Nina Caldwell
Golfers are always looking for ways to improve their game, and one way to do this is by adjusting their stance. The stance plays a significant role in the shot shape and quality of the strike. While the ideal alignment would be for the hips, shoulders, and feet to be square to the target, most amateur golfers tend to have a closed stance compared to an open stance. A closed stance can help promote a draw swing and an in-to-out swing path, which can be beneficial for golfers who struggle with a slice. However, closing your stance can also lead to takeaway issues and impact your downswing if not done correctly. So, should you close your golf stance? The answer may depend on your individual swing and preferences.
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What You'll Learn
Closed stance for right-handed golfers
For right-handed golfers, a closed stance is when your body is positioned to the right of the target line. In other words, your body is closed off from the target, with the target more over your left shoulder than your body alignment. This stance is achieved by setting up in a normal, square stance and then lifting your left foot, advancing it forward while rotating around your right foot. Finally, you adjust your right foot so that it is parallel to your left foot.
A closed stance is beneficial for right-handed golfers as it promotes an "in-to-out" swing path, helping to eliminate the natural fade that many golfers experience. This stance can also help to produce a draw, which is useful for right-to-left doglegs. The draw typically has a lower launch, lower spin, and more distance. Additionally, a closed stance encourages more turn in your hips, making it easier to rotate.
However, there are also some downsides to a closed stance. One disadvantage is the loss of control over distance due to the low trajectory of the ball. This can make it difficult to hold the green. It is also important to note that a closed stance may not suit everyone's natural swing, and it is important to have the correct basics to produce a consistent repeating swing.
While a closed stance can be beneficial for right-handed golfers, it is important to experiment and find the stance that works best for your individual swing and style. Golfers should feel free to test out different angles and stances to find the optimal setup for their game.
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Closed stance promotes a draw swing
A closed stance in golf can promote a draw swing, which can be advantageous for golfers who tend to slice the ball. In a closed stance, the golfer's body is positioned right of the target, with the right foot back, which promotes an in-to-out swing path. This stance can help golfers who struggle with thin shots, as it allows for better weight transfer, and it can also be useful for hitting wedges, as it creates a descending blow.
The closed stance encourages more turn in the hips, making it easier to rotate, and can help golfers hit a draw. It is important to note that the shoulders should also be aligned with the target line to ensure the golfer is committed to one shot and does not work against themselves.
While a closed stance can promote a draw, it can also lead to a hook shot. This is because the ball tends to have a lot of overspin and extra roll due to the hands coming over the ball at impact. Additionally, a closed stance can result in a lower ball flight as it delofts the club at impact, which can be beneficial when playing in the wind or hitting knockdown shots.
Senior golfers may benefit from a closed stance as it increases topspin for more distance with the driver. It can also help straighten out a fade or slice, resulting in greater distance. However, it is recommended to experiment with different stances on the range before taking it to the golf course.
Overall, a closed stance can be a useful tool for golfers who want to promote a draw swing, increase distance, or straighten out their slice. However, it is important to be mindful of the potential for hook shots and adjust one's swing and stance accordingly.
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Closed stance for hitting wedges
Hitting wedges is an essential skill for golfers to enhance their overall game. A closed stance can be beneficial when using wedges as it helps create a descending blow by allowing most of your weight to be on your lead leg.
A closed stance in golf means your body is positioned right of the target, assuming you are right-handed. This stance promotes an "in to out" swing path, helping to straighten out a slice. It also encourages a draw, which has a lower launch and spin, resulting in increased distance.
To achieve a closed stance, you first set up in a normal, square stance. Then, lift your left foot and advance it forward while rotating around your right foot. Finally, adjust your right foot slightly so it rests comfortably parallel to your left foot.
While a closed stance can improve wedge shots, it's important to ensure your feet, hips, and shoulders are aligned. Many golfers have a closed stance but struggle with takeaway issues and a negative impact on their downswing because their shoulders are not aligned with their target line.
Additionally, wedges have a shorter length and a more upright lie angle, allowing golfers to move closer to the ball. This steeper angle of attack significantly affects the path, and right-handed players must roll their hands through impact to square up the clubface, creating a negative spin axis (hook). To counter this, golfers can open their stance (aim left) on wedge shots, maximising the D-Plane and producing straighter shots.
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Closed stance and alignment
A closed stance in golf is when your body is positioned to the right of the target line, assuming you are a right-handed golfer. This stance is particularly useful when you want to produce a draw, which is handy for right-to-left doglegs for right-handers and left-to-right holes for lefties. A closed stance can also help promote an "'in-to-out' swing path", which is the ideal swing path for the ball to travel straight. This is because closing your stance encourages more turn in your hips, making it easier to rotate.
To achieve a closed stance, you first set up in a normal, square stance. Then, you lift your left foot from the ground and advance it forward while rotating around your right foot. Finally, you adjust your right foot slightly so that it rests comfortably on the ground and is parallel to your left foot.
It is important to note that a closed stance is not always the best option. One downside is the inability to control the distance, as the low trajectory of the ball causes it to run rapidly after hitting the ground. Additionally, some golfers may find that a closed stance does not help them hit the ball straighter.
When adopting a closed stance, it is crucial to ensure proper alignment. This means that your feet, hips, and shoulders should all be right of the target. Many golfers understand the position of their feet in a closed stance but are unaware of their shoulder alignment in relation to the target. As a result, they may have "'crossed lines,'" with open shoulders and a closed stance, which can lead to takeaway issues and negatively impact their downswing.
To check your alignment, you can record your golf swing and review it, ensuring that your feet, hips, and shoulders are all in sync and aligned to the right of the target. By achieving proper alignment in a closed stance, you can improve your overall ball striking and shot consistency.
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Closed stance for escaping trouble
A closed stance can be beneficial for golfers who struggle with thin shots or slices. It can also help senior golfers increase distance. By adopting a closed stance, golfers can promote a draw swing and an "in to out" swing path, which can help avoid trouble and increase distance. This stance is particularly useful when hitting wedges as it allows for a descending blow by placing most of the weight on the lead leg.
However, a closed stance can also lead to a hook shot, with the ball tending to have a lot of overspin and extra roll. It is important to ensure that your feet, hips, and shoulders are all aligned right of the target when using a closed stance. Additionally, golfers should be cautious of adopting this stance as a permanent setup due to the risk of erratic shots.
To achieve a closed stance, golfers should start by setting up in a normal, square stance. Then, they can lift their left foot, advance it forward, and rotate around their right foot. Finally, the right foot should be adjusted slightly to rest comfortably on the ground and parallel to the left foot.
Overall, a closed stance can be a useful tool for golfers to have in their arsenal, but it should be practised at the driving range before taking it to the golf course. Golfers should experiment with different stances to see what works best for their swing.
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Frequently asked questions
A closed golf stance is when your body is positioned to the right of the target line, assuming you are right-handed. This means your right foot is typically back, and your left foot is forward, with your toes pointing to the right of the target.
A closed stance can help promote an "in-to-out" swing path, which can reduce a slice and help you hit straighter shots. It also encourages more turn in your hips, making it easier to rotate and can be useful when trying to produce a draw.
Most everyday amateur golfers tend to have a closed stance compared to an open stance. It is particularly useful for those who struggle with thin shots or want to promote a draw.
It is important that your feet, hips, and shoulders are all aligned to the right of the target in a closed stance. You can record your swing and check your alignment to ensure your lines are in sync.
Remember, while a closed stance has its benefits, it may not work for everyone, so feel free to experiment with different stances to find what works best for your swing and comfort.
