Rickie Fowler's Four Checkpoints for Solid Iron Shots

Rickie Fowler has already won in Abu Dhabi this year and he's tied for the lead in Scottsdale after the first round. If you've been watching him blast his irons at the pin -- and, more times than not, hit them right where he intended them to go -- and you wonder what he thinks about when he swings, then you might be interested in Rickie's four-point checklist that he gave Golf Digest on how to hit more greens.

The purpose this is critical is due to the fact... Well, there's nothing special about it. Anybody can test these 4 matters at any time at some stage in their spherical if they're having troubles with their method shots.

The 4 recommendations are:

1. Make sure your feet, knees, hips and shoulders are square
2. Check your posture and make sure you're not too stooped over
3. Avoid overswinging at the top of your backswing
4. Be sure you're hitting the ball before you hit the ground

These four things effectively check your alignment (1), your spine angle at address and the top of the swing (2 and 3) and your footwork / weight shift (4).

Those are dreadfully easy, are not they? You might also even feel embarrassed to say them. But in golfing, as with most things in lifestyles, it's typically the handiest matters that ride us up.

And perhaps because they're so simple, Rickie says not to worry about them if your first few shots are good. Why? Because -- and I think this could be a fifth tip -- the fewer things you think about when you play, the better.

We make a big deal of the way an awful lot Butch has helped Rickie enhance his sport. But is it really any surprise that Rickie has end up so regular when his technique is that this simple?