Proper Golf Stance: The Ultimate Guide

Taking your stance over the golf ball is a lot more important than some new golfers might realize. If you don’t get your setup right, it’s a real challenge to get the impact position and results you want in your swing.

Learning the right golf stance might take a little practice, but it’s a game-changer. That’s why we’ve compiled some key insights and info to help you nail your golf stance.

1. Feet’s Width

If your stance is too wide, you might feel rock-solid, but it can hinder your ability to rotate and shift your weight correctly. On the flip side, if your feet are too close together, you can make a speedy and efficient turn.

As you gear up for your driver shots, it’s fine to widen your stance for better support. However, when you’re wielding your irons, sticking to shoulder width is usually spot on. And for those delicate wedge shots around the green, your feet can get really close together.

2. Posture

What really matters in your posture is getting that spine angle right and ensuring your arms hang naturally.

Stand up straight, extend your golf club in front of you, and then bend at your waist as if you’re about to take a seat in an imaginary chair.

Let those arms dangle naturally. This way, you won’t be awkwardly reaching for the golf ball or, worse, smacking your leg during the swing.

This setup should give you a nice, neutral spine angle, placing you in the ideal position for a killer golf swing.

3. Ball’s Position

The ball’s position shifts depending on the club you’re using. Generally, when you’ve got a trusty wedge in hand, that ball should be right in the middle of your stance.

Now, as you swap out your club for the big, booming driver, it’s time for a change. That ball should inch its way up toward your front foot, especially when it’s teed up and ready to be smashed.

The reason behind this dance of ball placement is the nature of your swing. When you’re swinging an iron or a wedge, you’re looking for a nice descending strike. That’s what helps the ball launch properly with those short irons and create that sweet spin.

Since the wedge stance is a bit narrower, it can make it look like the ball’s closer to the back foot, but it should still be around the middle.

4. Weight Distribution and Balance

Maintaining balance right from the start is key to keeping your swing on the right path. So, aim to have your weight resting right in the center of your foot.

When you’ve got that center-weight magic happening, your stance will stay nicely under control. Plus, you won’t find yourself swaying back and forth as you work your way to that all-important impact position.

Now, here’s the deal – when you’re about to smack that golf ball, it’s alright to have just a smidge more weight on your right leg (that’s for you right-handers out there). This little tweak can help kickstart the weight transfer you need at the beginning of your swing.

5. Alignment

• Step behind that golf ball and pick out a target line. Follow that line from your ball to a spot just a few feet away that’s also on this line.

• Once you’ve got your target line, make sure your feet, shoulders, hips, and clubface are all lined up square with it.

• You can choose to aim slightly to the left or right of your target if needed, but here’s the golden rule: all your parts – shoulders, feet, hips – need to aim in the same direction. If you want to aim left, well, everything points left.

Explaining How Stance Changes From Different Clubs

When you switch from your trusty short irons to those lengthy long irons, your stance needs some tweaking. Adapting to these differences between clubs is a bit of a learning curve and demands some patience.

Here are a couple of tips to bear in mind as you switch things up with different clubs:

• Keep your posture consistent, no matter which club you’re wielding. However, be ready to adjust your stance. It gets wider as you go from short irons to long ones, with the driver requiring the widest stance.

• When it comes to ball position, it’s generally in the middle of your stance. But as you transition to hybrids, woods, and drivers, it shifts closer to your front foot.

• Don’t slack off on alignment; stick to your routine, regardless of the club you’re holding.

• The driving range is your practice haven. It’s where you can smoothly switch between clubs, making those stance adjustments until they become second nature.

How Does Height Affect Golf Stance

Golfers are a diverse bunch, varying in height and build. When you observe a shorter golfer beside a taller one, you might notice some differences in their stance.

However, the most noticeable variance is typically in their spine angle. But here’s the thing: with the right equipment that’s properly fitted, these differences should be minimal.

Taller players using clubs that are too short may end up with less-than-ideal posture. On the other hand, those with well-fitted gear will maintain excellent posture. Overall, a golfer’s height shouldn’t drastically affect their stance.

Drills For a Proper Golf Stance

Here, observation is key. The more you observe yourself in the mirror and others while they are playing, the more you get better at mastering golf stance.

Common Mistakes in a Golf Stance

• Some golfers tend to bend their knees too much, which can throw off their balance.

• Failing to adjust your stance width as you switch clubs can lead to inconsistencies.

• Going to extremes with your alignment can result in wayward shots.

• Placing the golf ball too rearward in your stance can hinder your swing’s efficiency.

• Forgetting to evenly distribute your weight before the swing can lead to stability issues.

• Keeping your head facing down can lead to an undesirable spine angle.

• Failing to shift your weight as you start your swing can impact your performance.