Is a closed stance good in golf?
Daniel Moore
Published Jan 10, 2026
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 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.
Is an open stance better in golf?
Putting with an open stance makes alignment much easier, and it allows you to have a better line to your target. Some golfers will not only set up with an open stance, but they will also look at the hole while they are putting.
Can you hit a fade with a closed stance?
When hitting a fade, remember: you only need to open your stance slightly, while keeping your club pointed square at, or slightly left of, your target and then swing along your feet line. The more you open your stance and clubface, the more the ball will curve.
Is it better to hit a fade or draw?
There is an endless debate over which shot shape is better, the fade or the draw. Some will argue that the fade is better because it provides more control, and can offer a softer landing. Others will say the draw is superior because the ball with travel farther, and cut through the wind more effectively.
44 related questions foundIs it easier to hit a fade or draw?
A draw can be longer than a fade because hitting a draw will lower the loft and the spin rates. Players that hit a draw will learn that the ball will release a bit more than a fade, and when it hits the green, it can be a bit trickier to stop.
Can you hit a draw with an open stance?
Opening the stance does not limit the golfer to hit only a fade. Many golfers hit the ball with a draw from an open stance.
Should I flare both feet golf swing?
A good immediate solution that GOLF Top 100 Teacher Nick Clearwater suggests is flaring both of your feet. “Turning your toes out about 20 degrees — maybe even more — effectively makes you more flexible,” Clearwater says.
Where should my ball be in my stance?
The ball position with the driver should be farthest forward, just inside your left heel, then move progressively farther back until you get to your wedges, which should reside squarely in the middle of your stance.
Can you play golf with a narrow stance?
Depending on your golf game and the natural strengths of your swing, the narrow golf stance can be a great solution. Many players find that when hitting shorter shots around the green, the narrow stance is the only way to go.
How much does it cost to close a draw stance?
But, for a draw you want to feel like you have more room to come into the ball from the inside. This small shift will allow you to have enough room to get the ball started to the right of the target. Next, close your stance by dropping your right foot back an inch or two at address.
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 does closed shoulders mean in golf?
A closed shoulder position is when the shoulders are aligned slightly right of the target, left of the target for the left-hand golfer. The closed shoulder position induces right to left ball spin. If the shoulders are open, the ball will spin left to right creating a slice for the right-hand golfer.
How wide should golf feet be?
1) Start from the feet up
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. Stand too wide, and your body won't be as free to strike the ball powerfully.
Should I lift my left foot in golf swing?
It's OK to lift your left foot off the ground a little. And current players such as Bubba Watson do it also. Lifting your left heel up will help you rotate your hips for a bigger turn in your backswing. So if you're struggling with power and clubhead speed, then let your left heel lift up a bit.
What is foot flare?
When discussing foot flare, what you are actually describing is external rotation of the hip.
Does a wider stance help in golf?
A stance just wider than your shoulders: Gives you a stable platform over which you can turn your upper body. Encourages your hips to stay level throughout the swing; the left hip is likely to drop when your stance is too narrow, causing mis-hit shots.
Why do pros prefer the fade?
Spin loft is exemplified as golfers find themselves much more accurate with their wedges than their driver. More spin equals more stability, and this leads us to why professional players opt for their fade.
Does Tiger Woods hit a draw or fade?
We saw at The Masters that under pressure, Tiger tends to favour a fade. Having a go-to shape is important and a fade is a slightly more gentle ball flight so it is a good safety option. Even when he hits a fade, Tiger still has some degree of clubface rotation through impact.
Is a fade a slice?
A “fade,” which is also known as a slice that still finds the fairway, can produce a long drive that has just enough backspin to prevent the ball from rolling away from you and into the rough. Let's take a look at how to control a slice —to turn it into a fade with a few simple steps.
Why are drawers better than fades?
“Provided the ball speed, launch angle and spin rate are the same, a draw and fade will carry and roll the same distance. However, from a practical perspective, most club golfers will hit a draw further than a fade, because when they hit a draw they reduce the loft, leading to lower spin rates.
Can Bubba Watson hit a draw?
“The straight ball is the hardest to hit, so I like to curve it,” he explains. “When the pin is on the left, I want to cut it in there,” Bubba says. “When the pin is on the right, I like to draw it in.” When setting up for a draw, Bubba says to start by closing your stance to the target.