[Kim Maengnyoung's Golf English Conversation] "Why Address Is Important"

In golf, the quality of the shot is determined at the address.

'Address.'

As a noun, it means 'location'; as a verb, 'to speak to an audience.' In golf, however, it refers to the stance taken and the act of placing the club behind the ball (grounded his club immediately behind the ball). Jack Nicklaus (USA) emphasized, "If you address incorrectly, you'll hit a poor golf shot even if you make the greatest swing in the world."

The most fundamental aspect of the address is to keep your stance and shoulder width the same. For drivers, it is recommended to set your stance slightly wider than your normal stride. Next, bend your knees slightly and tilt your upper body forward by about 15 degrees. From this position, push your hips back just a little to achieve the ideal posture. At this point, there should be enough space between your hands and your body to fit one fist.

If your knees are too straight, you won't be able to generate power and will end up hitting with just your arms. On the other hand, if you squat too much, your swing arc will become smaller, reducing your distance. The 'duck tail' posture also makes it difficult to generate proper force. The horse-riding stance in Taekwondo is often considered ideal. Kim Seyoung (28, Mirae Asset), who has trained in Taekwondo, has mastered this basic posture. Although she is only 163cm tall, her excellent address posture has allowed her to join the ranks of long hitters.

A: Hush! She's going to address the ball.

B: What do you mean by 'addressing the ball' in golf?

A: It means that a player takes her stance and places the golf club head behind the ball, preparing to take a stroke on the ball.

B: I see. Thanks.

Written and photographed by Kim Maengnyoung, golf columnist