The closed golf stance involves your feet being on a parallel line that is aimed to the right of your target. Your shoulders and your hips will also be on this line. The closes stance can look a bit like you are trying to hit the ball right of the target; however, the target line and clubhead are still pointed straight at the pin.
What is a closed stance in golf?
Put another way, the right foot is pulled back from the parallel target line and if a shaft was placed across the toes, it would point right of the target. Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and the sweet-swinging Fred Couples all set up with a closed stance, and a golfer electing to play this way would be in good company!
Is your stance right for your golf game?
Getting your stance correct can only mean good things for your golf game. When your stance is not right, you are going to have trouble with your takeaway and getting the swing on plane. Many golfers also struggle with their finish if they don’t get their stance right from the start.
What is the diagonal stance in golf?
The diagonal stance gives you a feeling of power and control. You are able to create some quality power while controlling the path of your swing. When I need a go to shot on a right to left hole, the diagonal stance is utilized and I am able to hit the shot.
Is a closed stance the best fit for your game?
If you are still undecided as to whether a closed, open, or square stance is the best fit for your game, you are in the right place. Let’s look at the benefits and disadvantages of a closed golf stance and how it compares to an open stance. The golf stance sets you up to hit golf shots.
Should I set up to the ball with a square, open or closed stance?
All are acceptable and the proficient player will use all 3 in a round of golf, depending on the shot shape he wants to execute.
Swing Path
By closing the stance at address, the takeaway and swing path of the club should start inside the target line. This will set the downswing on an in-to-out path. Generally, the shoulders and hips will also be in a closed position which encourages this in-to-out swing through impact.
Clubface
Keeping the clubface square to the actual target line at address and through impact will impart sidespin to the ball and the ball will move from right to left in the air. Commonly known as a draw and a shot that many players have spent their entire golfing careers trying to achieve.
Ball Position
Playing with a closed stance will automatically move the ball slightly further back in the stance. This helps the takeaway and also promotes a draw bias. Experiment with the ball position to find the best position for consistent results.
Ball Flight
The sidespin will move the ball from right to left in the air and should end up on the target line. Initially, the ball will take off to the right of the target, and then curve back to the line where the clubface was pointing at address. This draw spin on the ball creates a penetrating flight, especially in windy conditions.
Trajectory
The clubface at impact from the in-to-out swing path, will not only generate a draw sidespin on the ball but will also determine the trajectory. The more closed the face is at impact, the lower the trajectory will be. Basically, the closed face reduces the loft on the club, resulting in a lower trajectory and ball flight.
Distance
The word all golfers love to hear and talk about. A golf ball hit with a draw bias will penetrate the air better, and will also roll out further on the fairway. Depending on the fairway conditions this can be fairly significant. 10 to 15 meters on the ground means hitting one club less into the green.
Why do you need a closed stance in golf?
Benefits Of A Closed Golf Stance. The benefits of the closed stance are most closely related to the fact that you won’t slice the ball when you are standing close to your target. The closed stance can help golfers that struggle to release the ball actually turn it over as they come through impact. In addition, the closed stance can also lower ...
What are the disadvantages of a closed stance in golf?
One of the disadvantages here is that the closed golf stance can be exaggerated and result in a hook. The hook is a rough shot to recover from and will almost always cause you to have to punch out of the trouble or take a penalty shot.
How does stance affect golf swing?
The stance can impact the alignment, distance, and launch angle of the shots. Depending on how you have your stance, your ball can fly higher or lower, it can fly a long way or lose distance, and you can cause the flight of the ball to go left or right as well. Golfers tend to get a bit too involved in some of their golf swing mechanics.
What does a golf stance mean?
The golf stance sets you up to hit golf shots. If your stance is aiming you left, you will hit the ball left; if it’s aiming you right, you will hit it right. Getting your stance correct can only mean good things for your golf game. When your stance is not right, you are going to have trouble with your takeaway and getting the swing on plane.
What is square stance?
What Is The Square Golf Stance. A square golf stance is the standard golf stance . This is where you stand with your feet, shoulder, hips, and clubface all parallel and all square directly to your target. This is the main stance in golf that all players should be using.
Why is stance important in golf?
The golf stance is such an important feature of the golf game. If your stance is not solid, you are going to end up having a hard time getting the club on the plane and completing a golf swing the way you would like to.
What does a closed stance look like?
The closed stance looks a lot like a golfer with the right foot (right handed golfer) dropped back. This is essentially the same thing but is the feeling that most golfers have when they set up with a closed stance. Their body is closed to the target.
How to practice lining up golf shots?
How do I practice lining up golf shots? The best way to practice lining up golf shots is to use an alignment stick. Place the stick on the ground along your intended target line as a visual aid when at the driving range, or during on-course practice, and then align your clubface, feet and shoulders accordingly.
How to set your foot on a golf club?
To set your feet correctly, simply: Align your clubface along your target line. Line up your trail foot first so that it matches the leading edge of your clubhead, and set it in place. Once you are comfortable, set your lead foot down so that it is in line with your trail foot.
How to know if your clubface is square to your target?
