The five positions
Takeaway: Check positions slowly first; speed comes after the shape is right.
| Position | What it looks like (right-hander) | Quick check |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Set-up | Neutral grip, hip hinge, arms hanging, body parallel to the target line | See stance and ball position |
| 2. Takeaway | Club, hands and chest move away together; shaft parallel to the ground, toe of the club roughly pointing up | Clubhead outside the hands, not whipped inside |
| 3. Top | Shoulders turned about 90°, hips less; lead arm fairly straight; weight on the inside of the trail foot | Back faces the target |
| 4. Impact | Hips turned open, weight moving to the lead foot, hands slightly ahead of the ball with irons | Ball first, then turf |
| 5. Finish | Weight on the lead foot, trail heel up, chest facing the target, balanced | Hold it for three seconds |
The idea behind the positions
Most beginner swings are arm-driven: the hands lift the club up and throw it at the ball. A good swing is closer to a turn: the shoulders and hips rotate back, then unwind toward the target while the arms swing in front of the chest. Two ideas cover most of it:
- Keep your spine angle. Stay bent over from the hips as you turn; standing up through the ball causes thin and topped shots.
- Shift, then turn. Start the downswing by moving pressure into the lead foot, then rotate. Hanging back on the trail foot causes fat shots and weak slices.
Ball-flight basics: what your shots are telling you
Takeaway: Start direction comes mostly from the clubface; curve comes from face versus path.
| Ball flight (right-hander) | Usual cause | First thing to check |
|---|---|---|
| Starts left, curves right (slice) | Face open to an out-to-in path | Grip (too weak?) and alignment (shoulders open?) |
| Starts right, curves left (hook) | Face closed to an in-to-out path | Grip (too strong?) |
| Straight right (push) | Face and path both right | Ball too far back; body aimed right |
| Straight left (pull) | Face and path both left | Shoulders open; upper body starts the downswing |
| Topped / thin | Low point too early or standing up | Keep the spine angle; shift weight forward |
| Fat (hit the ground first) | Weight stays back | Shift to the lead foot before turning |
For a slice, check the grip first: how to grip a golf club shows neutral and strong grips.
Equipment that makes learning easier
Swing faults get worse with clubs that don't suit you. A driver with too little loft magnifies slices; a shaft that is too stiff lowers launch and leaves shots right. Our driver loft guide and shaft flex guide give starting points by swing speed. For irons, forgiving cavity-back heads and hybrids in place of long irons help (see hybrid vs iron).
Our four-week beginner practice plan
Takeaway: Short, focused sessions beat buckets of balls hit at random.
Two or three sessions a week of 45–60 minutes. Use a 7-iron for most full swings.
| Week | Focus | Session (example) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grip, set-up, half swings | 10 min set-up routine with alignment sticks · 30 hip-high to hip-high swings · 15 min putting |
| 2 | Takeaway and top | Slow-motion swings pausing at each position · 30 three-quarter swings · 15 min chipping |
| 3 | Impact and finish | "Hold the finish" on every ball · alternate 7-iron and wedge · 15 min putting |
| 4 | Add longer clubs | Hybrid and driver, 10 balls each · build your yardage chart · 15 min short game |
Use alignment sticks at every session so you practise aim along with swing; our alignment stick drills go from easy to advanced.
Drills you can do at home
- Mirror check of set-up and top position (no ball needed)
- Slow-motion swings, pausing at each of the five positions
- Feet-together swings for balance
- Towel under both armpits for connected half swings
- Pump drill: swing to the top, pump halfway down twice, then swing through
Speed: don't chase it yet
Tour players swing the driver well over 105 mph, which is why nearly all of them use X or TX shafts (see our Tour Bag Index). Speed matters, but for beginners a centred strike adds more distance than swinging harder. Get the positions and contact right first; speed training is a second-season project.
Common beginner mistakes
- Trying to lift the ball. Loft does that; hit down with irons.
- Swinging as hard as possible. Balance and contact suffer.
- Swaying instead of turning: the hips slide away from the target on the backswing.
- Changing three things at once after one bad shot.
- Never filming your swing. A phone video from face-on and down the line shows faults feel can't.
Frequently asked questions
What are the basic steps of a golf swing?
Set-up, takeaway, top of the backswing, impact and finish. Learn them slowly as positions, then link them.
Why do I slice the ball?
Usually an open clubface relative to an out-to-in swing path. Check your grip, alignment and driver loft first.
How often should a beginner practise?
Two or three focused sessions a week of 45–60 minutes, including short-game practice, works well.
Should beginners swing hard?
No. A balanced swing that strikes the centre of the face adds more distance than swinging harder.
What club should I practise with first?
A 7-iron or 8-iron for full swings, plus a wedge and putter for the short game.