Posture

Posture is how you set up to the ball. Everything is built on this foundation. If you have a problem here, it’ll show up later in your swing, possibly disguised as something else. This, like your grip, is one of the first things you think about when you set up to the ball.

Stance:

Feet should be shoulder width, both feet slightly flared, toes pointing out about five to ten degrees.

Knee flex:

Minimal knee flex. If you lock your legs and then unlock and slightly bend them, that’s all the flex you need.

Bending from the hips:

It’s important to bend over from the hip sockets, don’t slouch from the shoulders.

Back:

Your back remains straight, then bend with that straight back from your hips. Proper posture allows you to make the golf swing and protect your back.

Hands and Arms:

Your hands and arms should hang directly below the shoulders. To check the location of your hands and arms, set up to the ball as described above. Then let your left arm hang loose. See where the hand is, that’s where you should be holding the club.

Posture isn’t negotiable. It’s a requirement to being able to make a good swing. Without it, you’ll never be able to move on and progress. It’s basic from a physical stand point, protecting your back, and from a motion stand point, being able to make a good swing.

Nothing good can come from poor posture. Good posture protects the back and puts the body in the right position to make a good swing.

I’ve seen a lot of people with poor golf posture, primarily because they don’t know any better. That keeps them from being able to work on more sophisticated issues. Remember your posture when you’re setting up; in particular, keep your back straight and bend from the hips.

Grip and posture are two things you can quickly check because you work on them while you’re standing still. They should be the first two things you cross off your list. The other aspects of the golf swing take much more time and concentration because you’ll be working on them while you’re swinging the club.

Check your grip and your posture, and move on.

Link to the next chapter, Pivot I.