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 the open vs closed stance in golf?
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.
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.
What are the basic stances in golf?
There are three basic stances in golf, the open stance, square stance, and closed stance. The square stance is when your feet are entirely parallel and square. Your left toes and right toes are resting on the same line. The open stance is where the body and feet are pointing towards the target.
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.
Does a closed stance help with a slice?
An open stance can cause the golf slice. We recommend a square stance, but if you can't stop slicing your driver you can try a closed stance. A closed stance will promote a swing path that goes inside out and could help you hit straighter shots.
Do any pro golfers use a closed stance?
Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead both set up with a closed stance, and a golfer electing to play this way would be in good company! They are two of the most winning golfers in PGA history! The point is, no one stance is the right stance in golf, and golfers should test them all to find the best one suited to their swing.
What does closed stance mean?
: a stance (as in golf) in which the forward foot is closer to the line of play than the back foot — compare open stance.
How do you hit a driver with a closed stance?
1:303:28Closed Stance Club Path Golf Drill - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTo go that way now once you've done a couple or a few shots with that closed stance Jill go back toMoreTo go that way now once you've done a couple or a few shots with that closed stance Jill go back to neutral. Again. Let me afraid to let the handle just sit slightly forward of the ball.
Is it OK to have a closed stance in golf?
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 the ball flight. If the ball flight is a bit lower, you will also sometimes get some extra spin.
Should senior golfers use a closed stance?
Senior golfers should also play out of a slightly closed stance. This means your stance will be aligned slightly to the right of your target. This will also increase your backswing turn. The swings that last the longest are the long swings.
How do you hit a fade with a closed stance?
0:332:39Golf Fade Lesson: How to Properly Setup Your Golf Stance in Order to ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then curve. Back if the ball starts left. And then goes left that means the clubface is closed IMoreAnd then curve. Back if the ball starts left. And then goes left that means the clubface is closed I got to keep the clubface open a little bit more let the ball tell you what the path of your club.
How do I keep my club face closed?
4:086:03HOW TO FIX AN OPEN CLUB FACE AT IMPACT - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo let me show you that little drill again and just notice the end position that I achieve. AndMoreSo let me show you that little drill again and just notice the end position that I achieve. And where the club shaft is relative to my lead arm.
Can you hit a draw with an open stance?
2:225:10TRY LEE TREVINO'S OPEN STANCE GOLF SWING - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHe's an open stance player freddie couples he's an open stance player and jack nicklaus was prettyMoreHe's an open stance player freddie couples he's an open stance player and jack nicklaus was pretty open in the 1960s so here i'm hitting these uh little draws out there with a nine iron.
What is the best stance for driving a golf ball?
1:209:40Proper Golf Stance for Driver vs Irons - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBasically shoulder width apart is a good guideline. For almost all golfers. So go back to theMoreBasically shoulder width apart is a good guideline. For almost all golfers. So go back to the process. Here feet together ball in the center. Little separate separates from about shoulder width apart.
Will an open stance cause a slice?
Just as an open stance will help open the clubface and cause you to fade or slice the ball, this stance will also help prevent hooks and draws. Opening your stance promotes a more outside-in swing path, in which the club is taken back away from the body and then drawn back in during the down swing.
Should driver sit flat at address?
Drivers should always have the toe up at address ' if the hands return close to this position while impacting the ball -- because during the last portion of the swing there is a centrifugal force of up to 70 pounds just before impact, acting at the center of gravity (c.g.) of the head.
Should your golf stance be open?
6:498:37Open your stance for a better hip turn. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIt's all about where your shoulders are pointing. So if you want to align yourself to a target inMoreIt's all about where your shoulders are pointing. So if you want to align yourself to a target in the future.
Does Fred Couples have an open stance?
One of the distinguishing characteristics of Couples' swing is his open stance. As a right handed golfer, Freddy aims his feet and shoulders to the left of the target for most shots.
How do you hit a fade with a closed stance?
0:332:39Golf Fade Lesson: How to Properly Setup Your Golf Stance in Order to ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then curve. Back if the ball starts left. And then goes left that means the clubface is closed IMoreAnd then curve. Back if the ball starts left. And then goes left that means the clubface is closed I got to keep the clubface open a little bit more let the ball tell you what the path of your club.
Can I play golf with an open stance?
2:225:10TRY LEE TREVINO'S OPEN STANCE GOLF SWING - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipHe's an open stance player freddie couples he's an open stance player and jack nicklaus was prettyMoreHe's an open stance player freddie couples he's an open stance player and jack nicklaus was pretty open in the 1960s so here i'm hitting these uh little draws out there with a nine iron.
