Cam Young's top tip for amateurs is one he still uses himself

Once you’ve caught the golf bug, you’ll try just about anything to get better. One week, it’s a viral swing drill. The next, you’re making practice swings in the living room or staying up late studying your favorite tour player’s swing on YouTube. While it’s tempting to believe that one swing thought can change everything, the reality is that better golf is usually built on the less glamorous work. It’s a lesson PGA Tour pros understand better than anyone. While their swings may look effortless to us mere mortals, the game’s best players are constantly working on the basics. Just ask Cameron Young . In the most recent episode of Warming Up with GOLF’s Dylan Dethier, Young explained that the most common advice he gives to amateurs is also the simplest: build a solid setup. “Everybody can set up properly,” he says, “There’s nothing keeping anybody from setting up with pretty square feet, shoulders, hips. But people screw that up a lot.”

Why the setup never stops being important While he explains that one of the biggest challenges for amateurs is a lack of time spent refining key fundamentals, there’s another surprising factor at play — one that even he still struggles with from time to time. “Most people’s concept of reality is pretty off. Like even mine, I still fight,” Young says. One way Young combats this is by making exaggerated rehearsal swings to feel square because what feels correct often isn’t. “I fight like right over and left foot forward — like closed hips,” he says, “So, I’m always — like I mean I was out there at the range yesterday taking practice swings like this, taking little [swings] to try to just make the natural position more square.” It’s a reminder that “feel” and “real” rarely match and that the answer isn’t usually found searching for another swing tip — but rather by spending time confirming you’re aligned and square. The next time you’re tempted to chase a fast fix, start with your setup instead. It might not be flashy, but as Young explains, mastering the basics is often the shortest path to better golf. Cameron Young, one of the most promising young players in golf, continues to demonstrate that even at the highest level of professional sports, attention to detail and fundamental aspects of the game is crucial. His advice to amateurs highlights the universality of golf principles, regardless of skill level. In today's world, where training information is more accessible than ever, it's easy to get caught up in the search for a "secret weapon" or a "magic bullet" that will instantly improve your game. However, as Young's example shows, true progress is achieved through disciplined work on basic elements. The golf setup is not just a starting position before a shot. It is the foundation upon which the entire swing is built. A proper setup provides balance, stability, and optimal body positioning for generating power and control. An incorrect setup can lead to compensations in the swing, which in turn cause errors. For example, if a golfer stands too close or too far from the ball, it can affect the club's path and contact with the ball. If the shoulders, hips, or feet are not aligned properly, it can lead to a closed or open swing, making it difficult to hit the ball in the center of the clubface. Young emphasizes that "most people screw that up a lot." This suggests that even experienced players, let alone amateurs, often neglect this aspect. The reason may be that the setup seems too simple, or that players do not realize how much it affects the entire swing. Young himself admits that he struggles with a "distorted concept of reality" when it comes to his own position. This means that even professionals do not always accurately feel if they are standing correctly. Therefore, he uses "exaggerated rehearsal swings" to "feel square." This is a great method for amateurs: take a swing that feels a little "too" square to truly feel the correct alignment. "I fight like right over and left foot forward — like closed hips," Young specifies. This is a common problem where players, striving for more power, unconsciously close their hips, leading to an incorrect shoulder position and, consequently, a swing that can be too inside or outside. To counteract this, Young deliberately makes practice swings to "make the natural position more square." This means he consciously aims for a position that might feel "too open" or "too square" to him to compensate for his natural tendency. Young's advice is a call to return to the basics. Instead of constantly searching for new drills or technique tips, golfers should ensure their foundation – the setup – is impeccable. This does not require expensive equipment or a lot of time on the course. Regular practice on the driving range or even at home to check your alignment is sufficient. Using a mirror or even a simple alignment tool can help you see how closely your "feel" matches "reality." Ultimately, as Cam Young notes, "mastering the basics is often the shortest path to better golf." This advice, though simple, has profound meaning and can bring significant improvements to any golfer's game, from beginner to professional. Focusing on the setup is not only a technical aspect but also a mental one. Confidence in the correctness of your starting position allows the golfer to focus on executing the shot, rather than worrying about whether they are standing correctly.