Golf posture
The Fundamentals of Golf Posture
Build an athletic setup with balanced feet, clean hip hinge, relaxed arms, and enough space to swing freely.
Posture is the launch pad
Good posture doesn’t guarantee a perfect swing, but poor posture makes good motion harder. If you’re sitting on your heels, reaching for the ball, or rounding your shoulders like you’re checking a phone, the club has to fight its way down.
Think athletic, not stiff. You want the ready feeling of a tennis return or a shortstop before a grounder.
The basic shape
Start with feet about shoulder width for a mid-iron, narrower for wedges, wider for driver. Soften the knees. Hinge from the hips so your chest tilts over the ball without your back collapsing. Let the arms hang, then place the club.
- Weight balanced through mid-foot.
- Backside slightly out, not tucked under.
- Spine long, not rigid.
- Chin high enough for the lead shoulder to turn.
- Hands hanging under the shoulders.
Adjust by club
Driver asks for more width and a touch more spine tilt away from the target. Wedges bring you closer, narrower, and more over the ball. Don’t use driver posture for a 40-yard pitch; you’ll feel miles from the ball.
If you can’t breathe comfortably at address, you’re not in an athletic posture.
Quick check
Set up to a 7-iron, remove your trail hand, and let the lead arm hang. If the club stays near the ball and you don’t tip forward, you’re close.