Jump to content
IGNORED

Good Golf Posture (How to Address the Golf Ball)


mvmac

Recommended Posts

Nicklaus, Snead, and Palmer look like they're suffering from osteoporosis.

Mizuno MP600 driver, Cleveland '09 Launcher 3-wood, Callaway FTiz 18 degree hybrid, Cleveland TA1 3-9, Scratch SS8620 47, 53, 58, Cleveland Classic 2 mid-mallet, Bridgestone B330S, Sun Mountain four5.

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Working on seeing the ball from the center of my eyes is something mvmac has had me work on.  In doing so, I hit the ball on better trajectory (especially with the driver) than when I lapse into the old way of "looking under my glasses".

  • Thumbs Up 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Administrator

Yes, there are two things here. First is the posture of the spine, the second is the gentle tucking of the chin to allow us to see the ball out of the center of our eyes. Both are important (and doing one makes the other easier).

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I heard from a certain someone that keeping a depth perception constant is the most important thing in the golf swing.

  • Upvote 1

Stephan Kostelecky

Golf Instructor

Youtube

Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Moderator


Originally Posted by sk golf

I heard from a certain someone that keeping a depth perception constant is the most important thing in the golf swing.


Hmm I wonder who?

  • Upvote 1

Mike McLoughlin

Check out my friends on Evolvr!
Follow The Sand Trap on Twitter!  and on Facebook
Golf Terminology -  Analyzr  -  My FacebookTwitter and Instagram 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Great post This information has helped a lot and about all my lower back is much better One question , why the set up is not a fundamental or introduced in the five keys? I have suffered the S posture what has made me impossible to have a good backswing
  • Upvote 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Moderator

Great post Mike.  This is good for me because I had a spine injury in High School that curved my upper spine forward.  I can never have the old Adam Scott posture.

I think the variation in the spine posture for the pros may have a lot to do with their natural neutral posture.  Some people just naturally have a straighter back posture.  If you watch the players above walk or stand prior to hitting, you will see the neutral position.  Being in your neutral relaxed position at set up will be easier on your body.

That being said, how do you explain why Sam Snead's pants are up so high?  If I pull them up, will I swing like Sam?

Scott

Titleist, Edel, Scotty Cameron Putter, Snell - AimPoint - Evolvr - MirrorVision

My Swing Thread

boogielicious - Adjective describing the perfect surf wave

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Administrator

Originally Posted by carrero77

One question , why the set up is not a fundamental or introduced in the five keys?

Because there's no "one" correct posture. It's not a commonality among great players. Nor is the grip, alignment, and several other things (swing plane, for example).

Originally Posted by boogielicious

That being said, how do you explain why Sam Snead's pants are up so high?  If I pull them up, will I swing like Sam?


Do we really want to get into the testicular pressure points? Most people have enough trouble with the two pressure points beneath their armpits.

  • Funny 1
  • Upvote 2

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Should the knees be bent sufficiently to obscure view of your shoe laces?  I'm asking because in my lesson yesterday I was told I'd gain higher swing speeds from a more athletic stance where my knees were bent more and the weight was on the balls of my feet.  He used the reference quoted here about bending the knees so I couldn't see my shoe laces as a guide.

Joe Paradiso

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Administrator

Originally Posted by newtogolf

Should the knees be bent sufficiently to obscure view of your shoe laces?  I'm asking because in my lesson yesterday I was told I'd gain higher swing speeds from a more athletic stance where my knees were bent more and the weight was on the balls of my feet.  He used the reference quoted here about bending the knees so I couldn't see my shoe laces as a guide.


Aaron was hitting the ball pretty far in these swings:

Analyzr Image Export.jpg

I think that answers the question, right? Imagine how far he'd have to stick his knees out (and pull his head back) to not see his shoelaces.

Erik J. Barzeski —  I knock a ball. It goes in a gopher hole. 🏌🏼‍♂️
Director of Instruction Golf Evolution • Owner, The Sand Trap .com • AuthorLowest Score Wins
Golf Digest "Best Young Teachers in America" 2016-17 & "Best in State" 2017-20 • WNY Section PGA Teacher of the Year 2019 :edel: :true_linkswear:

Check Out: New Topics | TST Blog | Golf Terms | Instructional Content | Analyzr | LSW | Instructional Droplets

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Moderator


Originally Posted by carrero77

One question , why the set up is not a fundamental or introduced in the five keys?

I have suffered the S posture what has made me impossible to have a good backswing

Like Erik said it isn't a commonality of all great players.  Having said that it would definitely be an address position we recommend if the player is having a difficult time releasing flexion is his rear hip, keep his head steady and wants to prevent injury.  A player can do all 5 Keys and have an old Adam Scott set-up, but imo makes it MUCH harder to do

Quote:

That being said, how do you explain why Sam Snead's pants are up so high?  If I pull them up, will I swing like Sam?

Tried that and it didn't work, people just laughed



Mike McLoughlin

Check out my friends on Evolvr!
Follow The Sand Trap on Twitter!  and on Facebook
Golf Terminology -  Analyzr  -  My FacebookTwitter and Instagram 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Thanks Mike, he did suggest it to assist me in releasing flexion on my rear hip.  So if I understand correctly setting up with my knees bent to the level they obscured my shoe laces would be appropriate to assist my rear hip in releasing flexion?

