There are 6 basic steps in the golf swing that each golfer should be aware prior to each golf shot.
Step number 1 is body alignment relative to the target.
Start by standing 2 to 3 yards behind the golf ball, with your body and the ball forming a straight line to the target.
Pick out a guiding target directly behind and directly in front of the golf ball that is in the line your body and the golf make toward the target.
These targets could be anything on the ground inches in front and behind the golf ball like leaves, grass, a broken tee, whatever.
Focus on these ground targets that fall on the line you picked out to the target as you approach the golf ball.
Step number 2 of golf swing involves club face alignment.
We already have our body aligned from the previous step.
Now let's get our club face aligned.
Set the golf club face behind the golf ball, aligning the middle of the golf clubs face with the targets you picked out on the ground directly in front and behind the golf ball.
Gripping the golf clubs with a tension-free grip will allow you to be relaxed through out the duration of the golf swing.
Line your feet up about shoulder width apart on a line parallel to the line made by your golf ball and the ground targets directly in front and behind the golf ball.
As Tiger Woods has mentioned, you should have your knees slightly bent in an athletic stance.
In order to allow your hips to rotate without restriction, the front foot should open a little toward the target.
Tilt your torso slightly towards the ball while keeping your back straight.
The arms should now hang freely in front of the body to grip the club.
The shoulders should be parallel with the ground targets and the toes, and your head should be tilted downward with your eyes on the ball.
These motions described are known as the set-up, or addressing the ball.
The back swing is step 4 of the golf swing.
It is also known as the take away.
This will be the start of the meat and potatoes of the golf swing.
You want to rhythmically take the golf club back on the same plane of the straight line that your ground targets make.
Make sure to keep your back elbow close to your ribs.
The front elbow should be straight during the back swing.
Your eyes should remain on the back of the golf ball, where you want to strike it with the golf club face.
The back swing should inherently bring your chin into your front shoulder.
The hips will stay quite and tilted a small amount forward.
The front knee should also turn inward.
At the height of the back swing, you should allow your wrists to break slightly to get ready for the next step of the golf swing.
The down swing involves bringing the club down toward the ball.
You will uncoil your wrists and start shifting your weight toward your front foot.
With gravity helping, your down swing is where you can generate force and speed.
Never take the club face off of your target line.
This defines the swing plane.
The club face should strike the back of the ball first, then continue on through the arc of the swing.
This will result in the club taking a divot out of the ground, just past where the golf ball initially was sitting.
Continue the swing on past the second target you picked out just in front of the golf ball.
The finish will generate a bit more distance if done properly.
Follow through the golf swing with a high follow through of the golf club.
Your rotation of the hips should have turned them directly toward your target.
Since your weight will shift, it should now be squarely on your front leg.
You should now be seeing your golf ball soaring toward your target in a nice arcing trajectory.