect club selection, and faulty club fit are just a few. One of the most basic and easily corrected problems, however, is setup. Pay close attention to how you address the ball on the tee, in the sand, and on the green. Spend some quality time doing drills. Experiment with your setup and get advice from a professional to determine what works for you. Then, do it over and over and over again until you hit the same shot consistently. Only through repetition will you find success.

Here are just two points to keep in mind when addressing the golf ball:

• Focus on width of stance, knee bend, and overall body alignment. I recommend that your feet remain about shoulder width apart. Any more than shoulder width and you will tend to sway off the ball.

• Set your body parallel to your target. Where your shoulders point at impact is the path your club is taking to the ball. Most right-handed players have their shoulder pointing left of the target when striking the ball leaving a divot that “cuts across” the target line. This can produce a pull, or more often, a slice. When you comfortably set up to the ball, take your club and set it against your shoulders. Where are you pointed? If the club is pointed left, reset your position until the club is aimed at the target.