The Correct Posture for a Golf Swing
- Athletic Action. Hitting a golf ball is an athletic action. ...
- Balanced. With your knees slightly flexed, your balance changes slightly. ...
- Erect. Tom Watson wrote in a "Golf Digest" article that he would rather see a player stand too tall than bend over too much because bent players tended to “stand ...
- Square. ...
- Relaxed. ...
Full Answer
Why is the stance of the golf ball so important?
The stance allows for too much power and too wide of an arc and that will not be necessary. When you watch the professionals hitting shot around the green, you can see that their feet are very close together. In some instances, the feet will be directly next to each other.
What is a good stance in golf?
Some of the basics of a good stance are obvious, yet should never be taken for granted. Things like knee flex and good posture will help put you in the best possible position to swing the club. Golf is already a hard game – you don't want to make it harder by failing to put yourself in a good stance at address.
How does a narrow stance affect your golf game?
Something you will notice about golfers with a narrow stance is that they tend to stand a bit more upright when they address the golf ball. Something about the feet being closer together can sometimes bring players a bit closer to the ball and increase their spine angle.
Why is the ball position farther back in the stance?
The ball position being farther back in the stance will deloft the club a little and help keep the shot along the ground (perfect for playing a bump and run, or if you’re using a chipper ).
What is the correct stance to hit a golf ball?
The center of your upper spine, your knees, and balls of your feet should line up on top of each other. Your back knee should be slightly turned inward pointing at the target. Don't bend at your waist - use your hips! You will feel your buttocks stick out slightly in the proper stance.
What are the 3 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.
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.
Where do pros put the ball in their stance?
The ball should be in the middle of the tracks and you should be standing on the outside of them. The third alignment stick should be laid perpendicular to the other two and placed right around in the center pointing straight at the golf ball. This stick represents where the ball is placed in your stance.
Should hands be in front of ball with irons?
The grip and hands must be in front of the clubhead and ball. Many amateur golfers believe that the grip and clubhead come back to the position they are in during the setup. The hands and grip must move forward before the clubhead in order to properly compress and control the ball.
How do I find my golf stance?
0:349:43Guide to a Proper Golf Stance (Golf Setup Position) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTake your lead foot which for me is my left foot. Move it forward slightly. Take my trail foot moveMoreTake your lead foot which for me is my left foot. Move it forward slightly. Take my trail foot move it back slightly. So that now the ball is basically about right in the middle of the stance.
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.
How far does the average golfer hit a 5 iron?
164 yardsThe average golfer hits their 5 iron 164 yards, but the range tends to vary between 146 and 179 yards. The distance you hit the ball will depend on your swing speed and how well you can compress the golf ball.
Why do I hit 3 wood as far as driver?
1. Players who hit their 3- or 5-wood as far or longer than their driver are typically using too little loft with the driver for their clubhead speed. You know, it's a funny thing with the driver and its loft compared to the other clubs in the bag.
What is the correct tee height for driver?
about 1.5 inchesFrom a poll of GOLF's Top 100 Teachers, the ideal tee height is about 1.5 inches for driver. A good checkpoint is that half the ball “peeks” above the crown after you sole the club at address. For a 3-wood, peg it about half an inch and just a quarter inch with an iron.
How do you hit a golf ball further with a shorter swing?
2:0010:40Swing SHORTER Hit FARTHER - The Best Golf Ball Striking Tip You Need ...YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf you go any further it breaks. Down got the elbows together the lead arm straight the next thingMoreIf you go any further it breaks. Down got the elbows together the lead arm straight the next thing you need to do is get a little bit of weight on the front. Side keep your body over the golf ball.
Where should I tee my driver in stance?
4:019:44Proper Driver Ball Position for Amateur Golfers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo I like to bring it up front a little bit of a side note there get your grip right get theMoreSo I like to bring it up front a little bit of a side note there get your grip right get the clubface square it up and then what I'm gonna do is put the club.
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 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).
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
How to build a 7 iron stance?
For the first stance you are going to build, take your seven iron out of the bag and place a ball down in front of you. As you walk up to the ball, your first action should be to place the head of the seven iron down behind the ball in a position that allows the sole of the club to sit flat on the ground.
Why do you need to play the ball forward?
Because they have less loft you will need to play the ball forward to get the ideal angle of approach. A couple of inches forward of the middle of the stance is an ideal ball position.
Where should the ball be in the air?