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.
What is closed stance golf?
The closed stance promotes an in to out club path, which promotes a draw as long as the face is closed to the path.
What does Shawn Clement believe about golf swings?
He believes that the setup and then swinging along that path will help you curve the ball in the correct direction. He promotes working the ball both ways and using the momentum and gravity of the club and swinging it in the proper direction.
How to hit a good golf shot?
Hands in the perfect spot on backswing. Lead with your lower body. Perfect position at the top of backswing. And on and on and on, you come to realize that there are many different ways to make your swing work. You don’t need all of those items above to actually hit good golf shots.
Do amateur golfers have the time to swing?
Might they help, of course, but in the world of amateur golf, there are many ways to make things work in the game of golf. The reality is that many amateurs do not have the time or the guidance to get the picture perfect looking swing and may even lack some of the physical requirements to look so good with the swing.
Can you hit a draw in golf?
For the golfer that never can hit a draw, this approach is worth a shot. As far as fundamental #3, you might be surprised the distance you can hit a golf ball by quieting down your body and relying on your arm swing, solid contact and some gravity in your swing.
Can you play golf with a closed stance?
Playing golf with a closed stance might work for you. In fact, you can control the three fundamentals listed above playing from a closed stance. Did you know that Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead, two of the greatest golfers of all time, actually aimed to the right?
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.
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.
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 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 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.
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 ...
Is the club still square to the target line?
Indeed, while the club is still square to the target line, it is closed relative to the swing line. The change in swing path will promote an inside-out swing that will be conducive to right-to-left sidespin, a type of spin associated with draws and hooks.
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 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 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 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 your feet are shoulder width apart?
When your feet are shoulder-width apart, your body will have the proper mix of rotational ability and balance. These two factors are most significantly affected by how wide your golf stance is. When your feet are more than shoulder width apart, you will have a lot more balance, but it is difficult to rotate and transfer weight properly.
Where do you play the ball with a wedge in your hand?
The ball moves towards the front foot as clubs change. Generally speaking, with a wedge in your hand, you will play the ball right in the middle of your stance.
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.
Which golfer has an open clubface?
Webb Simpson has an open clubface with an extended wrist; Rory McIlroy is in a neutral position; Dustin Johnson has a closed clubface with a flexed wrist. (GETTY)
What direction should the lead hand be in a golf swing?
The lead wrist should be moving into flexion in the transition into the downswing; The lead hand should be moving into pronation (palm pointing toward the sky) through impact ; The head should remain “back” and the eyeline should remain on the back of the golf ball;
What does Mark Dobson do as a golf instructor?
As a golf instructor, Mark believes in cultivating ability and talent by providing comprehensive, holistic golf instruction that is easily understandable and of the highest quality to golfers of all abilities and skill levels.
Does Webb Simpson have an open clubface?
Webb Simpson has an open clubface with an extended wrist;
Why do golfers have open stances?
As golfers reach the level of being a senior golfer, some flexibility and movement may have been lost and the open stance allows the golfer to cheat a little bit and have those hips already open.
What happens when the stance is closed?
With the stance closed, the club path is naturally pushed more from inside out, causing a path that naturally produces a draw shot. The arms and hands can fire away without worry about firing the hips, allowing the club to stay on the inside.
What line does the golf ball curve away from?
The golf ball will then curve away from the swing path. There are two different lines that we must understand. The target line and the start line. The best golfers start the ball left or right of the target line and then curve the ball back towards the target.
Why do golfers drop their back legs?
The dropping of the back leg can help stabilize the golf swing as we lose balance as we get older. Some golfers prefer to play more off the front leg, which this closed stance allows the golfer to utilize that front leg and feel some additional stability.
What is the best stance for senior golfers?
Option #1: The Open Golf Stance for Seniors. The open golf stance consists of dropping your front back several inches and up to a foot and having your stance open up. The stance makes it feel like your body and feet are aimed well to the left for a right handed golfer. However, the club remains aimed at the target.
What is the first fundamental in golf?
The first fundamental is the golfer’s ability to control the bottom of the golf swing. The best golfers will hit the ground in the intended spot, close to 100% of the time. The second fundamental is the golfer’s ability to control the curve of the golf ball.
Why do you swing with an open stance?
One of the key things here with an open stance is to ensure you are squaring the club face up to the path you are swinging on. The open stance allows you to have an inside out swing, even though it might appear that it would force an outside in.
