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There is one point that is often overlooked&emdash;the distance you stand from the ball.

Tip #1 Gripping the golf club with the right hand for right-handed players (opposite for lefties), the player must place the club directly behind the ball, standing tall with both of his feet together, and check that there is at least a hand-width of space between the player's thighs and the butt end of the club. This allows the player space for his arms to swing free and is not too far or too near the ball as to affect perfect posture. The player can now take his stance and posture assured that the distance from the ball is correct.

Tip #2 This tip will allow you to achieve a consistent, correct posture. From an upright position and with the back straight, place the shaft of a golf club across your hips (hips NOT waist!) and bend the upper body forward slightly while keeping the legs straight. The tips of the shoulders should now be over the toe line for the tall, thinner-chested player, while the shorter, thick-chested player can bend forward from the hips a touch further (allowing the arms space to swing).

The knees can now flex slightly and there should be an equal amount of weight in the balls of the feet for maximum balance. A good test is to place the grip of a golf club against your right shoulder, allowing the club to hang down. The clubhead should be directly over the toe line (for the thicker-chested player, the club will be hanging down just in front of his toe line). The correct posture has been achieved.

A good test grip of club on right shoulder hanging down - clubhead should NOT be past toe line. For thicker-chested player, clubhead may be just past toe line.

Perfect The tips have been explained for right-handed players. Left-handed players, please note that all instruction given should simply be reversed for you.

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Former European Operations Director for The David Leadbetter Golf Academies, Adrian Davies is currently working with tour players from the European, PGA, Nike, LPGA, Asian, Japanese, Australian, South African, and Golden Bear Tours. He can be contacted at 561-470-9253.