Set-up over the ball so that your clubface is pointed down your target line. Focus on the leading edge/bottom groove of the golf club (this is easier to do with an iron or wedge) and make sure it forms a 90-degree angle with your target line. If you have done this, it means your clubface is square to your target.
How to align your feet to your target line?
There are three key steps to correctly aligning yourself to your target in golf: first, aim the clubface so that it’s pointed down your intended target line; second, align your feet parallel to your target line; and third, make sure your shoulders are square or slightly open, not closed, to your target line. It may seem simple, but doing these ...
What happens if you address the ball with your feet and shoulders closed?
If you take your stance first but accidentally address the ball with your feet and shoulders closed or open to your target line, the chances are your clubface will have to compensate by also being closed or open – which can lead to hooks or slices without you realising.
What happens if your lead foot is too far above your trail foot?
If your lead foot is too far above your trail foot, this will lead to a closed stance – and vice versa for an open stance. A good way to check this during practice is to lay down an alignment stick on your intended target line, and then set-up with your toes touching the stick (this will make sure they’re square).
Who is the golf instructor that coaches Tiger Woods?
The more you do this, the more second nature it will become during competition and the straighter your shots will be. Renowned golf instructor Sean Foley, who used to coach 15-time major winner Tiger Woods, says the biggest error he sees from amateurs is they aim too far right when addressing the golf ball.
MelloYello
As someone who's done the same thing I can about guarantee that you've got it coming too far inside on the take-away. That's a problem I have to fight against going back to as well! You don't necessarily have a problem coming over-the-top but you're probably making really hard on yourself not to do that since you've got it too inside.
bmill
Can I ask a question on this? If a slight OTT move is natural or normal or powerful for a golfer, and a closed stance compensates for this, why is this a bad thing to do long term? Is this what Snead did? I know that square to square is philosophically ideal, but I have never heard why this would actually stall someone or cause them to peak at less than potential? Serious question - I struggle with OTT because I tend to want to turn my shoulders hard and out of sync with the rest of my body.
jamie
I'm a low capper but I practice my wedges from a closed stance to encourage covering the ball. Sometimes I get lazy and get too inside and fat my 100yds and in. With closed stance I really have to rotate.
NoTalentLefty
I like to read old posts on topics that I struggle with. This is one. Playing a closed stance on all clubs but some speciality shots like chips and putting. Should I change it? After reading this I’m okay with it.
What are the effects of an open stance on a golf club?
Effects. The first immediate effect of adopting an open stance is that it opens up the clubface relative to the swing line, which will increase the loft of the club . Ultimately this will lead to shots that are higher in altitude than what is normally associated with a given club.
How to set up for an open stance?
How to Set Up Properly. In order to position yourself properly for an open stance you are best to adopt a square stance first. After adopting a neutral stance you can then move on to making the adjustments which simply involves lifting your left foot from the ground and withdrawing it slightly back . Then it’s simply a matter of rotating your right ...
How to use square stance?
Square stance. In order to adopt a square stance you simply place both feet in a way that the toe line (and even better the heel line) is parallel to the target line. It is indeed better to use the heel line when setting up because that line is undisturbed by foot flaring – if any – which will change the toe line without impacting the stance.
What is an open stance in tennis?
An open stance is one where the toe line – or again the heel line – is not parallel to the target line but will instead cross it behind the ball. In other words, the toe line of an open stance will be aimed at the left of the target.
What happens when you close your stance?
The immediate effect of closing your stance is that it closes the clubhead relative to the swing line, which decreases the loft of the club. Ultimately, this leads to balls that fly lower than what the club was designed for. Indeed, while the club is still square to the target line, it is closed relative to the swing line.
How to set up your feet properly?
How to Set Up Properly. You first position your feet for a closed stance by setting up in a normal, square stance. Then it is simply a matter of lifting your left foot from the ground and advancing it forward while rotating around your right foot. Finally, you move your right foot slightly in order for it to rest comfortably on ...
How are feet positioned relative to the ball?
In addition to how feet can be positioned relative to the ball or to each other, the feet can also vary in how they are positioned relative to the target line. The positioning of the feet in relation to the target line is called the stance and there are three main positions, which are explained below.
Benefits Of A Open Golf Stance – How It Compares To A Closed Stance
The challenge with golf is that numerous factors impact our swing and performance that it can be difficult to identify where you are going wrong.
How Is Your Stance Going To Affect Your Performance?
David Leadbetter explains that your stance has a direct impact on your swing path.
Overview Of Open Vs Closed are Golf Stance
The open vs closed golf stance are two of three stances golfers use when approaching the ball.
What Is The Open Stance?
In this article on the Benefits Of A Closed Golf Stance, we explained that an open stance occurs when you set up aiming to the left of the target, as a right-hander, and to the right of it for lefties.
What Are The Benefits Of The Open Stance?
An open stance gives you more freedom to rotate your hips and accelerate through impact, which helps to increase your back leg drive for maximum power at impact.
What Are The Disadvantages Of An Open Stance?
If you swing over the top and can’t get your clubface into the correct position at impact.
What Is The Closed Golf Stance?
Contrary to an open stance, where right-handers aim to the left of their target.
