At what distance do you stand square to the target instead of open?

[Unforgiven93]

Hey guys,

I've always used an open stance for chipping, but I realized the other day that I had no real idea what distance I was supposed to stop opening my stance.  I recently asked a local pro and he said he just does whatever he feels is right for the shot.  That is essentially always what I have done, all the way out to even ~70 yards on occasion.

edit: Of course, I do use an open stance if I want to hit a cut/fade at any distance, but I'm just talking about the "short" game here.

What do you guys do?  Do you have any set-in-stone rule that you follow?

[Beachcomber]

Good question... I don't have any set rule that I follow.  I'm similar to what you said you do... Note, if I don't want to place a cut spin onto the ball - I will square my stance more.

Also, on bump and run shots - my stance is more square to the target than it is when I'm trying to hit a pitch or flop.  Not necessarily - square.  But closer to being square than when hitting the pitch/flop.

[muggs]

Hmmm, I'd say any shot under 100 yards I open up a little.

[jclark]

7 iron and under I open up slightly

[saevel25]

You don't have to stand square to the target for every shot. My golf coach in highschool had an open stance for every shot, and he was one of the top 10 amateurs in Ohio.

Find what works for you

[boogielicious]

I stay square all the time.  I pay more attention to the club face than me feet though.

[Golfingdad]

After learning this: http://thesandtrap.com/t/39411/quickie-pitching-video/0_30 a couple of weeks ago from Erik and Mike, I am virtually square to the target from all distances.  Out of the sand I still have a pretty open stance though, but that would be basically the only time.

And, of course, like you said in your OP, when I am intentionally trying to cut or slice the ball.

[saevel25]

Well you got to watch out for your body versus your feet. You can be square to the target and have an open or closed stance.

[Unforgiven93]

I actually thought about switching to always square this year. I'm probably not going to though. I may try it to see if it works any better, but my guess would be that it won't feel right.

[Righty to Lefty]

I always thought that the club being used determined how open or closed the stance should be.  Draws and fades aside because they are of course open or closed to the target but for straight flying shots the most lofted wedge will have the most open stance and it progressively closed as the loft decreases. Using my lie angle tool, standing square to the target, and then opening or closing my stance until the tool was pointed at the target, the only clubs that I noticed were even close to square were my 2 iron and three wood. That is because both of these clubs are struck very close to the low point of the swing. To hit driver straight the stance is actually closed to the path.  Now this didn't take into account people who play intentional pushes or pulls and was only accounting for straight ball flight.