Golf Stance Golf Basics

Learn the correct golf stance hand & ball position, foot width, weight distribution, alignment, setup & posture for all clubs from drivers to irons to perfect your swing.

An improper golf stance can make playing golf a very difficult task. Learn the proper stance for golf, along with the basic golf grip and basic golf swing.

You will make playing golf a very simple and natural task.

6 Golf Stance Golf Basics

• 1st Philosophy: Have your feet and knees aligned parallel to the target for all shots.

• 2nd Philosophy: 1) Play with a slightly open foot position for 9 iron and below, 2) a parallel to target foot position for 6, 7, and 8 irons, and 3) a slightly closed foot position for 5 irons and above.
  • My Thoughts: Different strokes for different folks. For this golf basics article, I will just say try them both and see which works for you best.

    • Check out this link for a detailed look at how your golf stance foot position relates to your golf swing tempo.

  • Poorly Fitted Clubs Keep You Guessing: You will constantly struggle with foot position, grip, and swing path with poorly fitted clubs.

2nd Basic (Posture) - 3 Important Notes

• Athletic Position: Start standing tall and then: 1) Bend over at the hips; 2) Allow the arm to hang relaxed; 3) Bend your knees slightly; 4) Poke out your butt slightly.

• Optional: Some golfer will lean slightly away from the target after assuming the athletic stance. This allows them to get behind the ball better and to get a higher ball flight.

• Balls of Feet: You should feel balanced over the balls of your feet.

3rd Basic (Foot Width) - Have your heels a shoulders' width apart.

• Shorter Clubs: Your feet can be slightly closer together for shorter clubs.

• Longer Clubs: Your feet can be slightly wider for longer clubs.

• Depends on Your Swing Tempo: Foot width and foot position depend partially on golf swing tempo.

• Toes and Heels: If your weight is balanced on your heels or toes, your posture is poor or your hands are too close or too far from your thighs.

5th Basic (Natural Ball Position)

• Short Irons: The ball should be in the middle of your golf stance.

• Driver: The ball should line up with the heel of your front foot.

• Other Clubs: Where the ball lineups for all other clubs gradually moves from the middle of the stance towards the heel of your front foot the longer the club gets.

• Eyes, Shoulders and Chest Your eyes, shoulders, and chest should be aimed parallel to the target line.

• Hips, Knees, and Feet: Your hips, knees and feet may or may not be aimed parallel to the target line. It depends on if you are playing an open, neutral, or closed stance, as discussed in the 1st Basic above.
  • Obviously, if your stance is open, your feet, knees and hips will be slightly aligned to the left of the target (for right handed golfers). The opposite is true for a closed stance. If neutral, then every part of your body is aiming parallel to the target line.

There you have the golf basics for the proper golf stance.