Proper Stance For Long Golf Shots

At address, the golfer positions himself in a stance dependent on the length of the shot. The closed, the square and the open stances are being described here. How the golfer’s feet are placed will be described in relation to an imaginary line that runs straight from beyond the golfers back foot and is parallel to the golf ball’s intended trajectory. This will be called the line of flight. In reality of course, the golf ball’s flight is curved to some degree.

For long distance shots, the ball is addressed with what is called the closed stance. This stance has the line of flight and the toe of the leading foot in close proximity, with that of the back foot positioned off the line by a little bit. Making longer golf shots is facilitated by the greater freedom of body movement allowed by the closed stance while enabling the hands and clubhead to more naturally follow an inside-out path.

The square stance is most suitable for medium irons. In this stance a line drawn imagined connecting the tips of the feet would be parallel to the line of flight. The forward foot is positioned somewhat open, splayed out a bit toward where the ball is headed, with the weight bearing about equal on both of the golfer’s feet. Long iron shots and wood shots may at times be executed from this stance.

The open stance and short iron shots go well together. the forward foot is placed an inch or so back away from the line of flight, for a more upright swing that imparts a backspin which is not wanted on long golf shots.