Note how from the address position the second ball behind the object ball travels slightly inside the line, following the path of the clubhead in the takeaway
Continueing his occasional series, PGA pro John Hoskison, who plays on the European Seniors Tour, offers some quick tips to help golfers understand their faults.

Because the golf swing is a chain reaction, having a good takeaway is vital. But it’s very difficult to know if you are taking the club back on the right path. Here's a tip to help you find out.

Take up your stance in the address position with a ball directly behind the clubhead, making sure you know where you are aiming. Then swing back to the top of the back swing and as you do so the ball will be sent rolling away.

To understand whether you are taking the club back on the correct path, all you have to do is watch where the ball has rolled.

On a good swing the ball will have been rolled away on an inside path, reflecting a swing path that sweeps back slightly behind you. If, however, the ball rolls either straight back or worse, away from you on an outside-to-in path, you know you have taken the club back incorrectly with a tendency to cut across the ball at impact.

With a few practice swings and without an object ball next to the clubface, it will give a very strong feeling of what to do when you hit a shot - sweep the ball away on slightly inside path for the best results.

John Hoskison is attached to the Newbury Golf Centre and plays on the European Seniors Tour, having earned a conditional card after finishing 10th at Qualifying School at the Pestana. He returned to the UK to rebuild his career in tournament golf after spending time in China, where he was instrumental in the building a driving range for underprivileged children Fuzhou. He won the 2005 Jamega Tour Order of Merit with six victories from 12 starts. For further information visit John's website at www.johnhoskisongolf.com.