Getting the Right Stance

STANCE

"If you setup correctly, there’s a good chance you’ll hit a reasonable shot - even if you make a mediocre swing. If you setup to the ball poorly, you’ll hit a lousy shot even if you make the greatest swing in the world." --

Jack Nicklaus

GREAT TIP 1: Put the club head behind the ball and aim the clubface to where you want the ball to go – then align your body.

When you think you’ve lined it up properly look over your left shoulder because THAT’S where the ball will go.

When you place your feet, make sure the ball is not too far forward. For drives it should be level with the inside of your forward heel, or if you have a logo on your shirt line it up underneath the logo.

The shorter the club you play the nearer the ball should get to your back foot, so for middle clubs it will be in the middle of your feet, and for short clubs it will get progressively nearer the back.

GREAT TIP 2: Play the ball far enough away so that you get full extension of your arms, but without stretching. The longer the club the further away from your body the ball should be – but never so far you have to stretch for it.

GREAT TIP 3: At address, your hands should be about four inches from your thighs. Let your arms hang naturally with your elbows slightly bent.

Bend forward a little and put your weight slightly on your right or back foot.

GREAT TIP 4:  Keep right knee flexed and stable. Don’t let it slide or

straighten as you begin your swing.

GREAT TIP 5:  The longer the club, the more the left foot should be slightly

flared out – from perpendicular for short irons to 45 degrees for the driver.

Please Note:  As with all these tips they are for guidance only – the best way to make them work for you is to try them out at the driving range. Modify them, tweak them, adapt them for your particular game. Find out what works for you and start playing better golf – it’ll be worth it.