One of the biggest challenges for beginning golfers and an area of constant attention for low handicap golfers as well as professionals is consistency in their swing. For someone just beginning to learn and apply the mechanics of the golf swing, one of the most important concepts to get on the right track with right from the get-go is to learn that the golf swing is a rotation of the shoulders and the hips not the forearms and hands. In short, when learning the basic golf swing, learn to turn.
One very simple drill you can perform to reinforce and to illustrate this concept is to place a golf ball (or any similar object that you can focus on) on the floor in front of you. Stand over the ball as you would normally properly address the ball. With a slight bend in the waist and knees, and with a flat back. Take your left hand and place it on your right shoulder and do the same with your right hand on your left shoulder. In other words, fold your arms across your chest.
From this position emulate your take-away from the ball. It is important to keep your posture in tact and your chin slightly up. This allows your left shoulder (assuming a right handed golf swing) to...