Many golfers get in a comfortable position with their upper body before they swing, but comfortable and correct for golf are often not the same place. When I say comfortable I mean that they look like a capital Y. The club is the leg of the Y and both arms are the arms of the Y. The players left and right arm being held as straight as each other.

To adopt the correct position:

Sole the club on the ground

Take your normal left hand hold position on the grip

Take your usual foot width for a full shot with your chosen club

Bend from your hips. Keep your left arm firmly straight but not stiff straight.

Position the butt end of the grip opposite the inside of your left thigh.

Place your open right hand against the outside of your right thigh.

Slide your hand down your thigh until your finger tips are level with the centre of your kneecap.

Be careful to maintain equal weight on both feet - don't go heavy on your right foot.

Now keeping your right elbow close to, but not touching your right hip, bring your right hand onto the club and adopt your usual right hand hold.

You now have a correct position for your upper body. You will be looking at the back of the ball not the top of it.

Your right shoulder will be 3 or 4 inches lower than your left.

You will have a gap between you elbows approximately the size of cantaloupe melon.

Freer swings will result in longer straighter shots!