How much do you check your PGA?

[glebert]

I'm coming to the conclusion that most of my swing problems are things that happen before I even start the swing. I have heard others refer to the "holy trinity" of posture, grip, and address alignment (PGA). When I consciously check these things I become much more consistent, which is my biggest challenge at this point. Yesterday at the range I was all over the place until I started checking my PGA before each shot. After that hitting driver actually became boring because each shot went dead straight, there didn't seem to be much point in practicing it anymore.

Is there a point where these things become mostly automatic, or is it something that everyone needs to do all the time?

edited: because A is for alignment

[cigarnut81]

If you are refering to posture,grip,alignment then you need to practice them all the time. How can you hit the target if you are not aimed at it right? "PGA" is the thing most worked on by better players because that is where the swing starts.

[glebert]

Alignment, yes, that is what I should have said.

[MiniMoe]

I check mine all the time as well. I do it on the putting green, and when I hit balls. The most simple thing to do is place a club at your feet to give you a visual target line. When I warm up for a round. I hit a few balls to get lose, then I put a club down and hit some 7 irons, then 5 irons, then drivers. After a few shots with each, I take the club away and hit a few to see if my I'm hitting it where I think I'm aiming it. Right before I finish, I place the club back down on the ground and hit a few more. You would be amazed how just a little tweaking can make things so much better.

[glebert]

For me I actually struggle more with posture and grip issues, but I'm sure if I get those straightened out alignment will be my next problem!

[Grndslmhttr3]

A lot of the time, my grip and alignment are both pretty decent, but I also have the habit of being sort of slouched when I swing. Normally I remind myself to correct the posture, and when I do, the results get better.