Why Flaring Your Feet at Address Makes Golf Easier

[mpb1472]

On 12/13/2018 at 9:23 PM, Taylorj222 said:

I have to say one more thing about this that I feel hasn't been addressed with this and that's stance width. My experimentation has led me find out that for me a wider stance with flared feet causes me not be able to shift my weight forward causing push slices and other terrible things. A narrow stance (feet under my hips not my shoulders) with my feet flared gives me great results but it gives the impression of a wider stance. I hadn't noticed anyone touch on this and I feel it's a critical piece to this puzzle

Extremely important point in its application and the success that I have had with it. 

[ForcedCarry21]

 I always find something on here where I find myself thinking I am the only one struggling with something and then I find a topic like this. Extremely thankful for the back and forth on this site.

[flopster]

I remember you reminding me about this on more than one occasion, I certainly have no problem flaring the left it's the right foot that I have to remind myself about. I have lost about 25/30 lbs over the past year but haven't been playing nearly as much as before, I think having my favorite course close a few years back and there was a range just a mile down the road close about the same time just really discouraged me but I'm going to get back into the swing again this year.

[bwdial]

On 11/18/2014 at 2:48 AM, boogielicious said:

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.

I know this is nearly six years late, but I just saw this.  I will have to try this because I have arthritis in my knees, and I just had three rounds of Gel-Syn injections under both kneecaps.

[boogielicious]

50 minutes ago, bwdial said:

I know this is nearly six years late, but I just saw this.  I will have to try this because I have arthritis in my knees, and I just had three rounds of Gel-Syn injections under both kneecaps.

I’ve had two surgeries in my left knee and arthritis in both. It makes a big difference.

[bwdial]

8 hours ago, boogielicious said:

I’ve had two surgeries in my left knee and arthritis in both. It makes a big difference.

I tried flaring out my left foot today, and it did make a difference.

[smripley]

Why don't you see a lot of tour pros doing this?

[dennyjones]

4 minutes ago, smripley said:

Why don't you see a lot of tour pros doing this?

I'm not an expert but it makes sense to me that these guys/gals are athletes that work out frequently and are very flexible.  That is not the average person on any golf forum.   The flared feet allow people that are less flexible turn easier to make a more full turn.  

[smripley]

8 minutes ago, dennyjones said:

I'm not an expert but it makes sense to me that these guys/gals are athletes that work out frequently and are very flexible.  That is not the average person on any golf forum.   The flared feet allow people that are less flexible turn easier to make a more full turn.  

Yeh, I was just curious to determine if it was necessary or not for the better players / athletes. 

[iacas]

9 minutes ago, dennyjones said:

I'm not an expert but it makes sense to me that these guys/gals are athletes that work out frequently and are very flexible.  That is not the average person on any golf forum.   The flared feet allow people that are less flexible turn easier to make a more full turn.  

That, and many of them are almost trying not to turn a ton during the downswing, lest their trail elbow get a little caught.

You will see them letting their front foot spin out, though. Which, if they flared their foot out, wouldn't have to spin out so much. They put a lot of torque on that front ankle in doing so.

Besides, I think if you actually look, you'll see more pros with a flared foot or two than you seem to think. It's not everyone, but a lot of pros will turn out one foot slightly.

[JGus]

I flare my back foot more to help get a centered pivot, but don't always remember to flare the front foot.  It hasn't hurt me to much I don't think, my issue is starting the transition, one day I'll figure out a trigger that works.

[colin007]

On 4/8/2020 at 9:51 AM, iacas said:

They put a lot of torque on that front ankle in doing so.

This is very interesting, because the front ankle is a spot that I have pain in sometimes, esp on a full follow thru. I do flare both feet out

[BillyD]

On 12/3/2014 at 6:54 AM, mvmac said:

 

Yes, if the trail foot is turned out too much it can effect the turning rates on the downswing/followthrough. "Too much" can be a little different for every player but I wouldn't turn the trail foot out more than 40 degrees. The lead foot can be flared a little more than the trail foot but I wouldn't go more than 45 degrees. Too much lead foot flare can limit the hip turn, it will restrict how much the lead knee can move inward on the backswing. Like I said in the OP, 30-35 degrees of flare is generally a good place to be.

Thanks for that info. I recently injured my left knee (I'm a righty) and tried to continue playing with a brace on and then added a cortisone shot. I finally wound up with gel injection which does help with pain relief except that my brain doesn't want to fully shift weight back ro the left side. The injury is not structural, it was a re-injury of a 6 year old meniscus tear that I had 2 months of intense PT on and had not been a concern since until post-Covid return to play. My golf swing stops without releasing my body because of weakness and lack of stability. So I tried a foot flare on my left side, between 35-40 degrees. A much smaller flare on right foot, and I opened my shoulders a bit to accommodate. In practice swings without a ball it feels much better and I can swing through. Does that sound right? I will try it at the range because I am stumped getting "through" the ball otherwise.

[mvmac]

On 9/27/2020 at 1:59 PM, BillyD said:

Does that sound right? I will try it at the range because I am stumped getting "through" the ball otherwise.

Yes it will help. Without being able to fully shift left and straighten the leg, it's going to be tough.

[Tbabes]

I started golfing three months ago, and found this site yesterday. The two things I focused on at the range session were key #1 and flaring both feet outwards...simple guidance that even a newbie like me can handle!  In looking at some of my old swing videos, I was shocked at how much I was violating key 1, and pleasantly surprised at how flaring my feet has helped with my turn and full swing. Thank you!

[bones]

Im trying to help my son with his golf game.

He hits his irons beautifully, but continually blocks

his driver. I have noticed he does not flare his left foot.

His ball position is correct. Ive checked everything else.

Would flaring his left foot help him get rid of that blocked

drive.

He generally hits it about 300 yds.

Thanx for any replies...

[woodzie264]

5 minutes ago, bones said:

Im trying to help my son with his golf game.

He hits his irons beautifully, but continually blocks

his driver. I have noticed he does not flare his left foot.

His ball position is correct. Ive checked everything else.

Would flaring his left foot help him get rid of that blocked

drive.

He generally hits it about 300 yds.

Thanx for any replies...

I’m sure some will request a video of his swing so they can offer relevant advice, but yes, I would think flaring his left foot would make his rotation easier and reduce his tendency to block it right.  
In case you didn’t look back at the original post in the thread:

 

[iacas]

8 hours ago, bones said:

Would flaring his left foot help him get rid of that blocked

It likely wouldn’t hurt him, but there is probably more to it than that.