An improvement in the golf stance is an excellent starting point on a path towards a better game. Getting the stance corrected can save an amateur golfer from a lot of hassle and fretting about how they should improve their game.
Golf experts believe that if the stance is improved and corrected, it could help the body focus. This would ultimately lead to the generation of ample power to hit the ball in the correct direction.
What is the proper golf stance?
A proper golf stance is a body position that keeps your feet at shoulder-width apart, your knees slightly bent and your back straight. If you have chosen to play right-handed then it means you should keep your left foot at a 90-degree angle from the target line, with the right foot positioned on a 45-degree angle. If you are playing left-handed, then have your right foot in front of the target line at a 90-degree angle, while having your left leg angled at 45 degrees from the target line.
Your hands should be kept relaxed and hanging forward gently as if holding a tray but without any tension. In both cases mentioned above (if playing right or lefthanded), have your shoulders facing the target line.
When you have your feet in the proper position, they will be at a right angle from each other, with one foot pointing directly to where you want the ball to land and the other angled slightly from it. This creates an L-shape for both of your legs, which is basically how they should look when standing in your stance.
The following section contains possible issues that can arise:
If you are playing righthanded and your left leg (the front leg) is too far ahead of you then there's a chance that you might not generate enough power for power hitting. The opposite thing could happen if your left leg is too close or next to your body; this would reduce swing speed and make it hard to transfer energy from your body through the golf club.
If the opposite leg (the rear leg), is too far behind you, then there would be an issue with balance which would ultimately lead to a lack of power and control over the direction in which the ball travels.
The same issues can arise when playing left-handed, except that this time they are reversed due to different angles of your legs relative to your target line. For example, if your legs are not at right angles but more like a V-shape then you could be lacking power while swinging. If the front leg is closer than 90 degrees or facing away from your target line then that might also reduce swing speed and make it difficult for you to transfer energy during your swing.
If you keep your hands by your side and are not relaxed as recommended, it would make it hard to generate enough power for a decent shot. The same thing could happen if your shoulders are facing away from the target line; this position would make it difficult to transfer energy during your swing and could cause bad shots as well as poor control over the direction of the ball.
Remember that there should be only slight tension in your arms and legs when you're practicing proper golf stance; they shouldn't be too close or too far apart. This is because firstly, it will take some time for an amateur player to master these new body positions, and secondly if parts of their bodies are tensed too much then there wouldn't be any room for improvement.
If you're having a hard time mastering these new positions then try to find a mirror and monitor your body parts the whole time while playing golf. Try to keep them relaxed, but not too loose as this could lead to some embarrassing moments on the golf course!
In order to create more power during your swing, make sure that your knees are slightly bent and that you have a straight back. In order to generate enough energy for a good swing, make sure that you transfer all of the energy from your lower body through your torso and into your shoulders before it could be transferred further down towards the shaft of the club. If you achieve this, then there is no doubt about it; you will see much better shots than before!
A right stance would entail certain qualities such as:
- Appropriate width between legs
- Appropriate knee flex
- Proper angles of the feet
- Appropriate posture
Keep reading through the following article to get yourself acquainted with five basic steps which could help in an improvement in the stance.
1. The Proper Width of Your Stance
You must remember that leg position is the basis of a golf stance. And a perfect golf stance requires your knees to be flexed.
In the initial positioning, the distance between the legs should be equal to one's shoulder's width. This should be the stance when using a middle iron club.
The length of the club is an essential determinant in the width of the stance. For longer clubs like drivers or woods, you should widen your stance.
While playing with shorter clubs like irons or wedges, the club should be brought by an inch or two. Wider stances are not required for certain shots like pitching or chipping.
2. Pay Attention to Your Toes and Feet
Another factor of paramount importance is the angle of toes of a golfer. You must remember not to point them at greater angles.
The angle of the front foot should be slightly outwards, i.e., in the direction of the target. However, the back foot should be roughly 90 degrees from the target.
It is significant to place the feet at proper angles. Only then can one be sure about improving the body's flexibility and rotation speed.
3. Check Your Balance
The weight should be spread equally between the toes and heels, i.e., in the center of the foot. The power, however, gets generated by subtly shifting the balance.
While using shorter clubs or irons, shifting weight slightly towards the target-side foot is advisable. Usually, it's the left foot for right-handed golfers.
With middle irons, spread the weight equally on both feet. It is recommended to shift a little more weight on the back foot while using longer clubs. And usually, it's the right foot. The angle of backswings also improves with a proper balance.
4. It's All About Posture
The following body parts should be in proper alignment with each other, i.e., one on top of the other:
- Center of the upper spine
- Knees
- Balls of feet
The back knee should point toward the target by a slight turn inwards. You should make use of your hips to bend. A proper stance has buttocks slightly stuck out.
Power gets generated by turning shoulders on the backswing. One can ensure longer drives and consistent shots by keeping your spine straight.
5. The Ball Placement Can Make a Difference
The arms should hang down in a comfortable position instead of reaching out. They should certainly not be too close to the body. Do not be too near or too far from the ball.
The club also dictates where to place the ball. Here’s how the length affects the shot:
- Short irons should be in the middle of the stance.
- Longer clubs should have the ball placed towards the front foot (about half an inch)
- Use a driver to put the ball a little inside the front foot
Since each club's length is different, the position of the ball matters a lot.
Make use of these tips which can lead you towards a proper stance for drivers, wedges, or irons.
