Does stance width affect chunked/topped shots?

[SoundandFury]

I've been having an awful time lately with my irons.  I hit one fat, i hit the next thin, than topped, than fat again.  I've tried a bunch of drills (towel behind the ball, penny in front of the ball (this one actually helps)) but when I take away the training aids, I got back to the same crappy play.

Today at the range I was having the same issues.  However, the last 10 or so balls I hit, I narrowed my stance from about 18-20" (between my heels) to about 12-14".  I proceeded to hit almost all of the rest of my shots solid, working from 6i down to 4h.

Is this some trick I just stumbled on that no one thought to teach me?  Is 12-14" the correct stance width for irons, with 18-20" being to wide, therefore resulting in fat/topped shots?

[Beachcomber]

Sounds to me like you're moving your head or are changing your arch which alters your low point.

Two things to focus on IMO so that you can consistently find your low point in your swing...

1.) You need to have a steady head

- Swing in a mirror and watch your head.  Make sure it doesn't move left/right/forward/back

2.) Maintain a straight left arm (for a right handed golfer) during the entire swing

- A straight left arm will help you maintain a straight left wrist

To answer the original question though... Your stance width should be shoulder width apart - and place the ball just inside your left foot (for right handed golfer).

[SoundandFury]

I swear I'm aware of head movement on every swing, but I'll try the mirror idea.  When you say "changing your arch" what exactly are you referring to?

[Beachcomber]

Sorry - I had a typo... I meant to say 'changing your arc.'

Study these images...  If you 'flip' or 'scoop' the club by breaking that left wrist - and not keeping it flat - then you are not only throwing away power - but you will alter your low point... And have issues making consistent contact with the golf ball.

The key is understanding that you hit down on the ball first - then take a divot with all of your irons.  Meaning you make contact with the ball - and your low point is past the ball as shown below.

[LovinItAll]

Sounds to me like you're moving your head or are changing your arch which alters your low point. Two things to focus on IMO so that you can consistently find your low point in your swing... 1.) You need to have a steady head - Swing in a mirror and watch your head.  Make sure it doesn't move left/right/forward/back 2.) Maintain a straight left arm (for a right handed golfer) during the entire swing - A straight left arm will help you maintain a straight left wrist To answer the original question though... Your stance width should be shoulder width apart - and place the ball just inside your left foot (for right handed golfer).

I try to avoid weighing in on instructional threads, but I want to comment about my personal experience, so take it for what it's worth: - One can keep their left arm very straight and still cup their left wrist. For me, flattening my left wrist required something more than just thinking about keeping my left arm straight. If anyone cares, I'll elaborate. - Re: The OP's original question: IMO, if you ever find anything that improves your ball striking, stick with it long enough to flesh out whether it really works for you or if it's just an aberration. If narrowing your stance improves your ball striking, then narrow your stance. There is no formula that fits every golfer. - I never have the ball anywhere near my left heel, not even swinging driver. I play the ball within ~2" of the center of my stance for every club (depends on desired traj., etc.). I'm not saying that the quoted advice is 'wrong', but I am saying that I think that different doesn't necessarily mean bad. In the 'Geometry' pic, it looks like the ball is a shade back of middle (using the golfer's head as a guide). Those are just opinions/comments about my golf swing, not swing tips. Proceed at your own risk.

[SoundandFury]

Definitely curious about your first point.  Making sure I have a flat wrist or even slightly arched (closed clubface) at the top of my swing immediately lessened/eliminated my slice (with the exception of my driver, which I've concluded is the devil and is ridiculously unpredictable).  For me, keeping both a flat wrist and completely straight arm is damn near impossible.

[LovinItAll]

Definitely curious about your first point.  Making sure I have a flat wrist or even slightly arched (closed clubface) at the top of my swing immediately lessened/eliminated my slice (with the exception of my driver, which I've concluded is the devil and is ridiculously unpredictable).  For me, keeping both a flat wrist and completely straight arm is damn near impossible.

It was easy for me to ensure my wrist was flat at the top of my swing, but more difficult to even feel where my left wrist was at impact. I have no problem making sure my right wrist is cupped at impact, which makes my left wrist flat. I really don't think about it anymore, but when I was trying to flatten my left wrist at impact, I would think about 'smothering' the ball with my right palm. That kept my right wrist cupped/left wrist flat. The whole idea came about after watching an instructor tell a student to position their right hand as if they were carrying a serving tray at the top of their swing. I just sort of carried the idea over to the impact position. I don't even know if that makes sense. Someone else may be able to suggest something different, but that's what worked for me re: keeping my left wrist flat and my left arm straight (not stiff). Edit: I should add that if you're left wrist is currently cupped at impact, the change will feel odd. When you do maintain a flat left wrist, though, the difference in the way impact feels will be evident immediately (or was for me).