Stance

Golf Glossary

Stance

In short

The stance is the position of a golfer’s feet at address. It covers stance width, the alignment of the feet to the target line, foot flare and weight distribution. A good stance gives balance and lets the body turn freely. Depending on the club and the shot it is chosen wider or narrower and set open, square or closed.

Stance in golf: what is part of it?

When golfers talk about the stance, they mean more than just where the feet are placed. The stance has four components:

The stance is the foundation of the swing. Everything above it, posture, backswing and downswing, builds on it. A narrow or wobbly stance often leads to poor contact because the body loses its balance during the swing.

All details are for right-handers. The foot nearer the target is the left one, called the lead foot. The right foot is the rear foot.

The stance is one of the most important parts of the address position, which also includes grip, spine posture and ball position. More on this in the entry on the address position.

The right stance width for each club

Stance width changes with the club. The longer the club and the more powerful the swing, the wider the player stands. That gives stability at high speed.

Many coaches name these guideline values:

As a rough guide, shoulder width means about 35 to 45 centimetres for many adults. It is not a fixed value. Height, mobility and build all play a part.

A quick check: stand shoulder-width apart and jump lightly on the spot. Where your feet land naturally is usually a good width for the 7-iron.

A stance that is too wide limits the hip turn. One that is too narrow lets the weight sway from side to side. The right width is wide enough for you to stand securely and narrow enough for the body to turn freely.

Open, square and closed stance

Besides width, the alignment of the feet matters. Three variants are distinguished. The details are for right-handers; the target line runs from the ball to the target.

Square stance: the line across both toes runs parallel to the target line. This is the basic set-up for most shots. It helps you swing the club along the target line.

Open stance: the left foot is pulled back slightly compared with the right. The line across the toes then points left of the target. An open stance makes it easier to turn the hips through the ball and is often used for chips, pitches and intended fades.

Closed stance: the right foot is pulled back slightly and the toe line points right of the target. It can support an inside-to-out feeling and is used for an intended draw.

An important point: the stance alone does not decide ball flight. Clubface and swing direction do. An open or closed stance is an aid for changing the direction of the swing. You usually set the clubface to the target.

Practical example: stance with a 7-iron, driver and chip

Three examples show how the stance changes.

Example 1, 7-iron from 140 metres: you stand about shoulder-width apart with square feet. The left foot is turned out about 20 degrees, the right only a little. The weight is spread roughly evenly. The ball sits about in the middle of the stance.

Example 2, driver from the tee: your stance is slightly wider than the shoulders. The ball is further forward, opposite the left heel. The weight rests a little more on the right foot because the driver is struck slightly on the way up. The stance gives you stability for the longer swing.

Example 3, a chip to the flag from 10 metres: you stand narrow and slightly open, with the feet only a foot length apart. A large part of the weight, often about 60 to 70 per cent, is on the left foot. The ball sits in the middle to slightly back in the stance.

The values are guidelines. What matters is that you grasp the idea: for powerful swings you stand wide, for feel shots narrow.

Foot flare and weight: the finer points

Two details of the stance are often overlooked.

Foot flare: many coaches recommend turning the left foot out about 20 degrees, towards the target. That makes the hip turn through the ball easier. The right foot stands rather straight or only slightly open so the body does not slide sideways in the backswing. The exact angles depend on mobility. Players with stiff hips can open both feet a little more.

Weight distribution: with irons the weight is usually spread about evenly over both feet, with short shots a little more on the front foot. With the driver the weight is often a little more on the rear foot. Within the foot the pressure should be in the middle or slightly towards the balls of the feet, not on the toes and not on the heels.

The knees are part of the stance too. They are slightly bent, as before a small jump. Straightening the legs costs mobility. Bending them too much means sitting too low and losing the turn.

A good stance feels athletic and mobile, not tense.

Typical stance mistakes

Coaches see the same stance mistakes again and again.

Stance too narrow: especially with the driver, players lose their balance. The result is poor contact and an unsteady weight shift.

Stance too wide: the hips cannot turn freely and the swing becomes short and stiff. Rhythm suffers too.

Poor alignment: many players unknowingly stand open or closed. Shoulders, hips and feet then do not point at the same spot. The swing usually follows the line of the body and the ball flies off target. An alignment stick on the ground helps you check.

Weight on the toes or heels: standing on the toes tips you forward in the swing, standing on the heels tips you back. Both cost accuracy.

Always standing the same: using one width for every shot with the ball always in the same place leads to problems with both short and long shots.

A stance that looks perfect on the range may be wrong on a sidehill lie. On sloping ground you adapt width and weight. More on this under sidehill lie.

Drills: how to improve your stance

These drills help you build a good stance.

Drill 1, the rails: lay two alignment sticks on the ground, one along the target line and one along the toe line. Check that they lie parallel.

Drill 2, the club across: hold a club across your hips. It should point parallel to the target line. This lets you check the alignment of the body.

Drill 3, the jump test: stand shoulder-width apart, jump lightly on the spot and hold still in the landing position. That is often a balanced, athletic posture.

Drill 4, feet together: hit half swings with your feet close together. You feel the balance and learn to control the swing.

Drill 5, the change: hit in turn with a wedge, a 7-iron and a driver and watch how you change the width. Mark the foot positions with tees.

Practise slowly. With a fixed routine before every shot the stance becomes a habit.

Try it at Golf Lounge

You can find out whether your stance suits the club and the shot at Golf Lounge Resort Hamburg. In a private lesson with a PGA professional you look at stance width, alignment and weight distribution. The lesson lasts 60 minutes, is available daily by appointment and can be booked online. The coach works with TrackMan data, supported by V1 Pro video analysis. Short sessions on a single detail of the movement are also possible.

Book a lesson

Frequently asked questions

How wide should a golf stance be?

It depends on the club. With the driver you stand slightly wider than shoulder width, with mid irons about shoulder width, with short irons and wedges slightly narrower. For chips the stance is very narrow. As a rough guide, shoulder width means about 35 to 45 centimetres for many adults. What matters is that you stand stably and can turn freely.

What is an open stance in golf?

In an open stance the front foot, the left for right-handers, is pulled back slightly. The line across the toes then points left of the target. An open stance makes the hip turn through the ball easier and is often used for chips, pitches and intended fades. You still aim the clubface at the target.

What is a closed stance in golf?

In a closed stance the rear foot, the right for right-handers, is pulled back slightly. The line across the toes points right of the target. It supports an inside-to-out swing movement and is often used for an intended draw. It does not change ball flight on its own, only together with clubface and path.

How should I distribute my weight in the stance?

With most irons the weight is spread about evenly over both feet. For short shots such as chips and pitches a little more weight is on the front foot, with the driver often a little more on the rear foot. The pressure should be in the middle of the feet, not on the toes or heels. These are guidelines, not fixed laws.

How do I check my alignment in the stance?

Lay an alignment stick parallel to the target line in front of your feet and hold a club across your hips. Both should point parallel to the target line. A video from behind also shows whether feet, hips and shoulders match. A coach can help you spot unconscious deviations.

As of: October 2026

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