How wide should stance be in golf?
Mia Kelly
Published Jan 12, 2026
The Proper Width Of Your Stance
Is a wider stance better in golf?
A wide golf stance is typically categorized as a stance where your feet are wider than shoulder width apart. With feet this wide, you can get a lot more stability in your swing, which usually results in faster swing speeds.
What happens if golf stance too wide?
The wider your golf stance, the bigger the shift, and the more time it takes. When the golf stance is too wide, you'll typically be pushing off the right side, which will drive your hip into the ball and cause you to lose your spine angle in the downswing.
Is it better to have a wide or narrow stance in golf?
The widest stance should be taken with your driver, while the narrowest stance should be for putting and chipping. Because not all golfers look the same or have the same height and shoulder width, the stance may be different for each of us.
How wide is the average stance?
Normal Stance
A normal – or default – stance is one that sees the distance between your feet match the width of your shoulders. Technically and to be more precise, the outside of your shoulders should line up with the middle of your feet in order for such a stance to be considered normal.
21 related questions foundHow wide is too wide for golf stance?
Most golf instructors say the width of your stance will depend on the club you are hitting. For driver, your feet should be slightly wider than shoulder width. For irons and wedges, they should be shoulder width apart. For pitching and chipping, your stance should be slightly narrower than shoulder width.
How far should my feet be apart golf?
Your feet need to be shoulder width apart, with the weight on the balls of the feet. This will help provide good stability. Stand too narrow and you'll fall over - or subconsciously swing less to stay balanced.
Is a wider stance better for a driver?
Consequently, the most efficient width of stance should be no wider than shoulder width for most full swing shots, including your driver. With this width you will more likely maintain a dominant rotary force. This will lead to greater club head speed and better dynamic stability.
Should senior golfers use a closed stance?
Senior golfers should also play out of a slightly closed stance. This means your stance will be aligned slightly to the right of your target. This will also increase your backswing turn. The swings that last the longest are the long swings.
Does a wide stance cause a slice?
A stance too wide will restrict lower body motion and inhibit weight transfer. This can cause the upper body to become overly active resulting in a slice or pulled shots, like you can see in the image above.
Why do I hit the golf ball better with a narrow stance?
Narrowing your stance will allow for a better rotation in the back swing, which in turn will allow you to get your arms more around your body at the top, this will give you more chance of approaching the ball with a path to the right.
How wide should your stance be for irons?
The Proper Width Of Your Stance
For your starting position, your legs should be shoulder width apart. If you are using a middle iron, this is your stance. Widen your stance for longer clubs such as drivers or woods. For short irons or wedges, bring your stance in by an inch or two.
Should shoulders be square at address?
GO: For most shots your body, including your shoulders, arms, hips and knees, should be square to your target line. NO GO: Your shoulders should not be open or closed relative to your target line. This causes an inside or outside takeaway path.
What pro golfers use a closed stance?
Arnold Palmer and Sam Snead both set up with a closed stance, and a golfer electing to play this way would be in good company! They are two of the most winning golfers in PGA history! The point is, no one stance is the right stance in golf, and golfers should test them all to find the best one suited to their swing.
Can I play golf with a closed stance?
The closed stance can help golfers that struggle to release the ball actually turn it over as they come through impact. In addition, the closed stance can also lower the ball flight. If the ball flight is a bit lower, you will also sometimes get some extra spin.
What is the perfect golf stance?
Your rear foot should be at right angles to the target line. Your front foot can be angled outwards but only slightly. Knees should be lightly flexed but not bent. Your body weight should be spread 50/50 between your toes and heels as well as 50/50 between your left and right foot for most shots.
Where should your weight be in a golf stance?
Your weight should be 50-50 on your left and right legs and between the balls of your feet (those cushioned pads just below your toes) and your heels.
Where should an 8 iron be in your stance?
Ball Position
Play your short irons (wedges, 9-iron, and 8-iron) in the center portion of your stance. These clubs have the most upright lie angles. They must be swung at the steepest angle, and you should take a divot in front of the ball.
How do I make sure my alignment is correct in golf?
There are three key steps to correctly aligning yourself to your target in golf: first, aim the clubface so that it's pointed down your intended target line; second, align your feet parallel to your target line; and third, make sure your shoulders are square or slightly open, not closed, to your target line.
Should shoulders be square at impact in golf swing?
Square shoulders at impact are important for shot distance and accuracy. Golfers who struggle with accuracy should focus on having their shoulders square at impact. Squaring your shoulders means that as contact is made with the ball, the shoulders are parallel to the target line.
Should shoulders be back in golf swing?
Push Back the Shoulders
Next, you want to take your shoulders and push them back. A lot of times, the tendency is to hunch over the golf ball.
Where should a 7 iron be in your stance?
As a general rule of thumb to base your ball placement off of your 7 iron should always be placed in the center of your stance. Then, shorter clubs (everything from an 8 iron to pitching wedge) you want to play toward your back foot.
How wide should my squat stance be?
A wide stance squat is typically performed with the feet placed 1.5 to 2 times the width of the hip with the toes pointed slightly outward. Assuming a wider stance causes more glute and adductor magnus activation as a result of greater posterior hip displacement.
Is a wide squat stance better?
Wide squats allow for more comprehensive movement that better works the hips than traditional squats. The hips are multidirectional joints, producing force in three planes of motion. The wide-stance squat provides the best option to train the hips in all three planes.
Is it OK to have a wide squat stance?
The wide stance squat provides the best option for training the hips in all three planes of motion. The wide movement exhibits greater hip flexion and smaller plantar flexion angles than narrow stance squats (1). It also produces significantly larger hip extension movements.