Originally Posted by mvmac

Like Erik said it isn't a commonality of all great players.  Having said that it would definitely be an address position we recommend if the player is having a difficult time releasing flexion is his rear hip, keep his head steady and wants to prevent injury.  A player can do all 5 Keys and have an old Adam Scott set-up, but imo makes it MUCH harder to do



Joe Paradiso

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

  • Moderator


Originally Posted by newtogolf

Thanks Mike, he did suggest it to assist me in releasing flexion on my rear hip.  So if I understand correctly setting up with my knees bent to the level they obscured my shoe laces would be appropriate to assist my rear hip in releasing flexion?


I think that would be too much flex in the knees, I can see my shoe laces and like that pic Erik shared of Badds, he can see his shoe laces.  The tilt of the pelvis and the direction the knees/feet are pointed (below) assist the rear hip in releasing flexion.

A1 caddy view comparison.jpg

Mike McLoughlin

Check out my friends on Evolvr!
Follow The Sand Trap on Twitter!  and on Facebook
Golf Terminology -  Analyzr  -  My FacebookTwitter and Instagram 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

Great information!  IMO, most amateur golfers suffer from slouching at address, causing their back to be rounded instead of straight.  Its something that I constantly have to pay attention too and find that when Im suddenly hitting bad shots that its a result of poor posture.

Whats in my :sunmountain: C-130 cart bag?

Woods: :mizuno: JPX 850 9.5*, :mizuno: JPX 850 15*, :mizuno: JPX-850 19*, :mizuno: JPX Fli-Hi #4, :mizuno: JPX 800 Pro 5-PW, :mizuno: MP T-4 50-06, 54-09 58-10, :cleveland: Smart Square Blade and :bridgestone: B330-S

Link to comment
Share on other sites


Rounded is better did you read the thread and look at the pictures?

Originally Posted by TitleistWI

Great information!  IMO, most amateur golfers suffer from slouching at address, causing their back to be rounded instead of straight.  Its something that I constantly have to pay attention too and find that when Im suddenly hitting bad shots that its a result of poor posture.



  • Upvote 1

"The expert golfer has maximum time to make minimal compensations. The poorer player has minimal time to make maximum compensations." - And no, I'm not Mac. Please do not PM me about it. I just think he is a crazy MFer and we could all use a little more crazy sometimes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Awards, Achievements, and Accolades

I teach a vast variety of skill levels as well as body types. When it is suggested that you should see the shoe laces or other tricks of the trade, one must keep in mind that these are generalized statements. Without instruction or pictures of one's self, a typical new player will arch their back significantly and be completely unaware of it. Looking back at the views of the different hitters, you can't help but notice the different body builds as well as other things. Even describing an athletic position is not an exact description. You will also notice that the more experienced players will be in a more upright position which makes it easier to turn and transfer weight. Most tour players are between 58 and 65 degrees upright depending on the club they're hitting, with a straight back. They don't stick their rear ends out excessively, they just have a straight back. They've memorized a correct position and they adhere to it. The more upright a person is, the less they have to contend with balance and the easier it is to perform the body movements. It's so easy to take a club, lay it against the back touching everything from the buttocks to the back of the head, then bend at the hips staying connected to the club, then while staying in that position, bring the club over in front of them. That is the position they should assume at address. The biggest problem that leads to the sore back as well as injuries is not warming up correctly or at all for that matter. I hit balls for 15 hours sometimes aggressively and at 52 years old, do just fine. It all comes down to being patient, stretching, and starting out slow. Preparing the muscles to perform certain actions makes all of the difference.

Christopher Warner

Master Teaching Professional

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites


Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now


  • Want to join this community?

    We'd love to have you!

    Sign Up
  • TST Partners

    TourStriker PlaneMate
    Golfer's Journal
    ShotScope
    The Stack System
    FlightScope Mevo
    Direct: Mevo, Mevo+, and Pro Package.

    Coupon Codes (save 10-15%): "IACAS" for Mevo/Stack, "IACASPLUS" for Mevo+/Pro Package, and "THESANDTRAP" for ShotScope.
  • Posts

    • Wordle 1,004 4/6* 🟦🟦🟦⬛⬛ 🟧⬛🟦⬛🟦 🟧⬛🟧🟧🟧 🟧🟧🟧🟧🟧
    • Day 76 - Pretty sore today, so I opted for putting over my Stack session. Primary focus was on starting line, as my putting has been pretty poor this year. 
    • Been a bit of delay in updates but I needed to come back east as my mom's health has taken a serious turn for the worse. In a 3 day span we learned she had a tumor to she has stage 4 cancer and stopped eating and drinking for the most part. She has had a rough 3 months but certainly didn't think we'd be at the point of setting up hospice for her. My mom was never into any sports really other than following the Red Sox because my dad was a big fan. She always cared about what we were involved in including asking about how golf went.  I have kept up with my 5 minutes of daily practice and will go to the gym here in NH tomorrow morning. Despite the somber nature of this trip my family has commented more than a few times about my weight loss so it's important to me to keep it up. I know my mom always wanted us happy in whatever we did so I'll continue with my fitness journey keeping that in mind. 
    • Day 109- Putting drills on a putting green for 20 minutes. 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

Welcome to TST! Signing up is free, and you'll see fewer ads and can talk with fellow golf enthusiasts! By using TST, you agree to our Terms of Use, our Privacy Policy, and our Guidelines.

The popup will be closed in 10 seconds...