Closing your golf stance involves aligning your body, particularly your shoulders, slightly to the right of your target line (for a right-handed golfer) to influence your swing path and ball flight. This setup is often used to promote a draw or prevent a slice.
What is a Closed Golf Stance?
A closed stance in golf means that your body alignment—feet, hips, and shoulders—is set up parallel to a line that is to the right of your intended target line (for a right-handed golfer). Conversely, for a left-handed golfer, it would mean aligning to the left of the target line. The most crucial element of a closed stance is the shoulder alignment, as it significantly impacts the swing path.
How to Set Up a Closed Stance
Setting up a closed stance is a deliberate process that requires attention to each part of your body.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Identify Your Target Line: Stand behind your ball and pick a specific spot a few feet in front of it that lies directly on your target line. This helps with consistent alignment.
- Position Your Feet:
- Address the ball.
- For a right-handed golfer, shift your back foot (right foot) slightly further away from the target line than your front foot (left foot). This makes your feet align to the right of the target.
- Imagine a line running across the tips of your toes; this line should point to the right of your target.
- Align Your Hips: Your hips should generally follow the alignment of your feet, meaning they will also be slightly closed or parallel to your foot line.
- Close Your Shoulders:
- This is the most critical component. When your shoulders are slightly closed relative to the target line, it encourages an inside-out swing path.
- Ensure your lead shoulder (left shoulder for a right-handed golfer) is closer to the target line than your trail shoulder (right shoulder). This means your shoulder line points more to the right than your target.
- This specific shoulder alignment can promote a particular type of ball flight, such as a draw, by influencing how the club approaches the ball. While it sets the stage, it doesn't guarantee the shot outcome.
- Practical Tip: Practice setting your stance without a ball, focusing solely on your body alignment relative to a target line you've established. You can place two clubs on the ground – one pointing at the target (target line) and another parallel to where your feet should align.
Why Use a Closed Stance?
Golfers typically adopt a closed stance for specific strategic advantages:
- Promotes an Inside-Out Swing Path: By closing your stance, you naturally encourage your club to approach the ball from inside the target line and swing out towards the target. This path is ideal for hitting a draw.
- Hitting a Draw Shot: A draw is a shot that starts slightly to the right of the target (for a right-hander) and curves gently back to the left, finishing on or near the target. The closed stance helps facilitate this ball flight.
- Counteracting a Slice: If you consistently slice the ball (a shot that curves sharply right), a closed stance can help counteract this by promoting an inside-out path, which tends to reduce the severity of a slice or even turn it into a draw.
- Generating Power: For some golfers, a closed stance can allow for a fuller, more rotational backswing, potentially leading to increased clubhead speed and distance.
Stance Comparison Table
| Stance Type | Foot Alignment (R-Handed) | Shoulder Alignment (R-Handed) | Common Ball Flight Influence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Square | Parallel to target line | Parallel to target line | Straight shot |
| Open | Aimed left of target line | Aimed left of target line | Fade/Slice |
| Closed | Aimed right of target line | Aimed right of target line | Draw/Anti-Slice |
Key Considerations for a Closed Stance
- Balance: Maintain good balance throughout your setup. A closed stance shouldn't feel awkward or restrictive.
- Target Awareness: Despite closing your body, always keep your actual target in mind. Your clubface should generally still be aimed at the target itself, with the body alignment creating the desired swing path.
- Practice: Experiment with varying degrees of a closed stance on the driving range to understand how it affects your ball flight and comfort.
- Flexibility: Ensure your closed stance doesn't inhibit your turn or create tension in your swing.
By understanding and correctly applying a closed golf stance, you can strategically shape your shots and improve your control over the golf ball.
