Basic Golf Fundamentals should be established before learning how to swing the golf club.

Most people start off in a bad position that sets them up for disaster when they attempt to swing and hit the golf ball. When learning how to play golf, it is important to address the fundamentals before trying to “grip it and rip it”.
What are the fundamentals?

1. Set up – please see the video listed below to show how to properly set up to the golf ball. Arms should hang directly below the shoulders. The handle of the golf club should be about one fist size and a thumb length away from your thigh.
2. Grip – There is a fundamentally correct grip. This should be accomplished by the 2 “v’s in your hands pointed to your right shoulder (for right handers).
3. Stance – for a 7-iron your feet should be about shoulder width apart, as the club gets longer, i.e. driver, your stance should get wider. As your club gets shorter, i.e. pitching wedge your stance should get more narrow. It is important for your stance to get wider with longer clubs because it creates more balance through the golf swing as your swing speed increases because of the length of the club.
4. Posture – you should try to set up in an athletic position. This will help you turn properly on your back swing and downswing. You should also try to maintain that same posture throughout the golf swing. The benefits of maintaining good posture through the golf swing would create solid more consistent contact when hitting the ball and also better health and reducing injury on your lower back. Most people develop back injuries when playing golf over time because they have poor posture at the set up and do not turn in posture.
5. Ball Position – For the average golfer, the ball should never be positioned behind the middle of the stance. I know you see the pro’s do it, but lets face it, they are better than us! The ball should be positioned in the middle of the stance with a pitching wedge, our shortest club. The ball will gradually be moved toward the front foot as the club gets longer. The driver is positioned in the front of our stance (just inside the left heel for right handers). Every other club should fall in between the front foot and the middle of the stance.

Hopefully this helps you begin how to play better golf. This is extremely important for the beginner golfer. They need a solid foundation before they begin to work on their swing!