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why does a closed golf stance help me hit it straight

by Prof. Judge Block IV Published 2 years ago Updated 1 year ago
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The closed stance (narrow stance in golf) is perfect for players who hit hooks or slices because it promotes these types of shots. The closed stance has the player set up by positioning themselves further from the ball and having their feet positioned like a square. Neutral Golf Stance

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.

Full Answer

Should you close your stance when playing golf?

If a golfer is able to slightly close their stance, they will have no trouble getting the club to turn over and the ball to fly towards the target. Since the closed stance also allows a bit more room for a player to take the club inside and shallow, the plane becomes more conducive to a hook or draw 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.

What is the correct stance for hitting the golf ball?

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 difference between open and open stance in golf?

Golfers will still be swinging on the same plane even if their feet are turned to the left of the target. When you are in an open golf stance, your body will feel as though it is open to the target.

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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.

Who uses a closed stance in golf?

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.

Why do I hit the golf ball better with an open stance?

6:448:37Open your stance for a better hip turn. - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're also going to have a great deal more fun shaping the ball. If you can't control path and faceMoreYou're also going to have a great deal more fun shaping the ball. If you can't control path and face angle you can't shape the golf ball.

Is it OK to play golf with an open stance?

Putting with an open stance makes alignment much easier, and it allows you to have a better line to your target. Some golfers will not only set up with an open stance, but they will also look at the hole while they are putting. This method of putting has become quite popular through the years, and it is very effective.

Is a closed stance good in golf?

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.

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.

Should an iron be slightly open at address?

0:191:57Address the Ball - Better Players Leave the Clubface Slightly OpenYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipTime you get up get to the golf ball the clubface is going to be slightly closed. And for thatMoreTime you get up get to the golf ball the clubface is going to be slightly closed. And for that reason better players leave the clubface slightly open an address and you might want to try that at home.

Should putting stance be open?

The open stance makes it easier to feel the left hand going out and down the target line. The forward lean offsets the 4 degrees of loft I recommend for a putter and helps the ball roll smoothly.

Why do I hit the golf ball better with my feet together?

Swinging with your feet together forces your weight into a more stable spot, similar to the one-footed putting drill we wrote about recently, improves the bottom of their arc, and only results in a slight loss of distance. “90 percent of players would be better playing with their feet together.

How do you fix a closed golf stance?

1:555:51CHANGE YOUR GOLF STANCE FOR SOLID CONTACT - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThen room to swing into this area here which is absolutely essential if you want to change yourMoreThen room to swing into this area here which is absolutely essential if you want to change your swing plane. So brilliant. From a playing point of view anything else only what about rotation.

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.

What is the correct stance for golf?

Your rear foot should be at right angles to the target line. Your front foot can be angled outwards but only slightly. Knees should be lightly flexed but not bent. Your body weight should be spread 50/50 between your toes and heels as well as 50/50 between your left and right foot for most shots.

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.

What's a closed stance in golf?

1:465:51CHANGE YOUR GOLF STANCE FOR SOLID CONTACT - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIssues so it is a good idea for somebody in that situation. To actually have the right foot back ifMoreIssues so it is a good idea for somebody in that situation. To actually have the right foot back if this is what he's sort of talking about Anthony they're staggering. The right foot back here. So

How much does it cost to close a draw stance?

But, for a draw you want to feel like you have more room to come into the ball from the inside. This small shift will allow you to have enough room to get the ball started to the right of the target. Next, close your stance by dropping your right foot back an inch or two at address.

What does close 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 pull fade?

In order to hit a slight pull fade, a swing that has a face pointing 2 degrees left and a path that is 4 degrees left will result in a shot that starts slightly left and fades back towards the target.

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 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 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.

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.

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 ...

What happens at the top of a golf swing?

The club face position and lead forearm match the angle and position of your wrist. In other words, there is one, clean line at the top of your swing.

How to swing a golf club from the inside?

For a right-handed golfer, this means the left hip shifts over the lead foot. Raise the lead arm slightly. When you make these changes in your stance , you find it’s easier and more natural to swing the club from the inside.

What is the best grip for golf?

Here are the three basic grips you see among golfers. Neutral grip: If you look down at the thumb of your lead hand and see 2 – 2 ½ knuckles from your index and middle fingers, you have a neutral grip. Weak grip: If you look down on your thumb and can’t see any knuckles on the lead hand, you have a weak grip.

What is a slice in golf?

For a right-handed golfer, a slice is a golf shot in which the ball curves to the right. If you’re left-handed, a slice is defined as a leftward curve. A slice is also called a “fade.”.

What does a strong grip look like?

A strong grip results from a clockwise rotation in your wrist. Another way to think of it: in a strong grip, your lead hand looks like it’s revving a motorcycle. Now, none of these grips is necessarily bad. In fact, you see all three grips among the world’s best golfers.

Why is swing speed important?

It’s true that swing speed is essential when you want to add distance to your drives. It’s also true that improving distance is a reliable way to get your scores down. However, when you swing at maximum speed, you lose your ability to control the orientation of your club face.

What angle should a golf club head be?

A 45-degree angle on the clubhead. Both arms parallel to the ground and extended straight. If you hook the ball, you’ll likely notice that your clubhead is rotated to the left at the finish. If you hit a slice, you’ll see the clubhead rotated toward the right. These tips may be a lot to take in at first.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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