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The pre-swing
- Golfers start with the non-dominant side of the body facing the target.
- At address the body and club are positioned parallel to the target line.
- A more open stance is used for shorter distance shots except putting and a more closed stance for long distance shots.
- The feet are shoulder width apart for middle irons and putters, narrower for short irons and wider for long irons and woods.
- The ball is positioned in the center of the players stance for short irons and putters, more to the front for middle irons and even more for long irons and woods.
- All of the weight is on the front foot for short irons, most on the front foot for middle irons and putters, and equally on both feet for long irons and woods.
- The golfer then chooses one of the following grips: the overlapping grip, the interlocking grip or the ten finger grip.
The swings
- The full swing is used in long distance shots or near the green from the fairway. Woods and irons can be used for the full swing. The golfer adjusts his/her swing to fit the circumstances of the play such as distance to the green, lie of the ball and location of the hazards. The face of the club starts on ground (except in a hazard in which it is not permitted). For the right-handed golfer it consists of a "backward swing" to the dominant side, a "forward swing" back to the middle (where the ball is hit), and a "follow-through" to the non-dominant side.
- The chip is used as a mid to short distance shot (usualy 75 to 25 yards). The most common clubs are the wedges. The goal of the chip is to land the ball safely on the green with minimal roll. A swing that does not turn the shoulders gives more control over the flight path. Extra weight on the forward foot helps the golfer to come down on the ball resulting in a higher loft on the ball.
- The putt is used for putting the ball in the hole or closer to the hole (as in lagging) from the green or the fringe of the green. The putter is used for the putt. The golfer adjusts his/her putt to fit the circumstances of the play such as distance to the hole and slope of the green. The club goes straight back and straight through along the same path like a pendulum.
