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what are the rules on your stance while putting in golf

by Prof. Nestor Swift Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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A golf stance that's too wide or narrow may rob your swing of power and balance, so the first rule is to keep your feet about shoulder-width apart, with the insides of the feet beneath the outsides of the shoulders, when using the driver. For shorter clubs, move the feet slightly closer together.

The USGA and the R&A took notice and, effective January 1, 1968, introduced Rule 35-1L (now Rule16-1e) that stated “The player shall not make a stroke on the putting green from a stance astride, or with either foot touching, the line of the putt or an extension of that line behind the ball.”

Full Answer

What is the perfect golf stance?

Top Golf Stance Tips

  • Golf Stance Width and Ball Position. First, how wide should your golf stance be? ...
  • Handle and Hand Position. A lot of amateur golfers don’t give hand position much thought, but it’s crucial for a perfect golf setup.
  • Setting Up Your Aim. If you’re concerned about mastering aim in your golf stance, you’re in good company. ...
  • Weight Distribution. ...

What are the correct stances for different golf clubs?

  • Shoulder width apart for the feet
  • Ball slightly forward of center
  • Weight distribution balanced and ready to transfer

What is the correct golf stance?

  • Feet slightly narrower than shoulder width
  • Ball in middle or slightly back of the stance
  • Shot needs a descending blow to be most effective

How can you improve your golf stance?

  • Start with width: Position your legs shoulder-width apart and flex your knees.
  • Check your aim: Next, look at where your toes are pointing. ...
  • Address your balance: When preparing to hit your irons, your weight should be balanced on the balls of your feet, not on your toes or heels.

More items...

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What is the correct stance for putting?

The most commonly taught putting stance is one where your body and feet are aligned parallel to the intended line of the putt. Much like your full swing set-up, it is difficult to see if your alignment is open or closed relative to your target line after you have addressed the ball.

Should your stance be open when putting?

The key to distance control is to roll the ball, not hit it. To do this, take an open stance, your weight slightly favoring your left side and your putter shaft leaning toward the target. The open stance makes it easier to feel the left hand going out and down the target line.

How close should you stand to the ball when putting?

The optimum ball position is typically around 8 to 9 inches from your toe-line, the same distance from the hollow in your neck to your eye-line. As the head of most putters are about 4 to 4½ inches long, the distance is about two putter heads.

Can you stand behind the ball when putting?

It's important to note that the line doesn't extend beyond the hole, so a partner may stand on the opposite side of the cup while the stroke is being made. You're allowed to stand on an extension of the line of putt after the stroke, so it's permissible to walk in behind a ball after it has started rolling.

How do you set your stance in golf?

3:009:43Guide to a Proper Golf Stance (Golf Setup Position) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRight a little bit of forward shaft lean separate separate now an easy way to check if you're theMoreRight a little bit of forward shaft lean separate separate now an easy way to check if you're the right distance from the ball is just to grip the club. Let go of the club with your trail.

Do any pros putt with an open stance?

Pro Golfers With An Open Stance There are a few notable golfers that used and popularized the open stance putting technique–Jack Niklaus is probably the most well-known. Niklaus used this stance as it not only helped him visualize the line of putt better, but it also allowed him to hit the ball with a bit more loft.

Should you bend your knees when putting?

You should have a slight knee flex in your putting stance. If your knees are locked, you're straining your back too much.

What happens if ball is too far forward in stance?

Ball position; it's one of the oldest fundamentals in golf. If it's too far forward, it may be causing you to hit thin or fat shots and miss shots to the left. If it's too far back, you could be hitting tops, chunks, and missing the ball to the right.

What happens if I stand too close to the golf ball?

What Can Happen If You Stand Too Close To The Golf Ball? Standing too close to the golf ball will result in a posture that's too upright, which could result in inconsistent shots and no control over the ball. Standing too close to the ball can result in slices and shanks, which are very common among average players.

Should eyes be over ball when putting?

When you turn your head to look at the hole, it will appear left of its actual position, which can result in a pull for right-handed players. Instead, you should keep your eyes over a spot just inside the ball, a few inches toward your feet.

Where should I stand when opponent is putting?

Instead of standing directly in front of or behind your partner, stand slightly off to the side so you're out of her peripheral vision. Once she has hit her putt, you can start moving toward your ball. Players should also avoid standing so their shadow crosses the line between another player's ball and the hole.

