The way you stand can make a big difference on the way you hit the ball. It can also dictate the distance of your shot. Your Swing means everything. The way you have your feet, you hold the club, where you are looking, and even how you shift your body weight all come into play when you hit the ball.
Your stance is very important when you intend to hit the ball. There are three different stances you should know which include square, open, and closed. One thing to consider is that it is usually best to use the same stance as the same clubface alignment.
For example, if you are using an open stance then you should use an open clubface. Never move the clubface angle in a position that contradicts the way you are standing.
When you use a stance that is square to the ball’s target line you will influence the club to swing down the line a little bit longer than when you would if your stance is open or closed.
If you were to measure where most golfers were actually aiming you would see the square stance is most commonly used. An open or closed stance will actually influence the shoulders to follow through properly.
An open stance should be used when you are moving the ball from left to right. When you use an open stance you will align your stance slightly open. Your shoulders will swing the club across the ball. The wider your legs are the more open your stance is. The more open, the wider your shoulders will be also. An open stance is a good solution for someone who tends to over swing on the ball. The curvature and the trajectory of your shot also depend on the amount you rotate the clubface when you address the ball. When you open the clubface you get a high trajectory but a shorter shot.
A closed stance is the best way to stand when you are moving the ball from right to left. That means your stance is slightly closed to the target line of the ball. When your stance is closed your shoulders swing the club from the inside of your body. A closed stance is the best solution when you are trying to pick up distance on your swing. These shots will have less height but travel further.
The Best Posture
There are a few things you need to do in order to have good posture when you are preparing to hit the ball. You need to think about standing tall, bending, and your posture.
If you want to hit the ball well and get the distance you need to stand properly with perfect posture. If you do not have the perfect posture there will have to be some type of compensation in your swing if you want to deliver the ball on the right path.
You must have a perfectly flat back while you are standing. Flatten your back up against your iron and be sure it is flat. This will help with your posture. When you hold the club and as you move you need to bend from your hips. Bend from the hips as you bring the club to the back and head. If you are someone who rounds their shoulders or maintains straight legs the club will not be able to remain in place.
You have go to flex your knees in an athletic looking position. Flex your knees into a position as if you were playing baseball waiting for someone to hit the ball to you in the field.
Now you have a flat back and your legs are flexed. The angle between your chest and your club should be at a 90 degree angle. Your belt and your club shaft should also be on the same plane. You can check your posture in a mirror if you are not sure if you have the right stance.
The Grip of Your Golf Club
There are three different types of grips when you hold a golf club. Not everyone uses the same grip. When you are using the proper grip on your golf club it will feel natural and very comfortable to you.
There are certain fundamentals that you should use in order to have the right golf grip. The different types of golf grips include the overlap, interlocking and the ten finger.
The overlap grip is the most common grip for most players. This grip became popular around the turn of the 20th century. This is also the most common grip taught by instructors for beginners also. The club is actually held in the fingers. To use the overlap grip you will place your lay out your hand and lay the club in your fingers with your pinkie finger opened. The thumb will fit on the lead hand that is gripped around the club. The lead hand’s thumb will fit in the lifeline of the trailing hand. If you are a right handed golfer, your lead hand will be your left hand.
The interlocking grip is the next most common grip. This grip is popular with the professional golfers. This grip interlocks the hands together. There is risk involved with this grip because the stray could lead into the palms of the hands. This style of grip is preferred by most people who have weak forearms and wrists, small hands, and for beginners.
When you want to use the interlocking grip you will take the little finger on the trailing hand (if you are right handed, the trailing hand is your right hand) and intertwine it with the index finger of the left hand or the lead hand. The thumb of the lead hand will fit into the lifeline of the trailing or right hand.
The ten finger grip is also known as the baseball grip because you will hold the club as you would a baseball bat. This is most preferred among the golf instructors.
There are advantages to this type of grip. Instructors prefer this grip because it makes instruction easy. When learning the interlocking grip it can be confusing and cause problems. This is a basic grip and easy to do. Someone who experiences joint pain, arthritis, weak hands, and other problems may prefer this type of grip.
When you use the ten finger grip you will position your hands properly starting with the lead hand grip. Place your little finger against the index finger of the trailing hand. Both hands will grip the club tightly and be pushed up against one another.
You can basically tell from just the way someone stands – how long they’ve been playing golf, and whether you have any chance at beating them. Its subtle differences that show experience in this sport.
Thanks for the golf tip, im trying to stop casting at the moment?!
Thanks for the great golf tips on stance. I have only been golfing for 2 years and I am not shy to say that I need all the advice and help that I can get
I’ve actually switched back from an interlocking grip to the “baseball grip” recently to much better results.
We were always taught at an early age that interlocking is the best grip but when I had lessons last year, I was told to try out the baseball grip and I haven’t looked back since.
Thanks for the tips!
My game isn’t very good; perhaps switching grip would improve my swing, and accuracy. Must give it a try, thanks for the tips.
Good information with regards to the different golf grips.
I was taught from a young age to use the interlocking grip and I think it would be hard to change.
May give it a go sometime on the driving range to see if it makes a difference.
Awesome post! It is so in depth. This could be a whole chapter of a book!
I especially like how you said the stance needs to be athletic. I tell all of my students this. They tell me it is one of the tips that helps them the most, go figure
I agree with Simon. You can really tell someones experience from their stance and their grip. These are two important factors for setting up to hit the ball. Very important to practice these.