FUNDAMENTALS
Every swing has some fundamentals that need to be observed in relation to the stroke one wishes to make. They have to be checked before the execution in a precise order almost like a ritual. There are four fundamentals and all the top players know them very well and can modulate them depending on what they want.
G.A.S.P. is a magical word summering them and allowing you to enter the world of technique (organizing your thoughts) and guiding you to the awareness of each stroke.
Let's examine them together:
GRIP : it's the contact you have with your club, your sensibility, your ability to feel the stroke, your action with the wrists, and your ability to handle the face of the club during impact. Therefore remember that your hands need to be positioned correctly.
GRIP WARNING
If, after a little practice, you notice a hole located in the palm of your glove, check it with your Pro. Trouble is brewing!
ALIGNMENT : it's your relation to the target. Beware! To be able to see the target doesn't mean you are aligned. To aim is an ability which needs to be trained as when you go to the range.
ALIGNMENT WARNING
If you hit the ground before the ball, as in fat shots or you are missing on the right, check your shoulder alignment! You could be aiming too much to the right of the target.
STANCE : feet, distribution of body weight, grip to the ground rhythm, perception of the ground.
STANCE WARNING
Please avoid having the ball placed in front of your right foot if you are right-handed. It will affect the ball contact and it will result in too many compensations.
POSTURE: it's the optimal position in front of the ball, it's the control of tensions, it creates freedom in movements, it synchronizes the act, it centers the rotation of the vertebral spine and it facilitates the sequence.
POSTURE WARNING
Body angles are crucial. The correct tilt of the shoulders are extremely important. If your right shoulder (for right handed golfers) is lower than the left, takeaway, ball contact, weight transfer will all be difficult to manage.
GASP
IS THE MAGICAL WORD, WHICH WILL BE FROM NOW ON YOUR SAFETY LIFELINE, YOUR MANTRA!