Should your elbows touch your body when putting?

To ensure perfect forearm alignment, stand up straight and hold the putter horizontal to the ground, so that it's in line with your forearms. Both elbows should be tucked into your sides. Now bend slowly from your hips and gradually lower the putter to the ground, simultaneously bending your knees.

Can you kneel while putting?

Q. May I kneel or lie on the green to read a putt? A. Although not recommended, yes.

Where do you hit irons in your stance?

As a general rule of thumb to base your ball placement off of your 7 iron should always be placed in the center of your stance. Then, shorter clubs (everything from an 8 iron to pitching wedge) you want to play toward your back foot.

Where do you stand for each club?

1:279:34How to Address the Golf Ball - Proper Golf Stance for Driver vs IronsYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipLittle separate separates from about shoulder width apart. And this is going to get you awful closeMoreLittle separate separates from about shoulder width apart. And this is going to get you awful close to where you need to be in terms of your ball. Position. And also your stance. Width.

What are the three stances in golf?

There are three basic stances that every golfer needs to know; they are the driver stance, the iron/hybrid stance, and the wedge stance. Although you can also have a different stance for putting, the putting stance comes down to more feel and preference than basic fundamentals.

Can standing too close to the ball cause a hook?

Standing too close to the ball causes a loss of posture, reduction in arm extension, loss of balance, loss of speed, toe hits, slices, low hooks and a change in swing path. Always check you setup first when you start hitting errant shots. It is much easier to change your setup from day to day than your golf swing.

Is it better to stand closer to golf ball?

Stand closer to the ball and allow the hands and butt end of the club to be no further than three inches from the body. The closer the better. Standing too far away from the ball and reaching out will cause a low trajectory, cause a golfer to cast the club, come over the top and hit the ball on the toe of the club.

Should your putter touch the ground?

You'll want to keep your putter perpendicular to the ground. 2. Once you're steady over the ball, make your stroke—strike the ball squarely on its equator without hitting any of the quarters.

How to work on golf stance?

There are lots of ways to work on the golf stance, but the best possible way is to see what you look like. You can use a mirror on a driving range, or you can have a friend take some pictures or a video of your swing.

How to get into proper golf posture?

The best way to get yourself into the proper posture is to stand tall, holding the golf club out in front of you.

Why do people have their feet touching when hitting wedge shots?

Many people will have their feet almost touching when they are hitting certain wedge shots around the green. Having some flexibility in the width of your feet while taking your golf stance is quite important . 2. Posture. Having great posture can lead to other positives in your golf swing like swing plane and balance.

What is the stance of a wedge shot?

The stance for a wedge shot is much more narrow, and the ball may appear closer to the back foot, but it should still be close to the middle of the stance. 4. Balance and Weight Distribution. An essential part of a proper golf stance is making sure that your body weight is distributed correctly.

Why is posture important in golf?

The most important thing about posture is to ensure you have the proper spine angle and that your arms can hang freely.

Why do you put weight in the center of your golf ball?

Having the weight in the center will help your stance to stay more in control, and it will cause a lot less leaning forwards and backward as you get into the impact position. When you set up to hit a golf ball, it is ok to have just a little more weight on the right leg (for right-handers).

What happens when you hit a golf shot with an iron?

When you hit a golf shot with an iron or a wedge, you need for there to be a descending blow. This is what causes the ball to launch correctly on the short irons and to spin as it should.

What is the goal of putting stance?

The main goal when establishing a putting stance is to find something that makes you feel relaxed and coordinated. For many golfers, starting with a fairly conventional putting setup and then making alterations based on what you find most comfortable is a good strategy.

How many tenets are there in putting?

There are four tenets of a standard putting setup:

What is the rule for hitting the flagstick in golf?

The rule is outlined in Rule 13.2a. “If you make a stroke with the flagstick left in the hole and the ball in motion then hits the flagstick, there is no penalty and the ball must be played as it lies.

Is it a penalty to move the ball on the outing green?

And under Rule 13.1d, accidentally moving your ball on the outing green is no longer a penalty. You just estimate where the ball’s prior position, replace the ball and continue play.

Can you fix a hole in a putting green?