The ball position should be directly opposite your left heel or about one inch inside the left heel. Drivers do not have much loft on them so you need to hit the ball on an ascending angle of approach to help the ball in the air. A ball position that is further forward will help achieve this.
How to change golf ball flight?
Here are some golf stance tips and golf ball position tips on how to setup when trying to change ball flights. Left to Right – A player will place the ball further forward in their stance. This is known as fading, slicing or cutting the golf ball. Right to Left – A player will place the ball slightly further back.
What does less loft mean in golf?
The fairway wood will also need to be attacked on an ascending angle of approach. The less loft means you need to help the ball in the air on the upswing. The adjusted golf ball positions is all you need to do to achieve this.
What is high ball flight?
High Ball Flight – A player will place the ball further forward in their stance to achieve this shot. For example, if a player had a long iron and was after a lower ball flight they would simply place the ball closer to the centre of their stance.
What is the difference between right to left and low ball flight?
Right to Left – A player will place the ball slightly further back. This is known as hitting a draw or a hook if it is a severe right to left. Low Ball Flight – A player will place the ball back in the stance depending on the club. Also known as the punch shot or the stinger which Tiger Woods has made famous with his 2 iron.
Does the stance change in golf?
It is actually quite easy to achieve the perfect golf stance and ball position. The actual swing for all of your full shots does not change, but your golf stance and ball position for each club will change slightly from the driver, to the irons and wedges.
Square, Closed, or Open
The second part of your stance is whether it’s square, closed, or open to the target.
Weight
Another thing to think about during setup is your weight or balance between your feet. Each shot requires you to move your weight differently, and it’s important to set up correctly.
Ball Position
The final checkpoint is your ball position. It will differ depending on the club and shot you’re about to play, and I’ll break down each one in the next section.
Woods
To make the right move with your driver, stance and ball position are key to success. With a driver, you want the ball off the left heel so that you hit up on it at impact to increase launch angle. Remember, it’s teed up, so you need to adjust accordingly.
Irons
With irons, you want the ball position in the middle to middle front of your stance. For longer irons or hybrids, go with front middle. With shorter irons, play them in the middle of your stance (not back) to hit down on the golf ball.
Wedges
With wedges, your stance is usually much more narrow than with irons or woods. Since most of us only hit wedges under 130 yards or so, you don’t need a huge stance. Distance isn’t the goal with these shots; instead, it’s all about accuracy and control.
Wrapping Up
There are a lot of components to getting the right stance and setup. But when you master this part of the swing, everything becomes easier as you set yourself up for success.
What are the three stances in golf?
Square stance: Both your feet are positioned next to each other and are parallel to the target line.
What is the natural way to launch a golf ball at a distance?
Natural to Physics. While your current stance may be natural to you, from the perspective of physics, the open view is the natural way to launch a golf ball at a distance if one wants the ball to have the right lift. This means that when you use your natural stance, you are fighting physics for distance.
What happens if you swing from an obtuse angle?
If you swing from a very obtuse angle, you generate too much power at an angle that will be hindered by your trailside. If your club swings in more of a straight path alongside the target line, you have a lot of room to open up your stance.
What to do if you are held back by not hitting the right drivers?
If your games are held back by not hitting the right drivers earlier on, you have to open your stance a lot and get as much lift as possible , especially on bigger courses. On the other hand, if you start scoring too much around the fairway, you may need to open up your stance just a little bit.
Why is a closed stance important?
A closed stance and an open stance are the most relevant in launching drivers and occasionally when shooting at intermediate distances only because one has little control over adjusting the target’s angle.
How to add tens of yards in golf?
However, the insiders know that the secret to effortlessly adding tens of yards is open stance golf. For open stance golf, you need to first stand in the right position a few feet away from the ball and assume a square stance by placing both your feet next to each other and parallel to the target line.
Why do you have to use a closed view in golf?
If your club swing’s obtuseness makes your club travel too far behind the target line, a closed view will work best for you. However, if you are a senior golfer, you should train your swing to match the open stance because you will make significant gains in the distance and lift by adopting an open view.
What happens if you stand over a golf ball with your knees straight?
If you were to stand over the ball with your knees straight, you would not have a ‘platform’ for the rest of your swing. Think of your legs in the stance as the foundation of a house – without the foundation, the house is sure to fall to the ground.
Why do you move the ball back in your stance when playing downhill?
