Why Flaring Your Feet at Address Makes Golf Easier

[mvmac 2,595]

As we all know, golf is hard, so here's a quick tip on making it easier

Turn both feet out at address.

I grew up playing golf at a course in San Francisco where Ken Venturi was an honorary member. I got to play nine holes with him once and he told me that he could identify a good golfer because the walked with "duck feet ". I never really understood what that meant until I was taught the benefits of flaring the feet at set-up.

If you're a regular on the site I'm sure you've seen that @iacas and I recommend this to a lot of golfers. As @iacas likes to say, you get a few things for free by flaring your feet out. Golfers from all over the world post their swings in Member Swing threads and many of them fall into the mistake of having square feet at address. We recommend they turn both feet out and it's amazing how much a simple adjustment can make towards hitting the ball more solid. Makes us look like geniuses or something.

The quick and short of it is: flaring both feet out about 30-35 degrees rotates the knees out, the golfer will be slightly "bow" legged. The knees being oriented outward helps:

- Turn the hips on the backswing and keeps the hips centered, important for Key #1.

- Transfer the lead knee forward on the downswing to achieve or improve Keys #2, #3 and even #4.

You can stop reading now or continue if you want more info

1

Taking a look at the address positions we can see that on the left my feet are square, this generally rotates the knees inward a little. On the right it's the opposite, feet are flared and the knees are rotated outward a little. The right pic is the position I recommend you copy.

2

Many golfers complain about flexibility and struggle with achieving a "full" turn but typically the problem isn't their mobility, it's how their feet/knees are aligned at address. To make a "full" pivot and keep the head steady (Key #1) the lead knee gains in flex as the trail knee lessens in flex on the backswing. The knees are a one-plane joint and pointing them out slightly assists in turning the hips during the backswing. The trail knee just decreases in flex on the angle that it's set on.

If the trail knee is "kicked in" at set-up (left pic) the knee won't be able to move in a way that keeps the hips turning "in a circle". The hips will stall or even slide back (left pic below) and it typically leads to problems on the downswing.

The motion of the lead knee is also important to turning the hips and keeping them centered. As the lead knee gains flex on the backswing it also rotates inward a bit. The outward orientation of the knee regulates how much the lead knee can flex inward. On the left (foot wasn't flared at address) you can see the lead knee has collapsed inward. This can be a position that's tough to "recover" from in terms of getting the weight forward enough on the downswing.

3

Moving on to the downswing and Key #2. Having the lead foot flared out at address allows the lead knee to move forward longer. Also a trail knee that is rotated outward is less likely to flex towards the golf ball during the downswing. In the left pic, since my knee was rotated inward at set-up, my knee is restricted by how far forward it can go. This hurts my ability to hit the ball solid because my weight isn't forward enough and as a result my hands are too far back.

4

When the lead knee can't transfer forward, the hands lag behind my pivot and this causes the club head to overtake the hands at a fast rate (casting). On the left I've reached inline (lead arm and club shaft) before impact. Obviously a different picture on the right. Since my lead foot was flared, my knee was able to flex forward longer and I could get my hands further forward. I've achieved Key #3 Inline Impact. Key #3 often comes as a result of a solid or improved Key #1 or Key #2.

It's important to note that flaring your feet at address doesn't guarantee you're going to master Keys #1-3 right away. You still have to practice and work hard on your priority piece. Also, there are many great players out there that have square trail foot positions (most good players have the lead foot flared) and are able to make centered pivots and hit the ball very solid. Also the trail foot being flared isn't a "fundamental" but this set-up piece can definitely simplify your pivot and improve your mechanics. Most pros start playing golf when they are young and hit thousands of balls "grooving" their swing. Most of you reading this thread don't have that luxury. You don't have much free time to practice and you need to make the most of it when you do get out on the range. So make golf a little bit easier and flare those feet out.

[Abu3baid 103]

Nice Post!

Yes, it was the first piece of advice I got here and I implemented it and haven't looked back since!  So simple, it baffles me how it can be a hard thing to do?

[boogielicious 2,778]

Great post @mvmac

I would add one thing:

Flaring the feet also takes stress off the left knee for people who have knee issues.  Your knee bends more naturally during the down stroke and in bending forward when it is taking all the force and not sideways (right photo in section 3).  I have arthritis in my knees and it made a huge difference.

[billchao 2,653]

Nice Post!  Yes, it was the first piece of advice I got here and I implemented it and haven't looked back since!  So simple, it baffles me how it can be a hard thing to do?

Some people think it looks stupid so they don't want to. I think hitting bad golf shots look stupid, but maybe that's just me. @mvmac , are there potential issues for flaring the feet too much? I've recently reduced my front foot flare because I believed it was one of the reasons my hips get so far ahead of my arms, causing a number of issues. My left foot was flared almost 45°.

[Dapadre 0]

Flaring of the feet is great advice, wish I used this much earlier. IMHO I think one of the main reasons why many dont do it is because of Hogans 5 Lessons in which he is very clear on how he more of less despises it. he goes as far as saying when he sees it he wonders which direction the golfer is going. To be honest, it held me back from trying it also as I didnt want to commit Hogan Blasphemy, but after being told time and time again by a good friend of mine who is a golf pro here in Holland that many players do it and it will improve my dynamics, I tried it and Im sold.

[mpb1472 3]

Through experimentation of my own, I like to flare my right (back) foot and keep my left (front) foot straight or less flared. I know its the opposite of what is commonly taught but it seems to work for me. When I also flare out my left foot I come out of the shot easier and don't release the club as well. My left foot ends up more open in follow through so I spinout a bit but ball contact and ball flight are better. My right foot flared helps with a deeper backswing, straight I come over the top more.