Another big change has to do with fixing damage on the putting green. In the past it was only legal to fix ball marks and old hole plugs. It is now legal to fix almost any damage to the putting surface, including ball marks, spike marks and damage made by a club or a flagstick. This is outline under Rule 13.1c.

shwitz2003

Does a player have to stand to the side while putting or can they stand anywhere they wish? For example... Could a person stand behind the ball facing the hole and put the ball?

David in FL

Does a player have to stand to the side while putting or can they stand anywhere they wish? For example... Could a person stand behind the ball facing the hole and put the ball?

DaveP043

I agree with David. If I remember correctly, this rule came about due to Sam Snead. As he was getting older, he tried putting croquet-style, and had some success. After the rule change, he still faced the hole, but with both feet on the same side.

joekelly

David's right, schwitz. Read more here, about what some have called 'golf dumbest rule'.

Posts

Come on man…any other QB and that obvious offensive pass interference gets called. Cowboys looked pretty good. Can’t beat the Brady Bias though.

What is the importance of stance in golf?

Your golf stance is essential in providing the rest of the body the stability and balance needed to execute a solid shot. A golf stance that's too wide or narrow may rob your swing of power and balance, so the first rule is to keep your feet about shoulder-width ...

How to swing your feet in golf?

The position of the feet during your golf swing influences your range of body movement. When both feet are perpendicular or square to your target line (the imaginary line from ball to target), you won't be able to move your hips as needed. Point or flare both feet slightly outward to free the hips for a full turn back and through the shot.

How to set up a golf club for a shorter player?

Set up your stance by placing a golf club across the front of your shoulders, with your hands on the club to match the edges of the shoulders; keep the hands in place and move the club to your feet to ensure they are shoulder-width apart.

How to develop a golf swing?

In developing your swing, you'll find that certain shots require changing the position of your feet and your balance. For now, concentrate on maintaining a square, athletic, evenly balanced stance that promotes a straight shot. Beginner Golf Tip – The Basic Stance. Stance is an important part of success in any sport.

How to keep your feet from being too wide?

A golf stance that's too wide or narrow may rob your swing of power and balance, so the first rule is to keep your feet about shoulder-width apart, with the insides of the feet beneath the outsides of the shoulders, when using the driver. For shorter clubs, move the feet slightly closer together.

How to balance golf?

Flexing the knees slightly will help you maintain good balance. For most shots, your weight should be distributed evenly across the feet – 50% on the left, 50% on the right. For shorter irons and around the greens, you will probably find more success with more weight on your left foot for right handed golfers.

What is the basic of golf?

Once you feel confidence in your stance, work on some of the other basics such as grip, aim, and balance.

Why is it important to know the rules of golf?

This can prevent you from making an unintentional mistake that results in receiving a penalty stroke or causes you to disrupt the play of others.

When is a player required to replace a ball marker?

A player is required to replace a ball marker or the ball if it is moved by accident while making a permitted green repair. The player is not assessed a penalty stroke as long as the movement occurs while making an eligible repair.

Can you repair a hole in golf?

The player is allowed to make certain repairs on the green. For example, if there is a plug on the green from a previous hole placement, the player can smooth over the area. The player also can repair any damage caused by a ball from a previous shot, even if the player’s ball is not on the green. The player cannot repair the green in order to improve a ball’s lie.

Can you touch a golf ball in the golf course?

A player is not permitted to touch anything along the path the ball would likely take on its way to the hole. The exceptions are the following: removing obstacles that do not require the pressing down of turf; fixing a ball mark; measuring a shot; replacing a ball or placing a marker; or placing the putter in front of the ball while addressing it.

Can you strike a flagstick while in the hole?

At the Flag. The ball cannot strike the flagstick while it is in the hole unless the shot originated off the green. If the flag is attended, the ball cannot be touched by the person holding the flag or by the flag when it is lifted as the ball approaches.

Where to contact the ball in stance?

When you place the ball in the center of your stance you can contact it at the very bottom of the swing arc and use the natural loft of the putter. The ball will get a great roll right away.

What is the low point of a putting stroke?

Just like any other golf swing, the putting stroke follows an arc. As the putter swings back and through, it obviously has a low point. The low point of the arc is where the putter has the correct amount of loft. Like any club, it delofts on the way back, and gains loft as it swings forward.

