Forum > Technique, Tips & Tuition

Wayne Santorini

Just wondering how many members on here know that the distance between their feet is the correct distance for the shot in hand??

And how was it explained to them or what was used to show them the correct distance??

The reason I ask is that from memory there is a lot of difference between players that I've seen but I've not asked the question of them, so I am now.

John Coates

For my driver, I tend to have my feet pointed slightly outwards and just over shoulder width apart. My mid irons are generally shoulder width apart or just under. My short irons see me with feet quite close together and weight generally on my front foot.

As for how I got to know this was basically watching and reading.

Only ever had one lesson when I was 11.

Wayne Santorini

How are you judging "shoulder width" apart John??

What parameter are you using??

Bob Freeman

Wayne Santorini

But how do you know it's shoulder width???

Lewis Gladstone-buchanan

When I started I went by the Ben Hogan 5 lessons book.....when I went to my first lessons the two pros I saw said to have my feet always shoulder width apart (insides of my feet at this width for driver and outsides of my feet for irons), then move the ball for each club.

I'm starting to go back to the Hogan book way as for me I think it produces better shots more often also with slightly more height......I naturally don't get much height in my shots

Wayne Santorini

Ok i'm perhaps not being clear enough "HOW do you know it's shoulder width????

What are you doing that tells you it's shoulder width,??

Being comfortable and balanced doesn't mean it's "shoulder width", I'm comfortable and balanced in my pitching stance but it's not shoulder width!!!!

Chris Perry

Wayne Santorini

standing upright or in stance position (forward) ???

Chris Perry

Colin Coote

Colin Coote

There is no correct distance for your width of stance, it is down to the individual to find their own ideal width based on the environment and their own physical state.

Some factors that determine stance width at any given time are, balance/stability/co-ordination/swing speed/swing path/environment/physical attributes.

Dave ley

Loud Mouth b.a.

Wayne,

I am slightly over 5'9" tall. My shoulder width is 19." Assuming that I have measured correctly. My arm span is 73."

My stance for driving is 29" wide (toe to toe) with left foot square and 3" outsplay right foot. Anything less for me does not create correct balance / stability for a very wide swing arc which causes my left foot to lift during my back swing.

Part of the process of hitting long demands a very wide stance and a wide swing arc. Certainly if one is not at least 6'3" tall!"  Generally speaking, the taller one is the less one needs to try in order to generate power all else being equal. 

A wide swing arc can be there naturally through height / arm length; or created by endeavour; or both. The wide stance forms part of such endeavour.

My mid iron stance width is around 21" wide  with only a 2" right foot outsplay. My iron shots' optimums have not been properly calculated. I have never striven for optimum iron performance.

Matt Simmons

I know that there is a difference but I've not been using it. What I've got at the moment seems to be working ok and untill I progress and need whatever it is that different stances give I'm going to keep it simple stupid

But my Pro happy with my width lol