It makes for less strain and makes golf easier for sure.

[iacas 9,867]

…it seems to work for me. … My left foot ends up more open in follow through so I spinout a bit but ball contact and ball flight are better.

Your feet spin out because… they're trying to get to where they should be.

You'd probably be better off simply setting them there at the start.

I looked at your swing (http://thesandtrap.com/t/73129/my-swing-mpb1472) and you would "release" better if your swing wasn't basically an arms lifting and coming down motion. You need to turn more and get more weight forward, and narrowing your stance and flaring your feet out help with both of those things.

Not coincidentally… my response to you back in March? Narrow your stance and flare your feet. You seem to have given up on any of that pretty quickly.

[Hammer 4 51]

Flared feet does work. My Son, who's a BIG guy, always had his feet squared up, I suggested he flare his feet out about 30 degrees, he did, and his hip turn greatly increased, along with his ball contact.

[dchoye 16]

Dont think about this much, but looking at my own swings, I do flare out both toes out , I think it helps my squat better at the top of my swing.

I do notice that I tend to have knee pain if I do try to keep my left toe perpendicular. I think i rotate so much on my left hip on my follow through that if i dont flare out my left knee takes a pounding.

However i dont have a magical amount of outflaring, I tend to have less flaring out of the toe if the ball is above my feet for some reason.

[mpb1472 3]

iacas, I should have clarified my post better. The setup I described was done with my driver in a closed stance. Reverting to what felt comfortable I guess. Your reference to my swing and your advice was adhered to in my iron setup. I had my best ball striking with irons in years. I should have reported back sooner to tell you that and thanked you.

[cutshot878 1]

Fundamentally it makes sense. I flare both feet and I feel it allows me to swing like a younger man. More around my body.

[9424tm 15]

I'm sort of embarrassed to admit that I don't flare my feet because it feels so odd to me. I know, it's different so it should feel odd at first but it's the one thing I have been reluctant to do. I was a little worried that it would put stress on my left knee because that knee definitely kicks in toward the ball on the back swing. With the foot flared out it seems like it would really twist my knee. I am obviously wrong about this, correct?

[mvmac 2,595]

I'm sort of embarrassed to admit that I don't flare my feet because it feels so odd to me. I know, it's different so it should feel odd at first but it's the one thing I have been reluctant to do. I was a little worried that it would put stress on my left knee because that knee definitely kicks in toward the ball on the back swing. With the foot flared out it seems like it would really twist my knee. I am obviously wrong about this, correct?

If anything the foot being turned out puts the knee in a safer position. Like if you were to do a front or a back squat, the feet are turned out to help with the knee/hip mobility. The knees being rotated inward results in a weak/unhealthy position. Like I said in the first post, the left knee should rotate inward somewhat and the knee being "bowed" outward helps keep the knee from collapsing inward. It can also help "engage" the left ankle and quad more, so it gains in flex as it rotates inward.

[9424tm 15]

So with the foot flared, do I want to feel as if my left knee is flexing in the direction that my foot is pointing? Or do I continue to allow the knee to kick in (just not as much)?

[iacas 9,867]

So with the foot flared, do I want to feel as if my left knee is flexing in the direction that my foot is pointing? Or do I continue to allow the knee to kick in (just not as much)?

Well, kind of both. Your left knee won't go "directly" over your toes, it'll still kick in a little, just not as much.

Naturally. As @mvmac said in the first post, you get some things "for free" with the foot flares.

Just remember to do it for awhile. After a little time, it'll feel weird to have square toes.

[9424tm 15]

Well, kind of both. Your left knee won't go "directly" over your toes, it'll still kick in a little, just not as much. Naturally. As @mvmac said in the first post, you get some things "for free" with the foot flares. Just remember to do it for awhile. After a little time, it'll feel weird to have square toes.

Ok, that clears it up pretty well. Thank you. Looks like I have something I can really work on this winter.

[Kujan 1]

Thanks for the tip. Getting reps in and actually playing in NJ on Sunday!

[9424tm 15]

2

Many golfers complain about flexibility and struggle with achieving a "full" turn but typically the problem isn't their mobility, it's how their feet/knees are aligned at address. To make a "full" pivot and keep the head steady (Key #1) the lead knee gains in flex as the trail knee lessens in flex on the backswing. The knees are a one-plane joint and pointing them out slightly assists in turning the hips during the backswing. The trail knee just decreases in flex on the angle that it's set on.

If the trail knee is "kicked in" at set-up (left pic) the knee won't be able to move in a way that keeps the hips turning "in a circle". The hips will stall or even slide back (left pic below) and it typically leads to problems on the downswing.

The motion of the lead knee is also important to turning the hips and keeping them centered. As the lead knee gains flex on the backswing it also rotates inward a bit. The outward orientation of the knee regulates how much the lead knee can flex inward. On the left (foot wasn't flared at address) you can see the lead knee has collapsed inward. This can be a position that's tough to "recover" from in terms of getting the weight forward enough on the downswing.

It looks like the weight is fairly evenly distributed at the top of the backswing in the picture on the right. Am I correct? Honestly, this feels pretty comfortable to me because I feel as though I can transfer my weight to the front foot much easier.

Honestly, one of the reasons I have kept my feet square is because I feel like I can transfer my weight to the back foot at the top of my back swing. But then I can "get stuck" on the back foot and make too many compensations on the down swing.