How to make contact with the ball in a swing arc?

In order to do that you need to put the back of the ball in the middle of your stance. Put the back of the ball in the middle of your stance. Draw an imaginary line through the middle of your stance and position the back of the ball on that line.

How does a golf putter work?

The ball actually sets down in the grass a little bit. The weight of it presses the grass down and it nestles in. You want the natural loft of the putter to lift the ball up just enough that it can roll on top of the grass.

How to change your swing arc?

If you tend to lean to one direction or the other, that will change your swing arc. Take your normal address position and balance your weight evenly. When you swing the putter you'll find that the arc of your swing grounds out right in the middle.

How far should you move your foot outside of neutral?

When we say two inches outside of neutral, we mean that you should widen your stance by moving each foot two inches beyond the neutral point. The second photo below shows what that looks like.

What happens if you hit a ball too far back?

If it's too far back, you'll end up hitting down on the ball. You'll come in with a descending blow that will smash the ball down into the grass, and then it will hop up and bounce.

What should you do when you stand over a golf ball?

When standing over the ball, a player should assume a relaxed posture. Playing too tightly will make it difficult to keep your swing on the proper plane, leading to misplayed shots. In a relaxed stance, the knees are slightly flexed, and the upper body leans forward and over the ball, according to www.golfsuccessinfo.com.

How to hit a golf ball straight?

To hit the ball straight, the body should be aligned with the face of the club , meaning the feet, hips and shoulders of the player all point parallel to the target line. Alignment can also be used to change the flight path of the ball, according to the instructional site www.golfdiehard.com.

What is the purpose of a neutral grip?

Grip strength refers to the relative position of the thumbs of your hands. A neutral grip is designed to send the ball straight, and has both thumbs aligned. To strengthen a grip, the bottom hand is rotated forward. This makes the ball bend toward the golfer in the air.

How to bend a ball away from the ball?

Moving your lead foot, hip and shoulder slightly back from the ball will open the stance, causing the ball to bend away. Moving slightly toward the ball closes the stance, causing the ball to bend in the direction in which the player addresses the ball.

Why is it important to have a strong grip on a golf ball?

A stronger grip can help battle a tendency for a ball to cut away in the air, and add distance to a shot. A weak grip sees the bottom hand turned slightly back, and causes the ball to bend away from the player as it flies. Weakening a grip will battle a hook, and allow you to stop a ball more quickly after landing.

What grip do golfers use?

The first is the baseball grip , which as the name implies, features both hands wrapped around the club without any overlapping of the hands, as if gripping a baseball bat.

What is the address of a golf ball?

The address of the ball, comprised of grip, stance and alignment, is the foundation of any good golf swing. Even if you are swinging with proper tempo and maintaining control over the club throughout your swing, improper alignment and gripping the club incorrectly will send your shots flying off course more often than not.

What is the USGA rule book?

The USGA rule book is the law for tournament play; it is absolute, without discussion. If it's your first time entering in an event, from as comfortable as a club championship to U.S. Open qualifying, you need to be well-versed on golf's legislation. And because there are so many golf rules, one could feel overwhelmed.

How to avoid the two stroke penalty?

Avoid the two-stroke penalty by double-checking your bag before teeing off.

What happens if the ball falls off the tee?

Ball falls off tee. There's a shocking amount of players that aren't 100 percent sure what to do when this happens. Simple: You get to re-tee without penalty. (Exception: You've already whiffed on the first shot. If the ball then falls off, you have to play it as it lies.)

What happens if someone breaks the order of the shot?

This mainly comes up in match play, but whoever is farthest away from the hole is up. And if someone breaks that order, a competitor is allowed to cancel the shot, forcing them to replay it.

How long do you have to look for a ball?

You have five minutes to search for a ball. The clock begins when you start looking, not after you've hit your shot. After five minutes , the ball is considered lost.

Is it proper to reload a provisional ball?

Alas, saying "reload" does not constitute proper procedure, according to the USGA. A player must announce "I am hitting a provisional" to competitors. You must abandon your provisional ball if your original isn't lost or out-of-bounds, or you determine that it's in a water hazard:

Does point of drop start from a place?

Unlike above, your point of drop doesn't start from a place without interference. You have three options:

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