A great set-up routine is a way to put the most important parts of your setup together in an order that works best for each individual.
In most of my full-swing lessons, establishing an individual setup routine is a priority. While there are many options, here are some parts you may want to consider for yours.
The practice swing should be a realistic swing taken far enough away from the golf ball that you are not inhibited by its presence.
Taking a practice swing too close to the ball can produce an improper motion that may transfer into the actual swing. Be sure to create enough space to avoid this.
Where you choose to take your practice swing is a matter of preference. If the lie is uneven, it may be a good idea to replicate that lie when taking your practice swing.
When you first set the clubhead behind the ball, this is when you want to begin the process of aiming the clubface.
You will often see golfers glancing back and forth between the clubhead and the target or, in some cases, referencing an intermediate target they have chosen to aim over.
Setting the club behind the ball early also promotes the proper bending forward from the hip joint and helps you begin moving into good posture.
Your grip has a direct influence on the clubface throughout the swing and, most importantly, at impact.
If you watch better players, you will notice that they are very particular about the position of each hand and making the grip feel correct for them.
Do not rush the process of placing your hands on the club. Understand what your best grip is, and as part of your setup routine, pay particular attention to getting it correct for you.
Placing your hands on the club carefully and correctly, then setting the clubhead on the ground and aiming it toward your target, is an important part of the routine. This allows you to establish a proper grip while also creating the starting point for good golf posture.
Leaving the clubhead on the ground while you adjust your feet is very important. It allows you to establish the proper spacing between your hands and thighs so that your arms can hang correctly.
A common mistake I see is golfers picking the club up off the ground while adjusting their feet. I do not prefer this because the posture often becomes too upright, and the placement of the feet becomes little more than a best guess at that point.
Once your hands are on the club and the club is soled, your feet can make the adjustments needed to settle into your ideal setup.
Your feet have multiple jobs during this part of the setup. They need to find the proper spacing between your body, the club, and the ball. They also need to adjust for ball position and align your body relative to where the clubface is aiming.
Once your feet have adjusted and found the proper location, the clubhead can be picked up and waggled to relax the arms.
Ideally, your feet and clubhead would not be moving at the same time. When they move simultaneously, your ability to accurately measure and make adjustments is reduced.
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While you can certainly adjust your routine and find the one that works best for you, once you define your best routine, you should stick with it.
This routine allows you to put your fundamentals together while also creating the same cadence and order each time. That consistency can help you become more consistent with your contact and rhythm.
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