If playing from a downhill lie, move the ball back in your stance to make it easier to catch the ball before the turf. The same is actually true when playing from an uphill lie, as moving the ball back in your stance will limit the amount of weight transfer you need to achieve.
Why do you want to stand taller in putting?
You want to stand a bit taller than you do in your full swing because you need to provide the putter with plenty of room to swing freely through impact.
What should your backside be sticking out behind you?
In the end, your knees should be flexed, your backside should be sticking out behind you, and your muscles should feel engaged and ready to perform. #2 – Open the Right Foot for a Better Turn. One of the amazing things about the stance in golf is how much influence it has over the rest of the swing.
What happens if you stand over the ball too long?
If you stand over the ball too long after taking your stance, you may find yourself stuck – meaning you are having a difficult time getting your swing started. This is a common problem, and it has even affected some of the top players in the world from time to time.
Why do you need good traction in golf shoes?
You need good traction in order to make aggressive, confident golf swings, and that traction is only going to be provided by a quality pair of shoes.
How to make your backswing better?
If you currently stand with both of your feet square to the target line in your stance, try turning your right foot open by just a few degrees to add length to your backswing. With your right foot open, your right knee will be able to ‘give’ a little bit more going back – resulting in a better turn.
What is a narrow stance in golf?
A narrow golf stance is typically one that is slightly more narrow than shoulder width. The standard golf stance is about shoulder width apart with your feet; narrow stance golfers will have their feet even closer than this.
How does stance affect golf?
The golf stance can affect a few parts of your game. It can affect the speed of the club, your ability to turn and swing through the ball, and your balance as well. These factors are going to make or break your day on the golf course.
What does it mean when your golf stance is narrow?
Something you will notice about golfers with a narrow stance is that they tend to stand a bit more upright when they address the golf ball. Something about the feet being closer together can sometimes bring players a bit closer to the ball and increase their spine angle.
Why is a narrow stance better?
The main benefit of the narrow golf stance is that a golfer can have a much better rotation. Since your feet are not all that far apart, you can turn your body back and through the ball quite a bit easier . This type of rotation can also help some golfers start to hit the ball quite a bit straighter.
What are the disadvantages of wide stance golf?
The main disadvantage of the wide golf stance is going to be in the short game. It is nearly impossible to hit a small chip shot with finesse if your feet are more than shoulder width apart. The stance allows for too much power and too wide of an arc and that will not be necessary.
Why do you have to widen your stance when hooking a golf ball?
This is because with your feet being closer together, you will have an easier time wrapping the club around your body. For a golfer that slices the ball, the narrow stance is a great fix. However, if you happen to hook your golf ball, you will want to widen the stance just a bit.
Why is a narrow stance better for junior golfers?
Some juniors do better with a slightly wider stance because they can feel more balanced and in control. Women seem to have an easier time turning and creating a better tempo when the stance is narrow.
What happens if you stand too far away from a tennis ball?
When you stand too far away from the ball, one of the major effects is that your arms have to swing at the ball more. You need to reach out to the ball to make contact and so you can’t use your body to generate power properly. This will result in a significant loss of distance.
What are the disadvantages of standing too far from the ball?
The main disadvantages that standing too far from the ball will cause are reduced swing efficiency and poor balance. This will all lead to inconsistencies in your swing and that will make playing more difficult. Put simply, golf is about consistency, the more you can replicate something the better you become.
What is a swing plane?
When you are standing too close to the ball, you will swing with a plane that is too upright. This can tend to cause more of a slice or even shanks.
What is the difference between golf swing and other sports?
The golf swing is a highly dynamic and athletic movement but one of the main differences between golf and other sports is that you play from a standing start. It’s not like playing football where you kick a ball that is rolling, it is a stationary start.
What is position at address in golf?
Put simply, golf is about consistency, the more you can replicate something the better you become. As I’ve already said in this article, your position at address is something that you can have control of. This is the point in your swing that acts as your launchpad, use it to your advantage and get it right.
How does a golf club go around your body?
The further you stand from the ball, the more flat your swing will become. This is logical as you will have started your swing with your hands will be reaching or your body will be overly bent over. This means that the club can only go around your body in a flatter way.
How does standing too close affect your swing?
You Allow Your Body To Be A Greater Part Of Your Swing. Much as standing too far away from the ball will reduce your body’s ability to be a part of your swing, standing too close can have a similar effect. When you are too close, your body can get in the way of your swing and your hands have to “dig out” the shot.
