Learning to drive well is considered as the most important part of the golf lessons. In driving there are several factors counts which include club selection, the grip, golf driving stance and the mental game. All the factors are of equal importance but the most important and most ignored factor is golf driving stance. A correct golf posture plays a vital role in golf. It helps you to remain in a balanced position so that you will be able to get powerful and consistent ball striking.
Fundamentals of a good stance
It’s always very much difficult to maintain a proper golf stance throughout the game in each shot. But with practice this thing can be achieved. Most of the times a bad golf stance can also lead to a bad golf back swing, a bad downswing, and a bad follow through. Not to worry though. It’s not that much difficult to learn the skills of a good stance. Here are step by step illustrations of what makes a good driving posture.
- Alignment: - The alignment of your body (includes feet, knees, hips, forearms, shoulders and arms) is a vital factor of a good driving stance. Your body should always be positioned parallel to the target line. When viewing from behind for a right handed golfer the body should appear aimed slightly left of the target. One of the easiest ways to conceptualize this situation is to image a railway track.
- Foot Position: - The distance between the feet should be of shoulder width. The distance would be so much that the outside of your shoulders should fit inside your insteps. Your body flexibility and its rotation speed will determine the proper foot placement.
- Ball position: - Moving the golf ball two inches forward and backward in the stance can definitely make a great deal of shot consistency. The ball position varies with club you choose. A driver is always played farthest forward to hit the ball on the upswing.
- Balance: - If you don’t have a good golf stance you can still compensate by staying balanced and relaxed. Your body weight should be equally distributed over your left and right leg. The weight should be balanced on the balls of the feet, not on the toes or heels.
- Side view of Posture: - A combination of knees and hips bending will constitute a good side view of a solid stance. The spine should be bent from the hips towards the ball at approximately a 90-degree angle to the shaft of the club.
- Face view of Posture: - On viewing from the face your spine should tilt to the side slightly away from the target. Your chin position should be out of your chest to help in a better shoulder turn and your knees should be slightly in.
- Arms and Hands: - Your hands should always hang just forward of your zipper. The distance between body and varies depending on the club you use.
Always remember, a correct golf driving stance writes the script for a good swing. The posture lays the foundation for your swing and a good posture or stance will make the swing simple and easy to learn.
