Trevor Ng
In golf, there are three common stances: open, closed, and square. A closed stance is when the forward foot is closer to the line of play than the back foot. This stance is used by most golfers and is achieved by setting up in a normal, square stance, then lifting the left foot, advancing it forward, and rotating around the right foot. The right foot is then moved slightly so that it rests comfortably on the ground and is parallel to the left foot. The immediate effect of a closed stance is that it closes the clubhead relative to the swing line, which decreases the loft of the club and leads to balls flying lower than intended.
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What You'll Learn
The forward foot is closer to the line of play than the back foot
In golf, a closed stance is a stance in which the forward foot is closer to the line of play than the back foot. This stance is also known as a "right" stance, as it positions the golfer's body to the right of the target. The target is more over the left shoulder than the body's aim.
To achieve a closed stance, you first position your feet for 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 move your right foot slightly so that it rests comfortably on the ground and parallel to your left foot.
A closed stance is beneficial for right-handed golfers as it promotes an "in-to-out" swing path, which can help to prevent a slice. This stance also leads to a lower ball flight, as the club is delofted at impact. However, a closed stance can also lead to a lot of pulled shots, and if not executed correctly, can result in inconsistent contact with the ball.
While a closed stance is a common position for golfers, it is not the ideal stance. In a perfect world, golfers would set up squarely to the target, with their feet, shoulders, and hips parallel to the target line. This square stance makes it easy to hit all kinds of shots and adjust your clubface and swing path. However, as golfers play more and encounter different clubs, shot shapes, and obstacles, they may need to adjust their stance to a closed stance.
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The toe line is not parallel to the target line
In golf, the position of a player's feet relative to the target line is called the stance. There are three main types of stance: square, closed, and open.
A square stance is considered the ideal stance as it leaves the loft of the club unaltered, allowing the ball to travel on its intended flight path. To achieve a square stance, both feet are positioned so that the toe line is parallel to the target line.
However, in a closed stance, the toe line is not parallel to the target line but instead crosses it in front of the ball. In other words, the toe line of a closed stance is aimed to the right of the target. This stance is achieved by first assuming a square stance, then lifting the left foot and advancing it forward while rotating around the right foot. Finally, the right foot is adjusted slightly so that it rests comfortably parallel to the left foot.
A closed stance is when the forward foot is closer to the line of play than the back foot. This stance is common among right-handed golfers and results in the body being positioned to the right or closed of the target. The target is more over the left shoulder than the body's aim.
One of the main benefits of a closed stance is that it promotes a draw swing, which is an "in-to-out" swing path. This type of swing is desirable because it helps golfers avoid a fade or slice, which is a common issue. Additionally, a closed stance leads to a lower ball flight as it delofts the club at impact.
However, there are also downsides to a closed stance. It can lead to inconsistent contact and pulled shots, especially if the golfer has an inside takeaway that leads to a steep downswing. In this case, the golfer may end up hitting the ball too far right, resulting in a hook shot.
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The stance is right of the target
In golf, there are three common stances: the open stance, the closed stance, and the square stance. The stance you choose can have a significant impact on your alignment, balance, posture, and overall comfort during your swing.
A closed stance in golf refers to a stance where the body of a right-handed golfer is positioned to the right of the target, also known as being "closed" to the target. This stance is characterised by the forward foot (left foot) being closer to the target or the line of play than the back foot (right foot). The target is more over the left shoulder than where the body is aimed.
To position yourself in a closed stance, you first start with a normal, square stance. From there, you lift your left foot off the ground and move it forward while rotating around your right foot. Finally, you adjust your right foot so that it rests comfortably on the ground and is parallel to your left foot.
Adopting a closed stance has several benefits. Firstly, it can help promote a "draw" swing, which is an "in-to-out" swing path. This type of swing is desirable because it helps golfers avoid a "fade," which often turns into a "slice." A closed stance also leads to a lower ball flight as it delofts the club at the impact position, resulting in a lower launch, lower spin, and, therefore, more distance.
However, there are also some downsides to a closed stance. Since the stance promotes a draw, it can quickly lead to a "hook" shot if not executed properly. Additionally, if a golfer has an inside takeaway that leads to a steep downswing, a closed stance can result in many pulled shots and inconsistent contact with the ball.
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It closes the clubhead relative to the swing line
A closed stance in golf is when the forward foot is closer to the line of play than the back foot. In other words, if you're a right-handed golfer, your body is positioned to the right of the target, with the target more over your left shoulder than your body alignment. This stance promotes an "in to out" swing path, which can help to produce a right-to-left ball flight, also known as a draw or hook.
When a golfer adopts a closed stance, it closes the clubhead relative to the swing line. This means that the clubface is still square or perpendicular to the target, but it is closed relative to the swing path. This setup results in a decrease in the loft of the club, leading to a lower ball flight than what the club was designed for.
The closed stance can be beneficial for golfers who struggle with a fade that turns into a slice. The stance promotes a more "in to out" swing, making it easier to roll your hands over and correct this issue. Additionally, the lower ball flight achieved with a closed stance can be advantageous in certain situations, as it delofts the club at impact.
However, one of the biggest downsides of the closed stance is that it can lead to inconsistent contact and pulled shots. If a golfer has an inside takeaway that leads to a steep downswing, the closed stance may result in a lot of pulled shots. Therefore, it is crucial to have the right takeaway to hit a draw consistently. Additionally, while the closed stance promotes a draw, it can also quickly lead to a hook shot.
To achieve a closed stance, golfers first set up in a normal, square stance. Then, they lift their left foot, advance it forward, and rotate around their right foot. Finally, they adjust their right foot slightly to ensure it is parallel to the left foot and resting comfortably on the ground.
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It promotes a draw swing
A closed stance in golf is when the forward foot is closer to the line of play than the back foot. In other words, if you're a right-handed golfer, your body is positioned to the right of the target, with the target over your left shoulder rather than in line with your body.
Adopting a closed stance can promote a draw swing. This is because, when using a closed stance, the clubhead is closed relative to the swing line, which decreases the loft of the club. This leads to a lower ball flight. In addition, a closed stance promotes an in-to-out swing path, which is the ideal path for the ball to travel straight. This makes it easier to roll your hands over, which is necessary for a draw swing.
However, a closed stance can also lead to a lot of pulled shots. This is because, although a closed stance promotes a draw, it can quickly lead to a hook shot. Therefore, to successfully hit a draw with a closed stance, you need the right takeaway to bring the clubhead back toward the target.
Overall, a closed stance can be a useful tool for promoting a draw swing, but it requires practice and the right technique to be effective.
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Frequently asked questions
A closed stance in golf is when the forward foot is closer to the line of play than the back foot. The toe line is not parallel to the target line but crosses it in front of the ball.
First, you 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 so that it's parallel to your left foot and you are in a closed stance.
A closed stance can help promote a draw swing, which is an "in to out" swing path. It also leads to a lower ball flight as you are delofting the club at impact position.
While a closed stance promotes a draw, it can also lead to a hook shot. If you have an inside takeaway that leads to a steep downswing, it can also lead to a lot of pulled shots.
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