Mastering your setup and distance from the ball is crucial for a successful golf swing. Most swing flaws are caused by a poor setup. Let that sink in. You need to get it right.
A proper stance and distance ensure balance, alignment, and posture. This helps you avoid common swing flaws and sets you up for consistent ball striking.
Let's get your golf game setup for success...
Stance Width in Setup Position
Many golfers struggle with stance width, leading to inconsistent swings. A common mistake is standing too wide. This can cause you to reach for the ball, leading to poor balance. Conversely, standing too narrow can restrict your movement, especially with longer clubs like a driver.
- Too Wide: This can lead to a poor vertical swing plane.
- Too Narrow: This limits your ability to shift weight effectively.
The ideal stance width should be just outside the hips. This allows for a stable base while maintaining the ability to shift your weight during the swing.
Using Hips as a Reference
Instead of using your shoulders as a reference for stance width, focus on your hips. Your hips are a more accurate indicator of where your feet should be. A good rule of thumb is to have your feet positioned just outside the width of your hips. This creates a natural “A-frame” that supports weight transfer during your swing.
Remember... the correct stance width varies depending on the club you’re using. For instance:
- Driver: Slightly wider stance.
- Irons: A bit narrower than your driver stance.
- Short Game: Even more narrow for better control.
The "A" frame setup places your feet just outside your hips. This gives you a solid base.
How Hip Depth Impacts Your Setup
Another significant aspect of your golf setup is hip depth. Positioning your hips correctly in relation to the ball can make or break your swing. Ideally, the center of your hips should be over your ankles. This positioning helps prevent early extension during the swing.
A good way to visualize this is to look at the seam of your pants. The top of that seam should align with your ankle. This will ensure you maintain proper balance and control throughout your swing.
In this image you can a direct line from the golfers hips to the center of their ankle at setup.
The Importance of Forward Knee Bend
Many golfers make the mistake of bending their knees back, which shifts their weight behind their heels. Instead, aim for a forward knee bend. This keeps your pelvis over your ankles and promotes better balance and power through your swing.
To check your knee bend, stand in front of a mirror. If your shins are vertical, you’re bending back. Focus on angling your shins forward instead. This adjustment will help you maintain a strong posture throughout your swing.
How Much to Bend Over
The amount you bend over during your setup can vary based on your height and the club you’re using. A good benchmark is to let your fingertips rest just above your kneecaps when using a mid-iron. For shorter clubs, you’ll bend over a bit more and for woods you’ll stand a little taller.
Let Your Arms Hang Naturally
Don't try to push your arms out or put them in any funky positions. They hang closer to your body than your use to.
When your arms hang naturally it will help position you the correct distance from the golf ball.
Don't Arch Your Back
It’s essential to avoid excessive arching of your back while bending over. Instead, focus on keeping your back flat. This will help you maintain a consistent spine angle throughout your swing.
Don't Push Your Butt Back
When you bend forward... try not to push your butt back. If you push your butt back it will position your hips behind your ankles. You want your hips inline with your ankles as we discussed earlier.
Neck Positioning
Your neck position can impact your posture and mechanics. When bending forward let your neck to relax. You should be able to look directly at the ball without having to move your eyes down.
Your neck should be relaxed. You should not have to move your eyes down to look at ball.
Distance from the Golf Ball
Most amateurs stand too far from the golf ball. On average PGA players stand 29 inches from the center of the ball to the center of the ankle (image below). This is closer than most amateurs realize.
You can use a tape measure and see how you compare.
Don't Push Arms Out
As we discussed earlier... make sure you don't push your arms out. This makes you stand farther away from the ball. They should hang naturally.
Adjusting Your Setup Position
Every golfer has unique physical attributes that influence their setup. Factors like arm length and body height can change how far you should stand from the ball. It's essential to make adjustments to fit your body type.
Experiment with your stance width, hip depth, and arm positioning to find what feels best for you. Making these personal adjustments will lead to more consistent swings and better overall performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the ideal distance from the ball?
A good starting point is 29 inches from ball to your ankle with a 7 iron. It doesn't need to be exact and it will be different for longer or shorter clubs. - How can I improve my forward bend?
Practice bending forward from your hips without moving your hips back. Imagine a wall behind your butt and it can't move back. This helps you get forward knee and ankle bend. This puts your shins at an incline which is what we want. - What if it doesn't feel right?
If you're setup is off... it's not going to feel right. So stick with it until it starts to feel comfortable. And it's ok if you have some individuality in your setup. It doesn't need to look like Adam Scott or Tiger Woods.
Key Takeaways
- Stance width: use the "A" frame setup to place your feet just outside your hips.
- Hip depth: the seam on your shorts/pants should be over your ankles.
- How much to bend forward: your hands just above your knee caps.
- Distance from golf ball: 29 inches from ball to ankle with a 7 iron.
- Adjust your setup for you: experiment and personalize your setup.
If you do these things... your setup position is going to be primed for your swing. The setup is one of the most important positions in the golf swing. If you get it wrong... you're making compensations to get back on track.
So take some time to get it right. Get in front of a mirror or video tape your swing to check your setup.
Happy Golfing,
Shawn