There are five primary things a golfer needs to do in order to prepare to hit a golf shot. As a whole they represent the 'set-up' in golf:
1. Grip
2. Alignment
3. Stance
4. Posture
5. Ball position
Grip
The grip is the most important element of the set-up. It is the only thing that connects us to the golf club and it is vital that one has a sound grip with the hands in the proper position. Whether a baseball, overlap, or interlock grip is used, one should pay very close attention to where the hands sit on the grip and assure that they are consistently in the correct spot. Any slight variance in hand position will drastically alter how the face of the club contacts the ball (and consequently alter ball flight).
Alignment
We have to aim correctly, and what may feel like correct aim is very often nothing resembling it. Again, slight variances in aim make a huge difference in where the ball ends up. Mistakenly aim two inches left of the target line and the ball could end up twenty yards left of the intended landing spot. Refer to the 'train track method of alignment' and assure that an intermediate target is used for every shot (an intermediate target is a distinguishable spot along the target line very close to the ball, such as a divot or broken tee - making it easier to aim).
Stance
Stance will differ depending on the club in our hands and the shot we are attempting to hit. For chip shots, the feet should be very close together. Pitch shots and lofted clubs require about a shoulder width stance, and longer clubs require a bit more than shoulder width stance (for balance). A good guideline to follow is the closer to the green, the more narrow the stance. However, greenside bunkers require a bit wider stance (again, for balance) and putting calls for a shoulder width stance.
Posture
Avoid the slouch. The back should be very straight, with a very slight bend in the knees and weight on the balls of the feet. The buttocks should be in a bit of a 'sitting' position with some tension in the hamstrings. The chin should be slightly raised so that the shoulders can turn freely under it during the swing without the head moving. Most beginners seem to set up in too much of a standing position with excessive knee bend. Try to have the grip of the club (for any club aside from the putter) 'pointing' at belt buckle level as a guideline.
Ball position
Ball position is again dependent upon what club being used and what shot being attempted. When putting, the ball should be just forward of center. When chipping, the ball should be played back of center. For all other shots, the ball should be played about off the left cheek (and yes, I'm referring to the cheek on a face) with more lofted clubs just a bit more towards the nose and less lofted clubs a bit more towards the left ear (for right handed golfers). The stance widens a bit with each 'less lofted' club but the ball position should remain approximately off the left cheek.
The importance of learning these elements of the set-up can not be over estimated. One should assure they are consistent across the board with all five segments and have an instructor check them frequently.
