Golf Lesson Naples

Jim Suttie: How to set up for success

Even Jack Nicklaus said that 80 percent of the shot is pre-determined if the setup is correct. Not all of us can swing like the tour stars, but I think we all can set up like them. So what is involved in a good setup?

■ Grip -- I would consider the grip as a part of the setup because it is determined prior to swinging the golf club. Hold the club lightly with the palms facing one another. Most players hold the club way too weak (turned to your left). As a result, you will slice the ball.

The left-hand grip is a combination palm/finger grip. Make sure the pad of the left hand is on top of the club so that the thumb of your left hand is running down the shaft at about 2 o'clock.

This will get the "V" made by the forefinger and thumb pointing between the right shoulder and right ear. This would be considered a strong left-hand grip, and is what most amateurs need to get rid of their slice because the back of the left hand controls the face.

■ Ball position -- There are three ball positions that you need to implement if you are to be a proficient player. With the driver, you should position the ball off the left shoulder or the left foot. This allows you to "hit up" with this club.

With the fairway woods and the hybrids, you should put the ball off the logo on your shirt. This allows you to hit a little "down on the ball." With the short irons, you should play the ball off the center of your stance. Again, this allows you to "hit down" on the ball.

■ Posture and distance from the ball -- A good player will always look athletic at address. His or her posture should be bent forward from the hips about 25 to 30 degrees, with the knees only slightly bent. The arms should naturally hang underneath the shoulders, with no reaching for the ball. You might bend more forward and stand closer with the shorter clubs only because they are shorter.

■ Aim and alignment -- Aim the bottom of your clubface at the target. Now align your body, both your shoulders and your feet, parallel left of your target line. Your feet and shoulders will feel like the second rail of a railroad track. Your shoulders must be aligned correctly if you are to hit from "inside out" on the downswing.

■ Weight distribution and spine tilt -- Weight distribution also changes in the setup, depending on what club you are using. But, one commonality is that, for all clubs, you should feel like the weight is on the balls of your feet and not your heels.

The Rookery at Marco in Naples, Florida offers Family Golf ...

NAPLES, Fla. -- Marriott Golf, one of the world's premier golf operators, is once again reaching out to families all over the world and promoting "togetherness in golf." Located at 3433 Club Center Blvd., Naples, FL, The Rookery at Marco Golf Club has announced that it will be hosting its fourth annual Family Golf Festival on Saturday, June 25 from 9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

The Marriott International Family Golf Festival, which encourages parents and children to learn and play the game together, invites families to The Rookery at Marco for a fun-filled afternoon of free golf instruction, clinics, exciting activities, interactive golf games, family golf programs, and more! The schedule of events includes the following:

• 10 a.m. - 10:45 a.m.: Putting Clinic • 1 p.m. - Putting contest featuring the chance to win great prizes including free golf

In addition, as part of Marriott Golf's "Kids Golf-4-Free" program, children under 15 have the opportunity to play golf for free when accompanied by a paying adult, who will be treated to a special rate of just $45 (normally $89). Further, all participants can take advantage of a special 25% discount off all merchandise in the Golf Shop. Advanced registration is required. Please contact the Golf Shop at 239-389-6600 for more information.

The Marriott International Family Golf Festival is another effort by Marriott to promote family golf. In 2005, Marriott Golf launched "Kids Golf-4-Free," a first-of-its-kind program that enables kids up to 15 years old to golf for free when accompanied by a full paying adult after 3 p.m. In addition, Marriott Golf also offers free lessons anytime to kids up to 15 years old when accompanied by an adult who is taking a fully paid lesson from a Marriott Golf instructor. This program, which is available at some of Marriott Golf's most prestigious resort destinations worldwide, was complemented in 2007 by the "Kids Rent-4-Free" program, which provides kids 15 years old and under with a free rental set of clubs when they participate in the "Kids Golf-4-Free" program.

About Marriott Golf Marriott Golf manages 60 golf courses at 44 locations in 12 countries, offering more than 1,000 holes of championship golf. Marriott has been managing golf operations since 1970 and is one of the world's premier golf operators. Marriott provides golf management and consulting services to a variety of operational environments including resort, private club, daily fee, golf school and franchises. For more information, visit www.marriottgolf.com.

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