The anticipation of this trip, one I’ve made for more than 15 years, is akin to gearing up for that cherished golf getaway to a noted resort or historic golf course. The visions of snow blanketed rooftops, the long downhill runs and even the views from the lifts get my full attention. Each time I get there my goal is to get just a bit better at skiing and yet I keep in mind that my skills will never approach venturing down the “black diamond” runs or entering giant slalom races. By now, you have to be asking how this relates to my golf game this season.

It occurs to me that each time I go on my ski trip there are preparations I take in anticipation of that first time down the hill. History has taught me that ski boots, with their rigid tight fit, will cause sore ankles on the first day. To avoid this, while at home in Georgia, I put on my boots and walk in them for a half hour a couple of times before the trip. Also, each trip begins with a couple of green runs (the easiest) and then on to the more challenging blue runs. As you likely haven’t had a golf club in your hands since last fall or possibly only on a brief golf trip during the winter, then a bit of preparation is in order. Much like how I begin on the easy green in skiing, why not grab your putter and a couple of golf balls and hit some putts on the carpet at home? A target is not essential, the mere familiarization of the putter in your hands and the feeling of the face impacting the golf ball is a great start. Next you will want to find an area with a high ceiling where you can slowly swing a golf club. Begin with one of your wedges, which has the heaviest weighted head in your golf bag and the short controlled swing with a wedge will promote a defined swing path. Other than just loosening some rarely used muscles, you’ll also benefit if you stop your swing at key positions to identify the club-head location and direction.

Those key positions are: The first twelve inches of your takeaway; this has very little to do with the hands and is all about arm movement and shoulder rotation. The next key position is the golf shaft parallel to the ground; the toe of the clubface should be facing up and the shaft should be along and above an imaginary line that extends behind the golf ball and through the golf ball to your target. At the top of your backswing the golf shaft should be just short of parallel to the ground - don’t over swing. The clubface should be facing more to the sky than not. Now with the critical first move down the key is to let your arms begin the downswing and to again stop when parallel to the ground as in position 2 above. The golf club and face should mirror position 2. The biggest error is having your upper body lunge forward ahead of your arms. Now at the position of impact, you should mirror the position you were in when addressing the golf ball - belt buckle at the golf ball, head slightly behind the golf ball, shoulders level. As you move forward through the golf ball remember there is no sensation of “hit”, the golf ball merely gets in the way of the clubface. The next stop position is parallel to the ground on the through swing. The toe of the club should again face up. Lastly there is the completed follow through of the golf swing - the finish. The important key is having your weight, 80% on your forward foot and your belt buckle facing the target. While this may be an over simplification of how to build a golf swing, if this winter you can train yourself to come close to these positions then better golf shots are in your future. Again, just like starting with the green runs, when you do get to the golf course for the first time this season, begin with putting and chipping before moving to the range and seeking the elusive perfect golf swing. Having that feeling of a golf ball get in the way of the clubface will pay significant dividends. Enjoy the greatest of games, John W. Boykin, PGA CEO, Business Golf International www.businessgolfinternational.com John W. Boykin is an elite PGA Member Professional and International Golf Instructor.  John brings a wealth of knowledge about the game and industry to Privileged Play members. He is the founder and CEO of Business Golf International (BGI), a global firm specializing in helping corporate clients utilize golf as a tool to achieve their business goals. BGI also provides expertise in golf facility design, construction, operations, marketing and management services.